A bill introduced by state Sen. Ed Meyer to give cities and towns more control over if and where cell phone towers are located was unanimously approved by the Environment Committee this morning.

Senate Bill 206, "An Act Concerning Local Land Use Agencies and the Siting of Telecommunications Towers," was introduced by Sen. Meyer - who is the Senate Chairman of the Environment Committee - following a series of bitter public debates in his Senate district regarding Amtrak's proposal to install multiple cell phone towers in Branford, Guilford, Madison and other shoreline towns order to provide uninterrupted cell phone and Wi-Fi service on its trains.

Some of Amtrak's proposed cell phone towers - which can be 170 feet tall or higher, equivalent to 20 stories - would be located in historic districts or in scenic shoreline areas. Residents opposed to Amtrak's plans appeared late last year at public hearings in Branford and Madison, complaining about the estimated, mere 90-seconds of cell phone coverage that an additional tower would provide, or about the effect such towers could have on a town's image to potential home buyers.

The bill would give local zoning commissions and inland wetland agencies - instead of the Connecticut Siting Council - the final say on whether and where a cell phone tower could be located. Sen. Meyer said the current process of having the State Siting Council review and approve the applications is not working, since the Council approves nearly all of the applications anyway.

"Local citizen and town input has not been effective because 97 percent of the applications have been granted," Sen. Meyer said. "Therefore, I am seeking to override the State Siting Council by instituting local control over the siting of these visually obscene towers through local zoning commissions and inland wetland agencies."

The Connecticut Siting Council was first established in 1972. In 1981, its jurisdiction over power facilities and transmission lines was expanded to include hazardous waste facilities; it has since been extended to include telecommunications sites.

Region 17 Schools Superintendent Gary Mala made his formal 2010-2011 budget presentation to the Board of Education Tuesday night. Mala's budget request represents an increase of $581,653.07 from the 2009-2010 budget or an increase of 1.58%.

Approximately 91.82% of the budget is controlled by non-discretionary costs in the areas of contractual obligations with regards to negotiated salaries and benefits for current employees, transportation costs, special education costs, tuition payments, payment of debt obligation and facility expenses including fuel and other utility costs.

Mala said the proposed budget was arrived at after making reductions from requested and currently funded items totaling $1,463,566.08 (Personnel - $716,007.90, Non-Personnel - $585,488.18, Revenue Offsets - $162,000.00).

He said, "given the depth and breadth of the reductions made to craft this proposed budget, I believe that any significant reductions to it will ultimately lead to a measurable change in quality of the services currently being provided across the district and will truncate what has been proposed as a responsible financial package for net year".

Killingworth's share, based on the average daily membership of 45.43% and an unexpended balance last year of $414,133.59 would be a net assessment of $16,452,683.15.

The Board of Education Budget Committee will meet on March 8th and 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the central office to discuss the proposed budget prior to the joint meeting of the Haddam and Killingworth Boards of Selectmen and Boards of Finance on March 23rd. The joint meeting will be held on at 7:00 p.m. at the HK Middle School. The public is welcome to attend any budget workshop or Budget Committee meeting.

The Annual Hearing and a Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held April 19th, the Annual Meeting will be held on May 3rd and the Budget Referendum on May 4th.

On April 17, 2010, from 9AM to 3PM, the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company will hold its annual AUCTION at Killingworth Fire Headquarters at 333 Route 81, Killingworth. Auction items big, small, old, new, unique, ordinary, boring or weird are welcome.

Furnishings, art, mowers, motors, electronics, things digital, twice regifted gifts, goods and services, former treasures, materials to inspire creativity, strange devices or unknown contraptions whose origins or history have been long lost may be contributed by calling the FIRE DEPARTMENT AUCTION HOTLINE, 860-663-2043. Please leave your name and telephone number and pick up will be arranged. Count on another outstanding auction. Arrive early and don't plan on leaving until your car is full. AUCTION HOTLINE 860-663-2043

The sprawling historical novel, "Ahab's Wife, or The Star Gazer" by Sena J. Naslund is the selection for the March 9th meeting of the Tuesday Book Discussion Group at the Killingworth Library.

The novel is rich in historical detail that includes both the dangers of whaling and the domestic life of those left behind on 19th century Nantucket. The main character begins her story with the statement, "Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last." Her life's journey before, during, and after that particular marriage comprise the heart of the story.

Discussion begins at 1:00 in the library meeting room and newcomers are always welcome.

Registration for new gardeners interested in joining the Killingworth Community Gardens will open on Saturday, March 6th. 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 onsite. 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. Questions, please call 203.641.2341.

Monday, March 8, 2010: 5 to 9 p.m. at HK High School Field House. Who should attend player tryouts/assessments and when are as follows:

5:00 to 5:30 p.m. Girls Minor League Softball Tryouts
Only girls who are playing age 8 who wish to try out for Minor League Softball are required to attend. (Girls born in 2001 are playing age 8.)

5:00 to 5:30 p.m. Girls Majors League Softball Tryouts
Only girls who are playing age 10 who wish to try out for Major League Softball are required to attend. (Girls born in 1999 are playing age 10.)

5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Boys Minor League Tryouts
Boys who are playing age 7 and 8 who wish to try out for Minor League Baseball must attend. (Boys born between May 1, 2002 and April 2003 are playing age 7 and Boys born between May 1, 2001 and April 30, 2002 are playing age 8.)

6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Boys Minor League Skills Assessment
All boys who are Minor League playing age (9 & 10) are required to attend.
(Boys born between May 1, 1999 and April 30, 2001 are playing ages 9 & 10.)

7:15 to 8:00 p.m. Boys Major League Tryouts
Minor League boys who are playing age 10 who wish to try out for Major League
Baseball must attend. (Boys born between May 1, 1999 and April 30, 2000 are playing age 10.)

8:00 to 8:45 p.m. Boys Major League Skills Assessment
All first-year Major League players are required to attend. (Boys born between May 1, 1997 and April 30, 1999 who did not play for a Major League team last season.)

Players should bring gloves, wear sneakers (not cleats) and protective gear
(i.e. cups) as appropriate. E-mail questions to: info@kylbaseball.org

Rachel Alpert, an 8th Grader from Madison, was the winner of the 54th Annual Lois MacLane Poetry Recitation at The Country School. Rachel won first place in the Middle School competition for her recitation from "Ulysses," by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Tied for second place were Gabriel Davis, an 8th Grader from Madison, for his recitation of "The Adventures of Isabelle" by Ogden Nash and Sonny Capaccio, a 6th Grader from Guilford, for his recitation of "The Valley of Unrest" by Edgar Allan Poe.

As part of this annual tradition, started shortly after the school's founding in 1955, every student in Grades Kindergarten through 8 selects, memorizes, and recites a poem in front of classmates, teachers, families, and friends. In the Middle School, the recitation takes the form of a competition, and four to five finalists are selected from each grade. The Lois MacLane Poetry Recitation is named after the sister of David MacLane, the school's first headmaster, and is the school's oldest tradition.

Killingworth students in the finals were: Abhi Bobba, an 8th Grader; Emma Cowper, a 6th Grader; Madie Leidt, a 6th Grader; and Abby Smith, a 7th Grader.

Founded in 1955, The Country School is a Preschool through 8th Grade, coeducational independent school, serving 250 students from 20 Connecticut communities. Spirited teaching, hands-on learning, and a balanced program of academic, artistic, and athletic challenges are hallmarks of The Country School educational experience.

HK Sports: On the Thursday before February vacation, the HKMS Boys Basketball team put the finishing touches on an undefeated season with a convincing victory against the Old Saybrook Rams at HKMS Gym. The Cougars finished the season perfect at 14-0, good for the best record in the league and the out-right conference championship. It is the third time in recent memory that the basketball team has gone undefeated, the previous two times in 1999 and 2004.

The team averaged 51 points per game, while only allowing 32 per game, winning by an incredible margin of 19 points per game. The Cougars only allowed 457 total points for the entire season, while grabbing 471 rebounds per game. The team averaged more rebounds as a team than points allowed, a stat almost unheard of in basketball.

The team was led by Tri-Captains Kyle McCormick, John Abbott, and Ethan Kovach. These three were the foundation of the team and widely considered three of the best players in the league from both offensive and defensive standpoints. They were aided by the outstanding play of 7th grader Luke Ford and the inside-outside combination of Kenny Callahan and Peter Welch. However, none of this success could have been completed without the best bench in the league: John Schuster, Nick Afragola, Tommy DiMauro, Mike Milano, Logan O'Donnell, Griffin Bremer, and the injured but ever present Torren Callender. And finally, the preparation would not have been complete without the daily hustle and determination to get better by the 7th grade triumvirate of Owen Serbent, Matt Genoviesio, and Pat Fitzgibbons, who will play starring roles next season for the team.

In all, the season could not have been better for the Cougars and their coaching staff, as they breezed through the Shoreline Conference to the title. Thanks to all the parents, administration, and fans who supported the team on their march to a perfect season.

The Killingworth Cub Scout Pack 18 held its annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday morning, February 27th, at the Killingworth Elementary School. The Cub Scouts built pinewood derby cars and competed in multiple heats to determine the winners. The 1st and 2nd place finishers of each rank qualify for regional competition at the Raccoon Club in Durham on April 3rd. Cub Scouts range in grade from 1st to 5th.

Overall 1st - Ethan Gramola | 2nd - Parker Wills | 3rd - Zachary Rampone
Tiger 1st - Christopher Garrelts | 2nd - Jack Pitts | 3rd - Eamon Sweeney
Wolf 1st - Parker Wills | 2nd - Zachary Hines | 3rd - Cameron Beaudoin
Bear 1st - Parker Smith | 2nd - Jacob Tucker | 3rd - Ethan Tracano
Weblos 1 1st - Ethan Gromala | 2nd - Zachary Rampone| 3rd - Trevor Hines
Weblos 2 1st - Ben Chasse | 2nd - Christopher Raccio | 3rd - Kai Franceschi-Hofmann
"Most Original Car" awarded to Doug Brown (Weblos 2)

Congratulations to all of our participants and 'Thank You' to our volunteers who made it all possible. Pack 18 would also like to thank the sponsors of this year's cars and RSD 17 for allowing the use of their facilities.

This year's Sponsors include All Star Office Systems LLC, All-Points Technology Corporation, P.C., Bailey Schaefer Errato LLC, BP Associates, Broken Arrow Art Studio, Burns & McDonnell Engineering, Inc., Copper Skillet, Douglas Callis, DMD, Essex Savings Bank; John J. Wills Painting Company, Killingworth Women's Organization and Pratt & Whitney.

Haddam-Killingworth High School Principal Charles Macunas has announced the Second Quarter Honor Roll for the 2009-2010 school year. Find the complete list here.

To the Editor:
I am thrilled that the big/little St. Bernard type Coby is back home! Like everyone who owns a pet, I worry about them and the aching hearts of their owners. Again I want to thank KToday for the immediate attention given to lost animals. It is more than a mere service to our community, it is an invaluable tool to get everyone's attention to be on the lookout for the lost and a reminder to those who might feel inclined to keep a 'found' pet to keep searching for the owner. Sometimes in their compassion to provide shelter and love to the animal they found they might ignore the heartbreak of the owner. The note 'found' or 'returned' always lifts our spirits like the ending of a beautiful symphony.
Romy Schultz

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Focus on Fitness for children in grades 5 & 6 will be offered on Wednesdays, March 3 - April 7 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm at the HK New MS gym. The fee is $75 (non-residents add $10).

Kids - get off those couches and into the gym. This exciting after school class is designed to bring fun and fitness together under one roof. The workout is set up in a "circuit style" format - a series of exercise stations that are set up around the gym. Kids will get a cardio workout, increase strength and endurance, and learn a sense of "team" through partner and group work. Fitness and running games will also be incorporated to add some extra fun. Conveniently scheduled after school! Keep your kids moving this winter! Please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 for more information and to register.

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women (SLDW) announced that author Nancy Elizabeth Wallace will be its featured guest at the Green Book Fair held during the 4th Annual Green Lifestyle Fair, on Saturday, March 27, 9am - 3pm, at the Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, CT. Wallace is a local author and illustrator of children's books, including Recycle Every Day! and her new book Planting Seeds. Wallace is known for her trademark three-dimensional artwork created with cut paper, scissors, and a glue stick. She has published more than 20 books during her career. She will be on hand at the Green Lifestyle Fair to sign books and meet the public. The Green Book Fair will carry the latest titles in green lifestyles for adults and children.

The 2010 Green Lifestyle Fair will feature more than 50 Exhibitors featuring energy alternatives, green products and services. Industry experts and environmental advocates will be on hand to offer valuable insight into real world energy alternatives, financial incentives, conservation initiatives, and the most pressing challenges affecting our environment today. There is no admission fee. For more information on the event, call 860-399-1147 or visit the SLDW web site at www.SLDW.org.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering a Magic Workshop for boys and girls ages 5 - 12 on Thursday, March 4th at KES from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. The fee is $20. Non-Residents please add $5. Children will have fun learning basic introductory magic while building self-confidence and dexterity. Five different tricks will be taught in each session. Each child will receive a magic kit which includes 5 tricks, an instruction sheet describing each trick, and a magic wand. Kids will also be entertained by Tom O'Brien's own act.

For more information and how to register, please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit www.hkrec.com.

The Killingworth Elementary School's PTO has arranged a plant sale to celebrate spring. The plants will be purchased from Running Brook Farms in Killingworth. Hanging baskets, 4 ½, and 6½ inch potted plants are available. Order forms can be found at the public library, emailed to you or downloaded here. All orders are due by March 8th. Please take a moment to clearly indicate your color selection, quantity, and the total cost of each line. Orders can be brought back to the library, or sent into KES with a student. Checks should be made payable to "KES PTO".

The order forms will be returned to you at pickup on Friday, May 7th from 3:00-5:00, and Saturday from 9:00-11:00. Should you have any questions, please contact us.
pto.keschool@gmail.com Brenda Schull 663-2447, Alice DeLuca 663-3670.

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Players will perform "The Door", a drama by Paul Elliott, on Friday, March 5th and Saturday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the HKHS auditorium. Admission is 5$ for adults and 3$ for students and seniors.

The play involves a grandmother in her fifties, Grace, who sits in her small, dark apartment and refuses to answer the insistent knocking at her front door. She has shut herself off from everything except the one person who is still capable of reaching her, her grandson, Justin. He tries every trick he knows to try to get her to respond and implies that she must open the door for him but the audience is left in suspense as to why. Throughout their dialogue, the audience learns more about the grandmother and grandson's relationship and why Grace must open the door. However it is only at the last moment we discover what she must face when she opens the door...

The production starts Jill Griswold as Grace, and Jesse Eberl as Justin. The HK Players will take this play to it's annual competition at the end of March. Subject matter is not for children.

While it seems that the 2009 season just ended, it is already time for registration for the 2010 HKYFA season! Registration will be open to all those interested in football and/or cheerleading beginning February 28th through May 22nd. The 2010 registration packet, which includes information regarding registration fees and other deadlines, is available on our website, www.hkyfa.org, by clicking on the Docs and Forms link on the left. Please submit your registration forms and fees as soon as possible as we expect to have large numbers of both returning and new players registering for the 2010 season. A registration table will also be set up at the Football Fundamentals Clinic being run through HK Recreation, Saturdays, February 20th - March 20th (no 3/13) from 3:00 - 5:30 at the HKHS Fieldhouse.

HKYFA's Spring Fling Adult Night Out will also be held Friday, April 30th at The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person, $120 per couple, and $600 for a table of ten. Come and enjoy cocktail hour, a buffet dinner, live entertainment, and a silent auction to support HKYFA. Check www.hkyfa.org in the weeks ahead for more information on when and how to purchase tickets!

Sunday: February 21:
• 11:55:18 Medical Call, Little City Road.
Wednesday: February 24:
• 07:28:01 Fire Alarm, Rosemary Lane.
Thursday: February 25:
• 04:33:04 Medical Call, Route 81.
Friday: February 26:
• 11:38:33 MVA, Route 81.
• 13:57:42 Medical Call, Swan Lake Trail.
• 17:51:41 Medical Call, Little City Road.
Saturday: February 27:
• 12:02:17 Medical Call, Roast Meat Hill Road.
• 15:30:18 Medical Call, Deer Ridge Road.

Drawing with the Masters
Arts Center at Killingworth offers a 5-session series, Drawing with the Masters with artist Gloria Nilsson. Explore unconventional or "edgy" still lifes by well-known artists as you study and draw from the paintings of artists who display unusual subject matter and styles. For beginner to intermediate levels. The cost is $195. Five Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Space is limited. Call to register (860) 663-5593 or email artscenterkillingworth@gmail.com. The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT. 06419.

Mysteries of Color for Artists
Arts Center at Killingworth NEW Class Series with artist Aleta Gudelski provides an understanding of the properties of color as they apply to painting. Participants explore the properties of hue, value, intensity and temperature, learning to mix colors with limited and expanded palettes. Work with chromatic grays, activate colors, and mix flesh tones. Mysteries of Color for Artists is open to all levels. The cost is $195 and runs from 11:30-1:30pm on Saturdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27, and April 3. Space is limited. Call to register (860) 663-5593. The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT. 06419. Visit us online www.artscenterkillingworth.org

New Saturday Morning Children's Art Series
The Arts Center at Killingworth continues its New Saturday Morning Art Program for Children. Budding artists ages 6-11 spend five Saturday mornings exploring mixed media projects and clay sculpture. In Mixed Media, children learn art concepts such as the relationship between color and rhythm, basic drawing shapes, perspective and elements of graphic design. In Clay Discovery, children create their own scenes bringing them to life through sculpting the base, characters, set pieces, animals and plants in their scenes. Parents can register their child for five or for all 10 of these 60-minute art Sessions during this new five-week Series. Sessions are Saturdays March 6, 13, 20, 27, and April 3. Mixed Media is from 9:30-10:30am and Clay Discovery runs from 10:40-11:45. To register and for more information, call (860) 663-5593 or visit us online www.artscenterkillingworth.org

HK Sports: The 2010 All-Shoreline Conference Girls Basketball Second Team (Standing L to R): Ali Wilkman (Old Lyme senior), Kayla McAvoy (Old Saybrook sophomore), Kaleigh Robbins (Cromwell senior)(Kneeling L to R): Emily Anderson (Haddam-Killingworth junior), Meghan Testoni (Morgan junior), Jordan Shultz (Haddam-Killingworth senior). Haddam-Killingworth junior Carley Mooney was named All-Shoreline Honorable Mention. Photo by E. Anderson.