The Killingworth Women's Organization and the Chamber of Commerce will be preparing the next round of Welcome Baskets for new town residents. This is a great way to get your business's or organization's information out to new residents. The baskets have been well received and the donations greatly appreciated.

The KWO is once again accepting donations of 50 give-away items of value to fill the new baskets. The deadline for donations is August 7, 2007.

Donated items can be dropped off at the Killingworth Library or please contact Lynn D'Amico at 663-5471 or ldamico214@yahoo.com to arrange for pickup.

Businesses must include a check for $10 payable to the Killingworth Women's Organization to cover the cost of the baskets; civic and town organizations are exempt from the $10 fee.

The baskets will be assembled at the KWO's meeting on August 8 at 7:15 p.m. at the Library. Anyone wishing to help is welcome.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Summer Camp and Child Care for residents of Haddam and Killingworth. Summer Camp meets Monday - Friday from June 25th - August 10th (no camp July 4th) from 7:00 - 6:00 PM (rain or shine). Participants may register for either full day camp (7:00 - 6:00 PM), Half Day Camp (9:00 - 3:30 PM), Extended AM (7:00 - 3:30 pm) or Extended PM (9 - 6 pm). Participants must sign up on a weekly basis.

The fee for Half Day Camp is $95/90 for 2nd child / $45 each additional sibling per week. The fee for Extended AM or PM camp is $130/$108 for 2nd child / $45 each additional sibling. The fee for Full Day Camp is $140/ $118 2nd child / $45 each additional sibling per week. The fee for the All-Inclusive Seasonal Package (7 weeks of Full Day Camp) is $845/ $720 2nd child / $195 each additional sibling. Camp fees include field trip admission and busing and a camper T-shirt to be worn on field trips. Please note - there is a $15 per week surcharge for Middle School Explorers for their extra weekly field trip. Recreation scholarships and special payment plans are available for needy campers.

Summer Camp is for children entering grades 1 - 8. Camp Discovery is for children entering grades 1 & 2. Camp Adventure is for children entering grades 3 - 5. Middle School Explorers is for children entering grades 6 - 8. Activities include sports, games, arts & crafts, swimming, field trips, special events, and theme days. Please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334 for registration information or visit www.hkrec.com for a registration form.

Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc. has united a group of Haddam and Killingworth community organizations, businesses, residents, and librarians to bring a community read initiative to the towns of Haddam and Killingworth.

Three Books, Two Towns, One Community...READ! is a community-wide reading program that will strengthen the sense of community between the young and the old, parents and children, neighbors and business owners, teachers and students, by encouraging all residents to read one, if not all, of the same three books at the same time, and then participate in related cultural, community building, and recreational activities.

Whether you share your thoughts with friends and family, take part in a formal book discussion group, socialize at upcoming events, or just spend a few minutes in personal reflection, the experiences created from participating in this program will be rewarding and worthwhile.

The kick-off will be an ice cream social and book unveiling at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School on Saturday, June 9 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Both Haddam and Killingworth libraries will have multiple copies of each book available for those who wish to borrow them, or you can purchase them at the ice cream social.

Which book will you choose?
Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938 by R. A. Scotti
Hidden Talents by David Lubar
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

Visit www.mylibraryrocks.com/321 for more detailed information or call your local library.

Killingworth resident Elizabeth Miller, R.N., was among a distinguished group of 12 Yale-New Haven Hospital nurses who was recently honored with a Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing.

Miller, a 25-year YNHH veteran, works in the maternal-fetal medicine department where she helps care for women with high-risk pregnancies. She has worked in post-partum and labor and birth. She previously worked as an assistant nurse manager in labor and delivery for high-risk pregnancies for 18 years. Miller has also served as a childbirth educator for 25 years and has been one of the hospital's Nurse of the Year honorees.

Miller earned an associate's degree of nursing from the University of Bridgeport and a bachelor's degree of organizational leadership from Quinnipiac University. She and her husband, Robert, have two children and live in Killingworth.

"Yale-New Haven was onboard from the beginning to support this important award in our community," said Sue Fitzsimons, Ph.D., R.N., senior vice president of patient services. "The Nightingale Awards give us the opportunity to honor some of our most exceptional nurses and let more people learn about the profession of nursing."

In addition to the Visiting Nurse Association, Yale-New Haven Hospital, the Hospital of St. Raphael and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven are founding sponsors of the award program that raises public awareness of the contributions nurses make and inspires the next generation of nurses. The award takes its name from the nightingale, a bird that is rarely seen but whose voice is known for its lovely song.

First Selectman Martin Klein has offered his Memorial Day speech for readers.

Our memories are proof that we exist. My memories are of a time when we were a democratic society, envied throughout the world. I remember when we served as an inspiration for others to emulate! It is not easy to look at ourselves today. We brandished our military biceps and found that our reach is brittle.

Hopefully the war in Iraq will soon be behind us and our young men and women will come home. This is the moment to rebuild our nation. We have squandered our resources and it is time to enlist our courage and resolve to correct the inadequacies in our society. Singing the praises of the men and women who fought in battle, although important, is not enough. Nor is it sufficient to cover the graves of the fallen with flowers. We should commemorate their service with a renaissance of the democratic ideals that inspired other nations and peoples. And as a democratic society, we ourselves, must adhere to those principles for which they give their lives.

In the words of the Hebrew scholars we must embrace "Tokem Olem!" Repair the world and do no harm.

Many of you have noticed the wonderful improvements to Rocco M. Reale Memorial Field. If you haven't, please stop by and take a look. Two local businesses and their owners are to be thanked for the donation of their expertise, time, labor and materials to make it possible. Scott Papoosha of Running Brook Farms and Gene Gargiulo of Gargiulo Construction volunteered to help the Park and Recreation Commission improve the drainage at the field. In the past, water would runoff into the infield and huge puddles would have to be removed by pumping, sweeping and adding material to soak up the water. The berm proposed by Park and Rec turned into an entirely different animal when these two put their heads together. The area behind home plate is now an inviting grassed area with sidewalks to the refreshment stand and stairs down to the infield.

Thank you Scott and Gene from the members of Park and Rec, Killingworth Youth League and the Killingworth community.

Photo courtesy S. Cumpstone

Three Killingworth residents were the lucky winners in the recent Lions Club Raffle, a fundraiser whose proceeds will help pay the $26,000 needed to sponsor a Fidelco Guide Dog. After the Memorial Day Parade at the Platt Nature Center, Resident Trooper Matthew Ward picked the three winning tickets. First prize winner Ed Hayash is now the proud owner of a Husqvarna 20 horse power tractor with plow, chains, wheel weights and dump cart. Second prize winner, Tom McCabe, will receive an Ariens snow thrower and third prize winner, James Doxsee, a back pack leaf blower.

The Lions want to thank all those who supported the raffle with their ticket purchases. A total of 202 tickets were sold and $256 was donated. Since the Lions bought the prizes and donated them to the raffle, the entire $10356 raised will be put toward the $26,000 sponsorship cost.

The Guilford Under-19 Boys Premier Soccer Team participated in the 31st Annual Needham Memorial Day Invitational Tournament on May 26 - 28. Josh Wright & J.T. Scanlon of Killingworth helped take their team to the Semi-Finals on Monday, May 28. They came into the Semi-Finals having won 3 games, without a goal scored against them. The tournament came to an end for the Guilford team on Monday losing to Far Post of Vermont, 2-1, on a Penalty Kick.

HK Sports: After a first round bye in the Class 'S' state tournament, the HK Cougar Baseball team won its second round match-up defeating the East Hampton Bellringers, 6-4. With the win, the Cougars advance to the quarterfinals and face #12 Trinity Catholic.

The game started out a little rough for HK as East Hampton scratched across a run in the top of the first to make it 1-0. The Cougars answered back quickly however. In the bottom of the first, AJ Margnelli led off with a line-drive single to right. After advancing to second on a Pete Rynkowski ground out, Margnelli scored on Steve Landell's RBI double. With two outs, Mike Theriault crushed a deep triple to left to knock in Landell and give HK a 2-1 lead.

The Cougars struck for three more runs in the fourth. Alex Struzinski was hit by a pitch with one out. After stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch, he scored on Chris Arrigoni's RBI single. Arrigoni then advanced to second on Margnelli's ground out. A Rynkowski single to left scored Arrigoni, and also put a runner on second as he took the extra base on the throw to home. That turned out to be fortunate as Alex Pollack ripped an RBI single to score Rynkowski, making it 5-1 HK.

The Cougars added an unearned insurance run in the fifth thanks to Bellringer errors. That gave HK starting pitcher Landell a little more breathing room. He went all seven innings, allowing six hits, two walks and three earned runs, while striking out five to earn the victory.

For HK, Mike Theriault (2-4, RBI), Alex Pollack (2-4, RBI), and Rynkowski (1-4, RBI, Run) led the way offensively. The Cougars hope to advance to the semi-finals when they play this Saturday, June 3rd. The location and time of the game have not yet been released. Fans can go to www.casciac.org to see when that information will be announced.

The HK Softball team ended its season with a, 0-2, loss to Watertown in the second round of the Class M State Championships.

The Cougar Boys Golf team defeated Hale Ray, 170-180. Old Saybrook's Matt Hills shared medalist honors with HK's Sean Moyer as Old Saybrook defeated Haddam-Killingworth, 162-167, at Banner Lodge.

Residents on Emmanuel Church Road report that several bird feeders were ripped off their posts Monday night and last Wednesday night by a bear. Though the bear itself was not spotted, claw marks on the posts indicated its presence. According to the Connecticut DEP, there have been four reports of bear sightings in Killingworth in the past year, with almost 2000 reports statewide. Bear sightings can be reported online at www.depdata.ct.gov/wildlife/sighting/bearrpt.htm

The DEP recommends if you see a bear:
• Enjoy it from a distance.
• Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walk slowly away.
• Never attempt to feed or attract bears.
• Report bear sightings to the Wildlife Division, at (860) 675-8130.
To avoid attracting bears:
• Remove bird feeders from late March through November. If a bear visits a bird feeder in winter, remove the feeder.
• Add a few capfuls of ammonia to trash bags and garbage cans to mask food odors. Keep trash bags in a container with a tight lid and store in a garage or shed. Wait until the morning of collection before bringing out trash.
• Do not leave pet food outside overnight and store livestock food in airtight containers.
• Do not put meats or sweet-smelling fruit rinds in compost piles. Lime can be sprinkled on the compost pile to reduce the smell and discourage bears.
• Thoroughly clean grills after use.
• Never intentionally feed bears. Bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous. This may lead to personal injury, property damage, and the need to destroy problem animals.
• Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions.

Bears are omnivorous; they eat grasses, forbs, fruits, nuts, and berries. They also will seek insects (particularly ants and bees), scavenge carrion, and raid bird feeders and garbage cans. Bears occasionally will prey on small mammals, deer, and livestock.

First Selectman Marty Klein reports that the construction project on Route 81 at Chittenden Road will shut down for the summer on Thursday night. The project to replace the bridge culvert has restricted traffic to one lane since early April. On Thursday night the lights will be bagged and the barriers removed. Hammonasset Construction of Clinton will continue to work on the edges of the road throughout the summer and will fully resume the project after Labor Day.

A special gathering of the Tuesday Book Discussion Group will take place in the library meeting room on June 5th at 1:00 to view and analyze the most recent film version of "A Passage to India".

The regular meeting will take place on June 12th to discuss Chris Bohjalian's novel, "Before You Know Kindness". Bohjalian portrays a family in crisis after a shooting accident. Life, as the family members knew it, is changed overnight even as the social issues of gun control, animal rights, and agenda-driven litigation become entwined with their future. The Discussion Group meets at 1:00 in the Killingworth Library meeting room and newcomers are welcome to both events.

Post at the 'Cycle, Not at the Circle

We all know how dangerous the Killingworth traffic circle can be. So many accidents have taken place there in the last few years that next year, the state is going to begin a $1 million reconstruction of the circle. (The plan presented last fall is currently being revised.) The improved design of the roads feeding into the "roundabout" - the official term - should make the traffic flow much safer. But several recent incidents convinced me that the town can't wait for that project to begin. To reduce the distractions to drivers navigating the circle, I had our crews remove all billboards from the center island and the surrounding banks. We just can't afford to have drivers paying attention to anything but the other vehicles around them.

Of course, it's important for Killingworth to share information, and there aren't that many ways to get the word out. For now, I would suggest posting signs near the entrance to Recycle Way. We will try to find more, safe forums for announcements.

Thanks for your cooperation.
Marty Klein

The American Cancer Society fund raising event "Relay for Life" is coming to Killingworth and Haddam for the first time. It will be held at the Haddam Killingworth High School on Friday June 1-June 2. Registration begins Friday at 4:00 p.m. The first walk of the Relay begins at 5:00 p.m., and continues throughout the night with games, DJ's, and music. Bring your tents and sleeping bags. For more info please contact Cindy Pitts at cindypitts@cshore.com or Amy Etra at 203-245-1593x106

Sunday May 20:
• 9:06 AM: Medical emergency, Hemlock Dr
Monday May 21:
• 10:28 AM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Structure fire, River Rd
Tuesday May 22:
• 7:28 AM: Motor vehicle accident, intersection of Rtes 148 and 79
Wednesday May 23:
• 9:30 AM: Medical emergency, Hemlock Dr
Thursday May 24:
• 12:11 AM: Medical emergency, Beech Tree Ridge
Saturday May 26:
• 1:55 AM: Medical emergency, Kenilworth Dr
• 8:01 PM: Outside smoke investigation, Iron Works Rd

The second annual John P. Hine Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Killingworth Library will be held June 11 at the Clinton Country Club.

Reservations for individual golfers and foursomes are being accepted through June 5. The price for golf, lunch and dinner is $175 per golfer.

The 18-hole "best ball" tournament begins with an 11 a.m. barbecue, followed by a 12:30 shotgun tee time. A buffet dinner will be held in the Clinton Country Club dining room after the tournament, followed by awards, raffles and prizes.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Killingworth Library. For more information or to reserve a spot in the tournament, call Shelly Cumpstone at 860-663-2747 or e-mail: xmastreesrus@sbcglobal.net.

Agenda
Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of Meeting held May 14, 2007
3. Visitors:
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. BAA - Collis Beck
    2. TOBSC 2 vac. - 45 days 5/31 and 6/1
    3. IWWC - vac.
6. Old Business:
    1. Green Hill/Rte. 81 / Work Schedule
    2. Proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan
    3. Waiver of Building Inspection Fees for Region #17 Middle School & Acceptance of Final Payment
7. New Business:
    1. Proposed Gardens @ Bosco - Peg Scofield
    2. BOS Approval - Tri-State Trek 7/20/07 (Cert of Ins. Received)
    3. Flashing Lights @ Irene Sheldon Park Rte. 80
    4. Employee Picnic
    5. BOS Authorization for First Selectman to sign Resident Trooper Contract for period of 7/1/07 - 7/30/09
8. MK Announcements
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Executive Session: Discuss application/qualifications of candidates for "public Works Supervisor" position
11. Adjournment
Agenda as of 2:35 p.m., Thursday, 5/24/2007
Printable version

Join the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust's fourth annual Trails Day hike on Saturday, June 2, on our newest trail - the Shotpouch Plains Trail. Gather at 10:00 am on Roast Meat Hill Road - between #119 and #125, .4 mile south of Stevens Road (look for parking signs). The walk will be about 1½ miles on level terrain, mostly on an old woods road. We will do the main trail and a proposed Eagle Scout loop onto adjoining land trust open space.

The hike leader, Debby Butler, will demonstrate the hobbies of letterboxing and geocaching. Wear appropriate footwear and insect repellent; fruit and beverages will be provided after the walk. Sunday, June 3 will be the rain date. Call KLCT Trails Chairman Debby Butler with any questions at 663-2231 or at debby_butler@hotmail.com.