The Town's Charter Revision Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Fire Headquarters. The Committee has been meeting monthly since last summer to update the Town Charter. The previous revisions were done in 1997.

The committee received input from the public, as well as the Town's boards and commissions to make its revision recommendations. It consists of Chairman James Cutler, John Amport, Richard Albrecht, James McDonald, Diane Gladstone, Debra Griswold and Frederick Perry, Jr. A copy of the 1997 Town Charter with the current red-line recommendations is available here. The document is large and may take a few moments to download. A hard copy if available in the Town Clerk's Office. Read more about the recommended changes in today's Hartford Courant.

The Killingworth Library's new e-newsletter will be available online on the library website and here on KillingworthToday on May 1.

Connecticut State Police Troop F in Westbrook will conduct sobriety checkpoints the night of April 28 on Route 154 in Haddam, Route 81 in Killingworth and Route 154 in Deep River. Other motor vehicle laws, including use of seat belts, will also be enforced.

Danielle Vitali led the HK High School Softball team to a 22-2 win over East Hampton yesterday. Vitali hit 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Read more about the game in today's Middletown Press.

The Board of Selectmen moved forward Monday with the State's requirements for commencing the construction of the new Reservoir Road Bridge. The small bridge across the Menunketesuk River was closed last month by First Selectman Marty Klein on orders by the State Department of Transportation. Residents who use the bridge in their daily travels have expressed concern at the length of time the bridge needs to be closed and the money allotted for its repair.

According to Klein, the state is requiring the town to take some definitive actions before lending one of its bailey bridges. The temporary bridge would open the span to one lane of traffic and would stay in place until construction commenced on the permanent bridge. However, it is not expected to be made available until at least June. The funding and bidding process is then likely to take more than a year. The actual construction of the permanent bridge will close the bridge to traffic for the duration of the construction.

The Reservoir Road Bridge Committee for Engineering will review the credentials of the bidding contractors and engineers, choose the contractor to do the work and oversee the federal grant and funding process. The charge of the committee was amended at the request of residents to include reviewing all feasible alternatives in repairing the bridge, including the federal grant process as well as a smaller locally-funded alternative.

The committee consists of residents Kurt Weiss, Brian Ahearn, Arlene Tunney, Edward Coppola and Steven Durdy. Klein will also be a ex-officio member of the committee. The committee members were chosen based on their expertise and experience in construction, engineering and architecture.

"Thank You" to APIZZA TUSCANA for feeding the READERS & EATERS at the KILLINGWORTH LIBRARY !!! it's been a delicious winter !!! Picture courtesy Killingworth Library.

The HK High School Softball team defeated Westbrook on Tuesday, 10-0. Chelsea Griswold was the winning pitcher and Jenna Webber led the Cougars with 2 hits and 2 RBI. The Cougars defeated Valley Regional, 6-2, on Wednesday.

The HK Boys Track and Field team defeated Plainville on Tuesday, 100-40. Winners for HK included, Kevin Bailey in the 100 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles and High Jump; Martin Ramsey in the Javelin; Adam Wing in the Long Jump; Jake Corbett in the 1600m and 800m; Chris Bell in the Shot Put; Dan Wendt in the 200m; Corey Weiss in the 3200m; Eric Weiss in the Discus and the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.

The Girls Tennis team lost two tight matches this week 3-4. On Tuesday against Valley Regional, Michelle Zywica, Colleen Phelan and Caitlin Gilhuly won their matches for the Cougars. On Wednesday, Colleen Phelan, Caitlin Gilhuly won their singles matches and Cameron Regan and Candice Rountree won in doubles.

The Boys Tennis team defeated Old Saybrook on Monday, 6-1. The Cougars are 2-0 for the season.

The Girls Lacrosse team lost to West Haven Tuesday, 10-5. HK Goals: Kaeli Deane, 2; Ali Thomson, Sarah Gesick and Danielle Page. Kristen Wendt had one assist. Deane and Thomson combined for 9 ground balls and 6 caused turnovers, and made a great effort in the midfield. Sophmore Goalie Danielle Filosi made 6 saved in the goal.

The Boys Golf team fell to Morgan Wednesday, 162-189.

HK Baseball lost to Valley Regional on Wednesday, 4-2.

The Killingworth Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt will be held rain or shine on Saturday, April 15 at the rear field at Killingworth Elementary School at 11:00 a.m. sharp. All children from Pre-K through 4th grade are welcome. Be sure to bring a basket to collect all the eggs. In the event of rain, candy will be passed out between 11-12 noon.

Additional prizes will be awarded to some lucky children who find "special" tokens out in the field. Of course there will also be a very special appearance by the Easter Bunny!

Camps for Children and Teens
Our wildly popular Japanese Manga Cartooning Camp returns July 24-28 from 10:00am-3:00pm. In the mornings, campers (Ages 8-14) will learn and practice Manga, and in the afternoons they will participate in multicultural activities including origami, an art project and two days of Japanese martial arts classes.

We're also excited to launch Fashion Week Camp for boys and girls (Ages 11-16) who want to design, create and learn about the world of fashion. Fashion Week will wrap up with a photo shoot and a guest appearance with a fashion industry professional (July 10-14, 9:30am-3:00pm).

Classes for Adults
Two new offerings for adults this April include Stained Glass with Eileen O'Donnell (April 29 -June 3, 9:00-11:00am) and Memory to Memoir, six workshops with author and journalist Rita Papazian (April 25-June 6, 5:00-6:30pm).

Classes for Children
Participants in Puppet Mania will create puppets and marionettes and use them in weekly vignettes. (Ages 4-5, April 25-May 23, 10:00-11:00am. Ages 6-8, 3:30-4:30pm).

Photography covers portrait and action photography, exploring the differences between film and digital photos. (Ages 8-12, May 12-June 9, 4:00-5:00pm). Final projects will be displayed at the Arts Center's Fall Fundraiser at Cold Stone Creamery in Clinton.

Fashion Illustration will focus on basic anatomy and proportion with a live model present (Ages 13-17, April 29-June 10, 10:00am-12:00pm).

To register by check or credit card call (860) 663-5593. All classes and camps take place at the Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 N. Parker Hill Rd., Killingworth, CT 06419. For more information, visit www.artscenterkillingworth.org

To the Editor:
Thank you Steve Hollander for your 15 years of service on the Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission. 10 years as Chairman!

All your care and concern for the children and adults of Killingworth has been greatly appreciated. But as you said so elegantly in your resignation letter, "enough is enough".
Susan Otto
Park and Recreation Commission

Teachers in Regional School District #17 are offering two scholarships for graduating seniors at Haddam-Killingworth High School. For years the district's educators have raised money for a scholarship. In earlier years that money had been raised at a community scholarship dinner; last year and this year the money will be raised at a tag sale. This community event is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 in the HKHS cafeteria.

The $1000 John McCormack Scholarship was established last school year by the teachers from all the schools of Region #17 through the Haddam-Killingworth Education Association (HKEA) to honor and remember their colleague and friend John McCormack. He was the local representative of the Connecticut Education Association who was affiliated with Region #17. HK teachers memorialized their friend's respect and advocacy for education with this award. John McCormack's influence will always be present in Region 17 through the teachers with whom he worked and then by extension through their students.

Accordingly, the John McCormack scholarship recognizes the student who most clearly has embodied these characteristics and will continue to do so as they pursue their further education and career. James Daniels, chairman of the scholarship selection committee said "It is an honor for HK teachers to recognize a student at our high school with these admirable qualities. As teachers we always want to promote and recognize the highest levels of achievement and character." The applications for both scholarships are available through the HKHS Guidance Office. The deadline for the McCormack scholarship is Friday, May 19.

•Wednesday , April 12:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HK Baseball Game 4/10/06
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS Spring Band/Choral concert 5/15/03
•Thursday , April 13:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HK Baseball Game 4/10/06
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS Spring Band/Choral concert 5/15/03
•Friday, April 14:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Gary Mala Budget Presentation '06;
Coginchaug Lip Sync 1/16/03
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Gary Mala Budget Presentation '06;
Coginchaug Lip Sync 1/16/03
•Saturday & Sunday April 15 & 16:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Gary Mala Budget Presentation '06;
Coginchaug Lip Sync 1/16/03
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Gary Mala Budget Presentation '06;
Coginchaug Lip Sync 1/16/03
information provided by HKTV

April showers bring May flowers. Now as we patiently wait for the warmer weather of spring to arrive, there are lots of garden tasks that we can work start.

April is a great time to have the soil in your garden tested. This is done to test the PH - its alkalinity or acidity. The soil in Connecticut tends to be more acid than alkaline and lime is added periodically to areas where you have planted or want to put plants that are not acid loving. A soil test will tell you how much nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and micro nutrients your soil contains and what need to be modified. You can do this by bringing or sending a soil sample in a zip lock plastic bag to the CT Experimental Station which is located at 123 Huntington Avenue, New Haven CT 06511.(Telephone 203-974-8500) This test is free. The Cooperative Extension Center in Haddam also tests soil for a fee. Kits are available from that office on Saybrook Road 860-345-4511. There are also DIY kits that you can purchase at better garden centers, like Running Brook here in Killingworth.

You should be continuing to weed as those nasty little weeds start to wake up. Remember...it is best never to throw your weeds in your compost pile! You don't want those weed seeds in your compost. You can also continue pruning, but remember that for early flowering shrubs you may be sacrificing some of the blooms.

Get your birds feeders ready for the rush. You will be able to attract some interesting birds as they pass through on their migration north. You can even put out you humming bird feeders. Humming birds are spotted in Killingworth as early as April 15th! There's more!

If you have questions or comments, please submit them through the editor@killingworthtoday.com. These columns as well as meeting and event reminders are available from the Garden Club's web page at www.Killingworthtoday.com/EGC

The Haddam-Killingworth Girls Tennis team defeated Old Saybrook, 7-0, yesterday in Haddam. The Cougars are 2-0 and compete against Valley Regional today.
Singles Results:
Jen La Chance (of HK) def. Justine Pastore: 6-0, 6-0
Michelle Zywica (HK) def. Katie Bonin: 6-2, 6-0
Colleen Phelan (HK) def. Jenna Shaw: 6-0, 6-0
Caitlin Gilhuly (HK) def. Ali Lefebvre: 6-0, 6-0
Doubles Results:
Candice Rountree and Christine Griswold (HK) def. Kaitlin Nazgrewicz and Stephanie Turi: 6-0, 6-0
Heidi Roy and Kaitlin Craffey (HK) def. Pam Felie and Jessica Kotulski: 6-0, 6-0
Jessica Lindquist and Jessica Gallagher (HK)def. Moira Allen and Kathryn Onorato: 6-0, 6-0.

The HK Girls Lacrosse team toughed it out in the rain, sleet and snow Saturday for its game against powerhouse Hamden. The Cougars lost, 4-13, after putting up a strong fight. Scoring for HK were: Kaeli Deane (senior, captain, midfield), Ali Thomson (senior, midfield), Jessica Fox (senior, captain, midfield), and Kristen Wendt (freshman, attack). Jessica Fox also added one assist on the day. Ali Thomson had an amazing 7 ground balls for the Cougars and first year, sophomore goalie made 8 saves on the day. Friday's contest against North Branford was postponed due to rain. HK faces West Haven today at 4:00 p.m. for its home opener.

The ball field being constructed on Bethke Road is starting to take shape. The parking spaces have been carved out along the road front and the infield has been smoothed and leveled. The volunteers have clearly been making good use of every warm day to try and get the field up and running.

Get ready for change! Join us for a fun, informational night designed to give girls a better understanding of the changes their bodies will go through during
puberty. Topics will also include the importance of maintaining a positive body image and how to deal with difficult situations which may arise during this dynamic time. This program is for girls in the 4th and 5th grades and their mothers. Patty Musgrove, a middle school health teacher facilitates this course.

Thursday, May 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Killingworth Library. Cost is $20 per pair. This includes resource materials, goodie bags, and a pizza dinner! For more information or to register please call Youth & family Services of Haddam-Killingworth at 345-7498. Space is limited! Reserve your spot today!

The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held its Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday at Irene Shelden Park. A steady rain did not deter the young fishermen from breaking out the rods and reels. The small pond has been stocked with trout and the competition was open to children 12 and under. The Park and Rec. Commission awarded prizes that included rods and tackle boxes to the winners.
Pictured: top and lower right: 12-year-old Louis Williams celebrates his catch. Williams' trout measured 24 inches.

Agenda
Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, April 10, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on March 13, 2006
    Re-vote of motions made at Meeting held March 27, 2006
3. Visitors: N. Dansereau
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. Reservoir Rd. Bridge Committee For Engineering: Kurt Weiss, Brian Ahearn, Arlene Tunney, Martin Klein, Edward Coppola, Steven Durdy (include purpose of committee and length of time required)
    2. Greater New Haven Convention & Visitor Center - Richard Pleines
    3. Charter Revision Comm. Vacancy
6. Old Business:
    1. Resolution to Approve Lease/Purchase Agreement for Roll-Off Truck
7. New Business:
    1. Bid-Opening - "2006 Re-appraisal Update" (re-valuation)
    2. Bid Opening - "Cleaning of Catch Basins"
8. MK Announcements: BOS Clerk (eye surgery)
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Executive Session: 1) Assessor Appointment
     2) Bosco Property
11. Adjournment
Agenda as of 2:15 p.m. Friday, 4/7/06
Printable version

Since 1984, The Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club has awarded scholarships to residents for the study of horticulture, landscape design, environmental science or related fields. Applicants must be high school graduates or adults planning to attend a two-or four-year program.

This year, up to $1500.00 in scholarship money is available. Scholarship applications must be submitted by mid-May and are available at the Haddam-Killingworth High School Guidance Department or the Killingworth Library. For further information contact Sue Dineen, 860-663-2924.