A resident group will be meeting at Kendrick Park Saturday morning September 7th at 9:30AM for an idea share.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission attending as well as the vendor that created the Doolittle Playscape are expected to be in attendance.
For additional information please contact John Gawlak CPRP Director Parks & Recreation.
My youngest child is my son Alex – born on September 4 2009 at 10:20 in the morning (5 days early).
He weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches in length.
Like each of my four children, he has a strong personality and a happy and wonderful nature. He reminds me, without knowing otherwise, that living life simply is such a wonderful thing. I often say “you have to plan your life like you might live forever but you must live your life as if today is your last day.” Alex is my daily reminder of this.
So on your 4th birthday Alex and as you start Pre K this week, I want to wish you all of life’s simple pleasures – no one I know will get more from them than you.
Be happy, be strong, be gentle, and be kind; the rest will work itself out in the fullness of time.
I love you Captain.
Daddy.
The letter below was emailed to most parents in town via the schools their children attend. I wanted to push this out as others already have Wallingford wide as much as possible for maximum exposure.
Dear Stevens Parents,
We have received information from the Town of Wallingford Health Department that some mosquitoes trapped in the vicinity of South Elm Street, tested positive for West Nile Virus.
We will continue to work with the Health Department to monitor the situation and we will keep you informed regarding the issue.
Thank you,
Nicholas Brophy, Principal – Stevens School
If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Dr. Salvatore F. Menzo – Superintendent
Email - smenzo@wallingford.k12.ct.us
Twitter - @SalMenzo
Wallingford Public School District
43 Hall Avenue
Wallingford, CT 06492
203-949-6509
Wallingford Public School System Mission
To inspire, educate and support all students as they discover and pursue their personal best.
Great job Wallingford; less than 24 hours later and after more than 475 “shares” on Facebook this family pet is home safe and sound.
With all the focus on this since last night I wanted to make sure everyone heard the good news.
Amtrak continues the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. This work is required to upgrade signal and communication systems for the NHHS rail corridor and prepare for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.
As part of this work, beginning the week of August 19 there will be temporary detours and road closures along grade crossings in the town of Wallingford. Work at the following locations will occur during the daytime hours of 7AM-5PM.
Please note that this schedule is approximate and subject to change:
Every effort will be made to limit traffic disruptions, such as providing alternative traffic routes to motorists.
Future updates on the status and location of cable installation activities will be provided on the NHHS Rail Program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS Rail Program website.
Progress Update: Cable installation activity began in October 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2014. To date, more than 37% of the construction work has be.en completed, including cable installation from North Haven to Hartford and on-track cable plowing. In addition, the installation of communication and signal equipment, as well as bridge attachments continue.
Contact: Amtrak, Peter Finch, finchp@amtrak.com
So I was having a mediocre day (at best) when I decided to take a walk downtown and get some dinner at Archie Moore’s.
The place was no more or less busy than I would have thought for a Sunday night at 8:30PM.
I ate my Chef Salad, finished my diet Coke, and asked for my bill so I could pay up and leave as I wanted to round out a full 5 mile walk before it got too late.
The bartender told me I was all set, my check was paid for, and handed me this note (it was from someone that was sitting on the other side of the bar who I had helped years prior repairing their computers):
And that folks is how a mediocre day ends as a nice one.
Over the past 16 years this event at the Stillwood Inn has raised over $375,000.00 and we are hoping to take it over $400,000.00 with this year’s event.
If you’ve supported the event in the past we hope to see you again this year.
If you have ever thought about coming out for a night of food and fun in an effort to support this cause, there is no time like the present – please consider joining us for the 17th annual Party for a Cure.
All the information and details are below but if you have any questions please call the Stillwood directly.
On behalf of my Uncle James Zandri, thank you for all the years of support and we look forward to see you this year as well.
Nine years ago on August 8th, 2004 I became a father for the first time.
I really try to recall exactly what I felt that day but I have to admit that I can’t.
Now I might otherwise feel badly about that but seeing as how I had three more kids and literally hundreds of small adventures with them all, separately and together, I think it’s fair to say that I got on a rollercoaster that day that is still moving. It’s all been so much fun and adventure that it’s hard to single out specific events.
I know I was amazed, astonished, hopeful and happy. I am sure I was filled with many more emotions.
It’s been a lot of fun and I am glad the ride is still going. And like the rollercoaster ride – the life around all the kids is loud and exciting and as much of it seems like a bunch of fits and starts I wouldn’t wish it to be any different.
Andrew – nine years has already gone in the blink of an eye and I worry the next nine will too. In the meantime, while you grow more and more, and become more responsible for additional things around the house and in school…. let’s go exploring and see what’s out there. Tomorrow will come and you are getting ready for it. In the meantime, let’s just check out today.
You’re away in Poland for your 9th birthday, as you have been most years in August, but that’s OK because I know you’re surrounded by family and love. As a father that wants the very best for his children I couldn’t ask for very much more for you on your birthday and all the days between.
Happy birthday little man – I’ll see you in 20 days.
I love you
Dad.
![image_thumb[2]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwtXI_kXpLVqs09llsrSgFvNKsnw-9VjBWBD24_TQWrK2eh1pBi0O6FsfHFylXN3ICCy8nVncQdIgSbshZnXHgHBx-ef9Oy7Nfq0BzoiUB66-06S1w8IAdHnQcmPHQ63GD_pvCRSJZDg/s1600-h/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.png "image_thumb[2]")
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From Feb. 15, 2013- The RIR All Star Band- Wallingford Ct.
August 3, 2013 Wallingford CT.- The 3rd Annual Dry Dock Music Festival (4 Bands)-Tickets $25.00 - Featuring The RIR All Star Band - Richie Supa (Aerosmith), Liberty Devitto (Billy Joel) , Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), Muddy Shews (Southside Johnny), Mark Stein(Vanilla Fudge). More Info Click Link http://www.thedrydock.org (Use PayPal and Message Tickets) or Call 203-626-5560
"Please Share This Flyer.. Lets motivate 5 states (CT. NY. MA.RI. NH.) of in recovery people, or supporters of the recovery movement to come spend the day, have some fun, and support a great organization"... The RIR BAND
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A Message From The Dry Dock Founder - Rich Figlewski
![image_thumb[4]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z1IimHhZHDlxUHxONwha7cvSupOLxNdQqBPbC-MGV-BdcWNu4eAudqci6dxIX_5XUp2B6by2M86hROoooYGOVdS7nDLr5IJAmqBtlg1UTMWXO4JgHbsL9-plqi22Wg8QP6cn1YiTmbQ/s1600-h/image_thumb%25255B4%25255D%25255B2%25255D.png "image_thumb[4]")
Rich Figlewski, Founder and President "The Dry Dock "
"The Dry Dock provides a sober alternative to the community. A friendly, open and supportive place where fellowship is the cornerstone of recovery, an environment where an open heart, mind and understanding of recovery and it's pitfalls is openly shared, where living in the principles of a twelve step program is encouraged. I am I am also a recovering alcoholic and addict.
In January of 2010 two friends in recovery died. One drank himself to death and was found in his apartment 4 days later. The other wrote a note to his mother, went in the bathroom and shot up an overdose of heroin. The loneliness and pain were just too much for them. This story repeats itself over and over, daily at times, in the recovery community. I left my job in February 2010, took my severance and retirement and started the Dry Dock. I believe that by having a safe place for people saves lives. We survive on donations and the kindness of others. There are no salaries.
Your contribution will help keep us open. Your contribution will help save lives". Remember, "if you are not careful, you might just help somebody." Read More
Wallingford’s Ranee Bibisi has been fundraising the Bike CT Challenge to benefit cancer survivors. She is planning to partake in the 50 mile ride to support the Connecticut Challenge and help provide important resources for cancer survivors and has a personal fundraising goal set of just $750.00. With six more days to go she is about halfway there and I am sure Wallingford can help take her the rest of the way.
The Connecticut Challenge will take place on July 26-27. Proceeds from her ride will fund unique programs and research to help cancer survivors through exercise, nutrition and psychosocial support.
As quoted from her fundraising page: “Cancer survivors need follow-up care for life and I am helping them. I hope you will support my efforts by making a secure online donation here or printing out a donor form and sending it in with a check. All cancer survivors will benefit.”
Please consider supporting Wallingford’s Ranee Bibisi with her cause.
... STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY...
AT 327 PM EDT... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM NEWTOWN TO MIDDLEBURY MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING... AND WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER... IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER... YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
As published in the Record Journal Wednesday July 17, 2013
By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz
WALLINGFORD — A sometimes contentious discussion was held at Tuesday evening’s Town Council meeting on the proposed removal of 28 trees along Quinnipiac Street between Washington Street and Route 5.
The discussion was prompted by Councilor Nick Economopoulos, who said he is concerned that an arborist wasn’t consulted about work being planned, or for past downtown tree work. Economopoulos claimed that Public Works Director and Tree Warden Henry McCully said last year, during a hearing on the removal of six trees at Fishbein Park, that an arborist would be consulted in the future.
“I’m not going to dispute that,” McCully said, adding that the last time he spoke to an arborist was more than 10 years ago.
Over the next two years, McCully said, trees uptown and downtown would be replaced, but the type of trees that will replace them is still unknown. Not every tree will be replaced, he said; about 100 are marked for replacement.
“The trees are obviously overgrown and should be replaced,” McCully said.
Most trees in those areas were planted in the mid-1990s, others in the early 1990s, he said. In his time as tree warden, McCully said, trees have been replaced three times.
Overall, the project is estimated to cost about $65,000, McCully said, with the replacement of the 28 trees on Quinnipiac Street estimated at $15,700. The town has a tree removal and planting company under contract, he said. Trees cost about $268 each.
McCully and Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said that this will not be the last time trees are replaced.
“Are you telling me 12 years from now we’re going to do it again?“ Economopoulos said.
“Absolutely,” McCully responded. “Maybe a little longer than 12 years.”
“Will this be the last time trees are cut down? Absolutely not,” Dickinson said. Economopoulos was also displeased that a public hearing required by state statute on the removal of trees has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at Town Hall.
“I’m the one who requested it, and I can’t be there,” he said.
Town Councilor Jason Zandri and his father, Geno, both suggested that hearings be held at times more convenient to the public.
McCully said he held last year’s public hearing on tree removal at 3 p.m. “I don’t see why 4 p.m. is all of a sudden difficult,” he said.
At one point, Council Chairman Bob Parisi had to slam his gavel to bring order to the meeting, as Economopoulos took offense to Councilor John LeTourneau’s remark that “It’s amazing we’re having an in depth discussion over trees.”
LeTourneau said trees shouldn’t even be planted downtown because there is not enough room between sidewalks and buildings.
“I believe Henry has been doing the right thing,” he said.
Jason Zandri said business owners in the area should be surveyed to see what they want.
“I would really like us to accommodate their concerns,” he said.
Councilor John Sullivan said he would like trees to be replanted; “I just want to make sure we take a lot of care in terms of layout.”
McCully said there is a desire to keep the layout as is, and to plant new trees in the holes where old trees are removed. It’s easier to plant them in the spot they were removed,he said. To his knowledge, McCully said, the trees are not regularly trimmed and are only pruned on an as-needed basis.
Jared Liu, a Wallingford resident with a background in urban forestry in the Washington, D.C., area, said during the meeting that to cut several trees down at once is “incredibly unprecedented.”
Typically, every fifth tree should be replaced every five years, he said, so that a replacement cycle is created.
Taking all the trees down at once “would create a lot of problems,” he said.
Liu suggested that the town consult with the state’s urban forester, who can give the town free advice. He also suggested the town look into grant and loan programs with the U.S. Small Business Administration, The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. If there is enough interest in town, he also said state forestry officials can help organize a volunteer citizen action group that could help perform necessary labor at no charge to the town.
Paul Pender, who owns The Old Dublin on Quinnipiac Street, said he initiated tree removal when he lobbied the town to remove four trees from in front of his business because people could not see his sign.
“My only concern is my business,” he said. “I can’t blame Mr. McCully for any of this. He’s under direction from the mayor and the council.”
The public hearing on Friday will not be televised, McCully said. Several residents asked that the meeting be televised, or audio be recorded, but Dickinson said staff is not available. McCully said he would take note of all objections and render a decision by Monday.
Dickinson said that before fall, another meeting will be held by either the Town Council or Wallingford Center Inc. — which played a part in the decision to remove the trees — in order to discuss replacement plans.
Councilor John LeTourneau said trees shouldn’t even be planted downtown because there is not enough room between sidewalks and buildings. Councilor Jason Zandri said business owners in the area should be surveyed to see what they want.
As published in the Record Journal Thursday July 18, 2013
All of the Wallingford Briefs for Thursday July 18, 2013 are available via this link.
WALLINGFORD —Masonicare Health Center, 22 Masonic Ave., is hosting several musical performances through Aug. 29. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concert times are 6:30 to 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted. There will be free parking. Concerts may be canceled if it rains; in this case, call (203) 679-5900 after 3 p.m. for the latest weather related information.
Upcoming performances include:
Today, July 18 — Frank Porto Band, sounds of swing.
Thursday, July 25 — T-Bone, children’s fun night.
WALLINGFORD — Wallingford Public Library, 200 N. Main Street, welcomes all members of the community to participate in an anonymous online survey.
The feedback from the survey will enable the library to deliver the best possible materials, programs, and services.
Survey results will be reflected in the library’s forthcoming strategic plan. The survey is available in English and Spanish from the library’s website: http://www.wallingfordlibrary.org/
Paper copies are available at the library and the Yalesville branch at 400 Church St., Yalesville.
The direct link to the survey is http://bit.ly/wlfdsurvey
As published in the Record Journal Wednesday July 17, 2013
By Eric Vo
Record-Journal staff
evo@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@ericvoRJ
WALLINGFORD — Shortly after the town was founded in 1667, only two streets had names: Long Highway and Cross Highway, according to Town Historian Bob Beaumont. Today, Long Highway is known as North Main and South Main streets. Cross Highway is known as Ward Street, which may have been a tribute to the Ward silversmiths.
Cross Highway, or Ward Street, was one of four streets that ran across North Main and South Main streets. The other three are now known as North Street, Christian Street and Center Street. Beaumont said he isn’t sure why those streets didn’t have names during the early days.
Cross Highway was used by the town’s founding fathers for laying out property given to people who helped with the founding of the town, according to Beaumont.
“When the town was founded, the town fathers ended up allocating six-acre house lots to each of the planters involved in the founding of Wallingford,” he said. “Between Ward Street and Center Street, there were a total of five lots over that distance.”
“The surprising thing to me is that you have Center Street, which is the main street today. That’s where the church was, which was a very important place in the community,” he said. “Why that street had no name, I have no clue.”
Beaumont said Cross Highway was where a few well known people owned property. One of them, Nathaniel Merriman was one of the town’s founders and even represented Wallingford in the legislature, according to Jerry Farrell Jr., president of the Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust.
Farrell believes he was the reason that a section of Ward Street between Quinnipiac Street and Route 5 used to be known as Merriman Street.
Merriman owned property on the northwest corner of Cross and Long highways, Beaumont said. In the 1800s, the new owner of Merriman’s property was William Ward, who used the house for his business of making and selling and sold beaver and wool hats, Beaumont said.
But it was William Ward’s sons who would go on to have a more well-known business. From the 1830s to the 1850s, Henry and Smith Ward were silversmiths who made pewter coffeepots and teapots, Beaumont said. Today, some of the Wards’ pots can be found on online auction sites.
“During the 1840s, they were one of the few silver manufacturers in Wallingford and Meriden,” Farrell said. “It was a period of which the silver industry was just getting started.”
“They were making a transition from single handcrafted items of silver to mass manufacture,” he said. “They probably were implementing manufacturing processes even though their own background was in handcrafted items. They weren’t 100 percent hand crafted or 100 percent manufactured, but they were turning out large volumes.”
To power the machines they used, Beaumont said, the brothers “had a horse on a treadmill.”
“The concept is no different than running a mill, which is run by water power,” he said.
Beaumont said he wasn’t sure what happened to the Ward brothers after the 1850s, but their shop was sold and moved out of town. It’s likely their father stayed in Wallingford, he said.
Given the Wards’ significant role in the growth of the silver industry in this area, both Beaumont and Farrell believe it’s likely Ward Street was named after them and their businesses.
As published in the Record Journal, Tuesday, July 16, 2013
By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz
WALLINGFORD — A public hearing regarding the removal of trees on Quinnipiac Street will be held at Town Hall on Friday, according to a notice posted on the town’s website.
The town has announced plans to replace 28 trees on Quinnipiac Street, between Washington Street and Route 5. Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the plan is to continue replacing trees moving up Center Street to Main Street. There are 40 trees lining Center Street between Route 5 and Main Street. There is a mixture of pear and oak trees planted in the downtown area. They were planted as part of the town’s streetscape improvement program in the mid-1990s.
Friday’s hearing, to be held at 4 p.m. in council chambers, is strictly “for the purpose of tree removal on Quinnipiac Street from Washington Street to Route 5,” the notice states.
Last week, Public Works Director Henry McCully, who is the town’s tree warden, said a public hearing on the subject “is the proper procedure” according to state statute.
The trees planted downtown are supposed to be replaced every so often, he said.
“They are not the types of trees you expect to be here a hundred years from now,” he said.
After the hearing, McCully said he will make his final decision whether to proceed with the replacement program. It will cost the town an estimated $15,000 to follow through with the replacement of trees downtown, he said.
“If people want to object, I will take all of their objections into consideration,” Mc-Cully said. “I’ll make a final decision based on their consideration.”
Tonight’s Town Council meeting will include a discussion on downtown tree removal, prompted by Town Councilor Nick Economopoulos. The meeting will be held in council chambers at 6:30 p.m.
In his July 1 email request to have the discussion placed on the meeting’s agenda, Economopoulos asked Town Council Chairman Bob Parisi that an update on “the entire place for all ornamental tree replacements” be provided by McCully. Economopoulos requested that schematics and locations be provided for tree removal. He asked for the types of trees being removed, as well as the types of trees that will replace them. Also, he requested “the past ten years of cost annually for the licensed arborist to prune the entire streetscape area ...”
“Also please include the future plans of these trees long term,” Economopoulos wrote.
In response to the councilor’s request, McCully wrote a memo to Dickinson on July 8 stating that the plan for tree removal “is to address all trees in the downtown and uptown areas during the next two years.”
McCully said in the memo that the trees to be removed on Quinnipiac are Capital Callery pears. The types of trees to replace them “are still to be determined,” he wrote. In regards to the cost for an arborist, McCully said an arborist was not used. The long term plan for downtown trees is “maintenance as needed,” McCully said.
