Volume 20, Number 15 Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
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Powder Ridge land sale goes to referendum July 23 By Mark Dionne Town Times On July 23 residents will go to the polls to approve or decline the sale of the remaining town-owned Powder Ridge property to resident Lori Vogel for $300,000. Eligible voters include those on the voter rolls, as well as owners of Middlefield property with enough taxable value to permit participation in the referendum. The almost bowtieshaped property near Camp Nerden is approximately 20 acres and was left out of the larger Powder Ridge sale to Sean Hayes and the Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park company. That company declined to exercise its option to match the offer for the remaining property. Several restrictions accompany the potential sale. Vogel and any future owners would be limited to hav-
ing one single family residence, in addition to agricultural structures, on the property. Potential structures have to be wood-sided and further than 100 feet back from the lot line. The footprint of any single building is limited to 20,000 square feet. During public meetings on the matter, Vogel has said in that her intent is to use the property as land for her adjacent horse farm. She has declined to consider leasing the land because of the investment the land would require. “My true intention is to keep it beautiful,” Vogel said at an April 9 public hearing. According to Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, if approved the funds from the sale would be used to pay down town debt. Brayshaw has maintained in the past that this offer was unsolicited and the Board of Selectman are following a proper course of
action to bring the question to the public. “Our job is to bring the deal to the table,” Brayshaw said on June 3. The issue has come up at several recent BOS meetings and at two public hearings. Concerns with the sale have been brought forward, by some residents, during this time. This includes objections to the sale in principal, as the town’s purchase of Powder Ridge was approved with the understanding that the property be used for recreation and open space; therefore privately owned land with a home on it would not fit the concept of open space. Brayshaw repeatedly has said that the definition of open space does not necessarily mean undeveloped. The town’s definition of open space, according to Brayshaw, can include land like Lyman Orchards or a ski area.
Bridge construction could hurt business, stakeholders say By Daniel Jackson Town Times
Photo by Daniel Jackson
The bridge across the Coginchauog River only allows one lane of traffic.
Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh told people gathered at Lyman Homestead, July 11, that one small bridge on Route 147 has the potential to disrupt the local economy. “It shouldn’t be the cost of our business,” he told representatives from area organizations which included: Connecticut State Police, Lyman Farms, the Durham Fair, the towns of Middlefield and Durham and the Connecticut See Bridge, page 13
Friday, July 19, 2013
Librarians bring excitement of nonfiction to younger set
Photo by Daniel Jackson
Christine Michaud describes a nonfiction book. By Daniel Jackson Town Times Local school-aged children are reading more nonfiction this summer. Summer reading programs are a seasonal tradition - a chance for children to choose their own reading material. However, this year, local librarians say they have promoted nonfiction books when children come in looking for a book. Durham Public Library children’s Librarian Christine Michaud said Regional School District 13 now requires students in grades 5 to 9 to read one fiction and one nonfiction book over the summer. Michaud and Karyn Gardiner, young adult librarians for Durham Public Library, have looked for nonfiction books that are informative and entertaining. Many nonfiction books in the library’s collection are tailored for students who are writing reports. During the school year, children will go
into the library and pick out books on, for example, “England”, in order to write their papers, said Michaud. At the entrance of the children’s section, Michaud has set up a display of book recommendations that includes both “literary text” and “informational text.” She hopes to show young patrons nonfiction books that they wouldn’t normally think as nonfiction, such as a how-to book on saving the environment and an account of one of the first photography hoaxes. Gardiner said biographies, and true accounts written in a novel format are popular with young adult readers.
See Reading, page 23
In this issue ... Calendar ........................14 Faith...............................23 Government Meetings ...8 Letters .............................8 Seniors...........................19 Sports.............................16