DMV cancels morning driving tests Jan 16

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has canceled all road skill tests scheduled before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, due to the impending winter storm.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has canceled all road skill tests scheduled before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, due to the impending winter storm.

Testing should resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Anyone with a scheduled road test can call DMV to choose a new date.

The numbers to call are 860-263-5700 if someone is within the Hartford area and toll-free 800-842-8222 for those outside the Hartford area.

The DMV is also attempting to contact customers with road test appointments to advise them of the schedule change.

Posted January 15, 2013

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Why you and your child should still get a flu shot

Although some locations have stopped offering the flu vaccine, which each year is approved by FDA, supplies remain available. Consumers can find out where to get a flu shot by calling doctor’s offices, clinics, pharmacies and supermarkets.

There is still time to protect your children and yourself from the flu in what remains of a severe influenza season.

In fact, federal health officials are reporting that the “peak”of the flu season is unexpectedly lingering, and a much larger number of people are coming down with the flu.

“Everyone seems to know that the elderly are particularly vulnerable, but so too are children,” says William Rodriguez, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatrician at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Severe complications are most common in children under age 2, and all children ages 6 months and older should be immunized.”

As of the end of November 2012, 112 million Americans were immunized for this flu season, leaving the majority unprotected as of that time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Rodriguez notes that in each of the last 10 flu seasons, between 43 and 153 children died from influenza in the U.S. An average 20,000 children a year under age 5 are hospitalized. So far this year, 16 deaths of children under age 18 have been reported to the CDC.

Image source: FDA, used by permission

Currently, 43 states are reporting widespread flu outbreaks, with the District of Columbia and remaining states—Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota and Missouri—reporting localized outbreaks.

Connecticut is among those states reporting a relatively low number of cases, For those who’d like to guard against catching the lingering flu virus, however, now would be the time to get vaccinated.

People are generally immunized in the fall, but they can still get protection from the flu for what remains of the flu season—even though immunization takes several weeks to take effect.

The season usually peaks in January or February, with some cases continuing into the spring and even beyond.

“This is particularly late in the flu season for very young children, because to optimize immune response, children between the ages of 6 and 35 months need two shots, four weeks apart, during their first season of vaccination,” said Rodriguez. “However, even one shot provides some protection, so even now there is time to get some benefit.”

Although some locations have stopped offering the flu vaccine, which each year is approved by FDA, supplies remain available. Consumers can find out where to get a flu shot by calling doctor’s offices, clinics, pharmacies and supermarkets.

Posted January 10, 2013

Related link: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site for an updated map of flu cases nationwide http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

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State awards more than $9 million for open space preservation

Located along the town-line between Tolland and Vernon the Gunther Farm land acquisition is meant to protect farmland soils. Additional natural resources include: grassland habitat, flood plain of Gages Brook, and endangered wildlife habitat. Connecticut Farm Land Trust will purchase this property, record the Conservation Easement, then sell the property to Tolland County Agricultural Center.  The Center will utilize the agricultural fields for their education/agricultural programs and develop and maintain the trails located at this facility. Image source: openwalls.com/creative commons use 2013 

More than $9 million in Open Space Preservation and Watershed Land Acquisition grants were announced this week that will allow 35 to buy a total of 2,732 acres to be preserved as open space.

“Land conservation is an important investment in our future, and moves us closer to meeting our goal of protecting 21 percent of Connecticut’s land as open space in the next ten years,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in his announcement. “These preservation projects are key to maintaining our high quality of life and making Connecticut a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The program, administered by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) assists land purchase using state bonds and funding from the 2005 Community Investment Act (a fund contributed to by banks).

Connecticut’s goal is to protect 673,210 acres of land by 2023.

Currently, the state has 496,182 acres designated as state or local open space lands, 73.7 percent of the goal.

More than $109 million in state funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations and water companies to assist in the purchase of 27,440 acres of land in 128 cities and towns.

DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty also noted, “The community gardens initiative was added to the open space grant program in 2007 to address land preservation needs in urban areas… This portion of the grant program acknowledges that preserving places people care about is as important in our cities and inner suburbs as it is in more rural areas.”

Projects funded under this year’s grant program in or affecting the HTNP readership area include:

• Puchalski Property, Town of Cheshire, $200,000 to buy 109 acres -

Running along the ridgeline on the Prospect-Cheshire town line, this parcel abuts protected open space to the north, south, and west. Ownership will protect the ridgeline and its diverse wildlife, forests, and wetlands. The existing structure on this property will be razed to provide parking and a trail head to the existing trails.

• 88 Brainard Road, Norwich Public Utilities, Colchester and Salem, $157,000 to buy 52.9 acres -

This acquisition will expand the Deep River public water supply watershed. The parcel is bisected by Brainard Brook, which feeds directly into the reservoir. This property, once purchased, will be classified as Class 1 watershed land.

• Zeiller Associates Property, Town of East Haddam, $232,500 to buy 98.22 acres

Purchase of this property is part of a larger effort to better protect the Roaring Brook watershed. In this grant round, there are three projects within this watershed – two in East Haddam and one in Lyme. Combined, these properties will create a greenbelt of more than 750 acres. The Zeiller property and others being slated for protection are upland forest blocks with intermittent streams, woodland wetlands and vernal pools. The Zeiller property has 4,000 feet of frontage along Roaring Brook and contains healthy and diverse wildlife and vegetative habitats and existing trails.

• Pages Property, Town of East Haddam, $464,000 to buy 238 acres -

Purchase of this property also is part of a larger effort to better protect the Roaring Brook watershed. This property abuts the Dean Easement area; combined, this is a greenbelt of more than 750 acres. These parcels are upland forest blocks (hardwood), having intermittent streams, woodland wetlands and vernal pools. The property has 1,500 feet of frontage along Roaring Brook. Because of the proximity to a wetland resource, it offers healthy and diverse wildlife and vegetative habitats.

• Lord Property, Lyme Land Conservation Trust, Inc. and East Haddam, $327,000 to buy 100.25 acres

Located in northern Lyme along Route 82 and within Whalebone Cove Watershed, this parcel has more than 3,900 feet of frontage along Roaring Brook. It is part of the larger effort to better protect the Roaring Brook Watershed – there are two other projects in this grant round and there were two in a previous grant round. The parcel is characteristic of a flood plain forest, having wetlands, undeveloped upland forest, fields and rock outcropping with ledges. There is an existing trail system on this property.

• Rita Edwards Preserve, Town of Hampton, $101,500 to buy 50.8 acres -

This undeveloped forested lot is located on the north side of Cedar Swamp Road. The property abuts protected open space land owned by Wyndham Land Trust and Goodwin State Forest. The property is characterized by a slightly sloping terrain that sustains a mixed hardwood forest and wetlands.

• Cardillo Parcels, Town of Hebron, $165,000 to buy 48.7 acres -

Located on the west side of Route 85/Church Street in the Amston section of Hebron, this property is made up of two parcels that abut state-owned open space – Raymond Brook Marsh and the Air Line Trail. They are key components to the preservation of the Raymond Brook Greenbelt and protection of the associated aquifer.

• Gunther Farm, Connecticut Farmland Trust, Inc., $350,000 to buy 21.3 acres -

Located along the town-line between Tolland and Vernon this is an acquisition to protect farmland soils. Additional natural resources include: grassland habitat, flood plain of Gages Brook, and endangered wildlife habitat. Connecticut Farm Land Trust will purchase this property, record the Conservation Easement, then sell the property to Tolland County Agricultural Center. The Center will utilize the agricultural fields for their education/agricultural programs and develop and maintain the trails located at this facility.

• Manchester Property, The New Roxbury Land Trust, Inc. (Union), $146,500 to buy 84 acres -

This is the acquisition of two separate parcels of land in close proximity to each other. The southern parcel is a 53-acre densely forested lot with a 3-acre hay field all within the Natchaug River Watershed. The northern parcel is a 31-acre dense forest block within the Quinebaug River Basin and is contiguous to Nipmuck State Forest. This parcel contains wetlands and a stream that drains to Breakneck Pond.

Posted January 4, 2013

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2012 Democracy Cup awards announced

Co-sponsored by the East Haddam Civic Association since 2000, the Democracy Cup was created as a way to encourage voter participation in each year’s elections.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today (Jan. 2, 2013) announced the 2012 “Democracy Cup” for the highest voter turnout percentage in the 2012 Presidential election in Connecticut to Bridgewater (94.75 percent) and Middletown (89.86 percent).

Other winners are Granby (86.22 percent) and Stamford (71.6 percent).

Co-sponsored by the East Haddam Civic Association since 2000, the Democracy Cup was created as a way to encourage voter participation in each year’s elections.

Winners are chosen in four categories: “small towns” are those with fewer than 5,000 registered voters; “mid-sized towns” are those with 5,000 to 14,999 voters; “large towns” are those with 15,000 to 49,999 registered voters. Cities with more than 50,000 registered voters are their own category.

Middletown is the winner of the Democracy Cup in the “large town” category. Bridgewater is the winner in the small town category, the second such award for Bridgewater, which also won the Democracy Cup in 2009.

“All Connecticut communities should be proud of their voter participation this year, especially towns like Bridgewater which has consistently shown high voter interest in our elections,” said Scot Mackinnon, co-founder of the Democracy Cup and East Haddam Civic Association member. “What is especially encouraging is seeing a town as large as Middletown record a voter turnout of nearly 90 percent, which is very rare for a community that size. This is really excellent turnout and definitely worth celebrating.”

Each community awarded the Democracy Cup will display a trophy through next year’s November elections.

The trophy presentations for Middletown and Bridgewater took place on Dec. 27. A trophy ceremony was held for Stamford was held Dec. 18, 2012 and a ceremony for Granby was held Dec. 21, 2012.

“We saw a very strong voter turnout of 74 percent of registered voters statewide on Election Day in 2012, despite the difficult challenges presented by damage from Hurricane Sandy,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s Chief Elections Official.

“I congratulate both Bridgewater and Middletown for doing such a wonderful job with 9 out of 10 registered voters participating in the 2012 election – it is some of the highest voter turnout in the nation!” Merrill said.

Posted January 2, 2013

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Secretary of the State announces changes to voter registration in 2013

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today (Dec. 19) released the official calendars for the May and November 2013 municipal elections in Connecticut.

And one significant change is that eligible voters will be able to register up to and including Election Day starting in November of 2013.

Legislation enacting Election Day Registration was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy this year.

“Next year (2013) will be an historic election year in Connecticut as we implement Election Day Registration for the first time in our state,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s Chief Elections Official.

“I look forward to working with our partners in election administration at the local level to make it possible for those late-deciding voters to register and vote on Election Day,” Merrill said.

Election Day takes place in May in a few Connecticut towns, in November in the majority of the state’s cities and towns.

For those towns that have May elections, the day in 2013 will be Monday May 6.

For the rest, Election Day will be Tuesday Nov. 5.

The May-election towns will hold primaries for municipal office on March 11, 2013 so campaigns will soon be underway.

“Important issues such as town and school budgets will be on the agenda (in 2013), so I urge voters to pay close attention to the issues and the candidates and get involved in the decisions made at the local level that are crucial to our quality of life.” Merrill said.

Voters in the towns of Andover, Bethany, Union and Woodbridge, Boroughs of Bantam (Litchfield), Danielson (Killingly), Fenwick (Old Saybrook), Jewett City (Griswold), Litchfield, Newtown, Stonington, Woodmont (Milford) can view their election calendar (in PDF format) at this link .

Voters from other towns can view their calendar (in PDF format) at this link .

Posted December 19, 2012 based on a press release

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UConn establishes scholarship to honor victims of Newtown shootings

In response to the grief and shock accompanying the tragic killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, the University of Connecticut has created a memorial scholarship fund to honor those who died.

UConn women’s basketball Coach Geno Auriemma and his wife, Kathy, have made an $80,000 lead gift to the fund.

“Over this past difficult weekend, Kathy and I gave much consideration to what we as a family could do that would have some significance for the future,” Auriemma said. “Because UConn is so important to us, we decided to establish a scholarship and encourage other UConn alumni, friends and fans around the world to invest in the future of the Sandy Hook survivors.”

In response to the grief and shock accompanying the tragic killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14, the University of Connecticut has created a memorial scholarship fund to honor those who died. UConn women’s basketball Coach Geno Auriemma and his wife, Kathy, have made an $80,000 lead gift to the fund.

The Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Connecticut will provide financial aid for any students who currently attends the elementary school, as well as siblings of those killed in the assault and dependents of teachers and other adults who also lost their lives, who are accepted to attend UConn in the future.

Donations will be collected through the University of Connecticut Foundation to establish a fund in anticipation of supporting the Sandy Hook Elementary students enrolled in the K-4 grades today who will be of college age beginning in approximately 2021.

For siblings and dependents of those who died, funds will be immediately expendable to provide them with scholarship assistance at UConn as needed.

All of the monies received will be spent solely for the fund’s purpose. If any funds remain once the needs of the groups above have been met, they will be used to benefit any future student from Newtown who attends UConn.

Ways to donate

More information about how to make a donation to the scholarship fund is available online at the http://www.uconn.edu and http://www.foundation.uconn.edu

• You can also visit the secure online donation page at http://www.friends.uconn.edu/sandyhook

• To make a donation by mail, send your check to The UConn Foundation, 2390 Alumni Drive-Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206. Please note on your check that the gift is for the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

• Donations also may be made by texting 50555 with uconn newtown. UConn alumni should also add their name and graduation year. For example: uconn newtown John Smith 88. $10.00 donation to support the University of Connecticut Foundation through the mGive Foundation. Charges will appear on your wireless bill or be deducted from your prepaid balance.  All purchases must be authorized by the account holder. You must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. For full terms and privacy policy:  s.uconn.edu/txt

Posted December 17, 2012

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW  Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

Mansfield Superintendent outlines Monday plans at schools

“Students will be greeted by the principal and staff when they get off the bus or arrive by car. We anticipate a state police presence during arrival. Exchanges between officers and students will be friendly and meant as a way to reassure students they are here to help. ” – Mansfield Schools Superintendent Fred Baruzzi

Mansfield Superintendent Fred Baruzzi contacted parents and guardians of children attending the town’s three elementary schools and middle school, saying that State Police will be on hand when children arrive at school Monday morning.

He urges parents to send their children to school, in order to maintain a sense of normality.

While the school day will begin with a moment of silence for the victims, he also states that it will be left to students whether they want to discuss the tragic deaths of the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Superintendent Baruzzi’s message states:

Across the state tomorrow (Dec. 17), parents will send their children off to school and will think about families in Newtown.  We want you to know that we have worked over this weekend to be sure your children remain well protected and emotionally safe.

While it may be difficult for some, we encourage you to send your child to school tomorrow. Students will benefit from the comfort their routine brings and any fears some of them may have will lessen with the familiarity of school.

We want you to be aware of the plans we have in place for tomorrow. Students will be greeted by the principal and staff when they get off the bus or arrive by car. We anticipate a state police presence during arrival. Exchanges between officers and students will be friendly and meant as a way to reassure students they are here to help.

Additional safety measures will be in place and the district will continue to work closely with local law enforcement and town officials to learn from recent events and adjust our response.

The school day will open with a brief moment of silence for the Newtown victims.

While we will not initiate formal discussions about the events of last Friday, we know that many students will have questions and concerns they will want to share. Please see below the guiding principles that all Mansfield staff members received this evening in preparation for tomorrow.

We are aware that there are families who have not discussed any of the events of Friday with their children and we respect their decision. However, it will be impossible to keep children who have heard about events from wanting to talk and process their feelings. 

We will not discourage those students who want to talk from doing so as these discussions are best done with caring adults who are thoughtful in their response rather than with peers on the bus or at recess.

Counselors and support staff will be available throughout the week to talk with children who may be having particular fears or worries. Parents are encouraged to call the school if you become concerned about any changes in your child’s behavior or if you simply want to talk through what you are hearing. 

Our town Youth Service Bureau (860-429-3319), and resources from the University of Connecticut and area mental health agencies, are available for additional assistance to families. We look forward to a safe and uneventful school day tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Fred Baruzzi

Below are the directions given to guide Mansfield schools staff:

Because we don’t know what level of concern our students will bring to school on Monday, we have decided not to initiate discussion about the Newtown incident. Rather we will follow our children’s lead.

All families will process this in a different way and we need to respect that. Some parents have requested that we not discuss this at school at all. Others have been openly discussing the tragedy this weekend.

Our approach will be to listen to comments and concerns in individual conversations and class meetings, and respond in ways that reassure our students and validate their feelings.

Please keep your routine on Monday as normal as possible.

• Model calm and control.

• Be reassuring.

• Monitor your own stress level.  You will be better able to support your children if you can express your own emotions in a productive manner. Seek assistance as needed.

• Keep your responses developmentally appropriate, for example – elementary children need fewer details.

• Observe children’s’ emotional state, looking for children at greater risk.  If concerns arise attempt to better understand (i.e. what are you wondering about). Support Staff are available to assist you.

• If students raise concerns about safety, assure children that they are safe and that schools are well prepared to take care of them.

Posted December 16, 2012

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW  Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

Gov. Malloy asks period of grieving for victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School

Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, where 20 school children were killed on Dec. 14, 2012. Web site photo

Earlier this evening (Dec. 15), Gov. Dannel P. Malloy asked for a period of grieving for the 20 young children and seven adults shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

Gov. Malloy acknowledged that people want to know more about the man police believe was the shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, and about the events of that morning – many, out of concern for the safety of their own children at their schools – but asked that for a moment, people focus on the shock and grief felt not just in Connecticut, not just across the country, but in homes around the world.

Earlier, a similar plea was made by the spokesman for Connecticut State Police, Lt. J. Paul Vance, who asked that reporters respect the privacy of the families of those who were killed, when a list identifying the victims was released.

Among the adults who were identified was the school’s principal, Dawn Hochsprung and a substitute teacher, Lauren Rousseau. According to reports posted by NPR, Hochsprung was shot while trying to keep other staff members from entering the hallway when shots were being fired.

Authorities also have disclosed that all of the children who were killed were first graders.

Many of the details of yesterday’s events are still waiting to be clarified, such as whether the alleged shooter’s mother was a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

And as of now, the motive behind the shootings is unknown.

In a public address today, Gov. Malloy acknowledged that there’s little anyone can say that can begin to address the shock and deep sadness shared by the state’s residents – many of whom have flocked to vigils in their own communities.

“Though we could all try, when something as senseless as this occurs, there’s precious little anyone can say to the families of the victims that will lessen the horror and sense of loss they feel. We could say we feel their pain, but the truth is we can’t,” Gov. Malloy said tonight.

“When tragedies like this occur, people often look for answers, an explanation of how this could have occurred. But the sad truth is, there are no answers. No good ones, anyway,” he said.

“So what can we do? … As has been happening since yesterday, we can show and share with each other the grief we feel for the children and adults who were killed, and for their families and loved ones. We can speak about what’s really important, and what can wait for another day.

“There will be time soon for a discussion of the public policy issues surrounding yesterday’s events, but what’s important right now is this: love, courage, and compassion.

Love, as it has poured in from around the world.

“Courage, as was demonstrated by the teachers and other adults in the school building, whose actions no doubt saved lives.

“Courage on display, as it always is, by all our first responders.

“Compassion, as shown by people around Connecticut who’ve arrived in Newtown wanting only to help,” Gov. Malloy said.

He added, “In the coming days, we will rely upon that which we have been taught and that which we inherently believe: that there is faith for a reason, and that faith is God’s gift to all of us.

“Those educators, and those innocent little boys and girls were taken from their families far too soon. Let us all hope and pray those children are now in a place where that innocence will forever be protected.

“May God bless you, may God bless those 27 people, may God bless their families and friends, and may the pain their loved ones feel be someday absorbed by the love of mankind.”

Posted December 15, 2012

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