Haddam-Killingworth High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2009 last night. Receiving diplomas were 186 students and one special very honoree. Haddam resident Harold S. Newtown, 83, left high school in 1946 to serve in the military and never had the chance to return for his degree. Last night HKHS conferred its first ever honorary degree to Newtown. Following the ceremony, graduates were able to attend the drug and alcohol free celebration, Project Graduation with its New York, New York theme.


Bottom photos courtesy Kay Bagwell photography

On June 17, the Middlesex County Community Foundation and seventeen Middlesex County Libraries, including the Killingworth Library, received the Jan Glutz Cooperative Spirit Award from the Connecticut Library Consortium for their "Greening Our Valley" program. The Jan Glutz Cooperative Spirit Award is given annually to honor library leaders who have actively promoted cooperation and cooperative projects among libraries and librarians in Connecticut.

The Middlesex County Community Foundation received an anonymous donation in celebration of its tenth anniversary in honor of its former president and founding member Patti Anne Vassia. MCCF wanted to use these funds for a special initiative that would have countywide impact, foster cooperation and bring visibility to partnering organizations and MCCF. The idea of partnering with local libraries proved to be just the right idea to make this happen and the "Greening Our Valley" program was born. "Greening Our Valley" is a comprehensive, regional public awareness campaign that promotes collaborative environmental / "green" programming for all 18 libraries in Middlesex County.

Through this partnership, county libraries are able to share resources and ideas, capitalize on publicity generated from a county-wide program. The program, originally designed to last one year, has proved so successful that it will continue on into 2010. Check out the calendar section of their website to find out about a "Greening Our Valley" program at www.greeningourvalley.org

Residents voted to approve all three measures at last night's Special Town Meeting on the playing fields at the Wettish property. More than 80 residents turned out to approve the plan design and funding for the Wettish multi-purpose athletic field project. This plan, reviewed at prior hearings, consists of four irrigated multi-purpose fields, an access road and parking lot. With last night's approvals, the bid will be awarded to Venuti Enterprises, Inc. and the project can break ground.

The $975,000 multi-purpose field project will be paid for by using a previously accepted $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant and $475,000 from the Town's undesignated capital reserve balance. By using this reserved money, the Town will not need to bond or borrow to fund the project. According to First Selectman Richard Cabral, the undesignated capital reserve balance still has funds available for a "rainy day" expense.

Residents also approved accepting the $400,000 STEAP grant for the refurbishment of Irene Sheldon Park and the construction of a full size baseball field at the Wettish Property. The Park and Recreation Commission has only just started planning for these projects and will have to come before the Town again for approval before the grant can be used and work started.

The Killingworth Community Gardens and the Bauer Park Community Garden are co-hosting a FREE 3 part series of talks at the Scranton Library Madison called "Learn More Grow More".

The talks are free but registration is required - Please contact: Barbara Sabiston at sabistonbe@madisonct.org or Madison Beach and Recreation: (203) 245-5623. The talks will be given by Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD of the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.

June 25th 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Garden to Table: Food Safety Practices of Home Gardeners
Join us and learn about safe food handling practices during growing, harvesting and storage and preparation of fresh produce.

July 7th 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Preserving the Harvest-Freezing
To get answers to your general questions about home food preservation and learn how to freeze fresh fruits and vegetables, join us for this two-part presentation:
     • Choosing the best way to preserve fruits and vegetables at home
     • Freezing fruits and vegetables

July 30th 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Canning Your Harvest
This week, Diane will share with us:
     • An overview and demonstration of various home canning techniques, including water bath, and pressure canners.
     • Safe methods for canning vegetables
     • Recommended methods for making jams
     • How to use a pressure canner without fear of explosion
Special Note: If you have a pressure canner it should be tested every couple years to ensure it is working properly. Bring your pressure canner with you and Diane will test the pressure cooker gauge on your canner to ensure it is working properly… and most importantly, safely!

Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD of the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System is a food safety educator who has been teaching farmers, processors, retailers, foodservice workers and consumers about food safety and safe food handling for more than 15 years.

Running Brook Farms Nursery and Landscaping on Route 80 will host a petting zoo and birds of prey program on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The petting zoo animals are from Westledge Farm JD's Pony Express and will include miniature horses, sheep, goats, fancy chickens, and a peacock. In addition, from 10-11:00 a.m., A Place Called Hope will hold an educational program on local birds of prey, how we can protect them and preserve or natural world.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department still has openings in children's swim lessons. Each session has a limited number of spots available for all levels of swimmers. Classes are conducted at the HK High School Pool and are for kids ages 4 and up (must be able to participate in a group instructional setting. Levels offered are Pre-Beginner, Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, and Swimmer. Daytime lessons meet Monday through Friday. Dates and times are as follows: Sessions 1 - 3: 6/22 - 7/2 (no 7/3) ; Sessions 4 - 6: 7/6 - 7/17; Sessions 7 - 9: 7/20 - 7/31; Sessions 10 - 11: 8/3- 8/7; Classes are offered from 9:00-9:40 am (No 8/3 - 8/7), 9:50-10:30 am, and 10:40-11:20 am

Sessions 1 - 3 are $63 / $54 with a new pool membership, $73 for non-residents. Sessions 4 - 9 are $70 ($60 with new pool membership) and $80 for non-residents. Sessions 10 - 11 are $35 ($30 with new pool membership) and $45 for non-residents.

Evening lessons are offered on Monday and Wednesdays from 6:00 - 6:40 pm and 6:50 - 7:30 pm from June 22 - July 15. Please call for availability and what levels have openings. Please call 345-8334 for more information, availability, and to register.

Pre-School Swim Classes

There will be lessons for 3 year olds held the week of August 3 - 7 from 9:00 - 9:30 am. The fee is $35 / $30 with new pool membership (non-residents add $10). This class is a perfect opportunity for your toddler to start swim lessons. They must be able to partake in a group instructional setting without the parent.

To the Editor:

I was pleased to see that the Charter Revision Commission finally provided an on-line accessible copy of their work. It's unfortunate that the document is in a PDF format in its final draft version.

As the clerk of the previous CRC, we provided a "red-line" copy of the proposed charter revisions via your website so that the average resident could easily determine what changes were being proposed.

As several residents have pointed out, this CRC has made significant changes to the charter. Without making any comments as to the desirability of the changes, it seems to me that the CRC should provide either a "red-line" copy or detailed summary of the additions and deletions to assist the average resident in evaluating the merits of the proposed changes.

This is an important document that is likely to be in force for a decade. I believe the people should be given clear information to make an informed decision without having to become a constitutional scholar.

John F. Amport

Haddam-Killingworth High School Principal Charles Macunas reports that the 2009 graduation will take place Friday, at 6:30 P.M. on the football field. A large tent (80 feet by 100 feet) will be set up to protect the dais, the participants and the audience. It is estimated that approximately 1200 people can fit under the tent. By erecting the tent, it will allow about 500 more friends and family members to witness the ceremony than if we were to hold it in the auditorium.

Members of the Charter Revision Commission spent over an hour last night fielding questions from residents on proposed changes to the Town's Charter. Disturbed by the cancellation by the Board of Selectmen of a second public hearing on the changes, several residents voiced their concerns at the CRC's regular meeting.

In a prepared statement, former First Selectman Gerald Lucas spoke passionately against what he called, "a total rewrite of the Charter" and the "targeting" of certain town personnel for elimination. Lucas said he was concerned about the cancellation of the second public hearing and that the public was not aware of the magnitude of the Charter changes.

Resident Michael Board asked for clarification and explanation of what Commission member Dan Perkins called a "framework that will support the Town's needs for the next ten years". Specifically, Board asked for details on the three new positions laid out in the Charter and the breadth of examination of a Town Manager position.

CRC Chair Susan Adinolfo first clarified that the proposed changes in the Charter in no way effect the employees currently holding the positions of First Selectman's secretary and Highway Foreman. She said both employees are protected by the union. She also said the Director of Finance position has already been filled and would also not be effected by the proposed changes.

Perkins explained that continuity was one of the Commission's primary issues. He said the CRC spent months looking at the feasibility of a Town Manager and it concluded that it was not appropriate for a town this size, at this time. CRC member Jamie Mowat Young said there were no towns in Connecticut with populations under 10,000 that employed a Town Manager. Perkins said after examining the Town Manager position, they still felt continuity had to be addressed so they investigated a reinforced layer of support for the First Selectman. The three positions outlined; Director of Finance, Director of Public Works and Executive Secretary were placed in the Charter to provide the First Selectman with professional resources to rely on. The Charter provides the framework, but the Board of Selectmen must decide to fill the positions, write job descriptions and put the positions and salaries in the annual Town budget for approval.

The topic that has been brought up at several CRC meetings and hearings is the change of appointment length for the Town Assessor. Adinolfo said the change from a four-year to a one-year appointment would put that position in line with other Town appointed positions which, except when regulated by statute, are all one-year appointments. These include the Dir. of Emergency Management, Dir. of Health, Fire Marshal, Town Attorney and Town Engineer. Lucas and several other visitors expressed skepticism that a qualified person would take the job if it was only a one-year appointment. Selectman Fred Dudek said it was no different than any other position where if they did a good job they would be reappointed.

The CRC has been holding regular meetings and hearings for the past nine months. Earlier this month, the BOS passed the Charter back to the Commission with only general directions to have certain areas cleared through the town attorney. The CRC will present its final report to the BOS on July 29th and the BOS will vote on it at its August 10th meeting. If approved, the changes will go to the Town for approval in the November Municipal election.

Tonight, the residents of Killingworth will have the opportunity to take two giant steps towards improving the athletic facilities in our town. We will be able to vote on: accepting a $400,000 STEAP grant that will be used for refurbishing Irene Sheldon Park and for building a full size ball field at Wettish; and the Wettish Property Multipurpose Athletic Fields Project design and the approval of funding for this project.

The fields at Sheldon Park have been in need of repair for many years and the State of Connecticut has granted the Town of Killingworth $400,000 to help refurbish them and improve the park. The plan at Sheldon is to increase the number of parking spaces, layout the ball fields in a more efficient configuration, redo all the playing surfaces, build new dugouts, etc. But not all the money is for Sheldon, some of it will be used to design and build a full size baseball field at Wettish. The State requires the residents of town to vote to accept the money. So to receive $400,000 from the State, all we have to do is vote to accept the grant.

The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission (KP&RC) is asking the town to approve the expenditure of $975,000 to build four multipurpose fields at the Wettish Property. The project includes irrigation, parking, and access to hiking trails. Throughout the design process, KP&RC consulted, listened, negotiated, and reached consensus with the different regulating boards, commissions, town officials, user groups and neighbors. We all wanted the fields to meet the needs of the community, preserve the rural look of our town, and be affordable. KP&RC believes that the proposed design achieves those goals: four irrigated fields, complex set away from the road, a parking lot surrounded by trees, preserved stonewalls, all for under a million dollars. With a $500,000 STEAP granted by the State of Connecticut many years ago, the cost to the town is $475,000. Very affordable indeed!

Please come to KES tonight, June 18, 2009 at 8:00 PM and vote in favor of the Wettish Project design and its funding, and in favor of accepting a $400,000 STEAP grant for the refurbishing of Sheldon Park and the construction of a ball field at Wettish.

Dan Colonia
Chairman KP&RC

Do you think your dog has what it takes to be Killingworth's Top Dog?

Then don't delay! Now is the time to be sure your dog is up to date with its rabies vaccine. Then simply license your dog during the month of June and your faithful friend will automatically be entered into Killingworth's Top Dog Contest! (we encourage you to license by mail!)

Three winners will be randomly selected from the licenses issued during "dog license month." The winning pooches will be awarded the highly coveted #1, #2 and #3 tags and will be featured in the Killingworth Krier and here on KillingworthToday.

Don't let your dog down ...license to win!

The HK Recreation Department is offering a trip to Boston, Mass. and the Tall Ships celebration in Boston Harbor on Saturday, July 11th. The bus departs from KES at 7:30 am and the HK HS at 7:45 am. It will return approximately at 7:30 pm. The fee is $89 per person. Participants will have the day on their own to explore the city and festival site as well as get lunch on their own. There is a variety of food available at the festival. Later in the afternoon, board a cruise vessel for a one and a quarter hour cruise. Sail past the the beautiful Tall Ships docked there as the Captain points out various ships of interest. Enjoy this up close and personal look at these majestic ships. Fee includes Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation and Harbor Cruise. Please call us at 345-8334 for more information and to register.

Inspired by a television segment on people and business owners helping those who have lost their jobs or are unemployed, resident and photographer Tim Gannon decided he wanted to help those in similar situations.

"When I watch NBC Evening News, they have a segment called 'making a difference'. It's about people in all different communities that are helping in some way to help people that have lost jobs and have fallen on hard times", said Gannon. "So this is some way I can help those who have lost their jobs and who would like to have an updated business type portrait for their resume."

Gannon Photography at 38 Schnoor Road has been in business for more than 40 years. For the month of June he is offering a free digital business portrait, taken during the week at the studio, of anyone who has lost their job and is unemployed.

Anyone interested may contact Tim Gannon at 860-663-1386 or email at tim@gannonphoto.com.

St. Lawrence Church on Route 81 will hold its Annual Strawberry Festival Giant Auction and Craft Fair on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the church grounds. Bring the family out for a day of fun!

The fair will feature a Quilt and Basket Raffle, the Giant Auction with bidding starting at 11:00 a.m.; Children's Games; Gently used Books and Toy sale; a Plant Sale; Food Booths, a Bake Sale and of course Strawberry Shortcake. Fun for the Whole Family!!

Sunday: June 7:
• 14:41:26 Medical Call, Boulder Trail.
• 18:56:12 Medical Call, North Roast Meat Hill Road.
Thursday: June 11:
• 10:04:52 Medical Call, Dogwood Knoll Road.
Friday: June 6:
• 07:48:53 Medical Call, Route 81.
• 15:52:43 Medical Call, North Roast Meat Hill Road.

The Decorations Committee will be decorating the HKHS gym for Project Graduation during the times listed below. If you are able to lend a hand, please email Mariana Larosa at malarosa@comcast.net or Suzanne Mazzotta at suzmazzotta@snet.net .

Wednesday, June 17th - Noon to 4ish and then 6pm to 8pm
Thursday, June 18th - Noon to 4ish and then 6pm to 8pm
Friday, June 19th - 9am until done.

Chaperones are also needed for the evening of June 19th. If you are able to volunteer a few hours to chaperone please contact Sue Craffey at jcraffey@snet.net.

The Clean-Up Committee is in need of a few more helpers to clean up after the Project Graduation celebration the morning of Saturday, June 20th beginning at 8:30am. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Susie Stanford at susiestanford@hotmail.com.

The Regular Meeting of the Charter Revision Commission will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Office Building.
Agenda
1. Call to order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of minutes June 3, 2009
4. Correspondence
5. Gerald Lucas
6. Confer with Board of Selectmen
concerning recommendations
7. Visitors
8. Adjourn
Copies of the Killingworth Charter Draft are on file in the Town Clerk's Office and available for download here (PDF).

The Killingworth Scholarship Association is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's awards: Sarah Bartosiak, Tara Cordner, Lindsay Gorman, Victoria Hogan, Deanna Loso, Nicholas McGlynn, Colleen Phelan, Erin Schuster, Shelby Van Huysen, Christine Vivero.

Each recipient is a resident of Killingworth and a 2009 graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School or Sacred Heart Academy. Students will receive their award upon the successful completion of their first college semester.

The Killingworth Scholarship Association has been recognizing students from Killingworth for more than 30 years and has awarded more than $112,000. Candidates are required to complete an application along with a reflective essay. Candidates are then selected for a personal interview.

"We had an outstanding pool of candidates again this year," notes President Nancy Dansereau. "The number and quality of the applicants continues to grow each year, making it a difficult task to select finalists. It's a tribute to our community, the students and their families, that the Killingworth Scholarship Association continues to be impressed with the caliber and qualifications of the recipients. We would like to thank the community for their continued financial support even under the current economic climate."

KSA President Nancy Dansereau awards the scholarships to HKHS recipients.

To the Editor:
I am very disappointed in our Board of Selectmen, on their action (6/9/09) to cancel a scheduled hearing (6/17/09) of the Town Charter of the BOS. Even when numerous residents called the town hall asking to be on the agenda to address questions and concerns of the revised Charter. Even going to the point of the town calling the residents back a day after the 6/9/09 BOS meeting that they voted to cancel the Charter meeting, so no one would know or show up.

The Town's Charter is an important document that governs out town government, rules and policies. If there is one question or concern, no matter how trivial, we should have answers. To cancel a meeting already planned, when you know there are questioned unanswered; one wonders what agendas are in play. Not to listen to the very constituents that put them in office, is a slap in the face to every taxpayer of Killingworth.

Our elected officials are expected to act in the best interest of the town and the residents it serves. Is this in the best interest of the town or personal agenda's? Are they hiding something?

Ask Questions, Become Informed, Before you Vote on Killingworth's Future!

Anne Twarowski

After joining America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA) and planning for 4 years, we finally left Pilot's Point Marina, Westbrook on June 25, 2008 aboard our Nordic Tug 42, "Golden Lily" to begin our year long Great Loop adventure around the eastern half of our country. We started by heading north on the Hudson River, took the Erie and Oswego Canals to Oswego where we crossed Lake Ontario. We traveled the Trent-Severn Canal in Canada to the Georgian Bay and North Channel to the Straits of Mackinac, then headed south on Lake Michigan to Chicago. The inland rivers took us Mobile, Alabama where we headed west along the GICW route in the Panhandle to Carrabelle, Florida where we crossed to Steinhatchee and headed south to Punta Gorda. We spent 2 months there during the winter. We traveled the Okeechobee Waterway to the east coast of Florida, then traveled north on the AICW to Cape May, New Jersey, and the Atlantic Ocean to New York City where we crossed our wake at the Battery on June 7th at 5:30 PM. We finally reached Long Island Sound and our home port in Westbrook on June 11, 2009 after traveling 351 days, and 5,960 miles.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to challenge ourselves along the Great Loop, sometimes going outside our comfort zone, and to have been able to see the ever changing scenery of our country while traveling on our boat. The canals, lakes, rivers, hills, mountains, swamps, and salt marshes, as well as the open water of the Gulf and Atlantic were amazing. The greatest part of the trip was all the wonderful people we met along the way.

Barbara and Jim Benjamin and Golden Retriever, Lily
Killingworth, CT
www.goldenlilytug.com

The Killingworth Foundation congratulates each member of the Class of 2009 and wishes each one success in the next step in his or her education. On Wednesday evening of June 10, 2009 the Killingworth Foundation awarded three scholarships at HK Awards Night.

Pictured are the two Killingworth seniors who earned The Killingworth Scholarship: Sarah Bartosiak who will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University (honors program) and will be studying European History and Nicholas McGlynn who will be attending George Washington University and plans to study chemistry.

The Killingworth Foundation also administers the Marjorie Kirk Ullrich Scholarship Fund which was established in 1993 and is funded by a trust created in her name for excellence in the Fine Arts. The Marjorie Kirk Ullrich Scholarship is awarded this year to Alexa Skoulis, whose specialty is drawing. Alexa will be attending Savannah School of Arts and Design.

The Killingworth Foundation is a public non-profit foundation dedicated to increasing the amount and the impact of local philanthropy in order to enhance the quality of life for the citizens and the community of Killingworth. We believe that good citizenship and organized philanthropy are based on the ancient tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.

Students from Killingworth Elementary School who have their artwork displayed at the Town Hall during the month of June. Contributed photo.

Haddam Killingworth High School's Project Graduation celebration will take place on Friday, June 19th from 10:30pm-5:00am. The theme of this year's drug and alcohol free celebration will be, "New York, New York! Start Spreading the News!" The decorations committee has worked very hard to transform the HKHS gym into a lively and exciting New York City. Many fun and entertaining events are planned such as a photo booth, magician, all night DJ, palm reader, tattoo artist, and much more. Foods with a New York theme such as pizza, subs, pretzels, and Italian ice will be served throughout the evening. Many new contests and prizes will be awarded.

The Project Graduation celebration could not take place without the communities' support. The PG committee would like to thank all of the local businesses and individuals who pledged money, time, services and goods to make this evening a success for our HKHS 2009 graduates. There is still time to mail in a donation! Please address any donations to HKHS Project Graduation, 95 Little City Road, and P.O. Box 569, Higganum, CT. Good Luck and Congratulations to all of Haddam-Killingworth's 2009 graduates!

Everybody has to shop for food and now food shopping can also help raise money for the Killingworth Library. As a community non-profit organization, KLA has signed up to participate in Shaw's Community Rewards Program. Once you're registered, one percent of eligible purchases made with your Shaw's Rewards Card on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will be contributed to the library.

Here's how it works. The Killingworth Library has received a Community Rewards identification number from Shaw's, ID# 49001021819. Supporters of the library can join the program by linking their Shaw's Rewards Card number to the library's Community Rewards ID number. Shaw's internet address is the following: www.shaws.com/communityrewards. It's that easy.

Four times a year, Shaw's issues a check to the registered community organization for the contributions earned by its participating supporters. (Supporters are required to register annually.)

Information flyers for the Shaw's Commmunity Rewards Program can be picked up at the library's circulation desk.