Volume 20, Number 8
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
www.TownTimes.com
Friday, July 17, 2015
Durham selectmen discuss state trooper presence By Mark Dionne Town Times
While the agenda for the July 13 meeting of the Durham Board of Selectmen was dominated by motions to approve requests for various agreements, all of which were approved, the selectmen’s comments portion opened a discussion of the State Trooper coverage in Durham. In response to a question from Selectman John Szewczyk about new State Trooper Larry Morello, Durham First Selectman Laura Francis said that Morello has been “very communicative” and has been checking in. Morello began as the trooper assigned to Durham at the end of June. According to Francis, he has been addressing concerns
“face to face” where possible. “He’s been trying to meet people,” Francis said. Morello also has met with the fire department, the Durham Fair Association, and the zoning enforcement officer, according to Francis. Francis and the trooper visited Middlefield to investigate traffic enforcement. Traffic issues have concerned residents and occupied troopers. In Durham, traffic issues are the number one complaint to police, according to Francis. “I have ordered speeding enforcement on cull-de-sacs.” Francis said that she has discussed with Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw the possibility of sharing an additional trooper with Middlefield. See Trooper / Page 15
Bipartisan support for pesticide restrictions By Charles Kreutzkamp Town Times
“We are going to have a very active environmental agenda next term,” said state Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. (D-Durham), chair of the Environmental Committee, who plans to look at battery recycling as well as a plan to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags similar to legislation adopted in California next session. One of the most significant environmental bills
that passed this term was S.B. 366, which banned pesticides on municipal playgrounds as well as requiring that schools notify parents if they must make an emergency pesticide application. Under the bill, this is only allowed to address pests that present an immediate threat to human health. As the result of a compromise, the bill does not ban pesticide use on high school athletic fields. See Pesticides / Page 16
From left, Elle and Alex Nick arrange their items for sale at the Kids Only Tag Sale at the Durham Public Library. The recently purchased green snake around Alex’s neck was not for sale. | Mark Dionne / Town Times
Young salesmen at the Kids Only Tag Sale By Mark Dionne Town Times
Young entrepreneurs set up shop on the grounds of the Durham Public Library on Saturday, July 11, hoping to turn their old toys, games, and stuffed animals into cash. Some two dozen children took advantage of the annual Kids Only Tag Sale. As the name implies, sellers are limited to children, but buyers can be any age. The tables and blankets were filled with books, games, and enough stuffed animals to start a fake zoo. Most of the children at the tag sale said they simply selected items Thomas Kannam leaves the Kids Only Tag Sale wearing one of his purchases, a Stitch costume. See Salesmen / Page 13
| Mark Dionne / Town Times