Valentine's Day is just around the corner, it's still winter and Joe Lieberman has come home at last. In his weekly address to residents, David Denvir ponders hearth and home; grand lists and taxes; wandering public officials and Janet Jackson. Read his complete remarks here.

Lions Club Holds Senior Dinner
The Killingworth Lions Club will be hosting its Seventh Annual Mid-Winter Seniors Dinner at the St. Lawrence Church Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 6:00 p.m. There is no charge for this annual event and Killingworth seniors 65 and older are invited to attend. For more information call Ellie Becker at 663-1363.

HK Girls Track Wins Shoreline Conference Championship
The Haddam-Killingworth girls indoor track and field team won several individual events as well as the team championship at the CT-Valley Indoor Track and Field Championships at Hillhouse High School yesterday. HK sophomore Meghan Scanlon was the star of the meet, winning the long jump, 300m run and anchoring the winning 4x400 meter relay. The boys team placed a close third behind Hyde and Prince Tech. Complete meet results are available at Coginchaug Sports Timing. The top finishers for the Cougars are:
Girls
55m Dash: Kimber Stannard
300m Dash: Meghan Scanlon
1000m Run: Danielle Funaro
4x400m Relay: Kimber Stannard, Katelyn Deimel, Lilly Chapman, Meghan Scanlon
4x800m Relay: Lauren Padula, Maygan Salzano, Meghan Wilson, Danielle Funaro
1600m Sprint Medley: Taryn Allegra, Lauren Sharp, Colleen Kavanagh, Danielle Funaro
Long Jump: Meghan Scanlon
Boys
1000m Run: Robert Palumbo
3200m Run: Cory Weiss
4x800m Relay: Jake Corbett, Cory Weiss, Alex Holland, Ryan MacNeeley
1600m Sprint Relay: Alex Corkum, Mike Termini, Chris Anselmo, Jake Corbett

Girls Basketball Dominates Valley Regional
The Haddam-Killingworth girls basketball team trounced Valley Regional, 64-35, Tuesday in Deep River. The Cougars went on a 21-3 run in the first quarter before the Warriors got started. HK was led by Kristen Hetsko with 5 three-point buckets(15) followed by Kelsey Pratt and Lauren McKinnon with 13 points each. The Cougars are now 8-7. They are up again Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Old Saybrook at 6/7:30 p.m.

New Homes Drive 1.4 Percent Increase in Grand List
Killingworth Assessor Donna Shanoff filed a 2003 net grand list of approximately $555.6 million - an increase of $7.4 million or 1.4 percent, from the 2002 total. Shanoff said the increase would generate about $172,000 in new tax revenue at the current tax rate of 23.1 mills according to the Hartford Courant. The increase occurred in the town's 3,125 real estate accounts. The net assessment total for the town's 6,796 motor vehicle accounts was about $44.5 million, a drop of $679,175 from the 2002 motor vehicles total. Shanoff said the drop in the town's 470 personal property accounts was largely a result of depreciation. "People are not buying a lot of new equipment," she said.

HK Cougars Top Morgan Huskies
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball team dominated Morgan tonight, 63-55, at the HK Fieldhouse. The Cougars held the lead for most of the game ending the half, 28-25. Brett Zanardi led all scorers with 21 points including 5 three-pointers. Also contributing well in the win were Ryan Murray with 16 points and Anthony Andeen with 10. The Huskies were led by Joe Manning with 21 points. The 11-2 Cougars are up again Saturday, Feb. 7 against Lyman at 5:30/7:00 p.m. at the fieldhouse.

In the junior varsity game, HK defeated Morgan, 65-57. Perry Pratt led the Cougars with 20 points followed by Tyler Riordan with 18 points, including 3 three-pointers, and Brian Foley and Adam Wing with 12 points each. Michael Scott was high scorer for the Huskies with 11 points.

Images from the varsity game:





Images from the junior varsity game:

Middle School Boys Basketball Winning Streak at 10
The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School boys basketball team extended its record to 10-0 with a, 53-46, win over Old Saybrook, Wednesday. The Cougars were led by Greg Cumpstone with 18 points followed by Dan Wendt with 9 points and Kyle McGowan and Alex Pollack with 6 each. Ryan Hawkins and Brendan Hatin contributed 5 and 3 points respectively and three players, Alex Langevin, AJ Marginelli and Dan Cohen, had a bucket each. The boys will host Hale Ray on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Middle School Girls Basketball Teams Romp
The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School girls basketball team used its defense to dominate the Rams, 53-34, yesterday in Old Saybrook. Seventh-grader Erin Moriarty led the Cougars at both ends of the court tallying 16 points and 13 blocks. Also strong for HKMS was Ally Rand with 16 points and Michelle Fillion with 12.

In junior varsity action, the Cougars defeated the JV Rams, 14-7. Seven players each scored two points in the win; Lindsay Griswold, Colleen Phelan, Amy Roy, Jess Hall, Deana Loso, Katherine McDermott and Stephanne Frye.

The teams play again Friday, Feb. 6 against Hale Ray in East Haddam. Next home game is Monday, Feb. 9 against Eliot of Clinton.

Fire Marshal's Safety Reminders
Killingworth Fire Marshal Ray Clark is reminding residents to check in the lobby of the Killingworth Library for the latest handouts on FIRE SAFETY. He emphasizes that topping the list for fire safety in the home are properly installed and tested smoke detectors, established and practiced home escape plans, proper maintenance of heating appliances, proper disposal of fireplace and stove ashes, clean chimneys and due care in the kitchen. Also not to be forgotten, and a growing problem nationwide, is the proper use of candles. The Town of Killingworth is protected by a highly trained and dedicated group of volunteer firefighters who comprise the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company operating out of two fire stations, serving the fire/rescue/EMS needs of the community 24/7. For more information on fire safety or to contribute to the Volunteer Fire Company, contact Fire Chief Alfred Dudek at 663-1785 or Fire Marshal Ray Clark at fm83@att.net.

Board of Assessment Appeals Meeting Schedule
The Killingworth Board of Assessment Appeals will meet to hear real estate appeals on Wednesday, March 17; Thursday, March 18; and Saturday, March 20. In order to have a hearing, all Killingworth residents must fill out a form located outside the Assessor's office at the Town Offices, 323 Route 81. The fully completed forms are due no later than Friday, Feb. 20 at 4:00 p.m. In March, the secretary of the Board of Assessment Appeals will call all applicants to schedule a date and time for their hearing. All hearings are 15 minutes in length and the Board suggests all applicants bring documents to state their case. Questions can be directed to the Assessor's Office at 663-2002 or to Catherine McGrady at cmcgrady@att.net, 663-2022 to leave a message, or (203)494-8491 between the dates of Feb. 7 and March 9.

Voter Registration at Town Hall
The Killingworth Registrars of Voters will be at the Town Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. to accept new voter registrations, and hear requests by persons removed for adding their names to the registry list. Feb. 26 is the last day registrations will be accepted before the March 2, Democratic Presidential Primary. All mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Feb. 26 and hand delivered cards received by the registrar by this date.

The Registrars of Voters will be at the Town Hall on Monday, March 1, from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon to accept new voter registrations for residents with mature rights. This is for anyone who has moved into Killingworth since Feb. 26, 2004, or has turned 18 years of age or become a U.S. Citizen since the 26th of February. They may then become eligible to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary on the following day. For more information contact the Registrars of Voters at 663-4048 or vr.killingworth@po.state.ct.us

Middle School Boys Basketball Remains Undefeated
The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School boys basketball team extended its record to 9-0 with a, 40-38, win yesterday over Lyme-Old Lyme. Scoring was led by Alex Pollack with 13 points. Alex Langevin and Ryan Hawkins added 10 each. Greg Cumpstone had 5 points and Matt Martin scored 2 points.

The JV squad also won in tight, 15-14 win. Top scorers were Sean Zapatka with 5 points, Matt Waldman and Tom McDowell with 4 each and Zac Kumnick scored two in the final seconds to win the game.
The Cougars play Old Saybrook today at 3:30 p.m. at the middle school.

Middle School Girls Basketball Squeaks Past Old Lyme
Haddam-Killingworth Middle School girls varsity basketball defeated Old Lyme, 33-31, in a hotly-contested game at the middle school. Throughout the game the teams remained neck and neck until the final seconds when Old Lyme missed two free throws and HK held the ball for the final second of the game. Team captain Michelle Fillion was the Cougar high scorer with 9 points, followed by Erin Moriarty, who also had an excellent defensive game, with 6 points. Ally Rand and Melanie Rasmus each put 5 points on the scoreboard followed by Deana Loso with 4, and Hilary Clifton and Ally Pratt with 2 points each.

The JV team did not fare as well, with Old Lyme coming out on top, 11-5. Scorers for HK were Jess Hall and Stephanie Frye each with 2 points and Amy Roy with one point. The Cougars face Old Saybrook tomorrow, Feb. 5 in an 3:30 p.m. away contest, then are back at home again on Feb. 9 against Eliot of Clinton.

Record Setting Season for HK Track
The Haddam-Killingworth Track team is having an outstanding year to date, setting school records in individual and relay events. The Girls Distance Medley Relay of Danielle Funaro, Meghan Scanlon, Maygan Salzano and Lauren Padula set a new school record of 13:17.95 and the Boys Distance Medley Relay of Ryan MacNeely, Cory Weiss, Alex Holland and B.J. Palumbo set a school record of 11:19.23 at the Yale Invitational Meet on Jan. 18. The Girls Sprint Medley Relay team of Danielle Funaro, Katelyn Deimel, Kimber Stannard and Meghan Scanlon set a school record of 4:26.66 and Meghan Scanlon set another school record of 43.17 in the 300m run on Jan. 25. Earlier in the season, Danielle Funaro broke her own school record in the 600m run with a time of 1:44.02. The Cougars are competing this Thursday, Feb. 5 in the Connecticut River League Championships at Hillhouse High School in New Haven.

Regional Council to Review EMS Needs
The State Office of Rural Health has approved a $10,000 grant to the Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials to review the long-term emergency medical service needs in regional towns, including Killingworth according to the Middletown Press. In April of 2003, Middlesex Hospital cut back its paramedic services in Middlesex County communities due to a reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates throughout Connecticut. The number of paramedics on the road decreased from five to three. In October 2003, the hospital proposed that individual communities help fund the $596,585 deficit in the paramedics program. The Council rejected the proposal until it could review the needs of member communities and the costs associated with the program.

The Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials was formed in 2000 to bring the chief elected officials of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook together to discuss common interests. The purpose of the Council is to consider any matters of a public nature common to two or more members, including matters affecting health, safety, welfare, education and economic condition of the area comprised by its members. It promotes cooperative arrangements and coordinates action among its members and such other public agencies as exist or perform functions within the region. The Council serves as a strong voice on legislative issues affecting its member towns. Chester First Selectman Martin Heft is the outgoing council chairman.

School Building Committee Agrees to Public Hearing
The Regional School District No. 17 Building Committee has scheduled a Feb. 24 public hearing on the progress of the building site for the new intermediate/middle school according to the Clinton Recorder. The Building Committee recently distributed an informational flyer to residents and Committee Chairman Kjell Tollefsen said in the Clinton Recorder interview that he expected the flyer to answer some of the questions about the project. At its Jan. 26 meeting, the Board of Selectmen formally asked the Region 17 Board of Education to hold a public hearing in response to resident's concerns. According to the article, BOE Chairperson Roberta Bruce said the Building Committee and the superintendent are responsible for discussions on building issues. The Tuesday, Feb. 24 meeting will be held in the lower media center of Haddam-Killingworth High School from 7:00-8:30 p.m. For more information contact Kjell Tollefsen at tollefsenk@sbcglobal.net.

Boys Basketball Defeats Hale-Ray
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball team won a, 48-34, decision over Hale-Ray last night in East Haddam. After a slow start for both teams, the Cougars led 16-12 at the half. The momentum increased in the third quarter though, when HK went on a 14-4 scoring run. The Cougars were led by Brett Zanardi with 15 points followed by Ryan Murray with 12 and Matt Finlayson and Tyler Riordan, each with 6 points. HK is now 10-2 on the year and remain atop the Western Division of the Shoreline Conference.

Historical Society Offers to Finance Farmhouse Heat
In its Jan. 28 meeting, the Killingworth Historical Society took a Board of Finance suggestion to heart and plan to offer to pay the $4,470 cost to heat the Bosco property farmhouse. The Historical Society Board of Directors will present the proposal at the next Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, Feb. 9. If approved by the selectmen, the proposal goes to the Board of Finance at its meeting on Feb. 10, according to the Clinton Recorder. The Society previously asked the Board of Selectmen for permission to use Bosco farmhouse and barn as a town historical museum. The town purchased the 133-acre property in 2000 and the farmhouse has been without heat since vandals stripped out the copper piping in November 2001. The Historical Society claims the farmhouse is deteriorating due to the lack of heat. The heating project was approved by the Board of Selectmen on Jan. 12 and East River Energy of Guilford was chosen to install the furnace. The Board of Finance denied funding for the heat project at its Jan. 13 meeting.

Planning and Zoning Meeting Agenda
The Killingworth Planning and Zoning Commission will hold its semimonthly meeting tomorrow, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Offices. The agenda for this meeting is posted here as well as the minutes of previous 2004 meetings.

Democratic Town Committee Holds Primary Forum
The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee invites residents to a Presidential Primary Forum, Sunday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Killingworth Volunteer Firehouse. Come, listen, ask questions, voice your concerns with representatives from the various presidential primary campaigns. The firehouse is located on Route 81. Parking and entrance are in the rear.
For further information, please contact chairperson Catherine Iino at ciino@comcast.net.

Images From CRPA Hotshot Contest
The Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association held its County level competition at the HK Fieldhouse yesterday. For complete results see Sunday's Hotshot post. Here are the winners of each age category.

HK Hoopsters Qualify for State CRPA Hotshot Competition
The Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association held the County level of its Hotshot competition today at the HK Fieldhouse. Haddam-Killingworth Middle School students Shelby VanHuysen, Sean Zapatka and Alex Pollack were winners in their age categories. The winners of each age group will compete at Newington High School, Feb. 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the State level competition.

Results
Girls 9-10 years old
1. Nicole Chambers, East Hampton
2. Kelly Coleman, Portland
3. Emily Pollack, Killingworth
4. Jessica Morris, Chester

Boys 9-10 years old
1. Paul Calamari, Chester
2. Erik Carlson, Haddam-Killingworth
3. Austin Wosleger, East Hampton
4. Ryan Marinelli, Portland

Girls 11-12 years old
1. Shelby Van Huysen, Killingworth
2. Rachel Nowaklowski, East Hampton
3. Shannon Fitzpatrick, Portland
4. Seanna McWade, Chester

Boys 11-12 years old
1. Sean Zapatka, Higganum
2. Michael Berube, Portland
2. Nicholas Vasquenza, East Hampton

Girls 13-15 years old
1. Michelle Chambers, East Hampton

Boys 13-15 years old
1. Alex Pollack, Killingworth
2. Scott Wheeler, East Hampton
3. Greg Marinelli, Portland
4. Paul Lewis, Chester

Tax Preparation Aide Available for Seniors
Free, confidential income tax assistance is available in Killingworth and other shoreline communities from the AARP. Trained volunteers will help persons age 60 and older in preparing their federal and state returns. Volunteers will be at St. Lawrence parish hall on alternate Tuesdays, Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 9, March 23, and April 6 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. For more information or an appointment, call St. Lawrence Church at 388-1611.

When you come to your appointment, please bring all your earnings records and year-end tax statments as well as a copy of last year's return. Don't worry if you think you might not have all the forms you might need - the volunteers will have the necessary forms available. There is also additional help and information on the AARP Tax-Aide website.

The Time of Our Singing
by Richard Powers
ISBN: 0312422180 (paperback)
ISBN: 0374277826 (hardcover)

Richard Powers' most recent novel is a sweeping story of musical prodigy, the Civil Rights era, and the bonds of family. A chance encounter of two people attending Marian Anderson's Washington Mall concert on Easter Day, 1939, brings together David Storm - a German Jewish émigré scientist who loves music, and Delia Daley - a young Negro vocal student from Philadelphia. Against the advice of family and friends, and the societal tide of their time, they fall in love and marry. Delia and David have a family of three. While the children are young, their closeness is intensified as each participates in the family's musical evenings, where all five voices come together in song.

Their childhoods are shortened by the civil unrest surrounding them, bringing issues of race and multi-ethnicity to the forefront of their lives. They have each been made strong by the love of their parents, and head out into the cacophony of the world to pursue their dreams. Jonah possesses a world-class singing voice and chooses the path of classical music. Joseph bypasses his dream of being a piano soloist and becomes his brother's accompanist. Ruth, the youngest, goes her own direction as a social activist. Jonah, as the narrator of the story, also serves as the bridge between his older and younger siblings as their lives become more complex and polarized.

The brilliance and depth of Powers' writing creates intimate portraits of the characters, while making personal a difficult and unsettling time in American history. Throughout the story, the reader finds hope in the continuity of family love, and in the perfect beauty that music can create.

Susan Miller is the Associate Director of the Arnold Bernhard Library at Quinnipiac University. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music from Ohio State University and a M.S. in Library Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Contact Susan at covertocover@killingworthtoday.com

Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility to Open
The Coordinator of the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency announced that the regional hazardous waste facility is set to open in April according to the New Haven Register. The center will serve residents of Clinton, Killingworth, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, Essex, Deep River and Chester and is located at the Essex transfer center off Route 154. Household hazardous waste includes materials stored and used around the home that can't be disposed of through a town's conventional waste collection system because of health and safety concerns. Read more.