The Hartford Courant reported today that the Killingworth Municipal Employees Association is contesting the firing of a 19-year town hall employee by First Selectman Marty Klein. Diane Zukowski, who worked as an administrative aide in the selectman's office was fired the first week of December.

In a December 12 letter, Klein reportedly wrote that there were serious problems with Zukowski's job performance. Zukowski contends she was out on sick leave prior to her firing.

The Killingworth Elementary School PTO Cultural Arts Program welcomed Sankofa Kuumba, African Dance and Drumming on Thursday and Friday. Grades K-5 participated in an assembly and Grade 5 also had the opportunity to work with the presenters in a drumming workshop. Sankofa Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium was founded in 1986 by Nandi Christine Dixon-Smith. Centering on the traditional dances, drumming, choreography and oral traditions of Africa, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Sankofa Kuumba's performance captures all of the astonishing power, beauty and truth of the African Diaspora. This cultural arts program was made possible with the support of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.

Dan Mead, a senior at Haddam-Killingworth High School is doing his senior project on fingerprinting. A part of the project, he will be at the Killingworth Library on Saturday, January 28 from 9:00 am-12:00 p.m. to fingerprint children and provide parents with important safety information. Killingworth's Resident Trooper, Kevin Stratton made up the kits for Mead to supply to parents.

To the Editor:
On behalf of the Killingworth Field Study Committee, charged with identifying promising locations for new recreation fields, I would like to go on record as strongly supporting the purchase of the Wettish property. A Town Meeting regarding this property is scheduled for February 7th. We urge all residents who are concerned about active and passive recreation in Killingworth to attend and express their support. Read more.

The Killingworth Nursery School would like to remind residents that it will hold its 2006 - 2007 registration for currently enrolled students on January 30 and 31 from 9:00 a.m. - to 10:30 a.m. at the school. Alumni registration will be February 1 and 2 at the same times. On February 4, there will be an open house at the nursery school from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. with registration opened to everyone. For more information about classes, times and registration please call the Killingworth Nursery School at 663-2950.

This letter was recently sent by the Land Conservation Trust to Killingworth residents. The Land Trust is hosting guided walks of the Wettish property this Saturday, January 28 (rain date February 4) and Saturday February 11 beginning at 9:00 a.m., ending around 3:00 p.m. Those interested may meet at 14 Parker Hill Road Extension.

Dear Neighbor,

We are about to be given the opportunity to take a vital step toward keeping our town the pastoral community that led us here and keeps us here. Considering a questionnaire sent out to every home in town, we Killingworthers want to live in a rural town. Our Planning and Zoning Commission heard this message loud and clear and incorporated in our Town Plan of Conservation and Development the goal of maintaining our rural character. A key element to maintaining the rural element is the protection, stewardship and acquisition of open space.

In keeping with this charge, our Board of Selectmen has initiated the purchase of the Wettish property, located on 14 North Parker Hill Road Extension. This parcel of 143 acres has several large fields, beautiful woodlands, trails, natural pools, and old stone walls. The wooded section connects with the Cockaponset State Forest with trails leading to the Pattaconk Reservoir (a stunning undeveloped body of water), and beyond. It also abuts 67 acres protected by a KLCT Conservation Easement. Read more.

The Connecticut Art Education Association recently announced its list of 2006 award winners. Three Haddam-Killingworth High School artists were honored. Jeffrey Robeerge won a silver in Painting I, and Corinne Mazzotta and Alana Schull received honorable mentions in Mixed Media II.

The CAEA program recognizes the work of talented young artists in Grades 7 to 12. Student artwork is juried by professional artists and university art faculty and is selected on merit for inclusion in a state-wide art exhibition held at the University of Hartford Art School.

Honored artists are invited to a Student Reception at the Silpe Gallery in Hartford Art School from 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. on January 29. The awards ceremony will be held at the University of Hartford's Lincoln Theater from 2:00-3:30 p.m that day with guest speaker: Award Winning Illustrator, Jerry Pinkney.

The HK High School Boys Basketball team walked over the Warriors at Valley Regional last night, 70-45. Kevin Sullivan led the Cougars with 18 points, followed by Tyler Riordan with 15 and Perry Pratt with 12. The lopsided game was never close with HK leading easily at the half, 29-16, and concluding with strong performances from players off the bench. See more photos in the Winter Sports Photo Gallery.

pictured: (r-l, t-b) Perry Pratt, Tyler Riordan, Kevin Sullivan and Travis Sierpinski.

The HK Swim team narrowly lost it duel meet against Rocky Hill yesterday, 93-90.

Top scorers for HK were: Zack Morello won the 200-yard individual medley (2:28.21), scored in the 100-yard butterfly (1:06.22) and swam on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay. Chris Bell won the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.98) and scored in the individual medley (2:28.21) and Corinne Mazzotta was the finishing first in the one-meter diving event with 154.7 points. Read all about the meet in today's Middletown Press.


The HKMS Girls Basketball team added another victory to their record on Monday at John Winthrop Middle School. The Cougars defeated the Chargers, 57-34, by playing strong defense and making great passes and shots. The eighth-grade guards combined for 33 points: Maura Calamari had 17 points followed by Danielle Machold with 16. Cara Webber had nine points, followed by Emily Anderson with seven, MaryKate Murray with four, and Alexis Bowen and Meghan Wright with two points apiece. The JV team narrowly lost 17-14.

On Tuesday, the Cougars improved their record to 7-1 by defeating Eliot, 47-19, at home. The Cougars got off to a slow start, scoring only 12 points in the first half, but played much stronger in the second half, adding 25 points to the scoreboard. Maura Calamari led the scoring with 15 points, followed by Danielle Machold with 12, Cara Webber with seven, MaryKate Murray with six, Meghan Wright with four, Alexis Bowen with two, and Carley Mooney with one. The next game is scheduled for Friday, January 27 at Hale Ray Middle School.

To the Editor:
As Chairman of the Conservation Commission in the Town of Killingworth, I would like to publicly voice the Commission's support of the Town's acquisition of the Wettish Property. A town meeting regarding this property is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, and I encourage all residents who are concerned about open space and preserving the rural character of Killingworth to attend that meeting and express their support for acquisition.

While it is understood that a portion of the property is under consideration for playing fields, this is an appropriate use that addresses a town need, and would only affect a small portion of the 140-acre property. Most of this acreage would be protected for wildlife, and available to the town for passive recreation. Immediately east of the Wettish property is 5500 acres of Cockaponset State Forest (with an additional 5000 acres close by), and land to the north is more than 90 acres of privately-owned land protected by a conservation easement. Read more.

Killingworth Elementary School celebrated its annual 'Dads' Donut Day' yesterday with its kindergarten classes. Mrs. Milardo, Mrs. Islieb and Mrs. Atwood's students enjoyed the undivided attention of their dads, grandfathers, uncles and a few mothers while playing games, making crafts, singing and yes, eating donuts. This annual KES tradition is more than 10 years old and is a special treat to help unite the classroom and the home. Special thanks to Roberts Food Center for providing the donuts at cost.

The morning kindergarten classes gathered with their 'dads' in the KES AP Room.

The HK Girls Basketball team picked up a road win yesterday at Old Saybrook. The Cougars led 23-19 at the half and managed to hold on to their slim lead to beat the Rams, 46-40. Allie Rand led HK with 14 points, followed by Deanna Loso with 8 and Michelle Fillion and Jenna Loos with 7. The Cougars improve to 10-4. Read more about the game in today's Middletown Press.

First Selectman Marty Klein offers his monthly column.

While busy in the office and around town, I am always aware that many others are on the job in Killingworth as well. They are the men and women who serve us as volunteers or town employees helping to keep us safe and our community vibrant. Three groups have particularly been up front and center recently.

There are about 40 emergency firefighters in Killingworth. Fifteen of them were joined by firefighters from neighboring towns, in a prompt response to the fire at 293 Route 148 on January 13. They were responsible for rescuing Ian Jansma from the burning building and limiting major damage to one corner of the home. The house, dating back to the 1700s can definitely be restored. Fire Chief Fred Dudek, praised the crew for an excellent job. He said that "their extensive training and preparation paid off." The commitment of our firefighters reinforces the importance that volunteers provide to our community. We as a town respect their skills and ongoing dedication. Read more of Klein's column.

HKTV's Shoreline Idol Contest held its showcase finale on Friday and crowned Samantha Barlow its winner. Barlow, a senior at Valley Regional High School, will receive a $1,000 scholarship provided by Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant in Westbrook and Madison, and one hour of recording time in a professional studio.

Judges chose the winner based on performances during the HKTV Holiday telethon, Friday's concert, and votes phoned in during the telethon to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. The runner-up was Brianna Jump, a junior at Morgan High School in Clinton and third place was HK's own, Nicole Pedonti. Read more about the competition in The Source.

Samantha Barlow performs during the HKTV telethon in December.

First Selectman Marty Klein said Sunday, that he has been approached by a Fairfield County couple interested in purchasing and restoring the 19th century farmhouse on the Town-owned Bosco property. Klein said no figures have been exchanged, but he would be interested in offering a 7-acre parcel. He said he arrived at that amount so the buyer could have two acres for the house and claim the additional 5-acres under Public Law 490. He declined to speculate on how much the house and property were worth prior to speaking with the Town Assessor.

Public Law 490 is a Use Value Assessment law that allows farm, forest, or open space land to be assessed at its use value rather than its fair market or highest and best use value (as determined by the property's most recent "fair market value" revaluation) for purposes of local property taxation.

The 133-acre Bosco property was purchased by the Town in 2000 for $640,000. A year later the Department of Environmental Protection offered the Town $180,000 for a conservation easement on 80 acres that abut the State forest. Last summer, following the second failed recreation complex referendum, the Board of Selectmen reconsidered the State's offer but voted 2-1, not to accept.

Darrell Smith from the Town's Water Pollution Control Commission updated the Board of Selectmen, Saturday, on the condition of the sludge lagoons and the steps necessary if the Town decides to close them. Smith said the operation to close and remediate the lagoons could be significant in cost and time. Recent estimates show the lagoons may be over capacity and "there are some environmental issues that need to be addressed". The Town leases the 2-acre site off North Tower Hill Road from owner Rose Dudek to use as a disposal area for waste pumped from Killingworth residents' septic tanks. The current lease expires on June 30, 2006.

Smith said Town engineers Nathan Jacobson Associates have contacted the State Department of Environmental Protection to inform them of the Town's interest in closing the lagoons. According to Smith, the DEP will ask for samples and testing records to determine the condition of the lagoons and the extent of the closing procedure. In the best-case scenario, the DEP would then ask the Town engineers to put together a voluntary remediation plan for the parcel of land. The worst-case scenario is that the DEP orders a remediation and the Town is forced to comply. The closing procedure could take from 6 months to several years.

First Selectman Marty Klein said he "didn't want to sound any alarms, but we should do something about this before the DEP comes down on our necks". Smith said an extensive remediation process could run in the six figures. Board of Finance Chairman John McMahon said he would like to see the Town's 06-07 budget proposal include a capital line item for the lagoon closing costs, so the Town can put money aside over several years.

Smith said recent tests in the monitor wells, downstream from the lagoons, have found reason for concern. The samples from the monitor well approximately 50 yards from the lagoons contained high levels of manganese. Smith said his concern is that ground water contamination is occurring and might not be limited to the immediate area around the lagoons. He said, "if we are contaminating the ground water with manganese now, who knows what's next".

Smith also said that the DEP received an anonymous report that waste was being pumped from the lagoons onto the ground. He verified that Town Foreman Jim Ward had been pumping, what Ward called rainwater, off the surface of the lagoons in order the pump the sludge out. Smith recommended this practice be stopped immediately.

Manganese (pdf. fact sheet)., is found naturally in ground water. The level for manganese permitted in drinking water is 0.05 mg/L. The samples tested near the lagoons contained 4-5 mg/L. Manganese typically forms black particles and also gives the water an off color and unpleasant taste. Health effects from manganese are not a concern until they reach 10 times permitted level.

Registration for students entering kindergarten in 2005 will be held at KES, Thursday, January 26 from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday, January 27 from 9;00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Children need not be present at the time of registration. If you are not able to come either of the two days, please call the KES office at 663-1121.

To be eligible for Fall 2006 entry, children must reach their fifth birthday by December 31, 2006. A birth certificate must be presented before the student starts school. Please bring it at the time of registration, if possible. Parent orientation and school visitation programs are held in the Spring.

Have you moved into Killingworth since the new year? If so, get ready for your doorbell to ring! The Killingworth Women's Organization has completed the first set of welcome baskets. The Killingworth Chamber of Commerce has graciously assisted with getting this project off of the ground. The baskets are filled with items that have been collected from local businesses and groups. Contents of the baskets include many helpful items such as pencils, a mug, a screwdriver, a handmade lavender filled sachet, and a holiday ornament.

Many businesses included coupons for the residents to use. Local groups also contributed literature about what they have to offer residents and how to join. Everything is placed into a sturdy basket and topped off with a bow. Hopefully new people to Killingworth will get a warm, personal welcome to their new community with these baskets.

KWO members Sue Anziano, Judy Tripodi, and Cindy Pitts displaying the finished products