Winter storm will delay trash collection in Mansfield

The object with the snow-dome on the right is the editor’s trash can, which is also imprisoned by thick icicles dripping from the roofline onto her porch. Photo © 2011 by Brenda Sullivan

Mansfield Recycling Coordinator Virginia Walton wants you to know that, to make up for the delays caused by the severe winter weather, residents with Wednesday trash service this week will have trash and recyclables collected the morning of Thursday, Feb 3. So, trash should be put out Wednesday night.

Residents with Thursday trash service also will have their trash and recyclables collected on Thursday, Feb. 3, later in the day.

Check the Mansfield website, www.mansfieldct.org, on Thursday for further updates on the progress of the route.

If you aren’t able to put your trash out this week, Walton says, you can double up next week or take it to the Mansfield transfer station at no charge.

The transfer station is located on Route 89, one mile from the intersection with Route 195. The hours are Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walton can be reached at 860-429-3333 during office hours.

Posted Feb. 1, 2011

Storrs Center hearing postponed to Feb. 3 2011

Because of the winter storm, the Mansfield Downtown Partnership has rescheduled its public hearing on plans for Phases 1A and 1B of Storrs Center until Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in Room 7 of the Bishop Center (located at 1 Bishop Circle, on the UConn campus, off of Route 195).

The monthly open house normally held this week at the Mansfield Downtown Partnership offices also is canceled because staff will be attending the Thursday hearing.

The hearing is regarding Mansfield’s Zoning Regulations for the Storrs Center Special Design District.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments on a Zoning Permit application of Storrs Center Alliance LLC and Education Realty Trust Inc. to develop Phases 1A and 1B of the Storrs Center project.

Proposed Phase 1A, which is located at the northeast corner of Dog Lane and Storrs Road (Route 195), will include approximately 27,000 square feet of commercial space and 127 apartment units.

Proposed Phase 1B, which is located at the southeast corner of Dog Lane and Storrs Road (Route 195), will include approximately 42,000 square feet of commercial space and 160 apartments.

The public hearing will consist of a presentation of the proposed plans and an opportunity for public comment as to whether the proposed plans are consistent with the Storrs Center Special Design District regulations (which can be viewed on the Partnership’s website, www.mansfieldct.org/mdp )

Application materials, including project mapping and traffic, parking, and stormwater drainage information have been made available for review at the Mansfield Planning Office at 4 South Eagleville Road, the Downtown Partnership Office at 1244 Storrs Road (below Starbucks), the Mansfield Public Library at 54 Warrenville Road (Route 89), and at www.mansfieldct.gov

For more information about the Storrs Center project, please visit the Partnership’s website, which includes detailed information as well as a list of frequently asked questions.

Interested residents may also call the Partnership office at 860.429.2740.

Posted Feb. 1, 2011

Check on the elderly during these winter storms – follow these tips

A winter storm watch is in effect from Tuesday morning (Feb. 1) through late Wednesday night with significant snow accumulation followed by freezing rain in the forecast.

Given this forecast, it is important to check on elderly neighbors or individuals who are homebound and offer assistance if needed.

Town officials also advise being prepared to stay in your home for a brief loss of power, but in the event of significant power outages, the Mansfield Community Center will be opened as a warming shelter.

Here are some winter weather tips:

• Wear several layers of not too tight or too bulky clothing. Always wear a hat and mittens/warm gloves, and a scarf around the lower half of the face can help keep your breath warm and ward off frostbite.

• Consume hot and easily digestible food and beverages with higher calories, like hot milk, soups, noodles and rice.

• Remain indoors whenever possible. Continue with usual daily activities, but make a point of keeping in motion to maintain body warmth and flexibility as temperatures drop.

Heating hazards

• Do not burn anything larger than candles inside your home without providing good ventilation to the outside.

• Any type of heater (except electric) should be vented.

• Do not use a gas or electric oven or surface units for heating.

• Do not burn outdoor barbecue materials such as charcoal briquettes inside- even in a fireplace (carbon monoxide poisoning risk)

• Do not use bottled gas in natural gas appliances unless appliances have been converted for that use

• Make sure that you have a battery operated radio and flashlights with an adequate supply of batteries.  Use battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well.

Mansfield residents in need of assistance should contact the Department of Human Services at 860-429-3315.  Information about the location of regional shelters and other services is available by dialing 211 for Infoline, and emergency assistance is available by calling 911.

Posted Feb. 1, 2011

UConn women’s basketball loses player but not momentum

UConn freshman forward Samarie Walker was guilty of a traveling violation recently – but in this case it wasn’t for walking with the ball, it was for walking away from the Storrs campus.

Walker did indeed travel, literally packing her bags and heading south for the greener pastures of Kentucky’s bluegrass.

That was one of only two losses that the women’s basketball program has suffered this season – and that’s two more than the team had during the previous two seasons combined, when the Huskies were trampling any and all comers during the team’s historic 90-game winning streak.

Only one of those losses came on the court – that was Stanford’s stunning streak-snapping 71-59 win in Palo Alto on Dec. 30.

Since then, UConn hasn’t lost on the court (on Jan. 31, they beat Duke, 87-51) but the program did lose a roster player when Walker told coach Geno Auriemma of her plans to transfer to Kentucky.

Samarie Walker recently dropped out of the UConn women's basketball program. UConn photo

“The coaching staff has known for quite some time that Samarie (was) struggling with her commitment level to basketball,” Auriemma said. “We have attempted to work with her and help her through this. I wish Samarie all the best in her future endeavors.”

The 6-foot-1 Walker, who hails from West Carrolton, Ohio, said she needed a change of scenery in order to channel her “energy and commitment” into game-time productivity.

“I have struggled with this for some time and remaining here would not be fair to my teammates or the coaching staff,” she said. “I need to go and figure out what my future holds.”

Walker played in 17 games, starting once, while averaging 6.2 points and 5.8 rebounds during her 18.8 minutes per game of floor time.

As they did in the wake of the loss to Stanford, Auriemma’s squad will likely recover nicely from Walker’s walking away from Storrs.

The Huskies have yet to lose in 2011, rattling off a half-dozen victories, including a 63-44 drubbing of Rutgers in Piscataway on Jan. 26.

Despite losing their two-year-long top ranking in the nation, the Huskies are still perched in their customary spot atop the conference standings.

The loss dropped the Scarlet Knights to 5-1 in the conference while the Huskies remain unbeaten in Big East play along with 7-0 DePaul, setting up a potential showdown between the league’s only two unbeaten teams on Feb. 5 at Gampel Pavilion.

Currently, UConn is No. 2 in the national polls behind Baylor, a team Connecticut nipped 65-64 at the XL Center back in November.

In a weird set of circumstances, Connecticut is ranked lower than a team they beat, but higher than the team that beat them, No. 4 Stanford.

Another big-time non-conference opponent will be coming to Connecticut a couple weeks from now, when Oklahoma stops in at the XL Center on Feb. 14.

Posted Feb. 1, 2011

Register now for Mansfield Little League

Photo courtesy of Mansfield Little League

Mansfield Little League Registration is open until February 28, 2011 for ages 7-15.

You can register on-line at www.MansfieldLL.org or you can print the registration forms and mail them to Mansfield Little League, P.O. Box 492, Storrs, CT  06268

The registration Fee $65 for all divisions except Juniors (Ages 13-15) That fee is $70

Questions?  Contact Little League Registrar Sue Kaeser at mllregistrar@yahoo.com

Posted Feb. 1, 2011