The Park and Rec of Killingworth has been busy with improvements at Irene Sheldon Park on Route 80. The committee would like to thank First Selectman Marty Klein and the town crew (Walt, Mark and Jerry) for installing the newest projects. The clock on the playground equipment was replaced with a racing panel, there is a new crawling tube (please do not get on top of tube) and new team benches on the ball fields. The work was completed August 16th.

Photo courtesy S. Otto, Park & Rec Committee

Lover Lane will be closed to through-traffic from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Monday, August 20th. The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Co (KVFC) will be conducting a multi-town training drill using Lovers Lane as the primary site to re-fill tanker trucks. Fire Police and / or signs will be posted at both ends of Lovers Lane during the drill. Eliminating through-traffic during KVFC activities at Lover Lane provides a safer environment for all firefighters operating at the site. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dick Bauer
Fire Chief, KVFC

We, the members of the Killingworth Town Picnic Committee, are writing to announce that there will not be a picnic this year. We know that this will come as a surprise to many townspeople and we hope that this will not have to ever happen again. For those of you who are unaware, the annual Killingworth Town Picnic is organized and funded solely by the efforts of less than a dozen dedicated townspeople. Although several town civic and religious groups assist us in picnic activities, we receive no financial support from the town whatsoever. No tax dollars are used for this event. The parking fee is split between the boy scouts and the picnic committee. Those proceeds, along with those from raffles, food, and donations, help to defray the costs of the stage, equipment, stoves, chairs, band, and more.

Every year in late winter, we send out a request in the local newspapers for added volunteers to ease the work of running the picnic and rarely does anyone show to our monthly meetings. This year, we were unable to secure enough volunteers and therefore, must cancel the picnic. We hope that plenty of townspeople who value the uniqueness of our town picnic will offer their time next year so that this wonderful family event can continue. Please come to a meeting and see how even an hour or two of your time can make this event the success it once was.

The Killingworth Town Picnic Committee

The Intelligent Choice: 200 Years of Combined Experience

As the summer winds down, Labor Day is fast approaching and the children will soon be back in school. In what will seem like no time, our local Municipal election will be beckoning us to the polls.

The Killingworth Republican town committee has been exceptionally active these past few months putting together a team of candidates that is unmatched for experience. We are providing our voters with a slate that collectively held elective office in excess of two hundred years.

We have candidates from the top on down who are well educated and highly motivated. Their agenda is the well-being of our town and its citizens. They are not running for office to further personal agendas, nor are they looking for employment. Read more

To the Editor:
There has been a civics lesson right here in Killingworth. Politics at every level is increasingly controlled by relatively small segments of the population with specific agendas that increasingly deprive the citizens of real choice. In the age of instant communication and 24/7 politics, is it any wonder the majority of Americans are ever more silent until it is too late? Fortunately, here in Connecticut, the barriers have been minimized to make it easier for third party candidates to be on the ballot affording the voters real choice. Read more

The Selectmen's Office has recently been receiving complaints of litter being found on our beautiful Town roads.

Please take the time to secure your trash as you transport it to the Transfer Station and please do not toss litter out of your car windows. If you loose a portion of your trash, please take the time to pull over and pick it up; it is not fair to your neighbors or Town residents if you do not.

If we each take pride in our own neighborhoods and surroundings we will all benefit by it. No one can do it alone - lets all pitch in "Keep Killingworth Klean!"

State Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter announced recently that a Milling and Resurfacing project will be performed on Route 81, from Route 80 to the Haddam Town Line, in Killingworth. This project is scheduled to begin on or about Wednesday, August 8, 2007 and continue through Tuesday, August 21, 2007.

Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday). No work will be performed on Saturday or Sunday.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving through the work area.

To the Editor:
Interesting fact that Killingworth has 6 bridges on the deficient list. I can only wonder why we have closed the Reservoir Road bridge at the state's request, yet it's not on their list? Why is that? We see fit to close it to traffic and then dump who knows how many pounds of sand on it? I wonder what that sand must weigh when it's wet. If the structure is so unsafe why hasn't it collapsed yet from the excessive weight that sits on it perpetually. I guess we can only wonder why it was really closed? Let's not forget the cement barricades that are in place now also. Come on, let's get the bridge open at least for one lane. If it's not on the state's list at least for a single lane, and move forward with its repair. Two years to replace??!! it. It should be interesting to see if a 2 culvert bridge can possibly be replaced before the MN. structure is fully rebuilt. While we may be an old farm town there is absolutely no reason in the world that this bridge in Killingworth should be closed for close to three years before it's replaced or repaired. Let's get on with it opening it NOW!!!

Richard Graham

MaryKate Murray and Amanda Johannes both of Killingworth participated in the New England Field Hockey Showcase-Super Sophs Field Hockey Tournament held in South Yarmouth, Mass on Cape Cod. Amanda and MaryKate, who play on the HKHS squad, were both selected to play for Team Connecticut. The tournament consisted of eight teams from the New England States. MaryKate was also selected as a member of the All-Tournament Team.

Photo courtesy M.Murray

Frank Charles Durinick Sr., 80, of Killingworth, formerly of Higganum, beloved husband of Tresa (Baker) Durinick, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at Middlesex Hospital.

Born on Nov. 4, 1926, in Hoboken, N.J., he was the son of the late John and Anna (Latka) Durinick. A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army. Frank was employed by the state Department of Transportation until his retirement. A lifelong resident of Higganum, Frank served the community as a member of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Department, the Haddam VFW, and past member of the St. Peter's Holy Name Society. He enjoyed fishing, crabbing, playing cards, softball and horseshoes with the Haddam and Deep River Horse Shoe Leagues. His favorite pastime was spending many hours with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides his wife, Tresa, of 58 years, he leaves his six children; 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. from the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral liturgy in St. Peter Church, Higganum. Burial with military honors will be held in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown. Friends may call at the Biega Funeral Home Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Haddam Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 194, Higganum, CT 06441, the Middlesex Hospital Weiss Hospice Unit, c/o Dept. of Philanthropy, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457 or Homes for Our Troops, 37 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780.

Town Attorney Michael Wells, briefed the Board of Selectman Monday night regarding negotiations to avoid a Freedom of Information hearing scheduled for Friday. The Town's Pay As You Throw Committee filed a compliant with the State's FOI Commission after First Selectman Marty Klein and Selectman Ed Sipples voted to reverse an earlier decision on the Town Transfer Station hours. During that April meeting, Klein and Sipples violated proper procedure by voting on an issue without first voting to add it to the agenda. Selectman Fred Dudek was not present at the meeting.

Wells said he reported to the FOI ombudsman that the issue had been properly placed on a subsequent agenda and properly voted on. According to Wells, the ombudsman spoke with the chairman of the PAYT Committee to see if the committee would withdraw the complaint. The ombudsman relayed to Wells that the PAYT's condition to drop the complaint was that the members of the Board of Selectman attend an FOI class.

Sipples said he had taken the class in the last year and would be happy to produce documentation. Dudek said he has attended FOI hearings and was not going to attend a class or another session. Klein said he would be willing to attend a class if that would satisfy the PAYT Committee. Wells said he would present the option to the FOI ombudsman but it was up to the complainant to drop the complaint.

Wells said if the hearing takes place on Friday, he would explain that the Board acknowledged its error, corrected the error and that the PAYT also violated FOI regulations by illegally adding the item to the agenda of a special meeting. Wells said he wasn't sure what the FOI Commission would do, but said it was likely the Board would receive a "slap on the wrist". He did not advise the BOS to file a complaint against the PAYT Committee.

Sunday August 5:
• 3:34 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81
• 5:38 PM: Medical emergency, Green Hill Rd
Tuesday August 7:
• 3:13 PM: Medical emergency, Woodland Trl
• 11:22 PM: Medical emergency, Roast Meat Hill Rd
Wednesday August 8:
• 10:15 AM: Medical emergency, Swan Lake Trl
Thursday August 9:
• 1:26 PM: Medical emergency, Route 148
Saturday August 11:
• 8:20 AM: Electrical fire pole / wire, Paper Mill Rd & River Rd
• 10:54 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81

Bridge inspections have been stepped up all over the state following the bridge collapse disaster in Minneapolis, Minn. According to www.wtnh.com, More than 400 bridges in Connecticut are rated as 'structurally deficient' in some way" including six in Killingworth.

The six bridges are: one on Route 79 crossing the Hammonasset Brook; two bridges on Route 81, one on River Road, one on Route 148 crossing brooks and the bridge on Route 148 crossing Bunker Hill brook.

According to the article, bridge ratings are in three areas: The substructure, the pilings and the part that is under water or near water; the superstructure, which is basically the metal, and the deck, where the rubber hits the road.

"Just because a bridge has a poor rating in a given category does not mean it is unsafe by any means," DOT spokesman Judd Everhart said.

According to reports, smaller bridges rated in fair condition or better by inspectors are now inspected every four years, rather than every two. The money saved is used to inspect other bridges. Federal standards require states to inspect their bridges every two years, but the DOT received an exemption for certain bridges based on factors including size and condition, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Oliver!, the family-oriented, musical production based on the novel by Charles Dickens is opening this week. This community production is filled with such lovable and familiar songs as "Consider Yourself," "Food, Glorious Food," and "Where is Love?" The sets, costumes and lighting all combine to create a Dickensville so rich you have to see it twice to believe it!

With a cast of more than 80 local adults and children, this musical promises to be some of this area's best community theater. Buy tickets now at the production's website, www.killingworthtoday.com/oliver for $10 or purchase tickets at the door for $12. Opening night is this Friday at 8pm. The production continues Saturday at 2pm and 8 pm, Friday, Aug 24 at 8 p.m and Saturday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. and 8 pm. Performances will take place in the new state-of-the-art auditorium at the HK Middle School located at 451 Rte. 81, Killingworth.

Support the arts and treat yourself, family, and friends. All of this community involvement culminates with a donation to the Haddam-Killingworth Youth & Family Services meaning your ticket sale money and donations will continue to bring positive change long after our curtain falls.

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approve Minutes of Meeting held on July 23, 2007
3. Visitors:
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
6. Old Business:
    1. Tibbals Bridge/Jay Dowd Road Abandonment - Michael Wells, Esq.
    2. FOI Complaint (PAYT) - Michael Wells, Esq.
    3. Library Air Conditioning System Proposals
    4. Septic Lagoon - Update
7. New Business:
    1. Bid Opening - Custodial Services
    2. Approval of Resolution Recognizing September as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month
8. MK Announcements
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Executive Session: Discussion - Possible Real Estate Acquisition
11. Adjournment
Agenda as of 11:10 a.m. Friday, 8/10/2007
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