Students at the new HK Middle School on Route 81 are focusing on the positive when it comes to getting to school in the dark this winter. They are able to see a breathtaking sunrise over the trees from teacher Kevin White's seventh-grade history classroom. White's classroom is on the second floor of the new structure with a view of the sunrise and Long Island Sound. Read what the student's have to say in the Hartford Courant.

Killingworth Nursery School will hold its annual Open House and 2007 Fall Registration on Saturday, February 10, from 1:00p.m. until 3:00p.m. KNSA is an unaffiliated, nonprofit, cooperative nursery school housed downstairs in the Killingworth Congregational Church, 273 Route 81. Come and meet our teachers and see our school. We invite you to experience the caring and involvement that is Killingworth Nursery School. A registration fee of $100.00 is required at the time of registration. For further information please call (860) 663-2950.

Killingworth Nursery School Association will hold their monthly Board Meeting on February 5, 2007 at 7:00p.m. Killingworth Elementary School Kindergarten teachers will offer a Kindergarten Readiness program to help parents determine if their child is ready to enter kindergarten. This meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Killingworth Nursery School housed downstairs in the Killingworth Congregational Church, 273 Route 81.

This week's featured cat has been at our shelter longer than any of our volunteers would have predicted. Normally a cat with her physical features and disposition is able to find a home in short order.

Scooter loves to be pet, hugged, and enjoys chasing toys around the room, but her most favorite activity is watching the birds from the feeder outside her room. Of course, it does not hurt that her bird watching spot is from a basket in a warm, sunny spot.

Scooter would do well in many home settings. She would be good in a home with children. She is tolerant of other cats and adapts easily to new environments. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more that easygoing nature is lost behind the tough cat persona many shelter cats adopt to survive amongst all the other homeless cats.

To schedule an appointment to visit with Scooter or one of our other shelter residents, please call our Adoption Director at 860-669-1347. Some of our cats are now listed with photos on a new website; www.1-800-save-a-pet.com.

The Killingworth Youth League is looking for volunteers to help out on their concession stand committee this year. Some of our responsibilities will be to manage the inventory and open up the locations. Committee members will NOT be working at the stands. This is a great way to get involved! Please contact Patty DeMorro at pdemorro@comcast.net if you are interested in helping.

HK Sports
The HK Wrestling team made a strong showing, but fell to Morgan of Clinton, 42-33, last night in Haddam. Winning their matches were: Mike Johnson, Alex Matthies, Tony Larosa, Justin Simmers and Marc Revis. Chris Yankura won by forfeit. The Cougars are 2-10 on the year.

On Monday, the HK Boys Basketball team defeated Old Lyme, 65-62. On Tuesday, the Girls Basketball team fell to East Hampton, 35-44.

Guy Hall takes control of the his match.

Marc Revis in his match against Morgan.

HK Recreation has a full list of offerings this winter. For more information on any of the programs, please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit www.hkrec.com.

2nd Grade Basketball - Saturdays, January 27th - March 10th (No class 2/24) from 10:30 - 12:00 PM at Killingworth Elementary School gym. The fee is $50. Non-residents may register for an additional $10. This is an instructional program to teach 2nd grade boys and girls the fundamentals of basketball. Skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, & defense will be taught.

Mad Scientist - Crazy Chemworks - The program is for children ages 6 – 12 and meets on Wednesdays at HES and Thursdays at KES. Session I is on Wednesdays from February 7 - March 21 (no 2/21) at HES. Session II is on Thursdays from February 8 - March 22 (no 2/22) at KES. Classes are from 3:15 - 4:15 PM. The fee is $78 each session (non-residents add $10). If your child goes to BES - there is a transfer bus that goes to HES. With exciting hands-on activities, stunning demonstrations and inquiry-based discussions, students will both learn and apply the concepts, tools and techniques of real chemists! Crazy Chemworks serves as the perfect introduction to elementary chemistry!

Hocus Pocus - Magic Classes - Magic Workshops for boys and girls ages 5 - 12 this winter/spring. All workshops are on Tuesdays from 3:15 - 4:15 PM. The fee is $20 each workshop ($15 if your child is enrolled in the HK After School Program). Non-Residents please add $5. Children will have fun learning basic introductory magic while building self-confidence and dexterity. Session I is on February 6th at HES library. Session II is on March 6th at BES library. Session III is on April 10th at KES library.

Karate Kids - for boys and girls in grades K - 6. A session will be held at Haddam Elementary School Gym on Mondays from January 22 - May 21 (no 2/19, 4/16) and on Wednesdays at Killingworth Elementary School Gym from January 24 - May 23 (no 2/21, 4/18). The classes meet from 3:15 to 4:30 pm. The fee is $80 each session. Non-residents can sign up for an additional $10. Children will be introduced to Washin-Ryu Karate-Do, a unique form of traditional Japanese Karate; and will learn the meaning of self-respect, respect for others, self-discipline, and concentration.

Imaginations Station - a program for children ages 18 mos. - 4 years this winter. This program offers the opportunity to meet other parents and toddlers in a playgroup atmosphere. Parents will help their toddlers explore the different stations such as free play, puppets, drama, crafts, stories, songs, messy play, and more. The program meets Wednesdays at the Higganum United Methodist Church from 9:30- 10:30 AM. Session I will begin January 27th - February 14th. Session II runs March 7th – April 4th. The fee is $40 / $30 siblings each session (non-residents add $10)

Edwin S. Lisk, 88, of Killingworth passed away on Jan. 9, 2007. He was a man who loved being surrounded by people. During his lifetime, he was a hardware store owner, a supervisor at Kent School, a professional drummer for more than 50 years and an avid UConn basketball and Red Sox fan. Edwin was also a World War II veteran having served in China, Burma and India. He is predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Eleanor (Crowley) Lisk. He leaves behind two sons, Edwin Lisk and his wife Mary Anne of Killingworth and Robert Lisk and his wife Catherine of Concord, N.H., as well as four grandchildren, Jennifer Lisk, Erik Lisk, Colin Lisk and Melissa Keeler.

Family and friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Swan Funeral Home, 211 Main Street, Deep River. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Killingworth. Burial will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery in North Canaan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Edwin's honor to the Killingworth Ambulance Association, Route 81, Killingworth, CT 06419

According to the Hartford Courant, the Reg. 17 School District is discussing the possibility of using the old middle school buildings for three new district programs - early childhood development, robotics and geriatric care. Superintendent Gary Mala said a review of faculty use of sick and personal time and short and long-term leaves of absence underscores the need for both child and adult care. He also said he is looking to encourage students in science and math with a formal robotics program.

Anyone in the local community who has experience in the early childhood, geriatric care or robotics and would like to apply to serve on one of several task forces can contact Mala at 860-345-4534.

The Board of Selectmen have decided to adjust the Thursday Transfer Station hours. Beginning on February 1, the transfer station hours will be Tuesday: 2:00-7:00 p.m.; Thursday: 2:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. One hour from Thursday evening's time was deleted and added to the beginning of Tuesday's hours.

The adjustment comes after several discussions with Transfer Station employees, First Selectman Marty Klein and the Board of Selectmen. Klein said he was concerned for the safety of transfer station visitors entering and exiting from Route 81 in the dark. Transfer Station employees have said that the number of cars using the facility between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. was minimal. The adjustment goes against the repeated objections of the Pay As You Throw Committee. The committee raised concerns that residents unable to take advantage of the later hours would use the Saturday hours instead and possibly cause overuse of the compactors.

In addition the board adopted the time frame for Winter and Summer hours for the facility. On May 1, the facility hours will return to Tues: 3-7:00 p.m.; Thur: 2-8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. On November 1, Winter hours will again take effect.

Klein also presented the PAYT with its new charge. The PAYT is to "advise the BOS on policies, practices and programs regarding the Killingworth Transfer Station to improve service, increase recycling and maximize utilization of the existing facility. If it is deemed necessary, the committee shall advise the BOS on the most equitable and efficient manner to implement service fee(s) for use of the facility." Committee member Amy Perry said she hoped the Board would not "handcuff" the committee by restricting its access to cost and use statistics.

First Selectman Marty Klein offers a column on his "First Year".

Killingworth's present Board of Selectmen has climbed up the learning curve and is now in the second year of its administration.

Our successes include negotiating and settling a contract with the KMEA union for a pension plan for both the Municipal Employees and the Volunteer Fire Company. We also signed a contract with AFSCME to assure that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Anthem Blue Cross stock are included in the Municipal Employee Pension Plan. After several years we've realized the realignment of Alders Bridge Road. Residents of that area expressed satisfaction with the reconstruction. We thank Eric Auer for providing Killingworth with recreational fields on Bethke Road. Read more.

Monday January 1:
• 8:36 AM: Medical emergency, River Rd
Tuesday January 2:
• 3:45 AM: Medical emergency, Parker Hill Rd
Thursday January 4:
• 7:20 AM: Motor Vehicle Accident, Route 80 near Chatfield Hollow
• 7:33 AM: Motor Vehicle Accident, Route 148 between Rte 81 & Roast Meat Hill Rd
• 8:16 AM: Motor Vehicle Accident, Route 148 near Bunker Hill Rd
• 12:12 PM: Medical emergency, Hilldale Trl.
• 2:34 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81
Friday January 5:
• 5:51 AM: Medical emergency, Route 148
• 4:15 PM: Mutual aid to Haddam, Structure Fire, Route 81

The Haddam Killingworth Travel Basketball B12 team, coached by Glenn Carlson, George Amarante and Ed Phelan, took home trophies in the Lyme-Old Lyme Basketball Tournament this past weekend. HKTB beat Lyme-Old Lyme, 46-40, in the first round of play in a game that had HK trailing in the first half. The team fought back and the game score continued back and forth until HK prevailed in free-throw shooting. The HK team went on to beat Essex Red in the Championship game, 51-39. Team members pictured below: Dan Kovach, Zach Dortche, Erik Carlson, Corey Parmentier (all of Haddam), Trevor Phelan, Wes Nuhn (both from Killingworth), Tom Day and Brendan Salka (both from Haddam). Missing from the photo are Killingworth players Richard Coletti and Liam Granucci.

The Tuesday Book Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, January 9 in the Killingworth Library meeting room to discuss Mark Spragg's novel, "An Unfinished Life" and view the film of the same title starring Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman. The story unravels the tangled effects a tragic death has on a young man's father, wife, and daughter. The vast Wyoming landscape is an integral part of the setting, perfectly blended with writing that has been described as "spare and unadorned and uncommonly beautiful." The meeting begins at 1:00 and newcomers are always welcome.

To the Editor:
The Gorski family wishes to thank everyone for making this year's Lights Spectacular a huge success. As always special thanks goes out to the Killingworth Women's Organization for sponsoring the event and our Santa's helpers, Paul and Gary. We would also like to thank the Kuzminski family for allowing us the honor of displaying their vintage firetruck and the Anziano, Cabral, and Sabatini families for their help in painting, set-up, and photography. Last, but never least, we want to thank all of those who gave so generously in support of the Killingworth Ambulance Assoication. With everyone's help, this year's donation will be an amazing $1000.

We are already planning for our 2007 holiday display. Anyone with unwanted or broken outdoor decorations can donate them to our lights spectactular. Please contact nancy_gorski@comcast.net to arrange for pick-up.

The Haddam Killingworth Mentor Program will be honoring present & past mentors at a get together on the morning of Saturday, January 20 with a continental breakfast from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Inn at Chester.

The keynote speaker & workshop leader will be the internationally recognized expert on school based mentoring , Connecticut's own Dr. Susan Weinberger. Dr. Weinberger has been recognized for her expertise in establishing, maintaining, and evaluating school and community-based mentoring programs and school-to-work initiatives. Her work has been published widely and the program she designed has been replicated in more than 40 States, as well as in Bermuda and Canada. Weinberger received her Bachelor of Science degree in Modern Languages from Carnegie-Mellon University; a masters degree in Elementary and Bilingual Education from Manhattanville College and her doctorate from the College of Business and Public Management at the University of Bridgeport.

Weinberger is the author of numerous books and articles on the subject. She spent 15 years as the Public Affairs Officer of the Norwalk Public Schools and has taught graduate courses on marketing and public relations at Southern CT State University. Dr. Weinberger is the Chair of the Public Policy Council and a Board member of MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and is the founding member of its Technical Assistance Corps. She is also a consultant to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs (JUMP grants); Department of Labor; Housing & Urban Development; and the CT Mentoring Partnership. She is a member of the Delinquency Prevention Programs (JUMP grants); Department of Labor; Housing & Urban Development; and the CT Mentoring Partnership. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Scholarship America and the Board of Directors of the National Assembly. In 1993, Weinberger traveled to the East Room of the White House to receive President Clinton's coveted Volunteer Action Award for her work in mentoring.

The event will be the kickoff to a major community mentor & mentee recruitment effort. Please bring friends spouses and neighbors to learn about our plans & to hear speakers from our educational community. Please register for Mentor celebration by calling 345-7498 or online at danenagler@aol.com

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, January 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of minutes of meeting held December 11, and Special Meeting of December 20, 2006
3. Visitors: D. McDougall
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. PAYT - Jeffrey Reisman, Stephen Hollander
    2. Housing Partnership - Robert Fahrenholz, Patricia Worth, Robert Artus, Anthony Savino
6. Old Business:
    1. Generator Installation - KES (D. McDougall)
    2. Transfer Station Hours (Thursdays)
    3. Multi-Year Capital Plan
7. New Business:
    1. PAYT Charge
    2. Set 2007 Budget Meeting Dates: 1/25@ 7 p.m., 1/29@ 7 p.m., 2/2/@ 7 p.m., 2/6 @ 7 p.m., 2/8 @ 7 p.m., 2/10 @ 9 a.m., 2/15 @ 7 p.m.
    3. Authorization for First Selectman to sign Mentoring Proclamation.
8. MK Announcements
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Adjournment
Agenda as of 12:00 p.m. Friday, 1/05/07
Printable version

HK Sports
The HK Boys Basketball team defeated Valley Regional, 56-55, last night in Deep River. Steve Landell led the Cougars with 16 points, including 3 treys, followed by Dan Wendt with 15 and Alex Langevin with 13.