Upcoming Public Information Meetings regarding improvements to be made at railroad grade crossings in Wallingford and Meriden

 

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct two public information meetings regarding improvements to be made at railroad grade crossings in Wallingford and Meriden.

 

The meeting in Wallingford will occur on Monday, June 16th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Wallingford Public Library, located at 200 North Main Street.

 

 

The meeting in Meriden will occur on Wednesday, June 18th.

 

The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Griffin Room of the Meriden Public Library, located at 105 Miller Street.

 

 

All persons interested in this project are welcomed to attend the meeting(s) and discuss the project with Department personnel. 

JUNE 7TH FAMILY FUN DAY WALLINGFORD GET-TOGETHER - POT LUCK STYLE

SATURDAY JUNE 7, 2014 2PM – 6PM
PRAGEMANN PARK

WALLINGFORD, CT

RAIN OR SHINE

Come out for a chance to get to know your fellow Wallingfordians!

Admission is free, so bring your family, friends and favorite outdoor game for a good time.

Burgers, hot-dogs and water will be provided, 

but feel free to bring a dish of your own to share!

Hosted by:
The Wallingford Democratic Town Committee – District 7

Questions or Concerns?
Call Kaitlyn Romania @ 203.747.0396

Happy 6th Birthday Adam

My third child and second son Adam Jozef was born on this day on May 17 in 2008 at 3:29 in the afternoon; he was 3 days early.

He weighed in at 7 pounds 1 ounce and measured 19 inches in length.

So on his birthday, (and every day), I wish him all the happiness he can come into on his own and all the success that he has the opportunity to obtain. As he gets there, I hope he learns to appreciate “the little things” that life has to offer and returns to the world at least what he takes from it. 

Happy birthday Adam; I wish you many more. I hope I can continue to be half the father you think I am as that is still ten times more than I thought I was capable of.

Love, Daddy.

 

Transit Oriented Development Pre-Development and Acquisition Fund announced

Gov. Malloy Announces Fund to Spur Economic Growth and TOD Along Expanding CT Transportation Corridors.

On April 30, 2014, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the creation of a $15 million Transit Oriented Development Pre-Development and Acquisition Fund to provide financing that will encourage developers to carry out transit-oriented development (TOD) in communities with station stops along the CTFastrak and New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) transit corridors.

The state and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) will each contribute $1 million to the fund, which will be added to $13 million of private capital provided by LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Connecticut, who will also serve as the fund manager. Transit-Oriented Development prioritizes the development of a mix of uses – new housing, retail and commercial office space – near transit hubs to encourage the use of mass transit, reduce reliance on driving, and foster more dense, liveable, walkable communities.

“With the investment of $1 million in state funds and $1 million from CHFA, we will leverage at least $13 million in private funds from LISC and potentially millions more from banks, developers and other investors in order to create jobs, reduce congestion by encouraging mass transit ridership, build new affordable housing in walk-able communities near transit and improve our quality of life,” said Governor Malloy. “Since taking office, we have invested in projects like CTFastrak and New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line because we know they will be catalysts for further growth and private investment that will revitalize communities. As we focus on promoting mixed-use, sustainable development statewide, this fund will serve as an important component of our tool-kit in these two corridors as we work with municipalities, developers and other organizations to lay the foundation for long-term sustainable economic activity and ensure these are livable, walkable communities for employees and employers alike.”

The TOD fund will be a $15 million fund comprised of $1 million from the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), $1 million from CHFA and $13 million from LISC. LISC was selected to serve as the TOD fund manager through a competitive process based on the organization’s experience funding and administering TOD projects as well as their knowledge of the unique needs of Connecticut’s transit corridor towns.


“This predevelopment fund will expand economic opportunity by connecting residents to jobs and education and LISC is excited to partner with Governor Malloy’s administration on it,” said Andrea Pereira, Executive Director of LISC Connecticut. “LISC stands ready to work with the Governor to encourage economic growth along Connecticut’s transit corridors and to realize our shared goal of a more economically and geographically integrated region.”

Legendary Locals by Tarn Granucci at the Wallingford Public Library

Sunday, April 13: 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Calling all those who know and love Wallingford! Come and share your family photographs, personal stories, and local legends at this community gathering celebrating your hometown. Local resident Tarn Garnucci will be gathering the information for an Acadia publishing project entitled Legendary Locals of Wallingford.

All participants will have a chance to win prizes from local merchants and restaurants. The DVD Wallingford in the 1930s will be shown at the conclusion of the program and copies will be available for purchase.

All are welcome. Seating is limited.

Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle

Learning @ Wallingford Public Library 

Wallingford Public Library
200 North Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 265-6754

Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle

12 Years a Slave? More like 80

Please join us in the Community Room on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. for a moderated discussion of Slavery by Another Name documentary film.  

One of our most cherished assumptions as Americans is that slavery in this country ended with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Slavery by Another Name, a documentary film based on Douglas A. Blackmon's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, turns that belief on its head.  The film documents how after the Civil War, repressive labor practices and laws pulled thousands of African Americans in the South back into new forms of slavery that lasted well into the 20th century.

Discussion of the film excerpts will be moderated by Richard S. Stewart, a teacher of U.S. History at Choate Rosemary Hall. Mr. Stewart attended Westminster School and has degrees from Allegheny College and Wesleyan University. His major teaching interests are movements for social reform and political history

This moderated film series will resume in the fall with The Loving Story, and Freedom Riders, which are scheduled for September 24 and October 7, 2014 respectively.

This program is free and open to all. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Sincerely,
Jane Fisher Library Director

6th ANNUAL MODEL TRAIN SHOW

Presented by

Mark T. Sheehan High School Music Parents Association

All proceeds will go directly to the students in the Music Department to purchase instruments and for scholarships.

DATE: Sunday, April 6, 2014

TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: M T Sheehan High School

142 Hope Hill Road

Wallingford, CT 06492

Donations: Adults $6 Seniors (60+) $5.00

Children 5-17 years old $1 Under 5 FREE

There will be OPERATING LAYOUTS and VENDORS of model train items and die cast vehicles. Over 50 dealers and 1,000 spectators at our 2013 show. We will also have the “Roaming Railroad” to take passengers for a ride on the school property for a $3 fee. Free parking, handicap accessible, no stairs, great food on premises, door prizes.

This year’s show will include 17 vendors of non-train related items. The additional vendors this year will include: LD’s Chocolates, Birdhouses Plus, Jumbo Gourmet Candy Apples, Comfort Baby Creations, Grand Slam Sports-UCONN Items, Lovely Lathers homemade olive oil soap, Wildtree Food, Lynne Kramer Pendants & Scarves, Tupperware, Thirty-One Gifts, Rosa’s Gems, Otter Tree Candles & Gifts, Lady Bling Jewelry, Lisa’s Soaps, Joyce Sannizzaro Ruffled Scarves & Jewelry, Longaberger and SILPADA Jewelry.

For more information, contact PHYLLIS DRESCHER

(203) 265 0223
email jpdrescher@comcast.net

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS INFORMATIONAL FORUM REGARDING COMMON CORE

Thursday, March 27, 7:00 pm
Miller Memorial Library, Thornton Wilder Room
2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, 06518

CT Common Core Standards and SBAC Assessment Information Sessions

CT Common Core Standards and SBAC Assessment

There will be an information session to learn about the CT Common Core Standards and the SBAC Assessment on the following dates/times:

April 8, 2014 @ 6:45 p.m. – Rock Hill Elementary School

April 10, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m. – Pond Hill Elementary School

April 23, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m. – Yalesville Elementary School

Teen Safe Driving Seminars at Karting Facilities in CT and NY

Wallingford Parks and Recreation Summer Playground Program)

Wallingford Parks and Recreation Presents

(A summer playground program)

 

Who: For Wallingford children ages 6-11. (Children must be 6 by July 1^st  and no older than 11 for duration of program.)

 

What:  A summer playground program which includes arts and crafts, sports, in house entertainment, movies, ice skating,  swimming at Community Pool and more.

 

Where: Playground camps will be held at Steven’s Elem., Moses Y Beach Elem., Parker Farms Elem., and Yalesville Elem.

 

When:  Session I begins Tuesday July 1- July 18^th, 2014.   

             Session II begins Monday, July 21^st – Thursday August 7^th, 2014. Program is held from 8:30 a.m. –3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.  Program runs rain or shine!

 

Fee: Per Person Session 1 $70.00,  Session 2 $80.00.  Program is not pro-rated or charged daily. You must register per session.  Fee includes entrance for all trips, games, sports, arts and crafts, special guest appearances and bus transportation.

 

You may register at the Parks and Recreation Dept.

Registration forms will be available on February 24 at 9:30 a.m. location Room 1 at the Rec. Dept. 294-2120. Copy of birth certificate required to register - unless you have enrolled in programs previously.  Open to Wallingford Residents. (Non- residents will be considered mid - June)

WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY - CT 2014 FUNDRAISER DINNER

THIS YEAR THE WHVVD-CT COMMITTEE WILL HOST IT’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER DINNER AT ZANDRI’S STILLWOOD INN

SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014

COCKTAIL HOUR 6:00pm - 7:00pm

DINNER SERVED AT 7:30pm

ENTERTAINMENT TIL 11:00pm

For more information and to order your tickets please see the official website via  http://www.ctwhvvd.com/ctwhvvd.com/2014_Fundraiser_Dinner.html

 

GUEST SPEAKER

Connecticut Secretary of the State

DENISE MERRILL

ENTERTAINER PERRY GARDNER

Perry Gardner is one very funny guy. Besides being a regular at America's top resorts such as Caeser’s Palace and The Tropicana in Atlantic City, Perry is also a favorite at New York’s prestigious Friars Club where comedy legends like Carl Reiner and Alan King constantly ask for him after seeing him “kill” at the Soupy Sales Roast. In Connecticut, Perry made a splash last year as the winner of CBC’s Funniest Man in Connecticut Competition hosted by Gabe Kaplan.  Perry has also opened for numerous acts at Foxwoods Casino including Kenny G, Chicago, and The Judds.

Common Core PARENT TEACHER COMMUNITY FORUM

Common Core

PARENT TEACHER COMMUNITY FORUM

COMMON CORE STANDARDS:
LOOK CLOSER. UNDERSTAND MORE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
The Spa at Norwich Inn
607 West Thames Street, Norwich

Hosted by Connecticut Education Association
Cosponsored by Connecticut Association of Boards of Education

Please register for this event on the CEA website at
www.regonline.com/nor_commoncore

To register by phone, call Lisa Bickford at 1-800-852-0355

THIS FORUM WILL

• Allow all stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions about Connecticut's implementation of Common Core Standards/Smarter Balanced Assessments.
• Provide a meaningful discussion for teachers regarding the alignment of Common Core Standards and curriculum.
• Provide a common understanding about Common Core Standards and Smarter Balanced Assessments.
• Demonstrate Smarter Balanced Assessments and allow opportunities for hands-on practice tests.
• Encourage career and college readiness for students, as well as the importance of citizenship.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Parents
• Community Members/Organizations
• Policy Makers - State, Local, and Agencies
• Educators - Teachers, Support Professionals and Administrators
• School Board Members
• Union Leaders and Union Staff

Wallingford Fire Department requests the assistance of citizens “Help Clear Hydrants”

The Wallingford Fire Department requests the assistance of citizens to help clear hydrants.  Access to hydrants is critical to the safety of the community. 

The Fire Department is asking that residents adopt a hydrant during the winter season and make sure it is always accessible.  This is especially important given the recent volume of snow we have received. 

Please review the list of the hydrants to adopt the hydrant by your home.

Board of Assessment Appeals March Meeting Schedule

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY ANGELA KRYSTYNA ZANDRI

One of Angela’s “greatest hits” from 2013:

All the kids and I are walking down South Main Street one Saturday morning when we come upon a new home under construction with a portable bathroom in the front yard for the work crew.

Angela points to it and asks “Daddy, what is that?”

”That’s a Port-o-let” I respond.

Innocently, she responds “Oh, like on Star Trek”

“I’m sorry – what?”

“You know Daddy – they get in and they show up somewhere else”

I smile and I answer “That’s a transporter, pumpkin”. I also followed up with “Stay seven Angela – never grow up.”

Like all kids, she didn’t listen and turns eight today at 9:48AM EST. At that time eight years ago I was blessed with my little princess, three days early, at 7 pounds 10 ounces and measuring 18 inches in length.

I look forward to however many more years I get to have with her and all the amazement and wonder yet to come, just as I did that one Saturday morning.

Happy Birthday daughter – I love you.

Board of Education Budget Presentation 01/13/14

On Monday, January 13, 2014, there will be a presentation of the 14/15 central office budget proposal to the Board of Education.  This meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Lyman Hall High School VoAg Community Room.  Please feel free to attend.  If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more about the budget, the complete PowerPoint presentation will be posted the next day on the district website.

On Saturday, January 25, 2014, the Board of Education will hold a budget workshop for discussion and development of a budget to be presented to the Mayor.  This meeting is at 8 a.m. at the Lyman Hall High School VoAg Community Room.  Again, please feel to attend.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Sal Menzo, Ed.D.

Superintendent – Wallingford Public Schools

Parking Ban - Thursday, January 2, 2014

Parking Ban - Thursday, January 2, 2014

Due to inclement weather or a forecast of inclement weather, a parking ban will go into effect in the Town of Wallingford on:

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2014

Time: 5:00 p.m.

No vehicles shall be parked or allowed to remain on any public street while the parking ban is in effect. Vehicles found to be in violation of the ban will be tagged and towed at the owner's expense.

The parking ban will remain in effect until cancelled.

Please see the prior posted information regarding Temporary Parking Options During Winter Storms

Temporary Parking Options During Winter Storms

As published on the town website; there will likely be a parking ban with this storm – as soon as I can identify it’s been announced I will post and push it out.

The Department of Public Works reminds local residents that when a parking ban is in effect during winter storms, temporary parking is available in municipal lots. The parking options listed below are located in the downtown area.

Town Hall - 45 South Main Street
Municipal Credit Union - 88 South Main Street
Wallingford Public Library - 200 North Man Street
Caplan/Wooding Property - located behind the building that corners North Main Street and Center Street
Simpson Court Rear Lot - park in designated municipal area
Whittlesey Avenue & Orchard Street - park in designated municipal area
Meadow Street & William Street - park in designated municipal area
Railroad Station - park behind station on the west side of the tracks

Please remember that relocating your vehicle from the street assists with the removal of snow and proper treatment of the roadway surface. When a parking ban is in effect, motor vehicles may not be parked on any public street and are subject to removal.

Northern New England Intercity Rail Meeting

Save the Date! Northern New England Intercity Rail Meeting

On January 23rd the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative, a study to examine opportunities and impacts of more frequent and higher speed intercity passenger rail service on the Inland Route (connecting Boston-Springfield-New Haven) and the Boston-Springfield-Montreal Route (connecting Boston-Springfield-Montreal) will be held at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 60 Congress Street in Springfield, MA at 7:00 p.m.

This study is led by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Vermont Agency of Transportation, in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

This meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. To request any language (non-English) interpretation assistance, American Sign Language interpreters, assistive listening devices, handouts in alternative formats, or information on the meeting, please contact Jill Barrett by email jbarrett@fhiplan.com or by phone (860) 570-0740 by January 13, 2014.

Wallingford Christmas tree pickup

As published in the Record Journal Tuesday December 31, 2013

WALLINGFORD — The Public Works Department is scheduled to pick Christmas trees in all section of town on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Tree must be curbside by Tuesday, Jan. 7. Trees must be clean of ornaments, bows and tinsel. No plastic bags or wreaths will be picked up. Residents who miss this one-time pickup may bring trees to the Wallingford compost area at no charge.