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For the people of Wallingford...

For the People of Wallingford - It's your town; get informed, get involved

Friday, November 30, 2012

REMINDER - Parsons House open house set for Dec. 1

WALLINGFORD — The Wallingford Historical Society will host a Christmas Open House at the Samuel Parsons House, 180 S. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Entrance to the house is free. Hosted in conjunction with the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce.

Information: Pat and Ray Chappell at (203) 265-0313.

Season of Celebrations - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

As originally provided on the Town of Wallingford Website

Saturday, December 1
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM


Wallingford Town Hall
45 South Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
Driving Directions

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Location: Town Hall

Visits with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus

1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Toy Collection
by Yalesville Volunteer Fire Department
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Petting Zoo
with Adorable Animals
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hot Cocoa and Cookies

1:30 p.m. (While They Last)

Photo Booth Pictures
by Show Stopper Entertainment
Sponsored by Wallingford Center, Inc.
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Horse and Carriage Rides

Rides originate in front of Town Hall.
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Yankee Chorus Sings Holiday Carols

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Chestnuts Roasted on an Open Fire

Little Portion Acres
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Frosty Parade

Led by DJ Lou Ferraro, Frosty and Rudolph, the parade will proceed from Town Hall down Center Street to Johanna Fishbein Park. 5:15 p.m.



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Location: Johanna Fishbein Park

Holiday Carols at the Gazebo
by the Wallingford Chorus

Reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”
by Mayor William Dickinson, Jr. 5:30 p.m.

Lighting of the Tree

Led by Mr. Joseph Archer and Children, generous donors of the tree. 5:50 p.m.

Free to Children of All Ages


Sponsored by Wallingford Public Celebrations Committee and Wallingford Center, Inc.

Thanks to the Department of Police Services, Department of Public Works, Edson Sea Cadets, Lyman Hall High School Key Club, Choate Rosemary Hall School, White Way Laundry, Mark Gingras, McDonald’s Restaurant and our elves and soldiers.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wallingford Democratic Town Committee Meeting

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Wallingford Democratic Town Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Time: 7:00pm 
350 Center Street
Wallingford, CT

Meeting Agenda

    • Roll Call
    • Acceptance of Meeting Minutes
    • Treasurer's Report
    • Chairman's Report
    • Local Government Reports
    • Announcements / Open Discussion
    •          Jason Zandri will address the DTC Members
    • Adjournment

Monday, November 26, 2012

Parsons House open house set for Dec. 1

WALLINGFORD — The Wallingford Historical Society will host a Christmas Open House at the Samuel Parsons House, 180 S. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Entrance to the house is free. Hosted in conjunction with the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce.

Information: Pat and Ray Chappell at (203) 265-0313.

AGENDA WALLINGFORD REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – NOVEMBER 27, 2012

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY
November 27, 2012

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

Opening Prayer – Reverend Dean O. Warburton, First Congregational Church of Wallingford

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

Presentation of Certificates to:

Wallingford Nitro U-12 Boys Soccer Team Fall 2012
South Central District Comp “A” League Champions and
Connecticut Cup State Champions

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $15,534.73 (#368 - #425)Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $5.00 (five dollars) for Youth and Social Services Special Fund to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3c. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $2,500 for Youth and Social Services Special Fund to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3d. Acceptance of Town Council Calendar of Meetings for 2013

3e. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of November 13, 2012

3f. Consider and Approve submission of a grant application for the Department of Justice Grant and appropriate $40,320 to DOJ Grants Acct # 100-002-2002-45214 and to the following: Video Equipment $14,875 Acct to be Established PSDN Router/Switch $5,015 Acct to be Established Firearms $20,430 Acct to be Established - Police Department

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

6. Conduct a Public Hearing on the possible sale of 41 South Main Street

7. Report out on the New Haven Hartford Springfield (NHHS) Commuter Rail Project – Town Engineer

8. Discussion and possible action regarding a formal purchasing procedure and policy to be   created, formed from the Code of Wallingford and the Town Charter of Wallingford – Councilor Jason Zandri
9. Discussion and possible action regarding a formal procedure and project plan to be created regarding the current and future repair and/or replacement of ornamental street lighting in Wallingford Center – Councilor Jason Zandri

10. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

11. Executive Session pursuant to §1-225(f) and §1-200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending tax appeal matter of CHREF v. Town of Wallingford- Law Department

12. Motion to consider and approve the settlement of CHREF v. Town of Wallingford tax appeal matter as discussed in Executive Session – Law Department

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Mansion opens doors for Victorian Christmas

As published in the Record Journal Sunday November 25, 2012

By Laurie Rich Salerno
Record-Journal staff
lsalerno@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@LaurieSalernoRJ

WALLINGFORD — When MaryLou McNamara dons her mid-19th century costume to walk visitors through the town’s silver museum today, she’ll be thinking about her father.

Her dad, Otello Massoni, was one of many men and women in the area who spent their careers working for the International Silver Co. in a Wallingford plant. He was a die cutter, responsible for the patterns on the end of silverware. He has since passed away, so McNamara and her mother, Carolyn Massoni, feel they’re honoring his memory and many others by promoting the Franklin and Harriet Johnson mansion, which houses the silver museum, with a Victorian Christmas open house today.

“They were such artists. They took their time to get things right. They were perfectionists,” McNamara said of the local silver workers on Friday, while on a break from festooning the mansion with period- inspired Christmas decorations that she and her mother either purchased or made.

Carolyn Massoni, a member of the board of the Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust, is officially hosting the event with the help of McNamara and her husband, Thomas, and their two daughters, Carleen and Lauren.

From noon to 5 p.m., the women, in Victorian costume, will show visitors around the building at 153 S. Main St. Their clothing will reflect the period in which the 1866 Italianate building and many of its furnishings were built.

The women will show off the furniture and the decorations they’ve carefully arranged over the last few weeks as a backdrop for the collection of locally made silver items that are in each room. Cider and cookies will be available for guests.

The event is free, and Massoni hopes that showing visitors the building will encourage some to donate to the museum.

“I think they’ll be inspired by it,” she said.

The house underwent a major 2002-04 renovation to return it to the shape the Johnsons knew when they occupied it. In the intervening years, it had served as tenement housing and a medical building.

Since the renovations, volunteers have donated furniture and have been raising funds for projects such as acquiring more period-appropriate decor, such as wallpaper and carpeting, to complete the historic look of the interior.

Massoni, who runs an annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for the trust at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, would like to see the museum use donations for cabinets that would display more of the silver that the museum owns.

The trust has been increasing events for the building in the last year, with lectures and summer open houses. During the weekend of Celebrate Wallingford, about 500 people toured the building, according to trust President Jerry Farrell Jr.

Farrell said he wasn’t involved in the planning for today’s event — that was solely Massoni and her family — but that he would be bringing his own family.

“It should be nice. It’s a nice kickoff to the season, hopefully something that can become an annual tradition,”Farrell said.

As for the Massoni family, they’re hoping to see a lot of people come through the mansion’s doors today. “The Silver Museum is near and dear to our hearts,” McNamara said. “We really want to see this place take off.”

Friday, November 16, 2012

CTDOT Begins Cable Installation for NHHS Rail Program

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has begun the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. The cable installation is part of the work required to upgrade signals and communications for the NHHS rail corridor. Installing the cables in advance clears the path for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.

On October 16th, the cable installation work began in Newington, West Hartford and Hartford. Work will begin next month in Hamden and progress north toward Newington.  Work north of Hartford is scheduled to begin in March of next year.  The cable installation work, which is being coordinated by Amtrak, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2014.

CTDOT will post updates on the status and location of the cable installation activities on the NHHS program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS program website.

REMINDER - No curb collection for storm debris / information on leaf pickup

WALLINGFORD — The Town of Wallingford will not have a curbside storm debris pickup; residents may bring the tree debris to the compost area. All debris must comply with compost area requirements. Given the storm restoration efforts and the approaching leaf pickup the town does not have the resources to pick up tree debris.

The leaf pickup information is as follows: Residents of Wallingford will have their bagged leaves picked up by the Public Works Department starting Monday, Nov. 19. All leaves to be picked up must be placed at the curb in paper bags, sealed with masking tape only, if needed. Bagged leaves need to be at the curb no later than Sunday, Nov. 18. This is a onetime pickup of leaves only, brush, trash or garden waste will not be accepted.
Residents who miss the pickup can take leaves to the compost area (John Street) at no charge. Do not rake leaves into the gutters per ordinance No. 380.

Compost hours until Nov. 30 are as follows:

Monday to Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Compost hours Dec. 1 to Jan. 15

Monday, Thursday, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Compost area will be closed Jan. 16 to March 15.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

SCOW to sponsor holiday wine tasting

As published in the Record Journal Wednesday November 14, 2012

WALLINGFORD — The Spanish Community of Wallingford will sponsor a holiday wine tasting at the Villa Capri, 906 W. Colony St., Thursday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

“Holiday Vinos” will feature high-end boutique wines from various vintage years so the public can see how the wine ages. The wines to be tasted will include sparkling wines, pinot noirs, cabernets, merlots and malbecs, along with some white wines. High-end wines will be featured, along with more affordable wines.

There is a charge to attend. For information, call SCOW at (203) 265-5866.

 

As published  via the Facebook invitation

Join the Spanish Community of Wallingford for our annual wine tasting benefit! Tickets are $25 each. Come and taste an abundance of high quality wines from around the world and receive a commemorative wine glass as our thanks to you for supporting SCoW!

High end wines including Arietta, Corison and El Molino will be featured along with more affordable wines. Guests will be able to order wine at special prices that night, with delivery planned before the holidays.

Additionally, during the event, we will be offering tickets for our 50 50 cash raffle and valuable silent auction items will be available for bid.

Our first wine tasting was a huge success last year! Come out and support our vital organization and enjoy a night of fun, conversation and great wine!

For tickets call SCoW at (203) 265-5866.

Monday, November 12, 2012

AGENDA WALLINGFORD REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – NOVEMBER 13, 2012

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY
October 23, 2012

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

Opening Prayer – Reverend Margaret Jay, First Congregational Church of Wallingford

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $15,120.86 (#294 - #367) Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $516 for Youth and Social Services Special Fund for Soldier Program to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3c. Acceptance of Grant from Liberty Bank Foundation and Appropriation in the Amount of $5,000 for Youth and Social Services Special Fund for WECARE to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3d. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $771 for Youth and Social Services Special Fund for Soldier Program to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3e. Acceptance of Grant and Appropriation of funds in the Amount of $928 to Revenue-Highway Safety Acct 1002001-45208 and to Police-Overtime Acct # 10020050-51400 – Police Department

3f. Acceptance of Grant and Appropriation of funds in the Amount of $1,429 to Revenue-Highway Safety Acct 1002001-45208 and to Police-Overtime Acct # 10020050-51400 – Police Department

3g. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of October 23, 2012

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

6. Consider and Approve an Appropriation of Funds in the Amount of $90,473 to Special Revenue Fund CRRA Distribution (Fund # 200) to CRRA Distribution – Revenue Acct #200 and to Backhoe-Public Works Acct # New Line to be established – Public Works

7. Discussion and possible actions, totaling $332,564, with respect to the financing of the Architectural Design Services for the North Farms Fire Station project:

7A. Consider and Approve an Appropriation of $252,564 within the CRRA Distribution Fund (#200) to Revenues-CRRA Distribution Acct # 200 0001 and Expenditures – Transfer Out to North Farms Fire Station Project Fund (#306) Acct # 20080350 59220

7B. Consider and Approve a Transfer of $80,000 within the North Farms Fire Station Project Fund from Line Item # 30680350-20048 – Property Acquisition, Demolition Acct # 30680350 20048 to a New Expenditure Line Item in Fund #306 - Architectural Design

7C. Consider and Approve an Appropriation of $252,564 in the North Farms Fire Station Project Fund to Revenues-Transfer in from CRRA Distribution Fund #306 and the New Expenditure Line Item within the North Farms Fire Station Project Fund (#306) – Architectural Design - Fire Department

8. Discussion and Possible Action with regard to the latest bid submission for 41 South Main Street property and the former American Legion Building – Chairman Robert Parisi

9. Discussion regarding Ornamental Street Lamps - Councilor Jason Zandri

10. Discussion regarding Pickett Avenue paving - Councilor Jason Zandri

11. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

Friday, November 9, 2012

Wallingford’s Mercier family – owners of the Halloween House / Winter Holiday House –need your help

For those of you that are unaware, the Merciers are the family that lives on the corner of South Elm Street at Pond Hill Road where it heads towards Lyman Hall.

Each year for the past couple of decades, they have been decorating their side yard with seasonal displays; first at Halloween and then again at the end of the year for the Christmas Season.

In 2009 they were featured in the Record Journal article titled Friends, family keep yard display going, where there were some troubles for the family in keeping up with the costs of the lighted displays.

Wallingford stepped up then to help out at that time and unfortunately the family needs help again for a very different reason.

The following information was supplied to me from the Pitt family who own
Wallingford Computer Center regarding the current plight of the Mercier Family:

 

Many local residents in the Wallingford area know them as simply, the couple from the Halloween House or The Christmas House, depending on the season.

John and Linda Mercier have built up an abundant supply of holiday yard displays including many inflatables during the last twenty years at their South Elm Street property and openly invite the community to visit.

For many families it has become a yearly tradition to visit John and Linda who are known to joyously greet their visitors with a smile and and candy.

Sadly, last Sunday afternoon, John took what his wife described as a horrific fall off of a ladder when he was taking down some Halloween decorations. He fell some 20 feet which caused multiple injuries to his face, arm and eyes. He will need surgery to repair his arm. His eyes, which already had near blindness in one, have been damaged.

John has been in ICU at Yale, but Linda said once stable, he will probably be moved to a nursing home or rehabilitation center. Due to her own disability, Linda who is wheelchair bound most of the time, would be unable to care for him at home.

The couple has already been having a rough year, financially and now with daily trips for Linda to the hospital, even paying for parking has become a strain.

Linda’s church has pledged to pay for her gas to help her in getting to and from the hospital and eventually when John’s in rehabilitation. Neighbors have helped with household chores and she's getting some assistance for meals.

When the community began to hear about the accident, they were asking what they could do for this couple who has brought so much joy to the community. Friends feel their immediate need is financial.

 

My family has enjoyed, for free, their displays for the past eight years. We never stop in their driveway as so many do; my kids like to drive back and forth past it so we travel the long way home many times just to see it – yet again.

I am putting up this post using Katrina Pitt’s message above (in bold) in the hopes the community can come together a little here and help them out.

I am going to donate a little bit of my own cash to the effort; I hope that if you have the ability to do the same that you will help out.

It’s probably not the biggest tragedy of the year or even the season but as described it is a big impact to this family.

And I can’t think of a better example of an everyday family that personifies “Wallingford”

If you can – please help.

Donations are being collected via the Pitt family at Wallingford Computer; you can make your check out to Linda Mercier and drop it off or mail them c/o Wallingford Computer 428 N. Colony RD Wallingford CT 06492 (rather than mailing them directly to Linda Mercier and having them sit in her mailbox while she is not at home).

For those of you with questions please email me –
Jason@Zandri.net and I can follow up with the Pitt family who is organizing the effort. Obviously if you know the Pitts or are customers of Wallingford Computer you can contact them directly.

Most of us are not wealthy and do not have a lot to give. Skipping a week’s worth of coffee or brown bagging a lunch could allow for a small donation.

A little, in abundance, is a lot.

Thank you for the consideration.

Local Veterans Day events

As published in the Record Journal Friday November 9, 2012

Meriden

Temple B’nai Abraham brunch honoring veterans of Israel and U.S. on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. Rabbi Michael Kohn will speak on issues affecting Jews in the military. To make a reservation, call the temple office at (203) 235-2581. Polish League of American Veterans church service at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast at the PLAV Hall, 193 E. Main St., at 9:30 a.m. honoring the veterans. Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Boulevard, 485 Broad St., Monday, Nov. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Wallingford

Veterans Day ceremonies on the parade grounds in front of Town Hall, 45 S. Main St., on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. Veterans Day all-you-can-eat breakfast at Wallingford Elks Lodge 1365, 148 S. Main St., on Sunday, Nov. 11, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Veterans eat free with military identification. Antique Veterans World Post #1 flag presentation at the beginning of services at Heritage Baptist Church on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.

Southington

Veterans Day ceremonies at American Legion Post 72, 66 Main St., at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. The public is invited. Brunches for local veterans at the Plantsville School and Flanders School cafeterias on Monday, Nov. 12, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Cheshire

Veterans Day public ceremony at the First Congregational Church, 111 Church Drive, on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

MALLOY RELEASES FACT SHEET ON HOW TO APPLY FOR STORM SANDY DISASTER ASSISTANCE

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released a useful fact sheet for Connecticut residents seeking information on how to apply for federal disaster assistance resulting from Storm Sandy.  The fact sheet provides step-by-step details on how the FEMA application process works and can be downloaded at www.ct.gov/sandy.

“Right now, one of our top priorities following Storm Sandy is to help individuals and business owners get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible,” Governor Malloy said.  “This fact sheet is a one stop resource for residents – one that will be regularly updated with the latest information.”

The fact sheet will continue to be updated in the coming days as developments are made and additional assistance may become available.

When registering for the assistance, the Governor and FEMA are encouraging residents to utilize the online registration method at www.DisasterAssistance.gov in order to expedite the registration process and avoid potential telephone hold times.

Monday, November 5, 2012

WALLINGFORD VOTING LOCATIONS FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2012

As published in the Record Journal Sunday November 4, 2012

Assembly District 85:
District 2: Stevens School gym, 18 Kondracki Lane.
District 3: Moses Y. Beach School gym, 340 N. Main St.
District 4: Dag Middle School gym, 106 Pond Hill Road. District 5: Cook Hill School gym, 57 Hall Road.

Assembly District 86:
District 1: Pond Hill School gym, 297 Pond Hill Road.

Assembly District 90:
District 7: Yalesville School cafeteria, 415 Church St. (Rte. 68). District 8: Senior Center, 238 Washington St.
District 9: Rock Hill School cafeteria, 911 Durham Road.

Assembly District 103:
District 6: Parker Farms School cafeteria, 30 Parker Farms Road.

Voter information: (203) 294-2125

Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Benefits of Broadband Internet Access

Jose Juan Gutierrez recently published an article over on Hubpages (called a "hub” on the site) that outlined in everyday terms some of the many benefits of broadband, sometimes referred to as high speed internet, access.

His topics included ease of use, impact of the internet and the high speed connection with respect to education as well as the benefits to small and large businesses alike.

Without a doubt “The Benefits of Broadband Internet Access” hub is a recommended read for people trying to get a high level understanding of the high impact, ease of use, and the positive change the service had brought to it’s users over the past ten years.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

HURRICANE SANDY Cleanup–Announcement from the Town of Wallingford

The Town of Wallingford will NOT have a curbside storm debris pickup; residents may bring the tree debris to the Compost area.

 

All debris must comply with the Compost area requirements.

 

Given the storm restoration efforts and the approaching leaf pickup, the Town does not have the resources to pick up tree debris.

As posted via http://www.town.wallingford.ct.us/News/newsView.asp?newsID=40968210

HURRICANE SANDY - FEMA Individual Assistance

Registration for FEMA Individual Assistance Programs

can now be done by telephone at

1-800-621-3362

 

For people with speech or hearing disabilities, at

TTY 800-462-7585

 

Registration can also be done on-line at

www.disasterassistance.gov

 

Locations and dates for Disaster Recovery Centers will be announced in the future.