On Tuesday, September 27, the Autism Society of Connecticut(ASCONN) has graciously agreed to help start a support group in the Killingworth/Haddam area. It will be held at the Killingworth Library at 7:00-9:00 p.m. All parents/caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are welcome!

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, September 26, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of minutes of Regular Meetings held September 12, 2005
3. Visitors: J. Ward, B. Ahearn, A. Kuzma
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. Municipal Agent
    2. Park & Recreation Commission
6. Old Business:
    1.VSECI/2005-2010 Contract
7. New Business:
    1. J. Ward - Personnel Matters
    2. B. Ahearn/A. Kuzma - Town Crew
    3. BOS 2006 Meeting Schedule
8. DLD Announcements:
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Adjournment
Agenda as of 11:30 a.m., Friday, 9/23/05
Printable version

The HK High School Volleyball team defeated North Branford, 3-0, Friday evening. Stephanie Wiese had 12 kills and 8 blocks; Sawyer Kimball had 14 assists and Megan Piscopiello had 15 digs. HK is 4-0. Up Next: The Cougars play at Morgan on Wednesday.

The HK Girls Soccer team blanked Hale-Ray, 1-0, Friday. Kimber Stannard scored the goal on a assist from Corinne Mazzotta. HK did not allow any shots on their own goal. The Cougars are 3-1 and play Morgan on Tuesday at the Indian River Complex.

At Thursday's Going to the Sun Invitational, Jake Corbett (18:00) and Cory Weiss (18:05) finished in the top 20 and the Cougars finished 14th overall.

The ball field planned for the small parcel of land on Bethke Road by resident Eric Auer and his group of volunteers made a huge leap forward this week with the mowing of the field and the stripping of the surface. Auer says he hopes to get the field seeded as soon as possible so the town can utilize the field in the Spring.

On Tuesday, Dave Howe mowed the field and yesterday morning Butch Flagge brought out his tractor and started to strip the field of the top layer of soil. Venuti Enterprises has offered to sift the soil so that it can be brought back and used for topsoil and leveling. The ball field will include a backstop, a skinned infield and an outfield fence. The project and the $45,000 special appropriation for the backstop and fencing were approved back in June. The majority of the labor, services and materials for the project have been offered by volunteers.

Pictured below, Howe and Auer look over the site and plans from what will be the left field fence as Flagge breaks ground on the infield.

The HK High School Field Hockey team shut out North Branford yesterday, 2-0. Ashley Smith scored in the first half on an assist from Lindsey Griswold and Leslie Zules (pictured below) scored in the second half. Up Next: The Cougars are away at Old Saybrook on Monday.

In volleyball action, the Cougars defeated Coginchaug 3-0 (25-7, 25-15, 25-14). Stephanie Wiese had 14 kills, Sawyer Kimball had 20 assists and Megan Piscopiello brought up 15 digs. Up Next: HK is away at North Branford on Friday evening.

On Tuesday, the HK Boys Soccer team lost to North Branford, 3-1. Alex Waldman scored the lone goal late in the second half.

H-K Youth of the Higganum United Methodist Church will be holding a Rock-a-thon, this Friday, September 23, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to benefit Katrina survivors. They are currently collecting pledges and then on Friday will be rocking in rocking chairs for up to two hours. All funds raised by the youth will buy items to assemble Health Kits. Health Kits are gallon sized zip-lock bags which contain wash cloths, soap, toiletries, etc. They will be sent to the Sager Brown Depot, in Louisiana and distributed to people in need. If you'd like to pledge, donate, or participate, please call Tanja Moriarty, 345-8063, or email, tanjam@comcast.net.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is sponsoring a Fenway Park tour on Saturday, October 29. The fee is $76 per person. The bus leaves from KES at 7:00 a.m. and from the HK High School at 7:30 p.m. Return time is approximately 7:00 pm.

Upon arrival in Boston, Mass, the first stop will be at Fenway Park, home of the 2004 World Champions Boston Red Sox. Participants will take a guided tour of the park where the Babe pitched, the Kid hit, Yaz dazzled, and Nomar and the 'curse' was reversed. Soak up the rich history; hear the echoes of the past. Touch the Green Monster. Imagine being one of the "Knights of the Keyboard" as you see the view from the Press Box. Visit the new Red Sox Hall of Fame. And take a seat in the .406 club before strolling around Fenway Park. Take a behind-the-scenes look at America's most beloved ballpark.

All areas are subject to availability. After the tour, lunch will be at Phillips Old Colony House. Enjoy a choice of Baked Fresh Boston Scrod or Boneless Breast of Chicken. After lunch, the next stop is the Harpoon Brewery, where you will have time to browse through a variety of Harpoon gear and glassware. All ages are included. Participants over 21 will also enjoy a Harpoon Brewery Tasting. Free samples of fresh Harpoon brew are included, along with a narration of the Harpoon story. Fee includes Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation, Tour of Fenway Park, complete luncheon, and visit to the Harpoon Brewery.

* Disclaimer: Date subject to change if the Fenway Park Tour is cancelled due to playoffs.

The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company will hold its 8th Annual Car Show on Sunday, Sept. 25 at Killingworth Elementary School from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The show car fee is $5. and spectators are admitted free. This year's proceeds will benefit "Make a Wish Foundation". There will be dash plaques for the first 100 cars, trophies will be awarded, a DJ will be there to entertain and refreshments will be available.

HELP, I need a 'Get Out of Jail' card.... now!!! I'm going to be arrested on September 28th and taken down to 'The Wharf' in Madison and locked up "for good". You've got to bail me out. I need your help.... your tax deductible donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association "MDA" will help to get me out of jail.

Don't let me rot in jail, please!!!

I've been an upstanding community member for all my life and now I need your support to help Jerry's kids and to get me out of jail.

Call Virginia Rioja at Unison Travel 860-663-8031 for donation information. I'm counting on your support.
Thank You, Virginia

When the U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed the New London city government to seize private homes for ostensibly private purposes, it caused concerns across the entire country. Eminent domain, when reasonably implemented, is an important power of government - it has often provided the land for highways, hospitals, schools, and other clear public purposes. Indeed the exercise of eminent domain is written into the Fifth Amendment of our Constitution.

The critical question is how broad should be the government's power to seize our homes and businesses for what is not a clear public purpose. Should the government be able to seize our private property for economic development even if the property is not blighted? I think not. Should the government be able to seize our homes or businesses if it can get greater property tax revenue from another private owner such as a large business corporation or a hotel? I think not. Unlike California, which has a law prohibiting the seizure of private property for any form of economic development, Connecticut has few restraints and few seizure parameters. Ironically, the Supreme Court decision invites the states to establish reasonable restraints and parameters on the exercise of eminent domain. And yet, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, in its recent newsletter, cautions against restraints and states, "It is not at all likely that the Connecticut State Legislature would preclude or curtail the exercise of government's power of eminent domain where the exercise is in full compliance with state statutes concerning public notice, public hearings, and a comprehensive plan".

I fear that the granting of due process rights (notice and public hearing) will justify a multitude of government seizures for whatever purpose the government declares. I am currently working on the drafting of a bill that will protect private property from government whim. It will focus on the taking of property for traditional public uses and will condition any taking of property for economic development upon a clear demonstration that the property is blighted and not reasonably inhabitable. The bill will affirm the sanctity of our homes.

Finally, as reported in a prior column, I have asked the legislative leadership for a special session this fall to deal with eminent domain and other critical unsolved issues. The Governor also has the power to call a special session. The current conviction in Hartford, however, is that we should not rush to judgment this fall, but instead prepare a carefully conceived bill for debate and passage in next year's legislative session that convenes in February. I cannot disagree with that direction as long as we are now working on an appropriate bill and our municipalities have accepted a moratorium on seizures until we have had a chance to act.

Ed Meyer, State Senator

THE HK High School Girls Soccer team defeated Westbrook yesterday, 4-0 in Haddam. In the first half, Alli Rand scored twice and Caitlin Gilhully scored once. In the second half, Gilhully finished Westbrook off with a late goal on an assist from Ali Thomson. The Cougars are 2-1 and play Hale-Ray at home on Friday at 3:45.

In HK Cross Country action, Jake Corbett won the 3.1 mile race with a time of 18:20 and Mark Waterbury placed fifth to lead the Cougars in dual meet races over North Branford and Morgan. The Cougars were 2-1 on the day, falling to host Coginchaug.

The Girls Cross Country team also lost to Coginchaug but defeated Morgan and North Branford. Runners from Coginchaug swept the top five individual places.

This week, Killingworth Democratic Town Committee member Kathleen Amoia offers information on a a new organization, The Shoreline League of Democratic Women. Its objectives are "to unite women to support and advance the principles of the Democratic Party; to encourage growth of a well-informed electorate; and to promote full participation of women in every level of the Democratic Party structure".

As the need for political participation on all levels of government becomes more evident in our complex society, a new organization has taken form to enhance the role of women in the political process. The Shoreline League of Democratic Women (SLDW) swore in its first slate of officers at the Clinton Library on September 7th. Full story.

The Tri-Town Youth Football team lost Sunday, 20-6, against North Branford, but according to parents and coaches, "the boys played terrific". Austin Wezenski scored the touchdown with Austin Boulay, Trevor Phelan and Sean Difillipo playing well on offense. Ben Belliveau came up with a big interception in the fourth quarter and Matt "Chewie" Sturman, Patrick Dougherty and Wes Nuhn each had a strong defensive outing. photos courtesy M. Murray.

Join friends and family at June's Outback Pub this Friday, September 23, for a benefit to help the family of Gregory Conklin with medical expenses.

For the past 5 years, 8 year-old Gregory has been battling childhood Burkitt's Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He has undergone years of chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and even a bone marrow transplant. He is in and out of the hospital, where he is subjected to endless scopes, scans, X-rays and blood tests. As might be expected, the medical bills have been staggering. Gregory is the nephew of Chris and Laura Conklin of Killingworth and grandson of John Conklin of Madison. More information regarding Gregory's battle can be found at: www.gregoryconklin.org June's Outback Pub is located at 184 Route 81. The event will start at 7:00 p.m. with food and a raffle, and entertainment by The Sofa Kings.

For additional information or to make a donation, contact Michael Becker at 860-663-2298. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you for your support.

Absentee Ballots will be available at the Killingworth Town Clerks Office on Friday, October 7, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Just a reminder for all you parents who have children in college, now is the time to request applications for absentee ballots from the Town Clerk, Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, CT 06419 (860-663-1616) or they may download the .PDF document from the Secretary of the State web site www.sots.state.ct.us.

Killingworth Republican Town Committee member John McMahon offers this statement of purpose for the party in preparation for the coming elections.

The Killingworth Republicans have a long and storied tradition of providing the successful, farsighted, and fiscally responsible leadership that has successfully guided our community for the past two decades. As we approach what is perhaps the most important municipal election in the last 20 years, we stand ready and prepared once more to assume this role. The decisions made by our newly elected officials will affect the direction and character of our community for years to come. The Killingworth Republicans have tirelessly searched the community for committed, talented, and involved citizens. We have even reached across party lines to assemble a team with the best combination of experience, skills and diversity of ideas that will be advantageous to leading and meeting the challenges facing Killingworth.
Full story

The HK High School Field Hockey team defeated Norwich Free Academy, 8-1, Saturday in a non-league match-up. Leslie Zules scored three times and Lindsey Griswold, Chelsea Griswold, Ashley Smith, Lauren Bossolo and Alana Schull each scored once for the Cougars. Zules, Chelsea Griswold and Shelby VanHysen (2) picked up assists. Up Next: The Cougars play North Branford at home on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.

Saturday's varsity football game was rescheduled for November 19 at 1:00 p.m.