In the midst of a federal bailout frenzy and a lively political campaign, Democrats, Republicans and concerned citizens from several shoreline towns are assembling in Branford today to discuss Connecticut's broken property tax system and its impact on education, the environment, development, business and community preservation and planning. Killingworth Selectwoman Catherine Iino will participate in the discussions to be held between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Canoe Brook Senior Center, 11 Cherry Hill Street, Branford.

The Shoreline Conference on Property Tax Reform and Smart Growth is being organized with the help of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, a non-partisan, non-profit statewide organization that has long been doing serious work on these issues and has a strong presence in Hartford.

The goal of the Shoreline Conference is to begin energizing a coalition of shoreline towns around issues of mutual concern so they can join forces to have a greater impact in Hartford. Organizers believe that bringing more people into the process is a critical ingredient if real change is to be achieved.

Branford, Guilford, Madison, North Branford, Killingworth, Durham, Old Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme and Essex will all be represented.

Additionally, CT Representative Brendan Sharkey of Hamden, who heads the Connecticut General Assembly's Legislative Task Force on Property Tax Reform and Smart Growth will tell the assembled what efforts are underway in Hartford to fix Connecticut's broken tax system, a difficult, complicated, often controversial undertaking. Individuals and communities will share ideas on how they can help.

And since public schools are the biggest ticket item for most towns- 60% or more of municipal budgets- several educators are attending the conference. The Coalition for Justice in Education Funding (CCJEF) has sued to force the state to increase Education Cost Sharing (ECS) money to the towns. The case is now before the State Supreme Court. Diane deVries, CCJF Project Director, will give tomorrow's conference a very quick update on what the pending decision could mean.

The Killingworth Community Gardens Open House and Harvest Dinner originally scheduled for this weekend, have been postponed until Saturday, October 4th due to the weather. We welcome members of the community to visit the gardens and learn more about the project and our plans for next year between 1-3:00 p.m. The Harvest Dinner for gardeners, their families and special guests will take place from 4-6:00 p.m. Rain date is Sunday Oct. 5th. For more information on the Gardens visit www.kwgardens.org

Notice from the Town Assessor's Office

Section 12-41 of CT General State Statutes requires owners of taxable personal property to file a personal property declaration form annually with the assessor's office on or before Nov. 3rd. This property includes but is not limited to unregistered motor vehicles, horses, manufacturing equipment, furniture, fixtures, office equipment, tools and other goods and chattels.

Residents must file in the town in which the property is located on the Oct. 1st assessment day. Nonresidents (i.e. Persons with property located in a town in which they do not live or have a business location) must file in the town where property status has been established under the "three month rule"! (Sec. 12-43 cgs) status for corporation property is determined under sec 12-59 cgs (and sec 12-43 if applicable).

Sec 12-43 specifies that property of nonresidents is taxable in the town where it is located for 3 or more months of the 12 months preceding the assessment day. If the property has been sold or was not located in Connecticut on the assessment day it must be reported if it meets the three month rule". If property was located in more than one Connecticut town preceding the assessment date it is taxable for the 3 or more months closest to the assessment day. Forms may be picked up at the assessors office. 9/25/2008

HK Sports: The HKHS Field Hockey team hosted Old Saybrook on Thursday and the Cougars came away with the hard fought 1-0 victory. Marina Annino scored in the 2nd half off an assist from Emily Anderson. The team is now 4-1 and hosts Morgan on Monday at 3:45 p.m.

Mehran Karimullah scored a pair of first-half goals as the HKHS Boys Soccer team captured their second win in six matches, defeating Portland, 5-0. Matt Waldman got the Cougars on the board and added a second-half goal on a penalty kick. Tim Mertz made three saves for H-K (2-4).

The HK Middle School Girls Soccer team won, 2-1, in Old Saybrook on Wednesday. The girls started out slowly giving up a goal early in the first half but came back with a goal by Anna Fetteroll before the half ended to tie it up. In the second half, the team came out and quickly scored. The go ahead goal was made by Victoria Stook. The teams solid defense and great goalkeeping by Lauren Blewett held Old Saybrook from scoring.

The HK Middle School JV Girls Soccer team defeated Old Saybrook. 2-0. Goals came from Rachel Westerbeke and Carly Brownell.

Lea DiGregorio brings the ball up the field in the first half. Photo courtesy D. Savino

A new school can be confusing for anyone, but for 201 5th grade students who now call the Haddam Killingworth Middle School their daytime home, the move was a smooth one. Principal Mim Wagner and her team learned a great deal from the experience of greeting the first 5th grade class in 2007 and set a goal to improve this year's transition process.

Careful planning, beginning with the solicitation of input from last year's fifth graders and their parents, was one of the keys to this year's successful transition. For example, feedback about last year's rotating schedule led to some creative solutions. Classroom switches were postponed until the third day of school so that students could spend additional time with their homeroom teachers. The eight day rotating schedule was also replaced by a much simpler alternating one. Read more

On Saturday, the 13-15 Babe Ruth team blanked North Branford, 12-0. Chris Pfrommer pitched 5 innings of no hit baseball and Jarrett Gallagher pitched a no-hit inning. Matt Morgan had 4 RBI's going 2-2 with a single, triple, walk.

On Sunday, H-K defeated the NB Firebirds Co-op, 3-2. Dan Kovach pitched 5 innings and gave up 1 earned run. Pfrommer threw for 2 innings with 5 strikeouts. Jamie Quinn closed it out in the 7th getting the last 3 batters for H-K to secure the victory against a tough AAU team.

In the Senior game (16-18) HK defeated North Branford, 9-7. Veterans Ryan Carey, Mike Ossa, Connor Bremer, Sean Zapatka and Sam Barbuto each had a multiple-hit game.

Sunday, H-K erased a four run deficit to beat Old Saybrook/Westbrook/Valley, 6-5, behind starter Matt Johnson. In the final ½-inning, Carey knocked in Zach Kumnick to tie. Ossa was walked intentionally then Brian Ludington pulled a deep, game-ending line-drive to score Bremer for the walk-off win.

HK Sports: The HKHS Volleyball team fell to Hale-Ray, 3-1, in East Haddam last night. Game scores were: 25-18, 20-25, 19-25, 22-25. Stephanie Venuti had 34 assists and 11 digs; Cara Webber had 12 kill and 8 digs. HK is 5-2.

The HKMS Varsity Field Hockey team won their third game of the season against Old Saybrook, 5-1, bringing their record to 3-0. Eighth grader Marissa Moncata scored the first goal for the Cougars on an assist from Bethany Riedy (8th grader). Eighth grader Shannon Sledzik scored the second goal, assisted by Sam Waskowitz (8th grader). Jen Venuti (8th grader), Riedy, and Jenna Venuti (8th grader) scored the remaining goals, with assists by Hannah Sullivan, Taylor Burger, and Nikki Hausherr, respectively (all 8th graders).

The HKMS Junior Varsity Field Hockey team also won their game against Old Saybrook by a score of 2-0, with Shannon Sledzik and Kiley Anderson scoring the two goals for HK. The JV squad is 2-1 on the year.

Photo courtesy C. Riedy

Students at Killingworth Elementary School recently donated hundreds of new books for less fortunate children at the Hospital of Saint Raphael.

Over the past two years students at Killingworth Elementary School collected and donated new books in memory of Sandra Higgins to Saint Raphael's Pediatric Reading Room project. Higgins was a library paraprofessional at KES for 13 years. Higgins fought breast cancer for three years, with much of her treatment at Saint Raphael's Father Michael J. McGivney Center For Cancer Care.

Saint Raphael's Reading Room project is also supported by the Read To Grow and Reach Out and Read organizations. Part of a literacy project, Saint Raphael's Reading Room program provides volunteer readers who teach children and parents about the importance of reading, said Lynelle Abel, director of Saint Raphael's Volunteer Program

"Many of our patients have begun their own home libraries from the generous donations of books from donors such as the Killingworth Elementary School. Without these donations, our program would not be possible," Abel said.

While reading with patients and their siblings, volunteers use this time to explain many aspects of a book - including the basics such as parts of the book (cover, binding, pages, etc.) as well as teaching about authors and illustrators. The children are then given an opportunity to take a book home with them.

Saint Raphael's is looking for volunteers for program and others, Abel said. For more information call the Volunteer Services at (203) 789-3480.


(l-r) Lourdes Hosking, Marie Hoynack, Jamie DeRosa, Patricia Conwell, Jennifer Barba and Jessica Maynard. Photo courtesy R. Scavetta

HK Sports: The HKHS Girls Varsity Swim team cruised past St. Paul's of Bristol Tuesday at the Cougar pool, 97-69. HK was in control all the way after capturing 1st and 2nd in the opening relay. Junior Madison Haynosch won the 200 IM and was 2nd in the 500 free; sophomore Katie Faust captured a 1st and 2nd in the 200 free and 100 backstroke; both of these girls were also part of 2 winning relays; sophomore Kelsey Hawkins had a tremendous meet by capturing 2 firsts in both the 50 and 100 free and was also part of the winning 200 free relay team. Senior Dina Grimaldi captured a 2nd and a 3rd in her individual events - the 200 IM and 500 free - and also was part of 2 winning relay teams. Junior Kelsey Roth had a 2nd and a 3rd in the 200 IM and 100 back respectively and was part of the winning 400 free relay team. Senior diver Celia Marcum won the diving event. Overall, HK won 10 of 12 events enroute to the victory. The team's record is now 2-0. The Cougar's next meet is against East Catholic on October 3rd.

North Branford once again defeated HK Girls Soccer giving HK it's second loss of the season, but this time there was only one goal that would decide the game. North Branford managed to score in the 1st half. HK had 8 shots on goal in the first half compared to North Branford's 4. Total shots on goal for HK were 14 while North Branford had 15. Alyssa Hunt made 10 saves in goal for the Cougars. North Branford's goalie was also credited with 10 saves. The girls will play Portland on Friday at home. Game time is 3:45pm.

The HKHS Field Hockey team beat archrival North Branford, 2-1, at North Branford last night under the lights. Emily Anderson scored off a Danielle Page assist in the first half and Carley Mooney netted the gamewinner in the second half off an assist from Marina Annino. JV tied 2-2 with H-K JV goals coming from Allie Gillespie and Michelle Plum.

Emily Anderson in action Tuesday. Photo courtesy. E. Anderson

After several months of investigation and negotiations, the Town's Open Space Committee came before the Board of Selectmen to present its findings and recommendations on the acquisition of the 305 acre Venuti property. The Town recently had the property appraised at $8.21 million and the price negotiated with Michael Venuti, representing the Venuti Family, is $8.5 million.

Rather than endorse or reject the proposal presented by Open Space Chairman Dave Gumbart, the BOS asked that the Board of Finance get a chance to provide a feasibility plan for the purchase if approved. First Selectman Richard Cabral said he would like to get the input from the Board of Finance and then take the decision to the people.

Cabral said the Town would hold a referendum to decide if the plan to purchase the property was in the Town's best interests.

HK Sports: The HKHS Boys Soccer team fell to North Branford, 4-1, yesterday. Imran Karimullan scored the lone Cougar goal and Tim Mertz had 2 saves. HK Falls to 0-4-1 on the year.

The HK JV Football team improved to 2-0 yesterday with a, 14-6, win over Vinal/Coginchaug. The Cougars held an 8-0 halftime lead thanks to a Brian Zak to Dillon Fry 10-yard touchdown pass. Zak ran for the two-point conversion. The lead would swell to 14-0 after Fry slashed his way for an 11-yard touchdown run with under four minutes to play. The defense held the shut out until under two minutes remaining when a broken play led to an 81-yard touchdown for V/C, but over all the unit play extremely tough defense.

The HKHS Boys Junior Varsity Soccer team lost to Old Saybrook, 2-1, Saturday. HK went into the second half down by two but rallied to score one goal and was pushing hard for a second when time ran out. HK's goal was scored by Nick Venuti. HK plays again, Tuesday, at North Branford.

Photo courtesy. M. Hughes

Sunday: September 14:
• 09:13:19 Medical Call Boulder Trail
• 19:34:26 Medical Call Parker Hill Road.
• 21:46:37 Medical Call Fritz Road
Monday: September 15:
• 08:35:09 Wires down/ Pole fire Pond Meadow & Route 81
• 22:42:37 Brush Fire Route 148 & Reservoir Road.
Tuesday: September 16:
• 02:34:48 Medical Call Schnoor Road
• 15:35:53 Medical Call Woodland Trail
• 21:23:03 Medical Call Emanuel Church Road
Friday: September 19:
• 01:07:55 Medical Call Deer Ridge Road
• 07:42:50 Medical Call Route 81
Saturday September 20:
• 13:14:37 MVA Route 79 & 148
• 20:20:14 Medical Call Roast Meat Hill Road

by Phil Stull
To the Editor,
So here's the deal. After finishing my chores this morning, I decided to go to the Board of Selectman's meeting because I saw on the agenda a few interesting topics.

Well, it turns out that the Open Space Committee is proposing that Killingworth purchase the Venuti property for no more than $8.5 million dollars, and they were looking for the BOS to support their proposal and send it on to the Board of Finance for their consideration. The BOS did not follow their recommendation, but rather sent the proposal on to the BOF for their analysis. Read more

Last year, third grader Caitlin Lawrence listened to her teachers Ildy Clark and Katrin Walton talk about recycling and conservation and was inspired to write a letter to Schools Superintendent Gary Mala about the district's recycling practices. Lawrence chose an idea close to home; Killingworth Elementary School's plastic utensils. In her letter, Lawrence said, "I have learned about ways we can save and keep our environment clean. One is to reuse and recycle. These plastic knives, forks and spoons can not be recycled because they are made of a certain kind of plastic. This kind of plastic stays in landfills forever. I think the school should buy metal silverware that can be washed."

Mala passed on the suggestion to Sharon Shettleworth, Director of Food Services and this fall, students in all five district schools are using metal utensils. She has also eliminated the foam trays used in the middle and high school and replaced them with reusable plastic trays. Shettleworth said the cost of the metal utensils was actually less expensive than the plastic. She said the extra cost to wash the utensils was minimal and required no extra equipment.

Mala said Caitlin serves as an inspiration to all of us that we should make every effort to protect the environment. She was recognized for her initiative at a ceremony last week. Caitlin received a certificate and a goody bag filled with "green" gifts from the district.

According to Mala, the district recently conducted a waste management study to look into areas where the schools can reuse and recycle materials. Director of Facilities Michael Distefano said they have implemented programs in the high school wood shop, metal shop and maintenance shop in addition to existing paper and cardboard recycling.

Student-led initiatives at KES include milk and water bottle recycling, according KES Principal Rita Peretto. Caitin's father Chris said she is a self starter and that their family does its share of recycling, but that the idea of contacting Mala was all her idea.

Rita Peretto, Sharon Shettleworth and Gary Mala stand with Caitlin and her father Chris.

HK Sports: The HKHS Girls Soccer team defeated Old Saybrook, 2-0, on Saturday. It took until the second half for HK to score its goals. Anna Schultz scored first followed by Jessica Moore. HK's record improves to 4-1 and they will face North Branford again on Tuesday. Game time is 3:45pm.

Beth Anne Stehr heading the ball. Photo courtesy. S. Mazzotta

HK Sports: The HK Football team opened its season with a, 27-21, win over Vinal/Coginchaug Saturday. The score was tied at 6 at the half, then the Cougars broke away and scored two unanswered touchdowns in the third. The Vinal/Coginchaug Hawks rallied in the fourth. With 24 second left on the clock they scored and then got the turnover on the on-side kick. In the final seconds the Cougars came up with the interception to seal the win. Sal Zichichi ran 23 times for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Ted Kanaras returned a blocked punt 31 yards forthe Cougar's first score. Click to view the photo gallery including shots of Tri-Town Football's halftime exhibition.
Sal Zichichi gets away from defenders on his way to a touchown

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, September 22, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting held September 8, 2008
4. Visitors: Concerning Items on the Agenda
5. Tax Abatements & Refunds:
6. Vacancies:
    (A) IWWC - 1, (B) OEM - 1, (C) Public Health. - 5 (D) Health & Safety Committee - 1, (E) Traffic Study Comm. - 2 (F) Housing Partnership - 4 (G) Library Board - 1, (H) Estuary Council of Seniors
7. Appointments:
     Health & Safety Comm. - Harold Wright
8. Old Business:
    A. Five Year Capital Plan
    B. Hours of Town Hall - Cathy Iino
9. New Business:
    A. Discussion of and vote upon the endorsement of proceeding forward with the land acquisition of the Venuti Properties.
    B. Discussion of and vote upon the charge to the commission responsible for the development of the municipal recreation facilities for the Wettish Property.
    C. Public Works Future Projects - Walter Adametz
    D. Tree Warden - Additional Appropriation
    E. Municipal Land Use Committee - RFP brush clearing at Parmelee Property
    F. Municipal Agent - Approval of SFM Grant through State Dept. of Social Services (Special Funding for Municipalities)
10. RJC Announcements
11. Selectmen's Concerns
12. Visitor Comments: General
13. Adjournment
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