Volume 20, Number 26
www.TownTimes.com
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Friday, November 20, 2015
Football team will return to action after upheaval By Mark Dionne
Town Times
An incident that started in the stands between adults and subsequently involved one athlete during Coginchaug Regional High School’s Nov. 6 football game set off a chain of events that led to the resignation of CRHS coach Nick D’Angelo and his coaching staff with two remaining games.
The incident also resulted in the suspension of the student-athlete, after which several other football players quit the team. D’Angelo, in his first year at Coginchaug, and his assistants, resigned Tuesday, Nov. 10, when they learned school officials planned to suspend D’Angelo while investigating complaints by players and parents. D’Angelo works as a police
Blight ordinance talks return to Durham By Mark Dionne Town Times
The Durham Board of Selectmen is again considering adopting a blight ordinance for the town. A blight ordinance would give the town authority to fine and force upkeep to a property that is in severe disrepair. Blight ordinances often are proposed to protect the safety, welfare, and property values of a town. At the regular Dec. 9 BOS meeting, the selectmen briefly considered a draft version of the regulation. Selectmen Steve Levy said
it was difficult to get through the topic at a meeting with a regular agenda and proposed holding a special meeting devoted solely to this issue. A special meeting is different than a public hearing, but will still allow for public comment. No date is set. First Selectman Laura Francis noted that the town has explored the topic before. Francis said, “We kind of stopped because it got difficult.” Blight ordinances, Francis said, are mostly preventive and can be a “costly and difficult-to-manage law.” Durham’s Zoning EnforceSee Blight / Page 5
Call 860.347.2300 Today for guaranteed delivery for Christmas!
officer in Hamden. Lacking certified coaches, Region 13 school officials on Thursday, Nov. 12, forfeited CRHS’ scheduled Nov. 14 game against Granby and met with athletes and parents. The forfeit cost the Blue Devils (3-6) their last home game and senior day festivities. It also cost the pep band and cheerleaders their senior day. In subsequent interviews
with television and print media, D’Angelo questioned who would want to coach at CRHS and alleged a hostile environment created by parents. With that picture painted by the former coach, many on social media and on comment threads have weighed in supporting D’Angelo and attacking “entitled” youngsters and parents. In a letter to the community on Nov. 16, school officials announced Dave DeRita,
an assistant coach at Haddam-Killingworth, will coach Coginchaug on Thanksgiving Day, when the Blue Devils will travel to take on Gilbert/ Northwestern. The letter also stated that the administration does not stand behind D’Angelo’s post-resignation comments and would look for a method to honor the seniors. — The Record-Journal contributed to this report.
Army Band rocks D13 By Mark Dionne Town Times
The 102d Army Band played a set as a concert band and as a rock band at Coginchaug Regional High School’s auditorium on Nov. 15 as a belated recognition of Veterans Day. About a dozen CRHS students filled in with the band, which already had a connection to D13. Strong Middle School’s band teacher, Steve Fitzgerald, is also a sergeant in the National Guard and plays alto saxophone in the 102d See Band / Page 3
At a Nov. 15 concert, CRHS student Jake Brunelle (second from right) plays saxophone on James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” with the 102d Army Rock Band, which also features Strong school teacher Steve Fitzgerald (fourth from right) on saxophone. | Mark Dionne / Town Times
500 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 860-347-2300 • www.oakandvelvet.com
Deal Directly with our Local Custom Workroom
• Custom Slip Covers • Re-Upholstery
30827-02
• Fine Upholstered Furniture • Custom Draperies