Property transfers as reported by the Killingworth Town Clerk's office for the period June 1-June 30, 2005:
•William B. and Betty H. Jerome to Aaron Snow, 27.04A&35.88 A Route 148 for $1,000,000.00
•Jensens Inc. to Sheila E. Ahearn, Mobile Home 15 Country Cl for $156,049.00
•Richard & Rosemarie Eberl to Joseph Piagentini, Roast Meat Hill Road for $455,000.00
•Michael J. Sanders to Michael A. Duffy & Nancy C. Fallon, Lot#5 Spencer Hill Rd. Cedar Dr. for $380,000.00
•Brenda Holland-Cote-FKA to Neil & Elisabeth Covert, Lot #17 Old Mine Hill Quarry H. for $312,000.00
•Jeffrey D.& Deborah L. Blaschke to William Soucy, 2.144A Route 81 for $40,000.00
•Jane M. Hanson to Ronald M & Rosalie Amato, Mobile Home 29 Whitewood for $125,000.00
•Ralph A. Difonzo Jr. & Linda Difonzo to Michael & Cheryl McDonald, Lot#44 Indian Springs Dev. for $477,000.00
•Philip A. Sypher to Steven F. & Nilda Wehrle, Chittenden Rd for $292,000.00
•Donald E.& Nancy L. Henson to Lois L.Flynn, Mobile home 29 Whitewood for $99,900.00
•Victor & Catherine McGrady to Garrett J. & Laura E. Platek, 8.93A Roast Meat Hill Road for $728,000.00
•Vintage Construction Inc. to Classic Country Homes, LLC, Lots B&C Little City Road for $140,000.00
•Douglas White & Robyn Consenza to Jeneen A. Verzaro, Lot#6 Settlers Farm Cow Hill for $215,000.00
•Gary Supeau and Joan Supeau to Paolina Oppedisano, Lot #5 Indian River Woods Cow for $399,000.00
•Richard A. & Anna Marie Halten to Carmine Ferraro, 4.5 A Emanuel Church Road for $364,000.00
•Arleen L. Lempicki & John Zizzamia to Nancy & Gilbert Taboada, 2.4A Chittenden Road for $339,000.00
•William H. & Claudia F. Ahrens to Dennis Buller, Burr Hill Road for $255,000.00

The Associated Press reported that Killingworth resident Derrick Schull was mugged twice within five minutes while walking on Alii Drive on the Big Island of Hawaii.

According to the police report, Schull was "walking south on the oceanside-street at 3:25 a.m. Wednesday when a dark-colored sport utility vehicle pulled alongside him. Three men in their 30s got out, forced Schull to give up his wallet and drove away." "Five minutes later, Schull reported that four males, including two juveniles, emerged from some bushes and demanded his wallet. When he told them he had no wallet, two of them started punching and kicking him", police said. Schull suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention.

State Representative Brian O'Connor and State Senator Edward Meyer are pleased to announce state bond funding for the town of Killingworth. Up to $250,000 is available to help cover the cost of renovating and restoring the Old Town Hall building on the grounds of the Congregational Church in Killingworth on Route 81.

"As a venue for a spectrum of town and community functions and various performances and events, the Old Town Hall is an integral part of the Killingworth Community. It provides a window to Killingworth's past, while supporting community life in Killingworth today. The funding will assist the restoration and preservation of this historic structure," Rep. O'Connor said. "I will continue to work with my fellow colleagues at the legislature and the Bond Commission to ensure Killingworth continues to receive its fair share of state funding."

"I'm happy to have worked with Rep. O'Connor for this important funding for the Town of Killingworth," Sen. Meyer said. "Old Killingworth Town Hall has a long history within the community, and this funding will help renovate and update the structure while preserving its aesthetic and historic value."

Renovations to the Old Town Hall will include improving handicapped accessibility, a needed paint job, vinyl siding for the exterior, and repairs to the front stairway, ceiling, walls and basement. In addition, the installation of air-conditioning and a small kitchen area have been planned for the project.

State Senator Edward Meyer joined legislative leaders in putting municipalities on notice that state eminent domain laws will be changing, so any local land takeover plans should be put on hold. He was joined by Democratic leaders from both chambers, including Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney in announcing that the Legislature's Judiciary and Planning & Development Committees will hold joint hearings on the subject of eminent domain beginning later this month. Senator Meyer is a member of the Judiciary Committee.

At Tuesday's "Office Hours" at the Killingworth Library, Meyer said, "Connecticut has the most liberal eminent domain laws in the country." He said the 5th Amendment provides for eminent domain for "public use", however he and the two legislative committees will begin work on new language that will not allow local governments to take from one private entity and give it to another. He said however, it was still important to protect the "public use" standard so municipalities are able to build such things as roads, schools and hospitals.

In a press release Meyer said, "The implications of the recent US Supreme Court decision strongly suggest that private property must be safeguarded against the whims of local governments which seek to increase property tax revenue by arbitrarily taking our homes or places of business for private purposes. "I will carry this message to the General Assembly in Hartford and seek legislation that will support our private property rights within the parameters of our Constitution."

With last month's U.S. Supreme Court decision in a New London case upholding the use of eminent domain for private development, there is a growing need for the state to more clearly define parameters for land takeovers.

Sen. Meyer continued, "During the most recent session of the legislature, I was the only Democratic Senator to support a call for restrictions on eminent domain, and although that did not come to fruition, I support these hearings as a way for my colleagues and the residents of the State of Connecticut to learn more about how we can effectively legislate eminent domain to keep private property safe. These hearings will be the beginning of what I hope to be a successful resolution to the Supreme Courts decision."

This queen size, hand made quilt in the Royal Doulton Chain pattern is the grand prize in the Congregational Church in Killingworth's 2005 Quilt Raffle. The quilt will be awarded to one lucky winner at the 46th Annual Country Fair, which will be held on the church grounds Saturday, August 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The cotton quilt, in shades of blue, white and navy Royal Doulton fabrics, was sewn and quilted by church member and Killingworth resident Doris Hughes. Tickets can be purchased for $1 each at the church office, and will also be sold at the fair, and at the Chicken BBQ and Classic Car Show, Friday night, August 5 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the church on Route 81.
Pictured holding the quilt are Sarah Tischbein, Cassie Sodergren, Christine Tischbein and Megan Tischbein. photo courtesy D. Acker.

The Shoreline Conference welcomes three new schools to its ranks for the 2006-2007 school year. East Hampton, Portland, and Cromwell are the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth members of the conference that now includes Coginchaug, Lyme/Old Lyme, Morgan, Valley Regional, Haddam-Killingworth, Hyde, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, North Branford, and Hale-Ray High Schools. The Conference prides itself not only on having a full contingent of team sports but strong music programs, a very popular High School Bowl, Academic Programs that feature writing contests and active communication among the member schools.

The Shoreline Conference is the oldest continuously existing athletic conference in the CIAC; founded 1938. A prime mover was John Locastro, who was a teacher and a coach at Old Saybrook High School; he was later killed in WWII. Charter members in 1938 were: Old Saybrook HS, Morgan School, Old Lyme HS (not Lyme then), Pratt HS (Essex), Chester High School, Deep River HS, Daniel Hand HS (Madison).

While the official "start date" for the three new schools is a year away, the principals and athletic directors for the newest members are invited to attend all meetings during the 2005-2006 school year to help prepare for a smooth transition into the Conference.

Youth & Family Services Prevention Council Coordinator Cheryl Chandler announced that the Prevention Council of Haddam-Killingworth has been awarded a substance abuse community impact grant from the Middlesex United Way in the amount of $11,307.00.

This grant will enable the Prevention Council of Haddam-Killingworth to implement the Developmental Assets Model approach to prevention in the Haddam-Killingworth Community. Among other things, the grant will fund the Search Institute Survey Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors which will be given to students in the fall of 05 in grades 6-12.

For more information about the Developmental Assets Approach and the survey, please visit www.search-institute.org/ This grant will also fund our efforts to educate members of the Haddam-Killingworth community about the developmental assets approach to prevention and help all members of the community understand that they have a role in building the assets of our youth.

Killingworth's longtime Probate Judge Judith Lentz will retire on August 27 having reached the maximum retirement age. Probate Court Administrator James Lawlor has assigned Chester Judge of Probate Bonnie Bennet to serve as acting judge in Killingworth from Aug. 28 through the Nov. 8 election.

Frank Cunningham, chairman of the Killingworth Republican Town Committee's nominating committee, said the Republicans plan to nominate Holly Darin for judge of probate at the July 21 caucus.

Bennet's hours in Killingworth will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. fro August 28 through November 8. Read more about this in today's Hartford Courant.

The Killingworth Youth League 9-10-year-old girls All-Stars finished tournament play on Tuesday with a, 16-5, mercy win over Middletown in 4 innings. Shaina Rowley pitched a two-hitter, and went 4 for 4 at the plate with a home run to lead Killingworth to victory. Alex Raccio had 4 hits, Nikki Bukovsky had 3 hits, while Ashley Caruso contributed a triple. Taylor Burger and Sammy Waskowitz also had one hit a piece for Killingworth.

The team finished 3-1 and earned a second place berth in the District Championship round to be held in East Haddam at Joe Williams School this Friday night at 5:30 p.m. The winners of the first round advance to the District Championship game on Sunday at the same site. This is only the second year Killingworth has entered the district tournament, with the other teams in the divisions each having 4 or more years experience in tournament play. The hard work, determination and pride of these 12 girls is incredible, and proves that Killingworth girls softball is a town to contend with.

Recycling at Killingworth's Transfer Station waste disposal facility takes a major step forward August 1. After months of efforts and persistence from the town's Pay As You Throw (PAYT) Committee, the Board of Selectmen has agreed to go along with a PAYT recommended plan to begin mixed paper recycling at the town facility. PAYT predictions of 30 thousand dollars or more in annual cost savings to the town apparently brought the eventual approval.

To realize the savings in tax dollars, town officials say Killingworth residents will need to help. As more residents participate and support the effort, the greater the resulting savings and environmental benefits, according to PAYT. The mixed paper recycling plan and a recently begun white office paper recycling program intends to remove tons of valuable paper products from the waste stream. Until now, tons of magazines, catalogs, junk mail, cereal boxes, phone books and the like have been discarded with general mixed solid waste at a cost to the town of $ 70 per ton, the most expensive waste fee. By approving PAYT's mixed and white office paper recycling plans, the town will be able to remove those recyclable paper products and then be paid up to $40 a ton, for a total savings of $110 a ton.

PAYT predicts 6 to 7 tons of mixed paper can be removed from the town's most expensive form of waste every week, and then turned into a valuable commodity. But for the plan to work, the committee asks residents to begin separating the paper products and placing them into specially marked collection bins at the Transfer Station. The bins are just past the main solid waste compactors, next to the bulky waste container. White office paper should be just that, the purest and cleanest form of white paper with no colored inks. Mixed paper will be all other kinds of paper products other than newspaper and cardboard, which will continue to be recycled as always. PAYT sees the greatest potential for removing all forms of the mixed paper products. New signs will help detail the added disposal options.

During earlier PAYT surveys, town residents have been requesting added mixed paper recycling. For many, the requests were for environmental reasons. Now it turns out that the requests will have dollar value to Killingworth. PAYT continues to seek other opportunities to save tax dollars and make other improvements at the Transfer Station. Among those upgrades, watch for larger collection bins for recycling newspapers and cardboard, as well as your plastic and metal containers. Many new Transfer Station signs are planned along with establishment of lanes to improve traffic flow. A "reusable" area will be created for items potentially useful to others rather than immediate disposal.

PAYT will coordinate these and other changes in Transfer Station operations, as the committee continues to study and recommend additional improvements in operations at the town waste disposal facility.

The Killingworth Republican Town Committee has announced that it will endorse Board of Finance member and KRTC Chairman John Amport for November's election for First Selectman. The KRTC has also endorsed incumbent Selectman Fred Dudek for a election to a full term. Region 17 Board of Education member Richard Cabral also expressed interest in the top job, but deferred to Amport. The KRTC determined it would be best for the Town for Cabral to remain on the Board of Education. Read more about this in today's Hartford Courant.

The Killingworth Youth League (13-14) Juniors had a "bumpy ride" over the weekend with a, 6-13, loss to Portland and then a late Sunday, 12-8, win versus East Haddam in Middletown. The Juniors are now 2-1 in the tournament and play Cromwell Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at Palmer Field in Middletown to attempt to secure a berth in the District IX championship rounds Thursday and Saturday.

The "big bats of Killingworth finally came alive" in the tournament and added some needed thrust to the offense. Chris Bova, Andrew Callahan, Robby Flynn, and Billy Jette all had extra base hits. Zachary Kumnick, Reed Sturman and Jette were pushed home a combined 8-times in the two games by the hitters in the middle of the order.

Defensively, coaches Kumnick, Johnson and Uihlein concentrated on getting all of the pitchers valuable time on the mound during the two games, utilizing six different pitchers in Sunday's tilt alone. The pitchers in the two games were: Brian Ludington, Matt Johnson, Mike Ossa, Callahan, Flynn, Jette, and Bova.

The Killingworth Women's Organization's July meeting will be on Wednesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Killingworth Library. After a brief general meeting to discuss upcoming events, Betsy Himmelman will present a jewelry making class. There will be a small fee to participate in the jewelry making to cover the cost of the supplies. If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP to Gena Murray at 663-8044 so that we have enough supplies on hand.

The KWO, a non-profit group of volunteers dedicated to addressing various community needs, meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Library. For more information on Membership, please contact Sue Anziano at 663-2176 or sueanz@hotmail.com.

The Regional School District No. 17 Board of Education and Superintendent, Gary Mala, announce the appointment of Lori Susi as the next Athletic Director, effective immediately. Susi will serve in this position on a part-time basis supervising both middle and high school athletic programs. Jill MacDiarmid will continue with her expanded duties as Associate Principal at the high school.

Susi was selected from a field of highly qualified candidates after a comprehensive search and interview process. She has an extensive background in athletics as a former college level
athlete, eight years as the middle school soccer coach in Region 13 and three years as the girl's basketball coach at Coginchaug High School.

Prior to her appointment, Susi was an Assistant Principal in both the East Haddam and Salem school districts. She also taught in Regional School District 13.

This week, the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee welcomes guest columnist Brian J. O'Connor. O'Connor, the State Representative for the 35th District, offers his review of the 2005 legislative session.

This past legislative session has been marked by significant changes, both in leadership and in style. Governor M. Jodi Rell has settled in at the Executive Branch, Lieutenant Governor Kevin Sullivan has made a seamless transition to his new position, Speaker of the House Jim Amann has skillfully led the House of Representatives, and Senate President Don Williams has ably managed the upper Chamber. All four are in new roles, but their collective experience and hard work has resonated throughout Connecticut and has allowed them to meet the challenges facing our State. full story.

The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee is having a Summer Barbecue Fundraiser at the home of Marty and Barbara Klein on July 16 at 4:00p.m. The Kleins live at 68 Chestnut Hill Road. The ticket price is $15 per person. The barbecue is a kick off event to raise campaign funds for the November elections. Donations are welcome and may be sent to the KDTC at P.O. Box 752 Killingworth, Connecticut, 06419. If you would like to attend the barbecue, please call Regina Sipples at 663-2785.

The Liberty Bank Family Entertainment Series, co-sponsored by the The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department and Liberty Bank will feature The Shoreline Connection on Friday, July 15 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Sheldon Park.

Come see this local group from Higganum play your favorite Rock n' Roll tunes. The Shoreline Connection performs many of the forgotten favorites of the 60's and 70's, as well as a set of Elvis favorites (performed in full costume). Don't miss an evening with this six-piece band and be part of the connection.

The Killingworth Youth League 9-10 year old softball All-Stars defeated the reigning district champions, Guilford, on Saturday, 13-12.

Nikki Bukovsky notched the win with a complete game on the mound. Ashley Caruso continued her tremendous batting, going 4 for 4 at the plate with 2 doubles. Bukovsky, Taylor Burger, Lauren McCann and Kiley Anderson also had two hits.

With 2 outs in the sixth, 9-year-old Anderson singled to right center field, to score Jacque Garofalo from second base for the winning run! For the second game in a row, each of the 12 players got on base at least once.

Another great team effort for a very young team. The girls are now 2-1 in the tournament and finish up on Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. against Middletown in Cromwell.

Pictured below: Kiley Anderson, Alex Raccio, Ashley Caruso, Shaina Rowley, Jacque Garofalo, Lauren McCann, Ashley Mooney, Taylor Burger, Nikki Bukovsky, Sammy Waskowitz, Carly Brownell and Hannah Sullivan. photo courtesy S. Miller.

Jo Ferjak opened her family childcare business back in 1991 and this year marks the first group of her 'kids' to graduate from high school. What started as a few children in Jo and her husband Steve's small home on Lover's Lane has grown over the years to include more than 25 local families and 45 children. Jo and Steve eventually moved to a larger home on Chatfield Ridge Road and now have two girls of their own, age 15 and 11.

Ferjak decided to open a home childcare business after working for several years at a residential treatment facility for troubled children in New Haven and finding the commute and the time away from her new baby was just not working.

So, when her daughter was just two years old, Ferjak received her license and was able to open "Jo's Kids Family Childcare". At the suggestion of one of her 'kids' who graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School last month, she decided to celebrate the milestone Saturday with a reunion.

Parents say she hasn't missed a day in years and has always provided a fun environment for the children with field trips to adjacent Chatfield Hollow and surrounding attractions.

Though her husband is retired now, Ferjak continues to welcome children into her home all year long and for the past four years has also made a difference after they leave her care by serving on the Region 17 Board of Education.
pictured below: Ferjak, right center, with some of her 'kids'

The Killingworth Youth League 9-10 year-old girls All-Star team notched their first win of the district tournament on Saturday, beating host Cromwell, 17-16. Shaina Rowley pitched a complete game and had 2 hits.

The offense was led by Ashley Caruso, who went 3 for 3 with a triple, a double and 7 RBIs. Alex Raccio and Samantha Waskowitz also had 2 hits apiece for Killingworth and 2 RBIs.

The defense was led by the heads up playing of Nicole Bukovsky at shortstop and Taylor Burger's incredible scoops and stretches at first base. It was a great team effort for the young team, as each of the 12 players reached first base at least once! In only their second year of tournament play, the girls are to be commended for their hard work and determination!

The team play Guilford today at 1:00, and Middletown on Tuesday at 5:30.