Week in Review

Argument Continues at Woodbury Board of Selectmen Meeting
For the third consecutive Woodbury Board of Selectman meeting, a significant portion of time was spent arguing party politics and a particular appointment to the Woodbury Elderly Commission.
Bea Arneson, a Democrat, and former member of the Elderly Commission was not reinstated at the conclusion of her term in December 2010, instead appointed was Clair Bennett, an independent. 
The decision to appoint Bennett was made by the Board of Selectman, a decision that has sparked a constant argument and created a hostile environment within board meetings for over six weeks.
http://patch.com/A-dY8J

Region 14 Superintendant Robert Cronin Headed to North Haven
Dr. Robert D Cronin was appointed North Haven's superintendent at Thursday's Board of Education meeting.
Cronin, currently the superintendent of Region 14 schools , will replace interim superintendent Patricia Brozek, who has filled the position since Sara-Jane Querfield vacated the post in July to pursue a job in the North Branford public school system. A total of sixteen people applied for the superintendent's position.
The Board of Education voted unanimously on Thursday to appoint Cronin, and to approve his hiring package, the details of which were not made public at the meeting.
http://patch.com/A-dYK4

Woodbury Antique Dealer’s Looking To Drum Up Support for Commerce Committee Hearing
First Selectman Gerald D. Stomski announced that he will accompany a contingency of area Antique Dealers that will travel to Hartford to present testimony to the Commerce Committee in support of the efforts of Senator Kane and Senator Witkos, for the establishment of a Connecticut Antiques Trail.
Interested individuals who wish to provide testimony are encouraged to contact the First Selectman’s Office at 203-263-2141, or email wdbysel@woodburyct.org. Written testimony will be accepted and is also encouraged.
The Commerce Committee will be holding the Public Hearing, SB-900 AA Establishing a Connecticut Antiques Trail, on Thursday, February 17 in room 1-D at 12:00 p.m.
http://patch.com/A-dX8K

Middlebury Police Blotter: Missing Property, Bobcat Sighting
Bill Blaschke of 411 White Deer Rock Road in Middlebury reported a diamond tennis bracelet missing to the Middlebury Police Department on Wednesday February 9 at approximately 3:50 p.m. Police are investigating the matter and classifying the report as suspicious activity and possible larceny.
Dave Fitzgerald of 170 Breakneck Road in Middlebury reported several gold coins missing to the Middlebury Police Department on Monday February 10 at approximately 2:10 p.m. Police are investigating the matter and classifying the report as suspicious activity and possible larceny.
http://patch.com/A-dX66

Wooden Warrior Rises from the Snow Drifts
It’s hard to imagine right now, but summer really is coming and Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury is working hard to get ready.  The Wild Mouse, an older metal roller coaster has come down, and crews are hard at work on a new, and more exciting, wooden roller coaster called “The Wooden Warrior.”
“It’s 1,200 linear feet,” said Quassy owner George Frantzis. “There are also 35 foot drops, and, in places, utilizing the topography, you might get even more than that. It’s a great ride for who we are. It is geared to family and could be a great first roller coaster for kids.”
http://patch.com/A-dSGM

Middlebury Business Accounts Remain Constant in 2010 Grand List
Middlebury saw 42 business accounts close and 82 new business accounts open throughout last year.
According to Middlebury Assessor Daniel Kenny these numbers are not unusual and the turnover reflects the average rate of change in Middlebury in the past few years.
The complete “Grand List” can be viewed at the Middlebury Town Clerks Office.
http://patch.com/A-dSYr

Malloy: Plan Now for Protecting Property In The Event of Spring Flooding
As the winter of 2011 continues to take its toll on homes and businesses around Connecticut, Governor Dannel P. Malloy is reminding property owners that the spring of 2011 could be just as potentially damaging, particularly for those property owners who live in areas where flooding poses a real threat. The Governor is once again reminding property owners that there is a 30-day waiting period for federal flood insurance from time of purchase before the policy goes into effect.
“We only have to look as far back as last March to realize the potential risks that lie ahead. The record heavy rainfall and damaging storms in eastern and southeastern Connecticut caused widespread flooding damage and upended lives and livelihoods for months,” Governor Malloy said. “It just makes sense to plan now to help protect personal property for this coming spring once this record snowpack thaws and causes local rivers and streams to significantly rise.”
http://patch.com/A-dTyn

Regional Dispatch Center Under Consideration
A cost saving plan to create a regional public safety and emergency dispatch center with neighboring towns is being explored by Newtown officials.
Maureen Will, Newtown’s director of communications, told the Board of Selectmen Monday the plan could potentially save Newtown alone $600,000 a year in dispatch expenses, about 80 percent of current costs, if the town can join with neighboring towns in a regional dispatch center.
Creating such a center would also entitle each of the towns involved, including Newtown, to receive a $250,000 state grant as an incentive and to defray the costs, Will said.
http://patch.com/A-dTyK

Woodbury Guitar Studio, A Haven for Enriching Musical Talent
Phil Forbes and Chris ‘Vic’ Vicari have been close friends for over thirty years and have always shared a passion for rock and roll. It was out of the nourishment of their interests and talents, they created the Woodbury Guitar Studio seven years ago.
Forbes started playing guitar when he was 15 years old, and soon after began to teach.  He studied under the tutelage of world-renowned classic jazz guitarist, Sal Salvador, who learned from jazz legends such as Johnny Smith and Chuck Wayne. Forbes explained that Sal, “taught me about guitar, but he also taught me about the business of guitar. Write your own books.  Why use somebody else’s?  So, I picked up a pen and I’ve written three books.”
http://patch.com/A-dRMB

Officials: Residents Must be 'Safe and Savvy' When Hiring Roof Contractors
This season’s unusually heavy snowfall and ice conditions have prompted officials to issue multiple advisories urging home and business owners to remove excess snow and ice from their rooftops and gutters.
In addition to concerns about roof loads, residents have begun seeing instances of water seeping inside. The snow on roofs has started to melt but with ice dams blocking its exits to gutters, interior water damage becomes a big concern.
“That water has nowhere to go, it can’t escape,” Danbury-based general contractor Matthew Terhaar said.
http://patch.com/A-dR1q

Chocolate Expo Draws a Crowd
Love was in the air at the 18th Annual Chocolate Lovers' Expo on Sunday. A love for chocolate, that is. From a glistening chocolate fountain to mousse-filled cupcakes to chocolate-covered bacon, this Easter Seals fundraising event at Southbury's Crowne Plaza satisfied even the most unusual chocolate cravings.
Before the doors opened, vendors were prepping their tables, getting ready for the hungry onslaught of more than a thousand attendees.
"The first year we started, we had 100 people," said Carolee Kalita, Director of Development for Easter Seals, which provides programs for people with special needs in the Greater Waterbury area.
http://patch.com/A-dQxW