Take a break from the daily grind and join us for a refreshing adventure. WalkCT Family Rambles bring families, fun, and the outdoors together. Led by trained WalkCT Family Guides, these engaging outings are offered at trails around the state on the last weekend of every month, January through December. Because these adventures are geared specifically for families, kids and their caregivers will delight in this outdoor quest for fun together.

This month one walk will be at Millers Pond State Park right next door in Durham. Sunday, March 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Families with children able to walk on the trails for 2.5 hours are welcome.

Explore the 1.5 mile trail around beautiful Millers Pond. We'll amble around this scenic view as we search for signs of spring, interesting trees, plants, rocks and more. Who might we hear singing in the vernal pool? Spring peepers peeping or wood frogs quacking? Bring your listening ears and, since it is spring, please come prepared for some muddy trails. Inclement weather cancels.

Directions: From Rt. 17 in central Durham, take Haddam Quarter Rd east for 3 miles, turn right on Foothills Rd, parking area is 0.3 miles on the right. From Route 9: Take Exit 11. Follow 155 West. Turn left onto Millbrook Road. Bear left onto Foothills Road. Parking area is on the right.

WalkCT Family Rambles are free as a public service to the children and families of Connecticut. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not required. Babies in backpacks welcome. See you on the path to health and happiness!

Students from the Region 17 elementary and middle school levels will compete on March 31st in the District's Invention Convention held at Burr District Elementary School. The winner and runner-up at each school will represent Regional School District 17 at the Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC). This will be the CIC's 26th annual gathering of young inventors on May 2, at UConn's Gampel Pavilion. More than 650 youthful inventors in will present their latest creations that provide solutions to their everyday problems. The inventions consist of real working models and are designed and built by each student. To help explain their creations and prove originality, students present written inventor's logs and detailed display boards that mimic the work-life of actual engineers.

With a theme of "Imagination in Play," CIC is the one of the nation's oldest continuously operating children's invention competition. CIC innovators have been seen on the Tonight Show, Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Martha Stewart Show, CBS's Cyberchase and ZOOM, as well as featured in countless newspaper articles.

"Applying their intellect and creativity to a challenge, children demonstrate they can transform concepts into real problem solutions," said Charlie Baumgartner, CIC president and retired NPI Purchasing Program Manager, GE Consumer & Industrial. "It is not only the most gratifying experience imaginable, for the children themselves, but also for the adults involved in making this happen: the teachers, parents, judges and our sponsors."

The CIC program begins in the fall, when teachers in 90 participating schools across the state ask their students to discover a vexing problem they or their family or friends encounter. The children then consider possible solutions, select one and refine it into a working prototype. Nearly 10,000 Connecticut students compete in local invention conventions for the opportunity to represent their school at the state convention.

The Connecticut Invention Convention is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit program underwritten by grants and in-kind support from community, academic, and businesses institutions. Gold and Silver sponsors for this year's event include the Connecticut General Assembly, Stanley Works, United Technologies, Lincoln Financial Group, Electric Boat, Comcast, Connecticut Space College Consortium, Loureiro Engineering, Connecticut Science Center, Microsoft, University of Connecticut School of Engineering, Bank of America, and DeLuca Foundation. For more information on the Connecticut Invention Convention, visit www.imaginationinplay.org.

Gordon Hooper, 76, of Killingworth, CT passed away peacefully at the West Haven Veteran Hospital surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 14, 2009. "Hoop" was born in Southington, Connecticut on October 2, 1932. He was employed as a machinist for more than 40 years at Pratt & Whitney. "Hoop" served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War honorably. "Pop" enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, fishing and was a big fan of the Giants and Red Sox. Husband of Agnes Constance Bourgeois Hooper. He is also survived by his children, Mark Hooper of Germany, Doreen Roane of West Haven, Elaine Jane Grunther of MD, Randy Hooper of AZ, Brian Hooper of Higganum and Daniel Hooper of CA, his 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers Garland, Doug, and Bert Hooper.

A Memorial Service will be held March 28th at 12:00pm at the Congregational Church in Killingworth. Donations in Gordon's memory may be made to the West Haven Veterans Hospital, Hospice Unit, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516. Arrangements are in care of Oak Grove Cremation Service.

Offer your child or teen a unique camp experience this Summer? Or have one yourself? Starting July 13th-17th Fashion Week is kicked off for ages 11-16 when Fashionistas learn about the world of fashion through illustration, designing and creating patterns, and sewing their own creations. Learn to set up and photograph a model!

From July 20-24, A Trip to India for teens and adults. Learn Classical Indian dance moves and a fun Bollywood routine. Apply henna, and don a sari and regional costumes for a fashion show. Celebrate Indian Festivals and an Indian wedding ceremony. Adults can register for the entire week or for individual Workshops.

Another first, Journalism Week for ages 12-17 from July 27th-31st. Shoreline media professionals teach the nuts and bolts of creating a newspaper. Conduct an interview, perform research, and write and edit a press piece. Learn to blog and upload video. To register call (860) 663-5593. Visit us online at www.artscenterkillingworth.org

The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary will hold their annual Easter Flower Sale on Thursday, April 9th and Friday, April 10th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that the sale takes place at a new location this year, which is outside the Higganum Branch of the Liberty Bank at the Village Plaza, 26 Killingworth Road. Included in the sale with be hyacinths, tulips, crocuses, and other spring plants, as well as a variety of fresh floral arrangements. The Auxiliary Scholarship Fund will receive a portion of the proceeds. For more information, call 345-8245.

On the evening of May 30, 2009 between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., the Central Administration of the Regional School District 17 is hosting the first annual Haddam-Killingworth Hall of Fame banquet in the cafeteria of Haddam-Killingworth Middle School located on Route 81 in Killingworth. This event is significant considering the fact that the first five inductees are the first and only coaches of the sports they continue to remain active coaching. Haddam--Killingworth High School was founded in 1975 with Richard "Dick" Dupuis (Track & Field), Patsy Kamercia (Field Hockey), Mark Brookes (Baseball, he was a nominee for National Baseball Coach of the year two years ago and has been inducted into the CT Hall of Fame this past year), Richard Langer (Volleyball) and Dennis O'Rourke (Football) being the coaches as the various sports were introduced to the student body. These individuals continue as the only coaches the respective programs have ever seen.

This is a unique and unprecedented occurrence in Connecticut high school sports history and makes the inductees deserving of a high degree of recognition. Please consider attending a fine evening of overdue recognition to five respected individuals who collectively have contributed 175 years of service to high school student athletes in the towns of Haddam and Killingworth. Tickets are now on sale for $40.00 per person and are available by contacting Lisa Roy, Central Office Receptionist, at (860) 345-4534 or by e-mail request at HKHall@rsd17.org.

The Region 17 budget presentation scheduled at KES for TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. has been postponed until Monday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m.

The presentation scheduled for 9:00 a.m. this morning at KES will take place.

Resident Austin Ferrara, a sophomore at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, was chosen to represent her school at the 2009 Connecticut State Science Fair held at Quinnipiac University from March 10-14. She and her partner, Raychel Decker of Northford, chose to study the effect pH has on iron available for absorption as part of their Honors Chemistry class.

The girls spent the day at Quinnipiac University on March 12th where they were interviewed and questioned by judges of the science fair, met other participants from different schools, and enjoyed a delicious lunch. At the afternoon award ceremony, their project earned them first place honors under the Dominion's Millstone Power Station Physical Science Award division. The Connecticut State Science Fair is open to all public and private, middle and high school students from grades 7 through 12 throughout the state.

Killingworth resident Lauren Williams is Vice-Chairperson for the Charter Oak Chapter of the Red Cross annual gala, "Paint the Town Red" to benefit the Charter Oak Chapter of the American Red Cross. The gala is set for April 25 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. The event will feature entertainment by cabaret performer Maureen Hamill and include live and silent auctions as part of a high-spirited evening. The gala will benefit the local emergency response and preparedness work of the Charter Oak Chapter. The Chapter serves 82 communities in Connecticut, plus Fishers Island, New York, and is headquartered in Farmington.
Williams, a member of the Chapter's Board of Directors, is Vice President, Medical Operations, at ConnectiCare, Inc. & Affiliates.

Last year's gala raised more than $175,000 to benefit the Charter Oak Chapter's disaster relief and preparedness education efforts. The goal this year is to exceed that amount. "Our committee and many volunteers are working hard to ensure a fun, successful evening," said Williams.

"Public support of the Red Cross is vital," Williams said. "Every day, the Red Cross touches lives right here in Connecticut, helping to keep our communities safe, healthy and ready to respond to emergencies."

The evening will be emceed by Keisha Grant, co-anchor of the NBC 30 News at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Also joining the festivities will be WTIC NewsTalk 1080's Ray Dunaway, who will serve as celebrity auctioneer. Tickets for the gala are $250 per person. More information about the gala is available by visiting the Chapter's Web site, www.charteroak.redcross.org, or by calling Betty Dugan at 860-678-2813.

The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee is looking for Democrats to join our Committee. Renewed energy and interest in the political landscape is sweeping the country. Help bring that energy to our town's political arena. Let us know about your interest in joining a particular committee or running for an elected position. Our town is powered by citizen participation. You can make a difference. For more information call Kathleen Amoia at 663 3130 or Gwenne Lally at 663 3747.

HKHS Principal Charles Macunas reports that a minor chemical incident occurred this morning in a chemistry classroom requiring the evacuation of the 14 students and teacher in that classroom.

According to Superintendent Gary Mala, Carbon Disulfide caused the chemical reaction, which caused a small flame and an unidentifiable odor. The teacher removed the trashcan and the students were evacuated.

A full response from the Haddam Fire Depatement including the Fire Marshall was on hand.

As a precautionary measure, parents were called and had the option to come and pick up their child or have them taken to Middlesex Hospital for evaluation. Macunas said the students were checked by the school nurse and EMTs.

A free eye screening and blood pressure clinic will be held Wednesday, April 8 from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton (across from the Morgan High School). Walk-ins are welcomed. The Clinic is sponsored by the Madison Lions Club, the Killingworth Lions Club, the Clinton Lions Club, the Westbrook Lions Club and the Lions Eye Health Program. Call 203-245-2667 for information or transportation.

Spring is officially here! The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company is looking for donations of quality items for their ANNUAL AUCTION. The event will be held on Saturday, April 18th from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM at Fire Headquarters on Route 81. The monies raised by the auction are used to supplement the fire company annual budget, as well as purchasing additional training and special fire/rescue equipment.

An "Auction Hotline" has been established for those wishing to donate items for the auction. The number is 860-663-2043 and the line is automatically answered 24 hours a day. Please leave your name, phone number and the items to be donated. A firefighter will return your call and make arrangements for pickup.

Don't forget to come to the auction, too! It's a fun day and refreshments will be available. Outfitting a cottage or dorm room? Looking for something unique at a bargain price? The auction is the place to be!!

Timothy Mertz, son of Charlie and Deb Mertz, celebrated his achievement of attaining the rank of Eagle Scout last Saturday. Tim crossed over from cub scouts to Boys Scout Troop 490 in Madison seven years ago.

Tim's Eagle project came about by contacting Debby Butler, Trail Committee Chair of the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust who advised Tim that a Land Trust trail near his home in Killingworth needed work. The project involved the clearing of two loops, blazing the trail, erecting signage and performing other necessary maintenance. During the project, Tim led Scouts, parents and other adult volunteers. The trail is available to the public for walking and horseback riding.

Tim is currently a senior at Haddam-Killingworth High School. His ultimate goal is to become an Air Force officer through AFROTC and to be recommended for pilot school upon college graduation.

The Charter Revision Commission, established in September 2008, recently made a progress report to the Board of Selectmen. The Commission has held 11 meetings to date and held a public hearing in October, 2008.

During its meetings, a number of officials, former officials and interested citizens have attended, offering advice, recommendations and commentary. Initial steps taken included a detailed review of the existing Charter, during which numerous minor corrections were noted and addressed. These included such things as errors in spelling, inconsistencies in terminology, statutory compliance and redundancy. Corrections made have no effect on the substance or intent of the Charter and can be considered as "housekeeping" in nature. State officials, other municipalities, various organizations and associations, State Statutes, and professional expertise of Commission members and others have been consulted on numerous items.

All correspondence received by the Commission with recommendations, advice and comments has been reviewed, discussed and in many cases researched. Specific topics that have received detailed attention include the positions of Town Manager and Town Manager which the Commission has voted not to give further consideration; the structure of the Board of Selectmen and the importance of continuity at times of changes in administration.

Future steps for the Commission will include continuing its review of points raised to date, receiving and considering any additional input from officials and citizens, reviewing proposed changes within the existing framework of the Charter, ensuring that any modification has no adverse effect on other Charter provisions, and that changes are presented in a straightforward easily understood format.

Michelle Fillion, daughter of Thomas and Mary Eileen Fillion of Killingworth, has been named to the dean's list for the 2008 fall semester at St. Joseph College in West Hartford. A nursing major, Michelle was one of 3 students recognized at the Student-Athlete Awards ceremony for earning a 4.0. Michelle tallied 44 three-point shots this season for the Bluejays earning a spot on the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, GNAC, 3-point list. She is a 2008 graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School. Contributed photo.

Sunday: March 15:
• 04:05:56 Medical Call, Madison, Kenilworth Drive.
• 18:50:57 Medical Call, Burr Hill Road.
Monday: March 16:
• 12:25:22 Medical Call, Roast Meat Hill Road.
Tuesday: March 17:
• 00:41:54 Medical Call, Woodland Trail.
Wednesday: March 18:
• 11:40:15 CO Alarm, Bar Gate Trail.
Friday: March 20:
• 19:01:10 Brush Fire, Clinton, Ironworks Road.
Saturday: March 21:
• 09:06:09 Medical Call, Schnoor Road.

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, March 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting held March 9, 2009
4. Visitors: Concerning Items on the Agenda
5. Tax Abatements & Refunds:
6. Vacancies:
    (A) IWWC - 1, (B) OEM - 1, (C) Recreation -1 (D) Housing Partnership - 4 (E) Estuary Council of Seniors - 2 (F) Municipal Land Use - 2 (G) Open Space Sub Committee - 2 (H) Public Health Agency - 1
7. Appointments:
8. Old Business:
    A. Clarification & Remedial Action Concerning 09-10 Budget
9. New Business:
    A. Cemetery RFP Opening
    B. CRERPA/Household Hazardous Waste VEOLIA Agreement
10. RJC Announcements
11. Selectmen's Concerns
12. Visitor Comments: General
13. Adjournment
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