Local News
2| Friday, July 5, 2013
NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER
Even without fireworks, much to do around town this weekend By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Not everyone is lucky enough to be buzzing off to out-of-town family picnics or the shoreline for all-American holiday festivities, so for those who are staying in Newington this weekend, what fun is to be had? If the weather’s good, consider checking out the town’s parks and pools. Mill Pond Pool is open Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6:15 p.m., and Churchill Pool, 12 to 4:45 p.m. The Lucy Robbins Welles Library offers its Summer Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., where families can stop in and check out the mysterious “Maker
Space,” and make a cool gadget. Night owls who enjoy live music, food and drinks have something to look forward to as well. On Friday at 8 p.m. The Reckless Abandon Band is set to play at The Black Rose Tavern, 1076 Main St. Saturday they will host The Strum Band. Indie-American folk singer and songwriter Jen Lowe will be performing at Lucky Lou’s Bar & Grill at 222 Main St. in Wethersfield on Friday at 7 p.m., and Mike Casey Jazz is set to perform Saturday night, same time. If storms don’t drench the holiday weekend, take a stroll through Old Wethersfield while you’re
NEWINGTON
NEWINGTON NEWINGTON Town Town Crier Crier
Town Crier
188 Main St., Bristol, CT 06010 (860) 225-4601 • Fax: (860) 223-8171 newingtontowncrier@centralctcommunications.com A Central Connecticut Communications LLC publication Michael E. Schroeder — Publisher Gary Curran — Advertising Manager James Casciato — Editor
At Your Service — We welcome your phone calls — and your visits. News Coverage — If you have a story idea or questions call (860) 225-4601 ext. 234. or email newingtontowncrier@centralctcommunications.com Sports Coverage — If you have a story idea or question, call Executive Sports Editor Brad Carroll (860) 225-4601 ext. 212 or bcarroll@centralctcommunications.com To Subscribe — To subscribe or for questions, call (860) 225-4608. Advertising CLASSIFIED & LEGAL: To place a classified ad, call (860) 231-2444. For legal advertisements, call (860) 231-2444. DISPLAY: If you have questions about placing a display advertisement, call Gary Curran (860) 225-4601 ext. 281. Copyright 2012, Central Connecticut Communications LLC. No reproduction or reuse of material without the express written consent of the Newington Town Crier. All rights reserved. To request permission to reprint any material from this publication, write to: 188 Main St., Bristol, CT 06010 The Newington Town Crier (USPS 618-380 and ISSN 0745-0796) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per year and $52 for out-of-state deliveries, by Central Connecticut Communications LLC, 188 Main St., Bristol, CT 06010. Periodical postage paid at New Britain, CT and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Newington Town Crier, 188 Main St., Bristol, CT 06010. Publisher’s liability for errors or omissions in advertising copy shall not exceed the cost of the space in which the error/omission occurs on the first insertion. Errors/omissions will be rectified by republication or by a credit applied to advertiser’s account; only one incorrect insertion of the same ad will be subject to republication or credit. No allowance shall be made in cases where the advertiser is at fault. Errors, typographic or otherwise, which do not materially affect the advertisement will not be adjusted. In no event shall Central Connecticut Communications LLC be liable for consequential damages of any kind.
there, as most of the shops and restaurants in the vicinity of Main Street will stay open Saturday. Or get a healthy dose of culture at area museums. The HurlbutDunham House along with the Wethersfield Museum inside the Keeney Cultural Center will both be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. In addition, the Webb Deane Stevens Museums will be open Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are within walking distance of each other. If you need to pick up any holiday picnic necessities last minute, Stew Leonard’s on the Berlin Turnpike will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. While residents have to wait until July 20 for Newington’s summer fireworks show, held in Mill Pond Park at the 32nd
AP
There’s plenty to do this Fourth of July weekend in Newington. From the Lucy Robbins Welles Library to Mill Pond Park pool, to musical performances at the Black Rose Tavern, there is plenty to see and do for everyone.
Annual Newington Extravaganza, weekend. they can skip over to Hartford’s The festivities kick off Saturday Riverfest, at Mortensen River at 4 p.m. with fireworks starting Front Plaza for a light show this at 9 p.m.
Newington residents, officials discuss rewrite of plan for natural disasters By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
to a natural hazard happening,” explained CRCOG representative Bill Perkins, one of the meeting’s facilitators. While this recent grant was simply designated for the plan’s revision process, there are more
outreach process into sub-regional groups. “What we hope to accomplish is to have the townspeople come to these meetings so we can explain to them the process and more importantly what their towns have identified as hazard mitigation actions,” Perkins continued. Newington’s section points to the Stamm Road area as particularly prone to flooding and suggests flood-proofing measures to be taken there, including the replacement of culverts. It also endorses the Metropolitan District Commission’s sewer improvements that have been in progress since its writing, as well as the facilitation of local emergency training with town police and fire officials. Representatives from each of the communities were present Tuesday, including Newington Police Lt. Michael Morgan. Attendees saw a presentation of the risk analysis process and issues specific to their towns, before they had the opportunity to make suggestions.
What can be done to prevent natural disasters from turning into catastrophes? That’s the question Newington residents and officials mulled over Tuesday evening at a regional meeting hosted by the Capitol Region Council of Governments. The purpose of the evening was to inform and gather ideas from the public on updating the Capitol Region Pre-Disaster Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was last revised and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency BILL PERKINS five years ago. It is due CRCOG representative to expire this September, and CRCOG officials are work- funding opportunities available ing on a thorough rewrite process for specific mitigation actions. But with the help of a $300,000 plan- to have a better chance at receivning grant from FEMA. ing these grants, towns should Tuesday night’s joint public have disaster preparedness plans outreach effort was open to peo- in place. ple from the towns of Newington, The current hazard mitigation Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, West plan outlines challenges, goals Hartford and Bloomfield where and recommendations specific to it was held. each of the 30 towns CRCOG “It’s a plan that identifies represents. Instead of hosting 30 Erica Schmitt can be reached at through a risk analysis those individual meetings in each of the (860) 225-4601, ext. 210, or areas that can be addressed prior municipalities, officials broke the eschmitt@newbritainherald.com.
“What we hope to accomplish is to have the townspeople come to these meetings so we can explain to them the process and more importantly what their towns have identified as hazard mitigation actions.”