Trail grant is a win for Wallingford

As published in the Record Journal Sunday April 28, 2013

By Mary Mushinsky and Cathy Granucci

Wallingford’s Quinnipiac River Linear Trail is one of the town’s most used outdoor sites, even in its incomplete state. As is true for other town trails, completing the 6.7 mile project in Wallingford is a major effort, so supporters are doing it in phases.

With Phase III permits nearing completion, and funds already raised, bidding and construction will soon proceed to take the trail another 1.25 mile from the tunnel under the Wilbur Cross Parkway to Fireworks Island and Yalesville. The two sides of Wallingford will be linked in a safe, traffic-free manner for walkers and bicyclists. Now we have a federally funded opportunity to build another phase: the connection from the riverside trail to the Wallingford Senior Center, S.C.O.W., and Washington Street neighborhood.

This opportunity is in the form of a million dollar federal grant through the regional Council of Governments. The project received the highest score among all the competing projects in the South Central Connecticut region. It ranked number one, meaning that the federal dollars designated for alternative transportation will go to Wallingford’s project first. Yet former town councilor Mike Brodinsky questioned the project’s funding in his opinion of April 21st. Having won the competition, why should we decline our top-ranked grant and allow another town to claim these funds? The grant process requires the town to appropriate the $1 million in its budget in order to be reimbursed.

The opinion piece questions the combination of senior center trail and Hall Avenue improvements. Hall Avenue funds are already in the town budget. While at first linking the two projects seemed unusual, in practice the combination made sense to the grant funders. First, there is an overlap in the physical work, as a new Hall Avenue paved walk will become part of the senior center trail, providing safe access to the senior center, S.C.O.W. and the densely populated Washington Street neighborhood. The paved walkway will replace an existing, intermittent sidewalk. Second, the project will allow people to move safely around the south perimeter of Community Lake. Third, ornamental lights, street trees and brickwork will enhance Route 150, one of the entrances to downtown Wallingford.

The senior center connection is a phase of the linear trail that links population centers to the rest of the trail. Trails are known to contribute to an increase in community health and fitness, and are crucial to reducing hypertension, anxiety, depression and diabetes, saving health costs.

This project was planned prior to the recession. Now, when money is tighter, Wallingford has the good fortune of coming in first in a regional competition for federal alternative transportation funds. It would truly be an unforgivable mistake to decline a $1 million grant, which would be eagerly welcomed by another municipality with a lower ranked project.

Rep. Mary Mushinsky and Cathy Granucci are co-chairs of the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee.

Wallingford Spring cleanup begins Monday

As published in the Record Journal on Friday April 26, 2013

WALLINGFORD — The Public Works Department will begin spring cleanup on Monday, April 29, for public streets in all sections of Wallingford.

Residents are asked to place any materials to be picked up by the curbside no later than Sunday, April 28. Only brush and leaves will be collected and must meet the following conditions: branches and twigs only. No branch more than four feet long or six inches in diameter will be accepted. Brush must be tied with twine, separately in small bundles. Branches or brush not tied, will not be picked up. Leaves must be in paper yard waste bags. No brush, twigs, debris or plastic bags will be accepted.
Masking tape only acceptable to seal bags. Items placed at curbside must be light enough for one man to put in the truck. This will be a onetime only pickup. Residents who miss the pickup may take their leaves and brush to the compost area on John Street.

Please call for more Information: (203) 294-2105

REMINDER FOR MONDAY - Public Works starts cleanup on April 29

As published in the Record Journal on Thursday April 4, 2013

WALLINGFORD — The town’s Public Works Department will begin spring cleanup on Monday, April 29, for public streets in all sections of Wallingford. Residents are asked to place any materials to be picked up by the curbside no later than Sunday, April 28.

Only brush, wood and leaves will be collected and these are required to meet the following conditions: branches, no more than 4 feet long or 6 inches in diameter; twigs tied separately in small bundles; and leaves in paper yard waste bags.

No brush, twigs, debris or plastic bags will be accepted. Masking tape only acceptable to seal bags.

This will be a one-time only pickup. Residents who miss the pickup may take their leaves and brush to the compost area on John Street.

For information, call the Public Works Department at (203) 294-2105.

Scholarship Raffle in Memory of Joe Polito

Scholarship Raffle in Memory of Joe Polito

Saturday April 13, 2012 3PM to 7PM

The Village Green Cafe/Restaurant, 97 Chapel Street, Wlfd CT 06492 (203) 284-0447

As posted from the Facebook event from Maria Polito

Joe would have been 50 yrs old this April, so we would like to do a raffle to raise money for scholarships to go to Sheehan High School in Joe's name. We tried and tried to set something big up but due to the economy and peoples schedules we realized it wasn't practical. Billy Mazzucco offered to provide a DJ and Rosanne Turtola Bickford offered to make a birthday cake so we could celebrate Joe's b-day together. Please bring your families as this will be a reunion of sorts, and children are more then welcomed. Beverages and food will be available to purchase at a reasonable price.

I ask that everyone spread the word and if you have any pictures of Joe and wouldn't mind making a copy to bring that I could keep. I figured we could pass them around and remember our times with Joe. At the end of the night I will present the pictures to my Mother who I am sure will be grateful to have them. Again, please the pass the word around to make this successful!!

If anyone would like to donate raffle gifts or money in advance you can contact me at 203-213-0469 (text) or email me @ mdyer123@gmail.com

FYI...drawing will be directly after at 7pm, you need NOT be present to claim raffle gifts. I will take names and numbers if you win I will contact you and arrange to get prizes to you.

Town councilor taking break to fight cancer

As published in the Record Journal on Thursday April 11, 2013

By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz

Wallingford Town Councilor John Sullivan.

Photo Courtesy of the Record-Journal

WALLINGFORD – John Sullivan was in no rush to leave Robert Earley Auditorium after Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting. After the meeting adjourned, Sullivan, a Democrat who has served on the council since 2010, remained behind.

He sat in his assigned chair, chatting with and embracing fellow councilors, enjoying a view that he’ll miss for at least the next few months. Sullivan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2012, will undergo surgery to remove the cancer today and won’t attend council meetings while he recovers. He knows he has a battle ahead, but it is one he expects to win.

“I really think I’m going to be fine,” the 54-year-old said.

During a phone conversation earlier on Tuesday, Sullivan had expressed faith in the medical team at the Weill Cornell Medical College at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. He’ll receive treatment from one of the leading experts in the fields of prostate cancer and robotics, Dr. Ashutosh Tewari.

Tewari, director of the Prostate Cancer Institute and the LeFrak Robotic Surgery Center at Weill Cornell, is one of busiest prostate surgeons in the world, according to the Weill Cornell web site. In the last five years, he has performed more than 2,500 operations.

“People come from all over the country to see Dr. Tewari,” said Sullivan. “He’s the most wonderful doctor I’ve ever met.”

Sullivan said that when he’s put to sleep to have his prostate robotically removed, “I’m in God’s hands, but the doctor is going to be there too.”

He realizes recovery will be long and challenging.

“I’m not going to be in the clear for five years,” he said. Sullivan is glad that the cancer was found at an early stage and is treatable. Since the initial diagnosis a year ago, Sullivan said, he has led a healthy lifestyle, eating well and exercising daily. Never in his life did Sullivan think he’d be in this predicament, and for that reason he urges others to have the appropriate check-ups regularly.

“I didn’t think this could ever happen to me,” Sullivan said, “and it did.”

If he can help one person in this way, “I’m going to feel like a million bucks,” he said.

Sullivan will miss Town Council meetings, but is not thinking about politics right now. His main concern is his health and family.

Fellow councilors are also concerned about Sullivan’s health and family, but will also miss his presence on the council.

“His input is always important,” said Town Councilor John LeTourneau. “I wish him the best.”

LeTourneau commended Sullivan for talking publicly about cancer.

“It’s important as a voice of the community to tell people to go get checked,” Le-Tourneau said.

Vincent Cervoni, vice-chairman of the Town Council, said he considers Sullivan “a good friend” and is “thinking about and praying for him.”

Town Council Chairman Robert Parisi said he’s been friends with Sullivan for years, and they’ve taken several trips together.

“He’s a very dedicated friend and family man,” said Parisi, who presented Sullivan with a card during Tuesday’s council meeting. “He’s an excellent town councilor as well. I’m sure he’s going to be fine.”

“Obviously, as a councilor, or not a councilor and just knowing him, you wish him the very best,” Town Councilor Jason Zandri said. Going public with his health issue is “noble,” Zandri added.

Town Councilor Craig Fishbein said he found it difficult to put his feelings into words. He is shocked and concerned.

“I wish him the best,” Fishbein said.

Town Councilor Rosemary Rascati said Sullivan is “a great guy and he’s been in our prayers.”

“I’m sure he’s going to be just fine,” she said. “He’s healthy and young and he’ll be just fine. We think the world of him.”

Today is also Sullivan’s birthday. “I’m giving myself the gift of life,” he said.

But Sullivan knows that it will be a long while until he’s in the clear, and it’s something he accepts.

“We have to face, at times, our own mortality.”

Wallingford Library seeking Operation Automation volunteers

As published in the Record Journal on Tuesday April 9, 2013

By Eric Vo
Record-Journal staff
evo@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@ericvoRJ

WALLINGFORD - The Wallingford Public Library is seeking volunteers to assist in the completion of Operation Automation, which is scheduled to begin in May.

Operation Automation is a multipart project that consists of bringing new radio-frequency identification technology into the library. The first phase of the project involves putting RFID tags on every item. Due to the large number of items, volunteers are being sought to help with the first part of the project, which is expected to take six months to complete, said Jane Fisher, director of the library.

“We’re hoping to start training volunteers during the first week in May,” Fisher said. “We’re looking for volunteers who are committed to come in once a week for an hour and a half.”

The volunteers will be trained on how to apply the RFID tag onto the back cover of books and scan them into a computer, which programs the tag, said Judy Sgammato, head of circulation at the library. Sgammato said the volunteers will also be shown how to tag the library’s media inventory, a procedure that is expected to be more difficult and time consuming.

“Each DVD and music CD and books on CD will receive a radio frequency tag that is an overlay that goes on the disk. That takes a bit more dexterity and more time,” Sgammato said. “The volunteers will apply the overlays and the regular RFID tags onto the case ... the process will take at least two to three minutes per item. We’re looking close to 1,000 hours spent on media tagging.”

The project is expected to be completed by the fall, Fisher said. Half of it was paid for by an anonymous donor, and the other half will be paid with library funds.

With RFID technology, everyday operations at the library can be completed more quickly. The technology ultimately allows the library to create a better self-checkout system, construct an automated return system, and improve security, Fisher said.

The library currently has a self-checkout system, but patrons still have to scan individual barcodes. With the RFID tags, Fisher said, a patron can simply place a stack of books onto a pad and each book will be scanned.

With the automated return system, patrons will place their books through a window, which will then drop onto a conveyor belt. Since each item will be tagged, they will be separated into seven bins depending on their category.

With tagged items, the staff will also know when a patron is leaving the library without checking something out. It’s a security system the library currently lacks, Fisher said.

In addition to modernizing library operations, the RFID technology allows for staffing flexibility, Fisher said.

“Right now, we may have three staff members behind the desk. (With RFID), we’ll probably have two behind the desk and a third can act as a greeter and navigate the library,”she said. The Wallingford Public Library isn’t the first in the state to use RFID technology, but once everything is in operation, Fisher said the library will serve as a model.

“The RFID allows us to do multiple things, like self checkouts, returns, sorting, a security system. It makes it appealing,” Fisher said. “We’re working with 3M ... a company that was interested in Wallingford as a showcase because we’re centrally located and the circulation is about 700,000 items per year. Once we’re up and running, we can show what this project looks like.”

REMINDER - 5th Annual Model Train Show Sunday April 7 at 10AM Sheehan High School

REMINDER Wallingford Comedy show helps local children make the team is TONIGHT

 As published in the Record Journal Sunday March 24, 2013

By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz

WALLINGFORD – All Mark Brennan asks for in return for helping local children interested in sports is a thank you card.

Twice a year, Brennan hosts a comedy show at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn to benefit On the Team, a program he started in 2009 with the help of Craig Turner, the town’s director of youth and social services, and John Gawlak, the director of parks and recreation.

Turner said the program has created a “special fund that’s really dedicated to assisting kids at two levels.”

Money raised through Brennan’s show and other private contributions help cover the program costs for children who normally would not have the opportunity to participate in team sports in Wallingford. Turner said the fund also helps children identified by coaches as having above-average talent that could be “developed or enhanced at a sports camp.”

Since 2009, 55 children have benefited from about $14,000 raised through the comedy show, Gawlak said. The program’s fund has a balance of about $2,000, which will quickly be gone with spring sports on the way, Gawlak said. That’s why Brennan’s next show, on April 5 at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, is so important.

“The program is a great concept,” Gawlak said. “The community is fortunate to have someone like Mark take his comedic passion and turn it around. It’s nice to be able to see kids carry on with their own passion.”

Brennan’s show “is a lot of fun,” Gawlak said. “Mark tries really, really hard and has progressively gotten better.”

“I’ve been a comic for a little over 10 years,” Brennan said.

When he started a decade ago, his intent was to raise money for another cause His three children motivated him to raise money for kids.

Brennan won’t be the only comic performing on April 5. For the upcoming show, Paul Venier, who bills himself as the Comedy Tornado, will perform. Brennan said Venier is known for his song parodies and use of props. Venier also has a photographic memory, which helps him interact with the crowd, Brennan said.

Students interested in applying for a scholarship through the On the Team program can apply with the Youth and Social Services Department, Turner said. People interested in donating to the program are asked to write a check to the the Parks and Recreation Department or the Youth and Social Services Department.

The April 5 show at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, 1074 S. Colony Road, will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22 each, and can be bought at the door or by calling Brennan at (203) 641-8808.

After he hands out the scholarships, Brennan only expects thank-you cards from the children, which he said “teaches kids to be respectful and appreciate.”

“I get the nicest thank-you cards,” Brennan said.

Public Works starts cleanup on April 29

As published in the Record Journal on Thursday April 4, 2013

WALLINGFORD — The town’s Public Works Department will begin spring cleanup on Monday, April 29, for public streets in all sections of Wallingford. Residents are asked to place any materials to be picked up by the curbside no later than Sunday, April 28.

Only brush, wood and leaves will be collected and these are required to meet the following conditions: branches, no more than 4 feet long or 6 inches in diameter; twigs tied separately in small bundles; and leaves in paper yard waste bags.

No brush, twigs, debris or plastic bags will be accepted. Masking tape only acceptable to seal bags.

This will be a one-time only pickup. Residents who miss the pickup may take their leaves and brush to the compost area on John Street.

For information, call the Public Works Department at (203) 294-2105.

After 32 years, Neptune House will close Sunday

As published in the Record Journal on Thursday April 4, 2013

By Eric Vo
Record-Journal staff
evo@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@ericvoRJ

WALLINGFORD - After serving patrons for 32 years at the Neptune House Restaurant and Diner, the Kyriakis family will be leaving the business after closing the doors on Sunday.

It’s unclear why the family is leaving, but Chris Kyriakis, co-owner of the Neptune House, said he “sold it” and refused to comment any further other than to say the business will close Sunday. Residents, town councilors and the town’s Economic Development department weren’t sure whether the building or the business itself was sold or if it would be taken over by new owners.

The restaurant, at 1086 N. Colony Road, is known for a number of things, such as its long hours, offering its full menu to patrons at all hours and its nautical-theme decorations. With a captain’s wheel and portholes in the booths,the restaurant was popular with families.

“Anytime my kids had a doctor or dentist appointment, it was always like ‘let’s go to Neptune diner.’ It was like a treat,” Board of Education Chairwoman Roxane McKay said.

After serving patrons for decades, news of the family’s departure from the business surprised a number of residents. Town Council Chairman Robert F. Parisi said he was “very surprised and disappointed” when he heard.

“It was kind of a staple, in my mind,” Parisi said. “The staff was very cordial and friendly. It was a great place to have a meeting with a few people.”

Along with the traditional diner options such as hotdogs and hamburgers, the Neptune House’s menu also offered breakfast and a seafood themed lunch and dinner options. Town Councilor Jason Zandri has fond memories of the restaurant.

“I used to go there quite a bit when I lived on Circle Drive. It was right there if you wanted a quick bite,” he said. “When I was much younger, they had a longer night schedule. We’d go see a late movie and grab breakfast before they closed up.”

With fresh food that was made in-house by the Kyriakises, they also made an effort to talk to customers and treat them as if they were all a part of the family.

“It’s sad to see a business in town close down ... it’s a shame,” said Wayne Harriman,a town resident. “People were always friendly and they went out of the way to talk to you. I do remember the waitresses and staff were always friendly to you.”

Reflecting on his experiences at the Neptune House Restaurant and Diner, Zandri remembered the hospitality he experienced as a patron.

“It was always a nice, friendly atmosphere. The owners were always attentive to the customers — it was definitely a warm place,” Zandri said. “I didn’t get the feeling they were being polite just because you were the customer. They were genuinely polite to everyone in there.”