A Perfect Night for Spectacular Lights
Last night's snow fall has added the perfect frosting to the Gorski's light display at 18 Wolf Hollow Lane. Come out tonight between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. to view the fantastic holiday display and help support Haddam-Killingworth High School Project Graduation. The cost is $5.00 per family. Santa will be there with small gifts for each child. Homemade cookies and hot chocolate will be provided. Hope to see you there!

Town of Killingworth
Office of the Tax Collector

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the town of Killingworth, that the second installment of Real Estate and Personal Property taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2006, is due and payable on January 1, 2008. Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax bills are also due on January 1, 2008, in one installment. If not paid on or before February 1, 2008 the installment becomes delinquent and subject to interest at a rate of 18% per annum (1 ½% for each month or fraction thereof) dating back to the original due date of the bill. A minimum interest charge of $2.00 is applicable to each delinquent tax bill. Two months of interest will be due on February 2, 2008.

You may pay by mail. Please return payment coupon(s) attached to bill with your payment. Checks should be made payable to: Tax Collector. Mail postmarked (U S Postal Service postmark only) on or before February 1, 2008 will be considered an on time payment. If you would like a receipt returned to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

As a matter of law, the taxpayer is liable to the town for the tax installment(s) as they become due and payable. Liability is not created by, nor dependent upon receipt of a tax bill. Therefore, failure to receive a bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the requirement to pay the statutorily required interest when a late payment is made.

Michele B. Nuhn
Tax Collector

Town of Killingworth
Notice of Special Town Meeting

The Electors of the Town of Killingworth and all those qualified to vote in meetings of said Town are hereby notified and warned that a Special town Meeting will be held in the All-Purpose Room of the Killingworth Elementary School on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. to consider and act upon the following items of business:

1. To discuss, amend and vote upon an Ordinance: Re: Alternate Locations for Town Meetings:
"That future Town Meetings shall be held at either the Town Hall, the Killingworth Elementary School, Haddam-Killingworth Middle School or the Killingworth Fire House at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen."

2. To authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept as a Town Road for a public highway purposes that roadway shown as Clarkson Lane on a map entitled, "Record Map of a Conservation Subdivision to be known as 'Clarkson Crossing' Stevens Road & Roast Meat Hill Road Killingworth, Connecticut. More info available at Town Clerk.

3. To consider, discuss and vote upon the discontinuance of the following roads or portions of:
Resolved: That, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen and the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24, the following roads be discontinued.

The northerly portion of Jay Dowd Road running from the intersection of said Jay Dowd and Tibbals Bridge Road northerly a distance of 748.62 feet as shown on a map entitled "Boundary Line Survey for the Hammonassett Fishing Association, Date Sept 2, 1976. More info available at Town Clerk.

The southerly portion of Jay Dowd running from the intersection of said Jay Dowd Road and Tibbals Bridge Road as shown on said map in a generally southerly direction of a distance of approximately 4,200 feet to the boundary line between properly owned by the Hammonassett Fishing Association and property owned now or formerly by Little Association, Date Sept. 2, 1976. More info available at Town Clerk.

Tibbals Bridge Road in its entirety including the bridge. Complete resolution available at Town Clerk.

4. To consider, discuss and vote upon the re-appropriation of $284,026 to the FY 2007/2008 Budget for Sludge Lagoon Remediation $108,931.00, Attack Pumper $52,352.00, Wettish Property $122,743.00 totaling $284,026.00

5. To consider and act upon the following overexpenditures in excess of $10,000 for the following line items: Town Engineer 36,115.00, Medical Buyout $22,090.00, Snow Removal $13,928.00, Tax Refunds and Abatements $36,637.00, Misc Government Grants $21,472.00 totaling $130,242.00.

Said Overexpenditures to be funded by underexpended General Fund Appropriations in the following line items: Fire/Liability/Casualty Insurance $17,524.00, Workers Comp Insurance $17,616.00, Social Security $31,722.00, Medical Insurance $48,697.00 Disability Insurance $8,511.00, Resident State Trooper $6,172.00 totaling $130,242.

6. To authorize the Close Out of the following Capital Accounts-the balances to revert to the Capital Fund Undesignated Fund Balance: GIS Software Update and Testing $3,800.00, Automated Voting machines $7,000.00, Fire Department HVAC System $15.42, Bethke Road Recreation Project $19,620.54 totaling $30,435.96

Join us on a KLCT trail to look for some wintering birds on Saturday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We'll be walking the Lower Hammonasset River Trail. Bring binoculars (a couple extra loaners may be available). The trail walk is free and open to the public - no preregistration required. Precipitation cancels.

Directions: Route 80 to Chestnut Hill Road and take to the 2nd Bargate Trail on right (Bargate meets Chestnut Hill Road at two points). Make right on Bargate - trail entrance is about 700 feet on the left. Park on the side of the road.

Contact trip leader, John Himmelman, if you have any questions - 663-3225, or email jhimmel@comcast.net. You can also visit www.killingworthlandtrust.com to see trail maps and get more info.

1. Plan where your tree will be positioned. Use a sturdy tree stand.
2. Place the tree at least three (3) feet away from any heat source and position it near an electrical outlet so that extension cords are not necessary.
3. Do not place the tree in front of any exit.
4. Do not buy a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
5. Artificial trees should be labeled fire-retardant.
6. When using a live tree keep it watered at all times. Add water daily.
7. Connect no more than three (3) of push in bulbs and a maximum of fifty (50) screw in bulbs. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use tree lights. Never use lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Use the correct lights for indoor, outdoor or indoor/outdoor use.
8. Always unplug or switch off ALL holiday lights before leaving home or when going to sleep.
9. Keep a watchful eye on children when they are around the tree. Small children should not be left alone in a room with a lighted tree. Do not let them play with the wiring or lights.
10. Remove the tree from your home when it begins to drop needles and dispose of it properly. Dried out trees burn easily and should not be left indoors or be placed against a home or left on a wooden deck. Discarded Christmas trees can be an attractive target for fire setters.
11. If you haven't done so yet PLEASE change the batteries in all of your home's SMOKE DETECTORS. Check that they are working properly by testing them each month. There is no appliance in your home that will safe guard your family during this Holiday Season better than a WORKING smoke detector.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday.
The Killingworth Fire Marshal

For a demonstration on the difference between what a fire can do to a dried out Christmas tree and one that is kept well watered, watch this video produced by the National Fire Protection Association.

The Arts Center in Killingworth will hold an Origami Workshop with Artist Claudia Martin (Ages 10+)on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1:00-4:00pm. The fee is $45.00 (includes materials).

Create your own beautiful Kusudama Ball - a perfect and unique holiday ornament, gift or special keepsake. This Kusudama project (a type of Origami) will be created from several pieces of paper and intricately constructed without glue or tape!

The workshop will be held at The Arts Center in Killingworth, 276 N. Parker Hill Road. Space is limited so please reserve your spot in advance. To register, please contact: (860) 663-5593 e-mail us at: bnair@verizon.net

Can you contribute just a bit of your time? Are you looking for a venue for your creative talents? If that's the case, the Haddam-Killingworth High School Project Graduation committee is looking for you! The Class of 2008 is hoping to have a Graduation night to remember for years, and you can help achieve this. This substance-free night of celebration requires many hands and lots of creative ideas. Please join us in this endeavor.

UPDATE: The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 7:00pm in the Lower Media Center. Please stop in. We need your help!

The Killingworth Tuesday Book Discussion Group will meet at A Taste of China on the Boston Post Road in Clinton on December 11th to celebrate the Holiday Season and discuss Anne Fadiman's "The Spirit Catches You and You fall Down." This non-fiction work explores the cross cultural misunderstandings that can occur in a patient-doctor relationship. It is a case study of a Hmong child with severe epilepsy and the parents' view that her seizures are a gift. Many Hmong immigrants from the Laotian hill country came to America as refugees after the Vietnam War.

The meeting begins at 1:00 in the restaurant and newcomers are welcome.

Caring for someone can be very exhausting and rewarding at the same time. Join Molly DeWeese at The Estuary Council Senior Center, 220 Main Street on Thursday December 20th for a wonderful opportunity to relax and share experiences and ideas about caregiving issues. Light refreshments will be served.

The Caregiver Education & Sharing Group is a free program that is sponsored by VNA Community Healthcare. All are welcome. Please call 860-388-4455 to register.

Starting immediately the Eldercare Resource Center of VNA Community Healthcare, 220 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook will offer free, 30 minute, family caregiving consultations by appointment Monday through Friday. Caregivers will have an opportunity to discuss their concerns and receive information about respite, benefits and entitlement programs, senior services and care for the caregiver. For an appointment, please call 860-388-4455.

"Ahavah" will be presented by Christian Academy of Dance at 7 p.m. Friday, December 7th and Saturday, December 8th at Haddam-Killingworth High School. Advanced tickets are available. Call: 860-663-2069 or purchase online at: www.ChristianAcademyofDance.org - adults $12, children $8, seniors $8, children under five - free. Call for Group Rates of ten or more. At the door, ticket prices will be adults $16.00, children and seniors $12.00. Please bring a can of food to Ahavah to help support the Shoreline Soup Kitchen.

Through the eyes of a young girl, the Christmas story comes to life as angels escort her to a foreign land where an evil ruler has taken over and put a curse on all of the people. The people are hopeful in waiting for the King of Ahavah to defeat the evil ruler and save them from this curse. Journey with Alexandra as she discovers the true meaning of Christmas. It is a show for the whole family that speaks to the heart about the greatest gift of all.

Sunday November 25:
• 4:39 PM: Medical emergency, Bridlepath Trl
• 6:48 PM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Structure fire, Commerce St
• 7:53 PM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Chimney fire, Leffingwell Dr
Monday November 26:
• 8:36 PM: Medical emergency, River Rd
Tuesday November 27:
• 7:06 AM: Medical emergency, Country Club Trl
• 4:27 PM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Structure fire, Killingworth Tpke
• 4:55 PM: Medical emergency, Route 148
Wednesday November 28:
• 9:42 AM: Fire alarm, Route 148
• 4:50 PM: Motor vehicle accident, Route 81
Friday November 30:
• 11:01 AM: Motor vehicle accident, Route 81
Saturday December 1:
• 10:09 AM: Inside smoke investigation - structure fire, Route 148
• 11:28 AM: Mutual aid to Haddam, Structure fire, Old Ponsett Rd

Green Hill Combat Hapkido recently held belt tests for adults and children enrolled in the studio. Jack Humphrey and David Townson, with over eighteen years of combined Martial Arts experience, both earned their black belt rank in Combat Hapkido; a very prestigious achievement signifying commitment, years of dedication and acknowledgment of the responsibilities of a Martial Artist.

t-b/ l-r: Michael Johnson, Jack Humphrey, Ed Ricciuti, Corey Sodergren. Haili Stevenson, Alyx Stevenson, Keifer Neumann, Kyle Neumann, Owen Dailey. Grace Mortimer, Arthur Blair, George Roelofsen.

t-b/l-r: David Townson, Scott Chasse, Michael Simoniello, Zack Gomez, Benjamin Sodergren, Ed Ricciuti, Korey Johnson. Benjamin Townson, Ben Chasse, Aiden Korper, Michael Mormon, Owen Dailey, Arthur Blair, George Roelofsen, Madison Simons, Keifer Neumann. Photos courtesy A. Blair

Killingworth's holiday spirit family, the Gorskis, have been busy preparing for everyone's favorite time of the year. Les, Nancy, and Kelsey Gorski have spent over 60 hours of their time to get their yard ready for the holiday lights season. People have begun to drive slowly by their house at 18 Wolf Hollow Lane to check out the progress.

The Killingworth Women's Organization is honored to assist the Gorskis in hosting the third annual Killingworth Lights Spectacular. The event will be held on Saturday Dec 8th from 4:00 - 7:00. The rain date is Sunday Dec 9th. Come walk around the phenomenal lights display featuring handmade one of a kind decorations and millions of lights! Santa will be attending ready to visit and give a small gift to each child. Sleigh rides will be enjoyed, weather permitting. Homemade cookies and hot chocolate will be provided. The cost is $5.00 per family, with the proceeds going to the Haddam/Killingworth Project Graduation. Hope to see you there!