Volume 20, Number 20
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
State funds school security upgrades By Charles Kreutzkamp Special to Town Times
As the second anniversary of the Newtown tragedy approaches, many area schools are making security upgrades. A state grant that closes Sept. 15 has made additional funding available to the schools that can help fund new and retroactive security upgrades in Connecticut schools. In Regional School District 13, which serves Durham and Middlefield, Director of Business Operations Ron Melnik said that the school has done some upgrades “that we believe we are going to get reimbursed for” as well as other updates the district is unlikely to get reimbursed for, including trimming trees to improve visibility. The district is
also implementing a one-way traffic pattern in front of the high school, which improves both security and traffic flow. Region 13 schools are also being fitted with cameras and electronic door devices, as are many other area schools. “We continue to address the issues as they come up. We are always looking for ways to add safety and to improve our environment,” Melnik said. The grant was created as part of the 2013 legislation on gun violence prevention, mental health and school safety. Connecticut has funded more than $43 million for school security since 2013. “Providing safe learning environments for our stu-
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Friday, September 5, 2014
TASTY FUNDRAISER
The United Churches of Durham held a food truck fundraiser Aug. 29 to raise money for the church’s building and grounds. Seven food trucks took part, including the NoRa cupcake truck, Amor Food Truck, and Perk on Wheels, allowing attendees to enjoy treats like mudslide cupcakes, vegan poutine, and Perk on Main crepes. | Mark Dionne / Town Times
See Security / Page 3
Solar farm idea draws debate By Mark Dionne Town Times
Of the two topics, horse taxes and solar farms, on the agenda for an Aug. 25 public hearing in Durham, discussion of the latter proved to be both lengthier and more contentious. Noting the success of the recent home solar panel initiative, First Selectman Laura Francis said, “We learned a couple of things through that activity. One: we have a lot of residents who really care about how we impact our planet ... Two: we learned that we have a lot of people in the town of Durham who are interested in saving money.” The regulation of solar power has changed recently.
Connecticut has made partnerships with utility companies that allow municipalities to put privately-installed solar farms on town-owned property and use the generated electricity on other properties, such as town buildings. “[W]e can do this without any capital costs on the municipality’s part,” Francis said. Two companies bid on the project, with Green Skies of Middletown winning. Francis said Green Skies could complete the project and was financed well enough to last for the 20-year length of the agreement. The electricity generated by the solar farms would be purchased by the town at a reduced rate of 9 cents per
kilowatt/hour with a 1 percent per year increase. Potential yearly savings was calculated at $25,000. After 20 years, the town could direct Green Skies to remove the solar farm, the town could buy the solar farm, or the agreement could be extended for five years. Most of the town-owned property, according to Francis, has either open space restrictions or deed restrictions The potential construction of a solar farm on town-owned from purchases or donations. property was the focus of much debate at a recent public “We had very few options hearing in Durham. This property, south of Birch Mill Road available to us,” Francis said. and Route 17, was one of two discussed locations for a One property being consolar farm. | Mark Dionne / Town Times sidered as a solar farm, called solar site #1, is a 7.58 acre parcel south of Haddam Quarter lar farms were discussed. Birch Mill Road, roughly opRoad and west of Brick Lane. Solar site #2 is a 3.5 acre posite the Time Out Taverne This property was suggested property south of New Haven by a resident the first time so- Road/Route 17 and west of See Solar / Page 3