Volume 17, Issue 42
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
MLK Jr. celebration on Jan. 19 inspires everyone
How are snow days called? What are the town crews doing with all this snow? By Cheri Kelley Town Times
Noah Gyllenhammer, left, and Christopher Carafeno, both students at John Lyman School, point to the tiles they created in class illustrating some of the lessons of Martin Luther King. For more information on the community-wide celebration, see page 18. Town Times photo by Sue VanDerzee
Friday, Januar y 28, 2011
How are snow days created? I’m sure parents all over Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall want to know the answer to this right about now, with winter weather coming at us weekly. After looking at the Town Times Facebook page, some parents are welcoming the snow and ice which are reminiscent of winters from their youth; others are beyond ready to pack up and head to Florida until spring. When questioned if they were sick of the snow, one person posted, “No way! I still have room in my back yard for more snow! Bring it on Old Man Winter...I can take it!” Another resident posted this sentiment, “Just got word that RSD13 schools
are closed tomorrow. Two snow days in a row — the kids are losing their minds, they’re so excited! It’s minivacation time.” Susan Viccaro, superintendent for Regional School District 13 (RSD13), said that she is the one who makes the decision, but she does it based on a number of variables. On stormy mornings, Viccaro wakes no later than 4 a.m. She said, “I speak to Rob Francis, the director of buildings and grounds, who is out assessing the condition of the roads. I check radar and our weather service to see what they are predicting. I also monitor the TV and what various weather people are reporting.” Viccaro continued, “I talk with other area superintendents, such as Region 17, Region 4, Middletown, etc.”
The condition of the roads is a major factor as Viccaro has to weigh if it is safe for buses to travel on them. She also has to consider how much plowing still has to be done. The district builds four days into the calendar for possible snow days. Beyond four days will be made up from the beginning of April vacation. It is law that there must be 182 school days by June 30. See Snow, page 17
In this issue ... Calendar............................4 Durham Briefs................13 Middlefield Briefs...........12 Obituaries .......................19 Sports..........................20-23
Middlefield purchases development rights to Merriam property By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times Middlefield has one of the largest percentages of open space out of all the Connecticut towns, according to Middlefield’s First Selectman Jon Brayshaw. “If people like what they see, are comfortable and happy to be here, they should remember that it doesn’t come without a certain amount of sacrifice,” he said, referring to those who question how much open space is enough for one town. “Without open space, (the town) becomes like any other suburb.” One can say that Middlefield will not become like “any other suburb” after a closing that took place last week, resulting in an addition to the town’s open space inventory: Middlefield purchased the development rights to 18 acres of the Mer-
riam property, located on the corner of Ross Road and Spring Street in Rockfall, for $115,000. “We ended up well,” said Brayshaw, who noted that the town initially thought it was going to purchase 24 acres at $250,000 when the idea came up several years ago. Then a developer with whom Merriam had dealt went to court to secure four house lots, bringing the acreage available down to 18. “I think it’s a really good deal to secure 18 acres of prime real estate at that price. It’s also a tribute to Robert Merriam (who owns the land that has been in his family for years), and his willingness to farm the land,” continued Brayshaw. The Merriam property, which straddles the Middlefield — Middletown border, was once used for a Christmas tree farm. A portion of the property was sold to Mid-
dletown in recent years. With Middlefield’s purchase of the development rights, Merriam, who still owns the land, will only be allowed to use it for farming and agricultural production — “he can go back to growing Christmas trees,” Brayshaw suggested. “I think if he does, it will be well received in the area.” Merriam has also mentioned allowing the public to access the Coginchaug River for fishing. Another feature of the sale, Brayshaw noted, was Middlefield now has the right to first refusal if Merriam decides to sell that portion. “I’m happy this purchase went through,” said Brayshaw, noting that the money for the purchase was budgeted for. “In recent history, I can’t think of any other purchase that secured a large area of Rockfall like this does.”
A map of the Merriam property with four house lots in yellow at the corner of Ross Road (left) and Spring Street (top). The Coginchaug River (in blue) can be accessed from this property because Middletown bought development rights to the portion in their town. Middlefield purchased the rights to the section outlined in red.