Free, confidential income tax assistance is available in Killingworth and other shoreline communities. Trained volunteers will help persons age 60 and older in preparing their federal and state returns. Volunteers will be at St. Lawrence Church on Tuesday, April 7 from 9am until noon, in the Parish Hall (enter through the green door facing the parking lot). For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 388-1611.

When you come to your appointment, please bring all your earnings records and year-end tax statements as well as a copy of last year's return. Don't worry if you think you might not have all the forms you might need - the volunteers will have the necessary forms available. There is also additional help and information on the AARP Tax-Aide website.

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.

The next program in the KLA Health Series will be held at the library on Monday, April 6th at 7:00 and is sponsored by Yale New Haven Hospital. Titled "Women's Heart Health", it aims to improve women's knowledge concerning the risks of cardiovascular disease and increase early recognition of symptoms which can decrease time from onset to treatment. The program will also present ideas for changes in behavior to prevent heart disease and improve heart health. Call 860.663.2000 for more information.

Running Brook Farms on Route 80, is continuing its series of gardening and landscaping seminars this month. The seminars are open to the public and most are free. There is a fee for the landscaping consultation on April 25th. Space is limited, please email runningbrookfarms@comcast.net or call 860.663.5522 ext. 302 or 303 to register.

Saturday, April 4th 10:00am
Preparing the Spring Garden for a Successful Season!
We will show you what you need to know to get your roses, perennials, and shrubs off to a great start and how to fertilize and prepare your soil. No fee to attend.

Saturday, April 25th 10:00 - 12:00am
Designing and Planting Your Landscape
We can help you solve your landscape's problems. Sign up for a 30 minute consultation at the nursery with one of our professionals and bring with you photos and dimensions of your garden or landscape. Our pros will help you find the perfect solution! Cost: $30 per Consultation.

Saturday, May 2nd 10:00am
Container Gardening and Combination Planters!
You have seen our fabulous combinations here at the nursery and have seen them in magazines. Now you can come and see how to create your own planters using annuals like Proven Winners! No fee to attend.

Monday: March 23:
• 02:14 Medical Call, Whitewood Trail
• 08:24 Medical Call, Green Hill Road.
Thursday: March 26:
• 12:45 Medical Call, Route 81.
• 14:54 Medical Call, Route 80.
Saturday: March 28:
• 06:08 Medical Call, Stevens Road
• 14:31 Medical Call, Blueberry Hill Reserve.

FINALLY

It is with great satisfaction that I am able to inform all those anxiously waiting the re-opening of the Reservoir Road Bridge that the project is on schedule. It has gone out to bid on March 22 and the bids will be opened on April 13 with the awarding of the bid on May 26. Initial preparation for construction is expected to begin in the neighborhood of June 12 with actual construction beginning shortly after July 1. The project should be completed by the end of November 2009. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those residents that have been inconvenienced over the past 3+ years for exhibiting patience with and understanding of this unfortunate situation. You will all soon be rewarded with a bridge that will be serviceable for the next 100 years and will be a tribute to the rural nature of Killingworth.

Richard Cabral
First Selectman

The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission will sponsor the Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 4 from 8-10 a.m. at Sheldon Park Pond. Participants must be 12 years old or younger. The pond is stocked with trout and prizes will be awarded courtesy of the Hal Brown Company. This is bait fishing only. Bait generously provided by the Country Cloverleaf Store.

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Project Graduation is in need of volunteers to help make this substance free celebration a complete success for our HKHS 2009 graduates! Volunteers are needed to help pick-up food donations (contact cizekjm@nu.com), chaperones (contact jcraffey@snet.net), and for the clean-up committee (contact susiestanford@hotmail.com). Just a reminder to support Project Graduation through the Postal Patron letter sent to all homes. Your support is essential to the success of Project Graduation and to keeping our children safe. Please call Project Graduation Chairperson,Kasey Blancaflor, (345-7419) with any questions.

UPDATE: 3:00 p.m. Schools Superintendent Gary Mala released this statement regarding the incident.

The administration of the Regional School District 17 schools and Haddam-Killingworth High School has reported that it was necessary to evacuate the high school facility at approximately 10:30 a.m. today. This evacuation was completed as a precautionary measure after discovering contained amounts of sodium, cesium and rubidium.

The high school student body was relocated to the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School until approximately 1:30 p.m. as a precautionary step until such time as the building was cleared for re-entry by the Haddam Volunteer Fire Department and the office of the Haddam Fire Marshal.

District and school officials worked cooperatively with emergency responders from the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company, the Haddam Fire Marshal's office, the Department of Environmental Protection and a hazardous material recovery company to ensure the proper removal and disposal of the chemicals.

According to online reports, Haddam Killingworth High School was evacuated this morning at approximately 11:00 a.m. as a precaution, after concerns were raised about an unstable substance in a chemistry lab.

Members of the Department of Environmental Protection were called to the school. According to WTNH.com, the students have been moved to the middle school.

Police said school workers were cleaning a classroom where a measurement device broke on Tuesday. While cleaning, they discovered another substance in the science lab. Police said there was a question as to the substance's stability.

According to the Middletown Press, students at Haddam-Killingworth High School were evacuated Tuesday afternoon when a mercury thermometer broke in a science lab. Haddam Fire Marshal Scott Brookes said no injuries were reported.

This incident comes just one week after a chemical reaction caused a fire in a garbage can at the school in Haddam. Read more.

April 18th through 26th, in recognition of Earth Day, Killingworth friends, neighbors, and community organizations are encouraged to "Adopt a Road" any day that week for beautification.

Use the convenient sign-up link here on Killingworth Today to let friends, neighbors, clubs and civic organizations know when and where you'll be participating! A number of Killingworth Chamber businesses will provide limited time special offers to participants signed-up through the link. For example, add your name to the list and then visit Killingworth True Value to pick up biodegradable trash bags at a special price, and Pizzeria DaVinci for a "free-pizza" coupon for future use.

The National Honor Society at HKHS and Girl Scout and Boy Scout representatives have indicated that they are planning related activities for their groups. The Town of Killingworth, through First Selectman Rich Cabral, has generously offered to adopt some of our busier roads, such as Green Hill, Ironworks, and parts of Roast Meat Hill and River Road, so residents will not need to work on the more frequently traveled thoroughfares. The town will also place a special dumpster within the transfer station that week to collect appropriate trash (standard trash separation rules apply).

During clean-up week, all drivers traveling through Killingworth are asked to obey speed limits and watch for signs where residents have posted that a clean-up is in progress.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Baseball Clinic for boys and girls ages 8 - 12 years old on Thursday, April 9th from 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. at the HK High School Fieldhouse. The fee is $28 (non-residents add $10). The clinic is run by Chris Corkum's Baseball Inc. Participants will have the opportunity to start the season learning proper fundamentals. Program includes individual and small group instruction in the basic skills of baseball with special emphasis on hitting. This clinic will bring out the best in all ability levels. Please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334 for more information and to register.

Joseph P. O'Rourke 91 of Killingworth, died Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the widower of Geraldine (O'Connor) O'Rourke. He was also the loving father of 7 children. He was born in New Haven son of the late Michael and Theresa O'Rourke. Mr. O'Rourke was a WWII veteran of the Army Air Force, and was employed as a sand hog, building tunnels. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Lawrence Church Killingworth at a time and date to be announced. The Swan Funeral Home Madison has charge of the arrangements.

Relay For Life Saturday Morning Survivor Walks
Spring is here and what better way to get out and enjoy it than with friends and fellow survivors! Join The Relay For Life of Haddam and Killingworth Planning Committee as they get geared up for the June 5-6th event, with Saturday morning walks at Chatfield Hollow State Park on Route 80 in Killingworth, CT. Grab a friend, caregiver, fellow survivor, or even your favorite four-legged friend (don't forget your leashes) and meet just inside the main gates at 9:00 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays during the months of April & May Come meet your fellow relayers.

Everyone, especially survivors and caregivers, are invited and no previous Relay for Life experience is necessary. For more information: hkrelayforlife@gmail.com or Alexis Begin at 203.379.4827 To register yourself and/or a team for the June event visit www.relayforlife.org/hkct

Pantastic Steel Orchestra from the Neighborhood Music School of New Haven
Mark your calendars May 8 at the HK Middle School Auditorium 7:00 p.m. for a fabulous evening of traditional West Indies music from Trinidad and Tobago!! Susan Dowling-Slover; Co-chair of the Relay for Life's Luminaria Committee and the Killingworth Woman's Organization are sponsoring a benefit concert for the HK Relay For Life. For more info, stay tuned or contact Susan at 860-663-2021

HKMS Fifth Graders Mary Coletti and Rose Keithan took on a Girl Scout community project to benefit the Forgotten Felines cat shelter based in Clinton. Both girls baked homemade desserts to sell at a sporting event at HK Middle School. They earned $81.96 and used the money to buy items for Forgotten Feline's 'Wish List'. On February 27th, Mary and Rose presented their gifts to Forgotten Feline Volunteer Mary-Beth Harrigan.

Forgotten Felines, Inc. is a charitable, non-profit organization with a mission to stop the proliferation of homeless cats living hard lives and struggling to find food and shelter on the streets of our local communities.

At the no-kill shelter, they provide nutritious food, warm beds and expert care to as many cats as possible with the goal of finding them permanent, loving homes. They release feral cats into managed colonies where they are fed and sheltered.

Photo courtesy M. Keithan

All throughout Connecticut, local school systems are preparing their 2009-2010 school budgets. Superintendent of Regional School District 17, Gary Mala attempted to create an economically efficient budget proposal. One of his greatest obstacles this year was to balance the ever-changing programmatic, economic, political, and operational challenges associated with creating a responsible budget while trying to ensure that Regional School District 17 continues to focus on the educational needs of each child. Each year, Mr. Mala gives considerable thought to how resources will be distributed across the district. When necessary a re-appropriation of existing resources can offer an effective strategy to handle requested changes in programs and staff. The limited amount of grant resources are also used to support some of what is included in the budget as it has been proposed. By doing this, the Superintendent is able to responsibly offset the costs of services, goods and products that will be used in the next fiscal year. This is a process that takes many long hours and much dedication. Read more

It must be lucky soil. The Killingworth Community Gardens would not have been able to harvest a single vegetable last year had it not been for the contributions of community volunteers. Time, labor, equipment were generously offered to help create a wonderful place to produce food, help the community and make friends. This year, with interest greatly outpacing available space, Mike and Karen Milano of MJM Builders and Self Storage stepped forward to make expansion of the gardens possible. The Milanos and Dale Heser, of D.D. Heser Construction Corp, Clinton donated a valuable day's use of their heavy equipment to excavate a large new field. With an expert touch, MJM's Billy Tomasino raked out the old roots from the 1.8 acre field to prepare it for plowing. In the next few weeks, resident Walt Adametz, our Town's Highway Foreman, but also a longtime farmer, has offered to plow the field to make it ready for planting. Gardens' coordinator Peg Scofield said, "The character of our community has truly been revealed by this project. Even in tough economic times, neighbors are ready and willing to give their time, money and energy to help this project grow. Their generosity has been overwhelming."

Registration for gardening space at the Killingworth Community Gardens will open on Saturday, April 4th. Applications are available for download on the website www.kwgardens.org. The fee for each 20x20 ft. plot is $30.00. All levels of gardening expertise are welcome.

Registration will take place at the gardens located at Parmelee Farm, 465 Route 81 between 9-11:00 a.m. Saturday. Applications will also be available on site. The plots will be assigned on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis. Thereafter, residents and groups with a base in Killingworth may register in the Town Clerk's Office during regular office hours: M-F 8 a.m. -12 and 1-4 p.m.

There are a few plots available in the main garden, but due to increased interest, WE ARE EXPANDING to a new, beautiful, sunny field just to the east. The new field is three times the size of the main garden, so there will be plenty of room for anyone interested in growing for themselves, their family or their community. Gardeners will be expected adhere to the simple guidelines and volunteer their time to help develop and maintain the project. For more information email info@kwgardens.org or call 203.641.2341.

The Killingworth Lions Club will once again sponsor the "Annual Spring Egg Hunt" for the children of Killingworth. The event this year will take place on Saturday, April 4, at the Killingworth Elementary School, at the KES rear playing field. The event begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. All children, Pre-K through 4th Grade are welcome. Please bring a bag or basket to collect all the eggs. Additional prizes will be awarded to a lucky few who find "special" eggs. You may even see an appearance by a certain special Bunny!

Please check back here for updated information if there is inclement weather. Rain date for the event will be Saturday, April 11.

Louis Andre George Guertin, 97, of 555 Pool Road, North Haven, formerly of Killingworth, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the Masonicare Hospice, Wallingford. He was the husband of 66 years to the late Pauline La Riviere Guertin. Born in Norwich on December 28, 1911; son of the late Louis E. and Laura Bernard Guertin. Mr. Guertin had worked for the former Rockbestos Company for 20 years; was the owner of the former Lil's Restaurant of West Haven and later as a chef for the Veterans Home & Hospital in Rocky Hill until his retirement. He was Past Grand Knight and a member of the Knights of Columbus Marion Council of St. Mary's, Clinton; a member of the Sound Steppers Square Dance Club of Higganum; member of the Killingworth Grange; Killingworth Actor's Group; North Haven Senior Center and Commission on Aging in North Haven.

The Funeral Procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., Monday morning at 10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Barnabas Church at 11:00. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Masonicare Health and Hospice, 33 North Plains Industrial Rd., Wallingford, CT 06492.www.northhavenfuneral.com

Property transfers as reported by the Killingworth Town Clerk's office for the period February 1 - February 28, 2009:
• Connecticut Shoreline Developers Inc to Julio M Lopes & Crystal Moody Lopes, Lot 6 Sherwood Forest Sherwood for $170,000.00.
• Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to John D & Katherine L. Bagnoli, 2 Parcels Roast Meat Hill Road for $416,000.00.
• Cairo, Joelle & Hinsberg, Marijo to Gochberg, Robert M, 2 Parcels Rt 148 + Land Swan for $47,000.00.
• Jeremy & Ali Byrne to John & Gayle Byrne, Parcel B Chittenden Road 14.03 for $51,500.00.
For previous property reports, click here

St. James Episcopal Church will be having a Spring Tag Sale on Saturday, April 18, 2009 and Saturday, April 25, 2008 from to 9:00am - 1:00 pm. Huge selection of miscellaneous items. The Parish Hall is located on the corner of Killingworth Road and Rte 81. Please come and find some treasures. For further information or drop off items, please contact Amy Soobitsky 345-2006.

Leigh-Anne E. Caruso of Killingworth has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2008 semester at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. Students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and carry a full course load to be eligible for this distinct recognition. Caruso, a 2005 graduate of Mercy High School in Middletown, is working toward a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Investigative Services.