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-
www.TownTimes.com
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
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Town Times | towntimes.com
DURHAM FAIR Sept 25 to Sept 28
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FIRST DAY FOR DISTRICT 13 SCHOOLS
Volunteers Needed For Gates All shifts still available
Email Lisa at lisag33@icloud.com or call Sherri at 860-788-2891
All volunteers receive admission ticket and parking pass for their volunteer day.
243 Main St. Durham, Rt. 17
Evening & Saturday Hours
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| Mark Dionne / Town Times
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District 13 schools welcomed students for the first day of the 2014-2015 school year on Aug. 28. Students at John Lyman Elementary were greeted by school staff, including principal Tom Ford and kindergarten teachers Sharon Berndt, Kristen Blake, and Kerry Chernovetz. The last scheduled day of the school year is currently Monday, June 15.
William J. Witkowski, D.M.D. 360 Main Street P.O. Box 177 Allan A. Witkowski, D.M.D. Durham, CT We will submit claims to all insurances
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An Evening with
Psychic Medium Lisa Lanno
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Please join us for an amazing fundraising event. Renowned psychic medium, Lisa Lanno will connect with those who have crossed over - humans and animals alike. Bring an open mind and open heart and help Cat Tales continue our mission through this unique and unforgettable evening!* Random affirmations – attendance does not guarantee a reading
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014 Location: Arrigoni Winery - Portland, CT Time: 6PM – 9PM $1 donated to Cat Tales for every glass of wine purchased and $4 donated for every bottle of wine (evening of the event only). Raffle Prizes, too! Tickets: $39.50/Person, includes wine tasting (5 wines) To Purchase tickets: please call (860) 344-9043 or email ctracy15@aol.com. Seats are limited for this special event!
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P O S T M A S T E R: Send address changes to Record-Journal, P.O. Box 915, Meriden CT 06450
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Town Times | towntimes.com
Friday, September 5, 2014
Security dents and educators is a basic responsibility of state and local governments,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said. “Last year, we secured $21 million to support grant requests for security upgrades at 604 schools in 111 districts – every school that applied. With this additional funding, we will have made $43 million available to improve school security in just over a year. Connecticut has made significant strides in our effort to provide safe
9/11 ceremony learning environments for our students. This next round of funding will allow us to get the resources out to communities that need to modernize their school security infrastructure to help keep students safe.” Plainville School Superintendent Jeffrey Kitching said the town is exploring one school security project to fund using the grant: the Discover Video system. “This system would allow us to create and store emergency messages and proce-
dural announcements that could then be broadcast across our schools during emergency situations,” Kitching explained. “We have not yet completed a full investigation into the viability of the system, but will prior to the grant deadline.” Roman Czuchta, director of business operations for Berlin schools, said this grant will help Berlin pay for key card systems and video cameras installed near entrances. “We are in the process right now of doing duress
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9/11 remembrance ceremony in Durham A Remembrance Ceremony will be held to commemorate victims of 9/11 on the Durham Town Green Thursday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m., rain or shine.
The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department, 406 Jackson Hill Road, has scheduled its annual ceremony for all of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony, at 6 p.m., will be at the memorial constructed from steel from the World Trade Center adjacent to the firehouse, rain or shine.
Talent show The Entertainment Committee of the Durham Fair has scheduled its 11th annual talent show for Saturday, Sept. 27. Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6 at the
United Churches of Durham. Professional performers are excluded. For more information and an application, contact Bill Currlin at (860) 343-3414 or email wcurrlin@comcast.net.
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Green Skies, the company would have to re-group and would work with buffer zones investigate the visual impact. “What we’re trying to do on the same side of Route 17. and use fences and vegetation One property previously to reduce the visibility. Also here is turn what is unproconsidered on Tuttle Road according to Palmer, the so- ductive property in terms had encumbrances on it lar modules have a coating to of tax revenue into a piece of productive property that making it unusable for this reduce reflectiveness. Sue White objected to the would yield us savings on our project. The first property was do- potential use of solar site #2, electric bill,” Francis said. Middlefield First Selectnated to the town; the sec- saying that if the donors had ond was donated specifically intended it to be open space, man Jon Brayshaw has said to the Conservation Commis- that should be honored even recently that Middlefield is sion but without open space if it was not transferred that considering using the same program. way. restrictions. At the end of the discusThe project grew out of Durham’s Clean Energy and sion, Francis said the town Sustainability Task Force. Tom Kannam, the task force’s chair, said, “We have been specifically looking for ways ... without any cost to the Affecting Your Monthly Mortgage Payments! town to essentially cut our electricity bill significantly, probably in half, by using renewable energy.” “This is a way for us to reduce our costs for an extended period of time,” Kannam said. Andrew Chester, an executive vice-president of Green Skies, and Chris Palmer, Green Skies engineer, also spoke at the public hearing. State Wide is Your Neighborhood Insurance Agency. While solar farms were Local Office, Local Agent. We Shop... You Save! described as producing no physical pollution or smell, Call For A FREE Quote Today or Visit www.statewidect.com several residents objected to the projects as potential eyeCall 860-788-7256 Call 203-440-9550 sores. The solar farms would consist of 10 rows with 1,100 (Middlefield) (Meriden) solar modules. Durham residents on neighboring properties asked what they would see when they looked out AUTO | HOME | BUSINESS | LIFE their windows and one resiProudly Representing dent said that the tax savings would not offset the loss of property value for neighborMainCT St., Middlefield Offices: 500Offices: Main Street500 Middlefield, 860-788-7256 • 1347 860-788-7256 East Main St., Meriden 203-440-9550 ing homeowners. According to Palmer of 1347 East Main St., Meriden 203-440-9550 From Page 1
alarms in the buildings prior to the opening of the school,” Czuchta said. First Selectman of North Haven Mike Freda said that North Haven schools have added key card access to elementary school entrances and exits, and are developing a plan with walkie talkies to “facilitate communication” in the event of an emergency, Freda said. Some of these upgrades are being reimbursed and the town is paying the difference of roughly $60,000.
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Library Briefs
Levi E. Coe Library
pating public libraries in the month of September. Based on the Wine Trail Passport Program in CT, the program will run during “Library Card Sign-Up Month.” Libraries offer a “passport” to their patrons, who then can take it to any participating library to be stamped and receive a small gift. At the end of the month, Programs for adults patrons can turn in passports Mystery Book Discussion to any participating library to - Tuesday, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. be entered in two drawings: “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” Children most libraries visited and by Susan Elia MacNeal. Programs for young Museum passes one random drawing for all Preschool programs begin adults Passport Program - The participants. Levi E. Coe Library has Sept. 15 - Drop in. The drawing is for two Bouncing Babies! (birth museum passes. Multiple Teen Advisory Group (ages Connecticut Library Assostate parks and forests are -crawlers). Mondays, 11 a.m. 12 to 18). Saturday, Sept. 6, 3 to ciation sponsors the first adult prizes of $150 each and Mother Goose Storytime 4 p.m. The group meets once Passport to CT Libraries pro- two children’s (under 18) of available. Zinio - The Levi E. Coe (walkers - 30 months). Mon- a month to discuss how to im- gram, running in all partici- $100 each. Library subscribes to Zinio. days, 10:15 a.m. Time for Tots (2 1/2 - 3 1/2 Patrons may access over a dozen different magazines years). Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. Preschool Storytime (3 1/2 Library hours: Monday online. - 5 years). Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. through Thursday 10 a.m. to and 1:30 p.m. 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 Bedtime Storytime (ages p.m.; closed Fridays. 1 to 5 years). Mondays, 6:30 The library is scheduled to p.m. be closed Saturday, Sept. 27, LEGO Club (6 to 12 years). Library hours: Monday for the Durham Fair. Volunteers are need for through Thursday, 10 a.m. to Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 to the Levi E. Coe coffee booth 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 7:30 p.m. Drop in. Visit www.durhamlibrary. at the fair. Stop by or call the a.m. to 5 p.m. org/kids/programs for a full library at (860) 349-3857 or Programs for schedule of events. sign up.
Durham Public Library
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prove the library for young adults. Teen Cuisine Apples (ages 12 to 18). Wednesday, Sept. 10, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cooking class for teens will make fall classics with apples. Registration is required by calling (860) 349-9544, email kgardiner@durhamlibrary.org or stop by the library.
Church of the Epiphany Church of the Epiphany, 196 Main St., has scheduled Rally Sunday for Sept. 7 at the 9:30 a.m. service. Sunday School registration is planned, children will meet their teachers and visit their rooms. Blessing of the backpacks is also planned. Epiphany backpacks will be distributed. Children may bring
their backpacks to be blessed Notre Dame Church for the new school year. Call Notre Dame Church, 280 (860) 349-9644. Main St., has scheduled its monthly flea market and tag Community supper sale for the first Saturday of The Church of the Epiph- each month, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., any, 196 Main St., has sched- through Oct. 4. The tag sale uled a free community will be located in the church supper for Sunday, Sept. 14, hall, rectory garage, parking 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. lot and lawn, rain or shine. Epiphany parishioners Breakfast and lunch will be will prepare the meal. Mem- available. Vendor space is bers of Notre Dame Church available for purchase. For will provide dessert. All are more information, call Bob welcome. Smith at (860) 349-0356.
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For admissions or referrals, call 203-679-5901.
Town Times | towntimes.com
Friday, September 5, 2014
Soccer mums
Senior Happenings MILE
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Thinking of retiring? The Middlefield Senior Center has scheduled an informational retirement seminar for Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m., at the Senior Center, 405 Main Street, Middlefield. The seminar is scheduled for two parts: Alison Perrin plans to discuss Social Security, and what is offers, how and when you are eligible to receive benefits, things to consider in deciding when to take income, strategies for collecting to help maximize your benefits. Joe Fournier plans to discuss estate planning. What is it? Who needs it? Why? When should you start? Is an attorney really necessary? Myths and pitfalls, common planning strategies, the living trust, medical decision making, your action plan, etc. The information presented will be general information, and no particular financial group will be endorsed. The presentation is expected to run 60-90 minutes with time for questions and discussion. To make a reservation, or for more information, contact Alison Perrin at (860) 313-4858.
The Durham Senior Center has scheduled an informational meeting regarding MILE and what cultural opportunities are offered for Friday, Sept. 5, noon, at the Durham Library. Joe Soja is scheduled to speak. The meeting includes a soup and salad luncheon. The MILE’s fall program booklet will be available. Reservations are required. Call Amanda at (860) 349-3153.
The Middlefield Senior Center Scrabble Group meets Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. at the Middlefield Senior Center. The group is looking for more players. All are welcome. For more information, call (860) 349-7121.
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The Middlefield Senior Center has scheduled a series of talks on topics that directly affect seniors. Middlefield attorney Edward Lang is scheduled to speak as follows: Friday, Sept. 12 - Power of attorney and living wills, 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 - Planning for Medicaid and use of trusts, 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 - The Probate Process, 1 p.m. R.S.V.P. is not necessary, but appreciated. For more information, call (860) 349-7121.
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September trips: Tuesday, Sept. 8 - New Britain Museum of American Art. Wednesday, Sept. 10 - Roseland Cottage in Woodstock. Wednesday, Sept. 17 - The William Benton Museum of Art in Storrs. October trips: Wednesday, Oct. 8 - The Quabbin Reservoir. We d n e s d a y, O c t . 1 5 - Sturbridge. Tuesday, Oct. 28 - Quadrangle Museum. Wednesday, Oct. 29 Northampton, Massachusetts. Admission fee is charged for some places. Transportation is free for Durham and Middlefield residents. For more information and to make reservations, call St. Luke’s at (860) 347-5661.
Applications are being accepted for the Renter’s Rebate program. Required documentation 60+ Club The Durham 60+ Club from 2013 includes: 2013 1099 is scheduled to meet Mon- income statement, a copy of day, Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m., at the the 2013 tax return (if filed); Durham Activity Center, 350 proof of rent paid; utility payMain St. Dr. Tanya Feke plans ment history printouts; proof a short talk on Medicare. The of interest or dividends from presentation will be followed bank accounts, stocks, bonds. Filing dates through Oct. 1. by a produce and bake sale Income limits are: single, variety table. The nominating committee will be selected at the meeting. The public is welcome.
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Senior center day trips
Renter’s Rebate
FOCUS (Friends of Coginchaug Unified Soccer), a $34,101 and married $41,600. booster club for the CoginFor more information and to chaug Regional High School schedule an appointment, call girls and boys soccer teams, Amanda at (860) 349-3153. has eight-inch mums available for purchase. Deadline to order is Wednesday, Sept. 10. 60+ Club day trips Order at www.coginchaugThe 60+ Club has scheduled soccer.org or from any CRHS the following day trips. Sept. 19 - Scallop festival at soccer player. the cape. Oct. 14 - Oktoberfest. School News Nov. 6 - Costa Azzurra, all about the 50s. For more information, call Dean’s list (860) 346-0724. University of Massachusetts
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Retirement seminar
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Town Times | towntimes.com
Food bank
The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords is seeking new members. No auditions are required but basic choral capabilities are necessary. New members will be accepted until Tuesday, Sept. 23. The group rehearses Tuesdays, 6:45 p.m., at the St. Francis Msgr. Fox Hall, 10 Elm St., Middletown. Call (860) 3423120 or visit www.vocalchords20.org.
The Middlef ield Food Bank is in need of specific food items. Donations of the following would be appreciated: Peanut butter, grape jelly, macaroni and cheese (or other boxed, dry mac and cheese), tuna, chicken noodle soup, gluten free canned soups, canned fruit (15 oz. cans, peaches and pears), and Campbell’s Chunky Beef soups.
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PETS OF THE WEEK Trixie is a 1-year-old female kitten. Although petite, she is full of energy. She loves to play and thrives on attention. She will pat the Cat Tales volunteers heads from her cage when she wants to play. Trixie is FELV+ (people cannot catch this). She would be a great as an only pet (or with other FELV+ cats), in a home with older children. A cat-experienced person or family who will be mindful of her health and well-being would be perfect. Sable is a dainty, 11year old girl. She is shy at first, but quickly becomes friendly. She would be happy as the only cat in the family, but would be good with a cat-friendly dog. She needs a quite home as children and loud noise make her nervous. For more information, call (860) 344-9043 or email info@ CatTalesCT.org.
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Friday, September 5, 2014
A7
Failure to register assault weapons a misdemeanor HARTFORD — Under Connecticut’s new gun control law, gun owners who failed to register their nowbanned assault weapons by a January deadline could face a misdemeanor charge
if caught, not a felony as described by Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley during a debate. The law, enacted after the 2012 Newtown school shooting, has become a major issue in the governor’s race between Foley, Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and
in the past — legally purchasing a weapon that now cannot be sold or purchased in Connecticut. “It was grandstanding and it was unnecessary,” Foley said during the debate at Norwich Free Academy. “I don’t think you turn perfectly good law-abiding citizens, who are responsible people, who believe in the Constitution of the United States, and flip something on them so that something they did in the past turns them
conservative petitioning candidate Joe Visconti, a gun rights advocate. At a Aug. 27 debate between Foley and Malloy, Foley called the legislation “overreaching” and claimed it turns “perfectly good law-abiding citizens” into “a felon” for something they did
Government Meetings (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at the Durham Library. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Monday, Sept. 8 Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Inland/Wetlands, Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 Conservation Commission, Library, 7 p.m. Library Board of Trustees, Library, 7:30 p.m. Durham Volunteer Fire Company, Durham Firehouse, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 Board of Education, Memorial School, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 Public Safety Renovations Planning Committee, Durham Volunteer Firehouse, 7 p.m.
Zoning Board of Appeals, Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 Board of Finance, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Agriculture Commission, Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 Board of Education, Korn School, 7:30 p.m. Planning and Zoning, Library, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 DMIAAB, Library, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22 Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 Public Safety Facility Planning Committee, Durham Vol. Firehouse, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 Ethic’s Commission, Town Hall, 7 p.m.
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(Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Tuesday, Sept. 16 Board of Selectmen, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 Board of Finance, 7 p.m.
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into a felon,” said Foley, adding how he “would make sure they are not prosecuted.” Michael Lawlor, Malloy’s criminal justice adviser, said the new law essentially mirrors language in the state’s 1993 assault weapons ban, which makes it a Class A misdemeanor for first-time violators who failed to register their now banned weapon — or in the case of the new law, also large-capacity am-
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By Susan Haigh
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A8 Friday, September 5, 2014
Town Times | towntimes.com
Op-Ed Something to sleep on What about athletics? Wilton, CT public schools changed their school schedFour Facts: 1. Older children naturally ules 11 years ago, so older go to sleep later and wake up students started school latest, and maintained toplater than younger children ranked athletic, extra-curfor reasons that are chemricular, and academic ical/hormonal, physical, social/behavioral, circadian, programs. I talked with the principal of Wilton High, etc. who said there was no 2. More sleep is healthier change in extra-curricular than less. participation rates and no 3. Because of No. 1 and question of being dropped No. 2, schools are changing from their athletic conferstart times to better align ence, which sent a letter with natural sleep rhythms of support to competitor by having younger students start school earlier and older schools asking for cooperstudents start school later, or ation in scheduling games. Having lit fields and a cenhaving the school day start tral location helps. Occalater for both. sionally athletes will miss a 4. No. 3 has produced sigschool period for an away nificantly positive results in game, but this has never public health (less depresbeen problematic. Logically, sion, caffeine/substance abuse, obesity), public safety more sleep benefits athletes, and later pick-up/game (better driving), and acatimes might work well for demic (test scores, attensome families. dance, tardiness). Is there a cost? Support is listed on someStudies report cost-neuthingtosleepon.weebly. trality if bus routes aren’t com and includes studies changed; only the schedule by Brookings Institution, is flipped. National Sleep Foundation, “Younger children University of Minnesota, shouldn’t be waiting for the American Academy of Pebus in the dark.” Frankly diatrics – all recommending older students start school later. See Sleep / Page 9 By Julienne Cassarino
The Big Falls is at one of its lowest points of the season, but remains impressive. | Charles Kreutzkamp / Town Times
Caching out: Seven towns down By Charles Kreutzkamp Town Times
On Aug. 30 I completed my quest to snag a geocache in every one of the seven towns served by the Record-Journal weeklies – a graveyard cache in Berlin, tramping through poison ivy in North Ha-
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Town Times is published every Friday by the Record-Journal Publishing Co. and delivered to all homes and businesses in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. Executive Vice President and Assistant Publisher – Liz White Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer – Shawn E. Palmer Senior Vice President and Editor – Ralph Tomaselli News Editor – Nick Carroll Assistant News Editor – Olivia L. Lawrence Reporter – Mark Dionne Advertising Sales – Joy Boone Advertising Director – Kimberley E. Boath Office Assistant, Press Releases – Marsha Pomponio
ven, a matchstick hanging from a tree in Plainville, an ammo can behind Water Control in Southington, a cleverly named “Park and Find” at the Park and Ride in Cheshire, and a magnetic nano on a bench in Durham. I’ve captured 21 caches since I began little more than a month ago. I saved Middle-
field for last. The Town Times is the oddball of the weeklies. The Times has our smallest circulation, but the most active Facebook page, and is our only paper not named The Something Citizen. It’s also our only weekly paper servSee Caching / Page 9
Letters to the Editor Honoring Ray’s legacy To the editor: Durham has certainly lost a wonderful town leader and a man who was an important part of this special community. Ray Kalinowski was someone we both respected and admired. We are honored to be currently representing Durham in the House of Representatives in Hartford. But we are doubly honored to follow in the footsteps of former State Rep. Ray Kalinowski. He is, and will
always be, a tough act to follow. Ray leaves us a legacy of always putting Durham and its citizens first in every decision. After the 2012 redistricting, he quickly welcomed both of us to Durham. In his quiet way Ray let us know that he was there to help if we needed it, we both knew how much he loved Durham and how he wanted to make sure that we did a good job. To Ray’s wife Sandy, his family, and friends and to the people of Durham, we promise to do our best to honor Ray’s legacy.
State Rep. Vincent Candelora, 86th District State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda, 101st District Correction In a recent Letter to the Editor by Durham Republican Registrar of Voters Pam Lucashu thanking all who made the recent Republican primary a success, one of the lines should have read “But especially, thanks to our fellow citizens employed as poll workers. Our poll workers constantly improve our processes for better elections and referenda.”
Town Times | towntimes.com
Friday, September 5, 2014
A9
Caching From Page 8
ing two towns, Middlefield and Durham, and it’s the first Record-Journal publication I ever laid my hands on. I moved to the Rockfall area of Middlefield from Kentucky at age 10. So to officially capture a geocache in each and every town, I knew exactly where I wanted to go to complete my mission: Wadsworth Falls State Park, within walking distance of the house I grew up in. It’s a truly great park to hike in, with a tame, level main trail and a few more challenging paths as well.
be covered in algae. The park boasts not Other times, water one, but two waterlevels become so low falls, the short but that you can walk impressively voluout into the midminous Big Falls and dle of the river on the impressively tall the rocks and reach Little Falls, a trickle grassy islands. Some by comparison. Even better is Kreutzkamp winters, enormous gleaming icicles that both waterform beside the waterfalls, falls change significantly and river water past Big Falls throughout the seasons, a churns underneath a sheet reward to frequent returnof ice. ers. Melting snows give the “It’s beautiful,” Kate said most impressive sprays of water at both falls in spring. the first time I brought her to the area, the winter of The water retreats signifi2012. cantly during summer, and When we went treadepending on rainfall, the sure-hunting in the park, river beyond Big Falls may
quiring a hike up a steep incline. “I clung as close to the hill as I could,” my Indiana-native fiancée, Kate said, recalling her nervousness about the steep descent toward the river below. She comes from a land where the only ways to go up in elevation are stairs, elevators, escalators, airplanes, and the odd ladder. “But in retrospect? If you were going to do it again?” I asked. “Oh, sure,” Kate said sarcastically, “We didn’t die last
the biggest complication we ran into was the large amount of “muggle activity,” as Geocachers call it when there are people around. It’s important not to been seen finding a cache, because someone may mistake it for trash and attempt to throw it away, or otherwise interfere with it. We completely abandoned searching for a cache near Little Falls, as a huge group of people were sitting in the area talking. We did, however, find two more, including one with perhaps the greatest terrain challenge we’ve ever sought after, re-
See Caching / Page 10
Sleep From Page 8
no one should. Wilton moved its entire schedule later so no student got on a bus before 7 a.m. But if logistics demand that someone has to get on a bus in the six o’clock hour, then might it be safer for younger students accompanied by parents and likely waiting protected in a car rather than for preteens/teenagers waiting alone on a likely sidewalk-less public street in semi-darkness? What about after-school jobs, like babysitting younger siblings? A matter of priorities. If a student’s priority is to be the best student he/she can be, then more
sleep is probably more valuable than babysitting. Studies have shown no changes in after-school job participation rates. Won’t kids just go to bed later? Studies have shown not. Will teachers/parents like it? A zero-sum game. For every teacher/parent who is inconvenienced there can be one who benefits. Even the same person may feel both impacts: the parent who loses an after-school babysitter can leave home earlier if their younger student starts earlier. If the focus is on the students, namely trying to advantage the older students without disadvantaging the younger students, and if the focus is on the
community’s health and safety as a whole, then maybe it’s worth some instances of inconvenience? I can’t take any more change I hear you. But more change is coming regardless and we could consider this one at the same time. When there is a nationwide movement that has proven results in public health, public safety, and academics in addition to being lowcost, logical, and recommended by respected institutions, then might it be worth discussing? At least “sleep on it” Wilton High School principal Bob O’Donnell reviewed this and commented “I think you can add that anecdotal observations from Wilton
staff after the change indicated that students were better rested, less irritable, and more ready to engage in the school day. Also, survey feedback from students indicated that they were indeed getting more sleep and accumulating less sleep debt throughout the week after the change to a later start.” Julienne Cassarino is a mother of school-age children and lives in Durham. For more on this topic, and to read a response from Dr. Kathryn Veronesi, superintendent of Regional School District 13, and others, or to leave a comment, visit somethingtosleepon. weebly.com.
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munition magazines — with the state. “If you fail to register a banned assault weapon and you can prove that you legally owned it before the ban took effect, the maximum penalty is a misdemeanor, not a felony,” Lawlor said. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in prison and/or up to $2,000 in fines. Lawlor said the offending gun owners would be eligible to apply for the special program known as Accelerated Rehabilitation. Assuming the offender has never been in trouble before, Lawlor said it would be very likely that program would be granted and the charges ultimately dropped. A March 14 news release
from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said a conviction for charges related to the possession of an unregistered assault weapon or undeclared large capacity magazines could also jeopardize a gun owner’s ability to possess a valid state permit or eligible certificate. State officials are aware of about 66 assault weapons that were not registered in time by their owners, Lawlor said. Those owners were notified that if the weapon is no longer in Connecticut, they are complying with the law. They also were given the option of relinquishing the weapons and high-capacity magazines to the police or rendering the items permanently inoperable.
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A10 Friday, September 5, 2014
Town Times | towntimes.com
Calendar Farmer’s Market - The Dudley Farm Farmer’s Market is scheduled every Saturday through October, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2351 Durham Road, North Guilford. Local and organic fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, baked goods, eggs, naturally raised meats, arts and crafts, maple syrup, jams and jellies, pickles and more. Subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. For more information, call (860) 349-3917 or www.dudleyfarm.com. Artist event - Colors of the Wind Artists’ Emporium & Consignments, 360 Main St., has scheduled a series of trunk show/meet the artist event for Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet artisans Lou and Vanessa Russo. Call (860) 788-2514.
Tuesday, Sept. 9 Get Stitchy - Durham Recreation, 350 Main St., has scheduled Get Stitchy,
an open sew event for quilters and sewers, for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (860) 3490453 or (860) 343-0879. Cross country - CRHS at Mercy Invitational at Mercy, 3:45 p.m. Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Morgan at Indian River Complex, 3:45 p.m. Girls volleyball - CRHS vs. East Hampton at East Hampton, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 10 Girls soccer - CRHS vs. Morgan at Indian River Complex, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 11 Ceremony - The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department, 406 Jackson Hill Road, has scheduled its annual ceremony for all died on Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony, at 6 p.m., will be at the memorial constructed from steel from the World Trade Center adjacent to the firehouse, rain or shine. Durham Farmer’s Market
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Friday, Sept. 12 Cross country - CRHS at Blue Dragon Invitational at Veteran’s Park, Middletown, 3:30 p.m. Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Westbrook at Westbrook, 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13 Cat Tales benefit - “An evening with psychic medium Lisa Lanno,” is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, 6 to 9 p.m., at Arrigoni Winery, Portland. A fee is charged. Proceeds benefit Cat Tales Non-Profit Rescue. Seating is limited. For more information and tickets, call (860) 3449043 or ctracy15@aol.com. Farmer’s Market - Dudley Farm Farmer’s Market has scheduled a Fairy Festival for Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children, accompanied by an adult, can follow the Fairy Trail, build a fairy house, decorate a wand or create a crown. For more information, call (860) 3493917 or www.dudleyfarm. com.
Shredding event Durham and Middlefield residents can participate in a free paper shredding event, Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to noon, at Middletown Water and Sewer Department, 82 Berlin St. No businesses, ID required. Bring up to five boxes of papers to shred. For more information, call (860) 581-8554 or visit www. Rivercog.org. Historical Society - The Durham Historical Society is scheduled to be open to the public, Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Football - CRHS vs. Old Saybrook/Westbrook at CRHS, 1 p.m. Girls soccer - CRHS vs. Westbrook at Westbrook, 10:30 a.m.
Community supper - The Church of the Epiphany, 196 Main St., has scheduled a free community supper for Sunday, Sept. 14, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Epiphany parishioners will prepare the meal. Members of Notre Dame Church will provide dessert.
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Tuesday, Sept. 16 Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Cromwell at CRHS, 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
Thursday, Sept. 18 Cross country - CRHS at Run to the Sun Invitational at CRHS, 3:45 p.m. Girls soccer - CRHS vs. East Hampton at CRHS, 3:45 p.m.
Caching From Page 9
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- The final Durham Farmer’s Market of the season is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, 3 to 6 p.m., on the Durham Town Green.
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time, so we probably won’t die next time.” My fiancée is not a thrill-seeker. Another cache brought us past one of the most interesting features of the park: the old stone walls that lay overgrown between some of the trees. The walls give the forest the air of an ancient civilization. Unlike the famous stone bridge that was built during the Great Depression, story has it that the walls have stood since before the area was reforested. Or at least, these are the thoughts I had while hiking on my own through the woods as a kid. And now that I’ve seized a cache in all seven Record-Journal weekly towns, there’s only one thing left to do: hide one of my own. Game on, newspaper fans.
Town Times | towntimes.com
Friday, September 5, 2014
A11
Route 17 bridge closed in Middletown Sept. 5-8 By Mark Dionne Town Times
Bridge construction will close Route 17 starting Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. until a scheduled reopening at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 between Wesleyan Hills Road and Route 155/Randolph Road, just past the Haveli India restaurant. State Rep. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, said the project involves a rapid construction technique that will provide a passable new bridge in 68 hours. “This technique is another type of accelerated bridge construction that requires the contractor to demolish and replace the entire bridge over a short duration,” Lesser said in a press release. “The key to its success is the amount of pre-planning that involves relocation of any utilities and having all necessary equipment on site; all materials are fabricated and available prior to the road closure.” Final construction elements of the bridge, such as permanent rails and drainage,
will take place after Sept. 8 and close a lane, but not the entire bridge. According to Lesser, “Upon completion the bridge, which is currently 16 feet long and 28 feet wide, will be 31 feet long and support a 41 foot wide roadway with two 12’ travel lanes with shoulders that will be 8’-9’ wide.” The detour will use Wesleyan Hills Road, Long Hill Road and Randolph Road. The rain date for the project is Sept. 12. The Middletown bridge construction, which will cost $1,652,051.35, is one of several area bridges and culverts under construction or consideration. Ongoing bridge construction has reduced a section of Route 147 in Middlefield to alternating traffic since before last year’s Durham Fair. Culvert repair still has Pickett Lane closed in Durham. Middlefield has recently received two grants to repair the Miller’s Road bridge and the Durham Board of Selectman have discussed repairs to a Stage Coach Road bridge.
Calendar From Page 10
Friday, Sept. 19 Boys soccer - CRHS vs. East Hampton at CRHS, 3:45 p.m. Girls volleyball - CRHS vs. Morgan at Morgan, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 Football - CRHS vs. Hyde Leadership at Wilbur Cross Athletic Complex, noon.
Monday, Sept. 22 Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Foran at CRHS, 3:45 p.m. Girls soccer - CRHS vs. Haddam-Killingworth, away, 3:45 p.m.
Girls volleyball - CRHS vs. Cromwell at Cromwell, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 23 Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Haddam-Killingworth, away, 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 Girls soccer - CRHS vs. Old Lyme at Old Lyme, 3:45 p.m. Girls volleyball - CRHS vs. Two Rivers Magnet at CRHS, 3:45 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25 Cross country - CRHS vs. Morgan at Morgan, 3:45 p.m. Girls soccer - CRHS vs. Windsor Locks at CRHS, 4 p.m. Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Old Lyme at Old Lyme, 3:45 p.m.
Durham First Selectman Laura Francis spoke at a public hearing on Aug. 25 about eliminating horses from the Durham property tax list. The issue will be one of the subjects of a special town meeting Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall. | Mark Dionne / Town Times
Property tax exemptions for Durham horses proposed By Mark Dionne
only remaining livestock animal that is currently taxable under the Connecticut taxAt a public hearing on Aug. ation code. It has proven to 25 at the Durham Public Li- be quite a difficult tax to levy brary, residents considered because it has been difficult exempting horses from per- to accurately place a value on horses and ponies,” Durham sonal property taxes. Eliminating the horse tax, First Selectman Laura Francis which would take the form said at the beginning of the of a town ordinance, is only hearing. Most speakers were recently allowed by state law. opposed to the tax. According to several own“Ponies and horses are the ers of horse kennels who spoke at the hearing, the tax is a nuisance and has the potential to send horse owners to facilities in other towns. Girls volleyball - CRHS Horses are taxed according to vs. Haddam-Killingworth at where they are boarded, not CRHS, 5:30 p.m. where their owners live. If the tax is unpaid by the owners, who frequently live out Friday, Sept. 26 of town, the facility becomes responsible. Football - CRHS at HaddFred Mastele, president am-Killingworth, 6:30 p.m. of the Connecticut Horse Council and chairman of the Agricultural CommisMonday, Sept. 29 sion in Durham said, “One of the problems you run into Boys soccer - CRHS vs. Hale Ray at CRHS, 3:45 p.m. is it’s very difficult to assess the value of a horse.” Horses Girls volleyball - CRHS don’t have a Kelly Blue Book, vs. Old Lyme at Old Lyme, Mastele noted. 5:30 p.m. One owner of a Durham Town Times
horse farm said that other towns were known to ignore the law, looking the other way and letting the horses go untaxed. According to Francis, the Connecticut legislation recognizes both boards of selectman and town meetings as authorities to pass the exemption. Days after the public hearing, the BOS scheduled a special meeting for Monday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall. One of the items on the agenda is for a public vote to ask the BOS to pass the exemption. The monetary value of a horse can vary wildly, from surprisingly expensive special breeds to horses of little monetary value. Currently, horses can get an exemption of up to $1,000 per horse, but it must be applied for. According to Francis, there are 48 accounts with a total of 79 declared horses and a gross assessment of $103,990. After $65,460 of exemptions, the net assessment is $38,530. At the current mill rate, Durham collects almost See Horses / Page 12
Tuesday, Sept. 30 Cross country - CRHS at Haddam-Killingworth, 3:45 p.m. Girls soccer - CRHS vs. Hale Ray at CRHS, 4 p.m.
Obituary fee The Town Times charges $50 for an 8-inch obituary, and $5 for each additional inch. To place an obituary, call (203) 317-2240.
A12 Friday, September 5, 2014
Town Times | towntimes.com
Thunder compete at Cooperstown The CT Thunder, a team of players and coaches from Durham and Middlefield, recently traveled to Cooperstown, New York to play at the Cooperstown Dreams Park. The squad played during Week 9, from July 25 to Aug. 1, along with 103 other teams from across the country. The Thunder got to experience playing on professionally groomed fields, 22
in total, all of which were equipped with lights. Members of the team along with the coaching staff were also enshrined in the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. The Thunder even had the opportunity to meet players from all over the country and were able to trade pins with one another. The tournament began with its opening ceremonies and a skills competition on
The Connecticut Thunder recently competed at a tournament in Cooperstown, New York. Although the team only walked away with one win, the opportunity of a lifetime left them all smiling.
Saturday, July 26, with pool play beginning on Sunday, July 27. The Thunder, unfortunately, didn’t experience
any early tournament suc- Verdes Waves of California). cess, losing both games of a On Monday, July 28, the doubleheader; 9-7 (against Connecticut boys dodged Wayne Pal Wolfpack of New Jersey) and 11-8 (against Palos See Thunder / Page 13
Horses $27 per account. Although since the value of horses varies, the amount would not be $1,280 on those horses. “We probably pay more an even split among those than that to collect the tax,” taxpayers. Roger Kleeman, of Durham, also noted that Francis said. The total amount of $1,280 many horses were likely unspread out between 48 ac- counted in Durham. “As far as I know, as presicounts amounts to less than dent of the Horse Council, I don’t think any other towns GOT have actually voted on accepting this exemption. We may be the first to do that,” Mastele said. Non-Surgical Relief Richard Porter, an alterQuick, nate on Durham’s AgriculEasy, Painless Covered by most insurance. tural commission, urged the exemption. “I really think should adopt this ordiThe Life Center we nance and do away with the 203-239-3400 tax on horses. It’s an old law and like a lot of old laws in www.thelifecenterofct.com New England, it’s outlived its usefulness.” From Page 11
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ylan Edwin Notarangelo was born on, August 4, 2014, at 12:29 p.m., at Midstate Medical Center, weighing 7 lbs 11 oz, and measuring 20 inches, to Sarah (Hineline) and Richard Notarangelo of Rockfall, CT. His maternal grandparents are Janice and Edwin Hineline. His paternal grandparents are Mary Ann and Richard Notarangelo. He joins his brother Logan William.
Town Times | towntimes.com
Friday, September 5, 2014
A13
The case of First & 8 2014 football: Limits on contact, concerns for concussions and a one-time playoff format that will crown eight champions. By Bryant Carpenter Special to Town Times
See Football / Page 14
Thunder From Page 12
raindrops to compete in another doubleheader. The Thunder once again fell short in both contests, losing to the Edina Hornets (Minnesota) 6-5 and the Dover-Sherborn Raiders (Massachusetts) 9-5. The Thunder’s outlook didn’t fare any better the following day, as the team finished pool play with two more games and two more losses. The Durham and Middlefield representatives lost to the Deep Run Thunder Hawks (Pennsylvania) 10-2 and Northern Wells Impact (Indiana) 14-3. Entering the tournament still looking for that elusive first win, the Thunder’s offense exploded to help bring home a victory, as the hometown nine walloped the Endless Mountain Bullets
(Pennsylvania) 15-3. The team couldn’t keep the offense going, though, falling 3-2 to CoulOak Lightning (North Carolina) in the next round. The CT Thunder was comprised of Adam Copeland, Christopher Sokol, Justin Penney, Nico Kulpik, Jake Woznyk, Chris Onofrio, Hugh Barrett, Joe Venables, Noah Kleczkowski, Ben Mariani, and Derek Grant, and was coached by Mike Copeland, Scott Penney, Jason Sokol, and John Kulpik. The Thunder also brought along their beloved umpire, Robin “We Have a Ballgame” Watson, to Cooperstown. Along with various others, Watson was also enshrined into the AYB Hall of Fame, and umpired games for the tournament throughout the week. — Submitted
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The 2014 Connecticut high school football season kicks off in a week when Cheshire hosts Ridgefield in Round 2 of the SCC-FCIAC Challenge. It will be the start of a season unlike any that’s preceded it and, perhaps, unlike any that will follow. 2014 will be the season when Connecticut crowns eight football champions. Traditionally, there have been four. During two stretches, when Class MM and SS were in place between 1981-94 and 2002-09, there were six. This year — and this year alone — there will be eight. The four traditional classes remain (LL, L, M, S), but the eight teams that qualify in each will be subdivided by enrollment (LL Large, LL Small, etc.) and they will play semifinal and championship games in the two weeks that follow Thanksgiving. Next year, the format reverts to four champs decided by three rounds of playoffs,
which has been the case since 2010. The difference is strict new contact limitations for practices which will be in place in an effort to reduce the physical pounding players take in those two-plus weeks between Thanksgiving and Championship Saturday, a 16-day span in which finalists play four games. The driving force in all this, of course, is the issue that dominates the football landscape from pros to Pee Wees: player safety. In particular: concussions. The National Federation of High Schools has handed down new rules hoping to crack down on blows to the head. A state law passed earlier this year requires schools to educate all parents and athletes on the signs and symptoms of concussions and return-to-play protocols. Moreover, all parents and athletes must sign off that they’ve been so educated or else the athlete can’t play.
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A14 Friday, September 5, 2014
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Football From Page 13
That applies to all sports. What the CIAC has done in particular with football is enact limitations on the amount of full person-to-person contact teams can engage in during practice. The CIAC approved one set for 2014 at the end of last season and then, earlier this year, a more stringent set that goes into effect in 2015.
Here are the 2014 limits on full contact, which is defined as drills or game simulations conducted at game speed in full pads in which players are tackled to the ground: • Preseason Weeks 2-4: Up to 120 minutes per week during practice plus one scrimmage. If a second scrimmage is played in a week, the 120 practice minutes are reduced to 60.
• Regular season: Up to 90 minutes per week. • Postseason: Up to 60 minutes per week. Starting in 2015, no full contact will be allowed in practice after Week 9 of the regular season, which will be limited to 10 games with a built-in bye week. There are no time restrictions on “wrap” or “thud” contact in which players remain on their feet. Nor are there restrictions on drills executed against bags or any other soft-contact surfaces. To a man, area head coaches are fine with the new rules. With myriad reasons to protect their players, they already winnow down contact as the season goes on. It’s simple common sense. Preseason is the time to work the tackling and blocking hard, coaches say. As the season goes on and bumps and bruises mount, the health of players dictates practices become less physical. “Speaking for myself and a lot of the coaches I’ve spoken to, this is something we’ve already been doing on our own for a long, long time,” said Lyman Hall coach Rob Marone. “Very rarely do I talk to a coach in the area, or anywhere else for that matter, who is tackling all week long ... If guys aren’t learning how to tackle or get tough or all that good stuff early on in the season, it’s not usually something that starts happening on November first.” Across town, Sheehan coach John Ferrazzi said, “We were pretty much in line, close to it already. We’re used to having low numbers, so we changed our practice philosophy within the last four-five
years. We don’t do as much full contact, going-to-theground type contact as we used to. There are times we have to do that — most are at this time of year — but we’ve really scaled that back and focus more on technique and player safety.” At the same time, there is some chafing at the CIAC’s need to regulate. There is concern that, by limiting full contact in practice — especially to nothing after Week 9 starting next year — players will become more prone to injury on game night. “I understand what they’re doing and I’m certainly going to play within the rules,” said Platt coach Jason Bruenn. “It doesn’t really complicate what we do because we’ve always been a ‘thud’ team. For safety, we don’t tackle to the ground a lot. My fear is when you start limiting your ability to have contact ... you limit the ability to teach technique. “In the college realm, in the NFL realm, those guys have had hundreds and hundreds of reps,” Bruenn added. “Many of these kids, ninth grade is their first year playing. Yeah, we do form tackle, we hit sleds and do all those other things, but if you go into a game and you don’t know how to live tackle somebody, that’s when you’re going to get even more hurt.” “I don’t think any smart coach is beating his kids up; you just can’t do it any more,” echoed Xavier coach Sean Marinan. “What concerns me is we’re going to regulate so much of the contact out of practice that, when the kids get to the game, they’re going to be susceptible to injury.”
Get on board the Pride in America tour By E. Richard Fortunato Special to Town Times
The Knights of Columbus of Southington, Cheshire, Plainville, Meriden and Bristol have announced their joint invitation to the public to get on board a Pride In America deluxe motor coach trip to Boston on Sunday, Oct. 19. After the successful Pride in America coach trip to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial in New York City last spring, the group decided to extend the Pride in America patriotism theme to include a trip to Boston early this fall. The itinerary provides a visit to historically-important points of interest: The John F. Kennedy Library & Museum: Life & Legacy of the 35th President and the First Lady Exhibit; Boston’s Shopping Showplace at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market; and an 80-minute narrated Land & Water Experience with the famous amphibious Boston Duck Tours. On the way back home through Rhode Island there will be a family style, all-youcan-eat roast chicken dinner at Wright’s Farm Restaurant before returning to Plantsville. For reservations, and for more information, call Dick Pillar at (860) 276-0633, Dennis Kelly at (860) 276-0633 or Bill Shatas at (860) 3024556 now as seating is going quickly. Enjoy the early fall scenery en route along with fun and games on the way. This is a non-profit event with any proceeds going to charity.
New website for Durham Fair
• Invisalign • Free Consultation • Clear Braces • Flexible Financing ◆ Most Insurances Accepted 90247R
85 Church St., Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 228-9800 • www.raneyorthodontics.com
114561R
1995 COGINCHAUG GRADUATE
The Durham Fair Association has launched an all-new website for the Durham Fair. Completely redesigned, the site provides simpler navigation and enhanced content. Listings for entertainment acts are organized by location and show time. Updates on announcements and parking are included. Visit www. durhamfair.com.
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Grant proposals accepted through November those interested in submitting a proposal, is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. at the deKoven House Community Center, 27 Washington St., Middletown. Registration is requested, but not necessary. Detailed guidelines and eligibility requirements as well as a grant application can be
obtained from the foundation’s website, www.rockfallfoundation.org, or by calling the foundation’s office at (860) 347-0340. To register for the workshop, or for additional information about Rockfall grants, contact Tony Marino, grants administrator: tmarino@rockfallfoundation. org; (860) 347-0340.
Town Times Service Directory KENNETH R. JAY
It’s the business tool you can’t afford to be without!
Landscape Maintenance & Construction LLC Complete Lawn and Shrub Bed Maintenance Landscape Design and Installation Service HIC #0621170
Receptionist High-Speed Internet Conference Rooms
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Stone Work and Pavers Commercial, Residential, Industrial
65 offices from $350-up
Call for Your Free Quote on Stonework Now!
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92 Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield, CT 06455
HIC LIC # 566924
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Advanced tickets for the Durham Fair are available at the Canfield Gate Ticket Booth only. Cash or checks only. No tickets will be sold at the schools. No students or exhibitor tickets will be sold after Sept. 24. Tickets are available as follows: Saturday, Sept. 20 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 12:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 3 to 9 p.m. Exhibitor admission tickets are $20. (Only one ticket per exhibitor). Student admission tickets are $10, for four days, for students12 to 18 years old, from Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall only. College students admission tickets are $15, for four days, for students 18 to 25 only. Proof of college attendance is required. Four day admission ticket is $32. Four day unlimited entry parking pass is $10. Wrist ride bracelet for Sept. 26 only (not including the roller coaster)is $20. Wrist ride bracelet for Sept. 26 only (including the roller coaster)is $30.
based in Middlesex County as well as applicants based in Middlesex County. Proposals that focus on the Connecticut River corridor or Long Island Sound will also be considered as long as there is a demonstrated impact on Middlesex County. An informal grants informational workshop, for
118165R 1287230
Durham Fair advanced ticket sales
an internship with a nonprofit organization for an environmental project. Special consideration will be given to projects that engage youth (preschool through college) or are multi-generational. Proposals must have ties to Middlesex County in order to be considered. This includes projects or programs
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The Rockfall Foundation is accepting grant proposals from nonprofit organizations, towns, and schools to support environmental education, conservation and planning projects that will impact Middlesex County. Deadline is in November. Awards will be announced in February, 2015. Grants will be awarded for projects that contribute to the general environmental education of the public, promote environmental planning, contribute to the preservation of the Connecticut River watershed, or fund
Home Improvements LLC
Celebrating Our 29th 27th Year Roofing • Siding • Windows • Doors • Skylights • Decks • Gutters • Custom Carpentry Flooring • Ceilings • Painting • Sheetrock • Kitchens • Baths • Window/Door Screening FREE Estimates Reg. #517277 No Obligation Fully Insured
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A16 Friday, September 5, 2014
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Military News William W. Malcolm
Tree Removal & Pruning Tree & Plant Health Care ~Accredited~
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www.family-tree-care.com
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we know trees
65R Johnson Lane Durham, CT 06422 860-349-9827
Lic.# 102065
Lic.# 123670
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Planeta Electric LLC
Family Tree Care llc 203.457.9652 Raintree Lawn Care Lawn Mowing 860-663-3107
Cahill Septic Service
Ernie Laudano • STONE & MULCH DELIVERED
Est. 1965
• Septic tank cleaning • Septic systems installed & repaired • Sewer drain cleaning • Portable restroom rentals
THE DIRT GUY
Knowledge, Service, and Experience
860-303-0500
• PRUNING • TREE & STUMP REMOVAL • SATELLITE/SOLAR CLEARANCE • CABLING • SPRAYING • DISEASE CONTROL
Fall is the best time to top-dress your lawn – Call us for the greatest topsoil in town!
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Allan Poole, Licensed Arborist (B-0384)
CALL: (860) 349-8029 EMAIL: www.AllansTreeService.com
102821R
80060R 1278383
CV PAVING (25+ yrs. Exp.) CT REG. #580903
• Quality Driveways
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Residential Wiring Specialist Landscape Lighting Design • Install • Service
• Lot Clearing • Tree & Stump Removal • Concrete
(860) 349-0157
LICENSED & INSURED We work 24/7
RACOONS • SKUNKS • SQUIRRELS • POSSUMS WOODCHUCKS • SNAKES • BATS • CHIPMUNKS
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109600R
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601 Guilford Road Durham, CT 06422
All our office energy use comes from renewable resources
In Durham Call Charlie
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William W. Malcolm, of Middlefield, is an Army ROTC cadet involved in Cadet Language and Cultural Immersion Training -their first training deployment as a cadet. After a week-long training session at Fort Knox, Ky., the selected cadets are deployed to partner nations where they are immersed in the local cultures and languages. The selected cadets spend three weeks involved in assisting with current Army missions that range from community outreach projects to teaching English to local children or host country military personnel. They are not only getting a total immersion in another culture, but are also building positive relationships and helping the people of partner nations. Malcolm, the son of James T. and Millicent M. Malcolm, is currently a student at Eastern Connecticut State University. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeff R. Mazzetta has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Mazzetta is the son of Jeff Mazzetta of Rockfall.
In Brief Seeking feline foster care volunteers Cat Tales, a nonprofit rescue, is seeking foster care volunteers to provide temporary housing for cats and kittens. Volunteers will prepare the cats for adoption and prevent overcrowding in the shelter. Cat Tales will provide food, supplies, and medications, and all vet care. Volunteers will be responsible for daily feeding, play and attention, administering medications, following special dietary plans, handling the cat into and out of a carrier, and transporting cats to veterinary appointments. For more information, call (860) 344-9043 or info@CatTalesCT.org.
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Friday, September 5, 2014
Town Times Service Directory
Volunteer opportunities
Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Licensed • Insured
"Electrical Construction Built on Quality" “ N o J o b To o S m a l l ”
Joseph W. Fontanella
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Michael Augeri - Owner Rockfall, CT 06481 MIKE@PREMIERCT.NET 860-982-7283 • www.Premierct.net HIC#0639576
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Hans C Pedersen Additions Remodeling REMODELING Kitchen/Baths AND DESIGN Siding COMPANY LLC
Snowplowing Decks
“Foundation to the Roof and Everything Between”LIC. #541451
Home Improvement & Repairs
860-349-1918
Specializing in Bathroom Remodeling
CT Lic. #600562
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RSDL CT Lic. 0612088
• Painting/Dry Wall • Tile Flooring • Basements/Skylights • Decks/Patios/Sheds • Odd Projects • No Job Too Small
1287231 105650R
Landscape Design Installation • Hydroseeding Patios, Walkways • Tetaining Walls Masonry Stonework • Excavation Grading Drainage Work • Design • Construct • Maintain Lawns/Ornamentals Fertilized www.countrylandscapingllc.com
REE
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BEFREESOLAR.COM
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LET US DO THE DIGGING.
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We have nearly 20 years’ experience. Call Randy Whitehouse, 860-349-1904.
Locally Owned and Operated Since 1977
WHITEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION INC. Durham, Connecticut | CT Lic. #554559
860-349-1904 | whitehouseconstructioninc.com Paving Gravel Driveway Restoration Top Soil Retaining Walls Drainage Septic Systems Excavator, Backhoe + Dozer Work Light & Heavy Hauling Residential + Commercial Q
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Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, with the Connecticut Small Business Development center, has scheduled a Small Business Lending Forum and Mini Expo for Monday, Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the Crown Plaza Cromwell. The event features a panel discussion and mini expo representing lending sources, questions and answer period and networking session. Registration is required. For more information, visit www. middlesexchamber.com.
Purpose Electrical Contractor
BEFREE SOLAR
In Brief Forum, mini expo planned for Sept. 15
APEC ELECTRIC
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All
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Senior Services for the Towns of Durham and Middlefield and St. Luke’s Community Services of Middletown are partnering in recruiting volunteers who would like to help local elderly individuals remain at home and maintain a good quality of life by providing visitation, grocery shopping or transportation to out-oftown medical appointments. Volunteers can choose to help one or more individuals for just a few hours a month, as there is no minimum time requirement. Scheduling is flexible, but consistency and reliability is important. All volunteers are background checked, trained and bonded. Orientations sessions (volunteers attend only one) are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Durham Activity Center, 350 Main St. and Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Middlefield Senior Center, 405 Main St., Middlefield. Volunteer candidates must register at least one week in advance of orientation. For more information and to register, contact Cassandra Aronson, St. Luke’s volunteer programs coordinator, at (860) 999-1683 or cassandra@stlukeshome. org.
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Wallingford: (203) 265-7328 Toll Free: (800) 269-0948 www.RidOfBugs.com
Connecticut Business License # B-2045
A18 Friday, September 5, 2014
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PRECISION
Uncle Bob’s
PLUMBING SOLUTIONS LLC
Stonework And Landscaping
P1-0286729 Durham, CT
191 Meriden Road (Rte. 66) Middlefield 860-704-8414 • unclebobsgarden.com
Home Improvement & Handyman Services BRUCE’S Complete Residential Work
HIC #577319
• Kitchens & Bath • Decks & Additions • Painting & Decorating • Siding & Special Trim • Electrical & Plumbing Repairs
- HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTS KLEAN GUTTER - LEAF GUARD – CT’S EXCLUSIVE DEALER LIFETIME - “NO CLOG” - WARRANTY
Roofing-Siding-Windows-Decks-Gutters PHONE: 203-639-0032
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Brownstone Psychological Associates, LLC Debra S. Nelson, Psy.D. & Stacia K. Bjarnason, Ph.D.
717 Berlin Turnpike Berlin, Ct 06037 860-828-9601
114126R
199 Main Street, Durham, CT Durham, CT 860-788-3231 860-788-3231
• Flooring & Laminates • Power Washing Decks & Siding • Concrete & Patio Pavers • Repairs on Wood Products
102650R
PrecisionPlumbingSolutions@yahoo.com
102885R
Licensed & Insured
GONZALEZ CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
Landscape & Garden Center
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Specializing in Well Repair Cell 860-754-6955 Office 860-788-6216
IRS phone scam rampant
920 South Colony Rd Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-3971
www.KitchenGadgetsandBeyond.com *Formerly Chef’s Equipment Emporium
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www.BrownstonePsychological.com
MIDDLEFIELD REMODELING QUALITY CARPENTRY LICENSED & INSURED 102877R
• ADDITIONS • KITCHENS • BATHS • DECKS J ERRY F INCH • SIDING 860-704-8312 203-919-2031 • ROOFING
For more information contact: 860-874-4848
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sales@gradeact.com www.gradeahomeimprovement.com Complimentary in-home estimates MILITARY DISCOUNTS
HIC 0629899
Movado Farms Inc.
NEW Fall Programs
349-8728
Route 17, Durham, CT www.movadofarm.com
• Sanding • Staining • Installation • Refinishing • Repairs Specializing in Custom Designs & Quality Workmanship Free Written Estimates • License #00564185 • Insured 25 Years Wood Flooring Experience • CWFloor@aol.com
Phillip E. Mason Jr.
(860) 349-6355
102748R
Adults and children
1289921
Riding Lessons
The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration continue to hear from taxpayers who have received unsolicited calls from individuals demanding payment while fraudulently claiming to be from the IRS. According to the IRS, warning signs that taxpayers should remember are that first contact from the IRS will not be a phone call, but through official correspondence through the mail and that these calls are from angry, threatening people who claim they are from the IRS and demand immediate payment. The IRS will never ask for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the phone; never insists that taxpayers use a specific payment method to pay tax obligations; never requests immediate payment over the phone and will not take enforcement action immediately following a phone conversion. Taxpayers usually receive prior notification of IRS enforcement action involving IRS tax liens or levies. Other characteristics of the scam include: scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves; scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security number; scammers may send bogus IRS email to victims to support the bogus calls; victims may hear background noise of other calls to mimic a call site; after threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others will call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV. Caller ID supports the claim. Taxpayers who receive scam calls should report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-3664484 or the Federal Trade Commission, “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC. gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of the complaint.
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Friday, September 5, 2014
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The Connecticut Horse Council estimates its VHP members have contributed close to 30,000 hours of patrol and maintenance service since the program began in 2003. VHP member Cathy Clouse of Cheshire is pictured.
Volunteer Horse Patrol fills a niche need
CROSSWORD ANSWER
SUDOKU ANSWER
Pictured: Christel Maturo, VHP member and VHP coordinator for the Sleeping Giant area, which includes Cheshire. No need to worry. As Volunteer Horse Patrol members, they welcome any occasion to “meet and greet” those they encounter on the trails. In fact, talking with the public is one of their favorite things to do within their long list of assigned jobs. As VHP representatives, Maturo and Clouse discount any idea of policing. “We’re not cops,” Maturo said assuredly. “We just keep an eye on
things.” Maturo and Clouse, along with fellow VHP members are required to keep detailed logs to report weekly and monthly activity. They note the number of hikers and visitors, report problems with ATVs or off-road vehicles, illegal fires, destruction of public property, trails in need of repair after storms, etc. Helping hikers who might
Wondering where to earn that extra income?
See Patrol / Page 20
Use early morning hours to deliver the Record-Journal! It’s an excellent way to supplement your income during early morning hours without interfering with day jobs, family and other obligations. We are looking for delivery people in all areas, Meriden, Wallingford, Southington & Cheshire. Deliveries made seven days a week Monday-Saturday by 6 AM, Sundays & Holidays by 7:30 AM
Get your name on the list today! Those interested should call 203-634-3933 or email psheahan@record-journal.com 90285R
CHESHIRE — In the early 2000s, the state had a problem. Budget shortfalls were extensive, resulting in critical staff cutbacks at many state parks. The public faced a real threat of having recreational facilities close or operate with severely limited hours. Without fanfare, a specific group of state residents, horse owners and riders with The Connecticut Horse Council, CHC, took the reins. They offered to volunteer to act as “auxiliary eyes and ears” in the understaffed parks and forest system for the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, DEEP. The formal creation of the CHC Volunteer Horse Patrol was complete in 2003. DEEP supervises the group and VHP reports directly to them. Members of the patrol include local residents Christel Maturo and Cathy Clouse. Maturo is acting coordinator for the Sleeping Giant VHP area, which includes Cheshire. Maturo and Clouse say the VHP program is one that benefits all involved. The savings have made an real impact, according to Maturo and Clouse. Figures provided by the CHC, show members logged more
can ride with other VHP groups, CHC members or ride with the Cheshire Horse Council, a local organization Maturo founded in 2005. Easily recognizable on the trails in their VHP uniforms, they wear signature red shirts with VHP patches, black pants or jeans, helmet, and safety vest with VHP logos imprinted on the back. When a hiker first encounters the VHP, it can be a bit unnerving—perhaps daunting. The riders and their horses seem to materialize out of nowhere on otherwise quiet, solitary paths and wooded parcels. There they are, sitting 14-to-17 hands high on steeds of bay, cream, chestnut, or white or black as they carefully and steadily follow the trail.
than 29,000 hours of volunteer time. In patrol hours and trail maintenance, the group has saved taxpayers roughly $585,000, according to CHC handouts spanning 2003-2013. Now in 2014, the CHC Volunteer Horse Program has grown significantly. The CHC states it has more than 100 VHP members who patrol “more than 80 areas throughout the state, including state parks, forests, Greenways, land trusts, open spaces, and town parks.” Christel Maturo and Cathy Clouse patrol routinely. For instance, they ride Cheshire’s DeDominicus town-owned property, and Sleeping Giant State Park, as well as travel to a number of state-owned parks and forests. When riding as VHP members, they
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By Joy VanderLek
Special to Town Times
A20 Friday, September 5, 2014
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Proposed new Connecticut utility rate draws fight
Patrol From Page 19
get lost also falls within their duties. “Each member is also CPR trained,” said Maturo, “So we can assist if there is a medical emergency.” Additionally, VHP members have a direct line on their phones to DEEP to report instances in need of immediate assistance, she said. To be a VHP you have to pass a number of tests. “Not only do we have to possess qualifications, the horse has to pass to be in the patrol horse and do a series of tests,” said Maturo. “You can’t just get on a horse and patrol. The horse has to be certified,” Clouse added. “This is the horse’s job, and he has to take his job seriously. The horse must be rock solid. They must be in tune with their rider. Focused.” Set behaviors must be demonstrated to qualify a horse for VHP duty. Maturo gives a few examples: If a VHP members meets a child on the trail, the horse has to behave and allow itself to be petted and stand quietly, she said. “They cannot be spooked easily, by say, loose dogs.” In addition, they can’t let anything like a deer, or even a shooting in the woods spook them. As part of training, the VHP coordinator takes her horses to a trail near a local sporting range, to get the horses used to the sound of the shooting black powder. “They get used to it.” In all it’s a volunteer position that both Maturo and Clouse enjoy. “We try to educate the people. We love it when someone stops us on the trail and asks us questions,” said Maturo. “We are promoting horsemanship and bringing the equestrian community to the people.”
By Stephen Singer Associated Press
HARTFORD — Consumer advocates and state officials are lining up against a request by Connecticut’s largest utility to raise $232 million from a rate increase that would be used to upgrade equipment following destructive storms and toughen systems to prevent outages in the future. Customers would pay an average $150 more a year, up about 6 percent, if regulators side with Connecticut Light & Power. The bulk of the increase would be higher monthly charges totaling $114 a year regardless of how much electricity is used, which critics say would undermine energy conservation. William Dornbos, senior attorney at Environment Northeast, an advocacy
group, called the rate request a “flawed proposal” that would make it harder for consumers to save electricity and money with energy-efficient appliances, rooftop solar panels and other flexible was to buy cheaper electricity. “It conflicts with the many good things we’re trying to do here in Connecticut to help electricity customers get control over their bills,” he said. CL&P, a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, said about $117 million would pay for new and stronger poles, wires, transformers and substation upgrades. It already has permission from the state to recover $89.5 million for costs related to damage from storms in 2011 and 2012, and $25.3 million to protect equipment from storms in the future. Mitch Gross, a spokes-
man for the utility, said the rate request is needed for capital improvements in equipment and systems. Electric reliability was better last year than in more than 10 years due to “targeted system improvements and replacements,” he said. The utility, which serves 1.2 million customers, also has worked to control operating costs that have resulted in consumer savings, Gross said. Elin Swanson Katz, the state’s consumer counsel, is asking regulators to cut CL&P’s request by $109.2 million. Reducing the increase in the monthly charge would be more in line with what utility customers pay in neighboring states “and what seems merited by the facts,” she said. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said raising the fixed
monthly service fee on electric bills “is at odds” with Connecticut’s strategy of encouraging energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said CL&P is seeking to raise rates charged to customers to boost profit with a rate of return that would increase to 10.2 percent from 9.4 percent. “Its only purpose is to increase CL&P’s rate of return to make it one of the highest in the whole country,” he said. Robert B. Hevert, a consultant for CL&P who testified before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in June, said a 10.2 percent return on equity for electric utilities “is a reasonable, if not conservative estimate.” A draft decision by the state is expected Dec. 1.
More speeders cited by police on Labor Day weekend HARTFORD (AP) — Connecticut State Police say speeding and other poor driving jumped during the Labor Day weekend over last year though arrests for drunken
driving and citations for failing to wear seat belts dropped. On the weekend that began Friday and ended Monday night, police reported 1,727 citations for
speeding, a 14 percent jump from 1,513 last year. Police cited 200 motorists for seat belt violations, which was fewer than last year. Thirty-five motorists
were arrested on charges of driving under the influence, compared with 50 DUI arrests last year. Police say 315 accidents were reported, up from 259 last year.
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End of Summer Stock Furniture SALE Up to 25% OFF all currently In Stock wood and poly patio furniture! Hurry, Ends 9/13/14.
118652R
Hurry! This Special Anniversary Offer Expires Sept 13th 2014. Thank you for 30 amazing years of business, friendship, and support. Help the Pine Creek Structures team celebrate this fall with this special offer! --The Stoltzfus Family
On Rt. 10 across from Farmington Auto Park
Plainville, CT
*Redeemable at any Pine Creek Structures Retail Locations only. Must present coupon at time of order. Eligible on new orders or regular price portable sheds and garages only. Not applicable on previous orders or markdown/on sale structures. Cannot combine with other offers. One coupon per household. Expires 9/13/14.
Call Or Visit:
(203) 548-7355 ShedsInCT.com
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00-5:30 & Sat 9:00-1:00