Prst. Std. U.S. Postage Paid Naugatuck, CT #27
“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” ~ William Faulkner
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Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown A FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Volume VIII, No. 26
Friday, June 29, 2012
Legislators hold town hall meeting By MARJORIE NEEDHAM State Rep. Anthony D’Amelio (R-71) and State Sen. Rob Kane (R-32) held one of their regular town hall meetings Tuesday night to hear from their constituents in Middlebury. In sharp contrast to their February town hall meeting, when they arrived at Shepardson Community Center to find more than 30 area residents lining the hallway awaiting their arrival, this town hall meeting drew few people. Peak attendance of perhaps five residents occurred when Conservation Commission members stopped by before their 7:30 p.m. meeting down the hall. At first it appeared John Calabrese would be the sole attendee. Resident Bill Stowell asked the legislators to check that interest on state funds invested in school construction bonds is being returned to the state, where it rightfully belongs. Stowell said he asked about this at an earlier town meeting, and the legislators assured him the money was being returned to the state. Stowell said he remains concerned that is not the case. D’Amelio said they understood it was, but he and Kane would check on the matter again to be sure that was happening. Asked about the airport enterprise zone at Oxford Airport, Kane said he is waiting for Connecticut Department of Eco-
nomic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith to set Oxford as the first enterprise zone. “That will help Middlebury,” Kane said, “especially with the Preston Hill Office Park.” Kane said the biggest challenge facing the legislature when it reconvenes the first Wednesday in January 2013 will be the budget. “We have a $242 million deficit,” he said. D’Amelio and Kane both are up for re-election this year as voters go to the polls in November to select those who will serve in the Connecticut General Assembly for the next two years. D’Amelio said he hoped the Republicans will gain more seats in November. “The Republicans went from 37 to 52 in the last election (in the House),” he said, “and we’re hoping to pick up quite a few seats.” D’Amelio said he was hoping for a new day for Republicans after this election cycle. Kane, who is completing his third term in office, is opposed by Democrat James C. Gambardella. D’Amelio is opposed by Democrat Ernest Brunelli. D’Amelio said he though Brunel- Middlebury resident John Calabrese, left, asks a question of State Rep. Anthony D'Amelio (R-71), center, and State Sen. Rob Kane (Rli’s statement that he would 32), right, during their town hall meeting with residents Tuesday night in Middlebury. (Marjorie Needham photo) spend less than $1,000 on his campaign indicated he isn’t a serious contender. However, D’Amelio said his district can go either way and over the years has elected both Republicans and Middlebury Litchfield Democrats. 3-D Fireworks Wednesday, July 4, at dusk at Pet Parade and Turn-of-the-Century Fest Quassy Amusement Park. Special “3-D” viewing Wednesday, July 4, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the glasses sold for $1 to benefit Prevent Blindness Litchfield History Museum. All community Tri-State. Parking is $7. For more information members with or without pets are invited to visit www.quassy.com or call 1-800-FOR-PARK. participate or to observe. Pets of any kind are Middlebury residents also can enjoy Quassy’s welcome, but all pets must be either on a leash fireworks from the Middlebury Recreation Area or in a cage and, where applicable, must come (MRA), which will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a rabies certificate. To register for the paWednesday, July 4. Fireworks are scheduled for rade, call the Historical Society by Friday, June 10:15 p.m., and only Middlebury residents will 29. be allowed into the MRA after 8 p.m., provided The Turn-of-the-Century-Fest also will inparking is still available. There will be a $3 per clude an ice cream social and old-fashioned car charge for residents with no MRA pass. games. Fest participants will have the opportunity to compete in egg and spoon races, a tug Naugatuck of war, a sunflower seed spitting contest and Fourth of July Celebration Wednesday, July three-legged races. The event is free and open 4, at 6 p.m. at Naugatuck High School. Enter- to the public. Admission is free of charge to tainment, food, novelty booths, and a variety tour both the Litchfield History Museum and of family oriented activities. The evening will the Tapping Reeve House & Law School. culminate in fireworks at 9:15 p.m. The rain date Check-in for the parade will begin at 2:15 is Thursday, July 5. p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum on 7 South Street. The actual parade will commence Oxford at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact the The annual Quaker Farms Firemen’s Car- Litchfield Historical Society at 860-567-4501 or nival through Saturday, June 30, from 6 to 11 at education@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org or p.m. Fireworks are Friday, June 29, at 9:45 p.m. visit www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org with a Saturday, June 30, rain date. Rides and games will be set up, and food will be sold.
Area July Fourth events
Middlebury Lions Club scholarship
Requests for motor vehicle tax credits Donald Regan, right, Middlebury Lions Club president, presents the annual Middlebury Lions Club scholarships to Pomperaug High School graduates Johnathan Marquis, left, and Emily Bousaada at the club’s June board meeting. Bousaada, daughter of Michael and Doreen Bousaada, is headed to the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Marquis, son of Donald and Diane Marquis, will begin his studies at Naugatuck Valley Community College, then transfer to Southern Connecticut State University. Scholarships are awarded based primarily on service to the town and its various organizations. (Submitted photo)
The Middebury Tax Assessor’s office said residents requesting a tax credit on a vehicle they no longer own must present TWO forms of proof to the Assessor’s office. No adjustments will be made without the following: 1) Canceled plate receipt from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CT DMV). This includes plates for leased vehicles. 2) Proof the vehicle was sold, junked, totaled, a returned lease, or proof of registration of the vehicle in another state if a resident has moved out of state. A copy of a bill of sale, transfer of title, junkyard receipt or other proof the vehicle is no longer located in Middlebury.
It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to present proof acceptable to the Assessor’s office. CT DMV does not notify the Town of Middlebury of change in vehicle ownership. When you move, it is important to change your address on both your license AND vehicle registration with CT DMV. A tax bill
is not adjusted if a resident moves from one Connecticut town to another; the bill will be issued from the town where the vehicle is registered as of Oct. 1. Further information is available on the Town of Middlebury website, www.middlebury-ct.org
REMINDER: Middlebury Tax Bills Due Now All tax bills have been mailed. The last day to pay without penalty is Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. If you have not received a bill, call the Middlebury Tax Collector at 203-758-1373.
Book Review.....................2 Adoptable Pets..................8 Classifieds.........................7 Community Calendar.........2 Fire Log.............................2 In Brief..............................4 Legal Notices....................7
Library Happenings............2 Library Lines......................2 Nuggets for Life................6 Obituaries.........................5 Parks & Rec.......................6 Puzzles.............................7 Senior Center News...........3
Editorial Office: Email: mbisubmit@gmail.com Phone: 203-577-6800 Mail: P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762
Upcoming Events
Inside this Issue
WEDNESday July 4
THURSday July 5
3-D Fireworks at Quassy When: What:
Dusk Watch fireworks display at Quassy or from the MRA
Southbury Farmers’ Market When: 3 to 6 p.m. What: Various area farmers sell produce and more Where: Southbury Town Hall Green at 501 Main St. South
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Mail: P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 Published weekly by The Middlebury Bee Intelligencer Society, LLC - 2030 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762 - Copyright 2012