Thursday, June 30, 2016

DEEP expects elevated wildfire risk in state over holiday weekend


Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today reminded residents and visitors that forest fire danger levels are “High” because of the dry conditions over the past several weeks – and that special care should be taken over the holiday weekend with the use of sparklers, fireworks, and other potentially flammable materials.    

“While some parts of our state had some rain in recent days, and there is a chance for some showers tomorrow (Friday), the forest fire danger will remain at High or above until we get a good statewide soaking,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.  
“As always, Connecticut residents and visitors alike need to take precautions to prevent forest fires – especially with the  forecast calling largely for hot and dry conditions to continue throughout the state over the next few days.”

Klee said if you are enjoying the outdoors at a state park or forest, always limit your campfires to the stone or metal rings provided, and be sure your fire is doused thoroughly when done.

He also noted that recent gypsy moth defoliation has left many trees bare – especially in the Southeastern, portion of the state – allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor and creating drier conditions that contribute to the rapid spread of fires.  

DEEP reminds all state residents that if they have a permit from their local Open Burning Official allowing them to burn brush on their property, the permit is not valid if the Forest Fire Danger is rated High, Very High or Extreme and you are burning within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland.  
The Forest Fire Danger is posted daily on the DEEP website at  DEEP: Forest Fire Danger Report 

 DEEP’s Division of Forestry constantly monitors the danger of forest fire to help protect Connecticut’s 1.8 million acres of forested land. 
Forest fire danger levels are classified as low, moderate, high, very high or extreme.  So far in 2016, 300 acres have burned in Connecticut.  The average number of acres burned per year in Connecticut is about 500.

Visit www.ct.gov/dep/forestfiredanger for the daily Forest Fire Danger level.

Anyone spotting a forest fire should go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to the local fire department. 


Forest Fire Prevention Tips
The DEEP encourages residents of Connecticut to protect their families and homes from forest fire by:
  • Making a fire safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings; 
  • Pruning away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly; 
  • Removing any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney; 
  • Regularly removing leaves and needles from gutters; 
  • Not storing firewood in the fire safe zone; 
  • Using fire resistant roofing materials; 
  • Making sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access; 
  • Have an escape plan and practice it; 
  • Following state and local open burning laws; 
  • Staying with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out; and 
  • Disposing of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.

For those who enjoy the use of Connecticut’s parks, forests, and open spaces, use fires with caution and follow these recommendations:
  • Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires; 
  • Keep all flammable objects away from fire; 
  • Have firefighting tools nearby and handy; 
  • Carefully dispose of hot charcoal; 
  • Drown all fires; 
  • Extinguish smoking materials with caution.


For more information on fire safety, contact DEEP’s Forestry Division at (860) 424-3630.


This is a press release from DEEP.  

Message from City of Ansonia: DOT to pave Division Street Friday


Attention Ansonia residents: 
Please be advised that the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation will be paving Division Street tomorrow, July 1st. 
Paving will begin at 7:00 a.m., delays are expected.


*Information shared from City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Gentile: Ansonia to get $400,000 grant for housing rehabilitation

Homeowners will be able to pay for improvements 
ANSONIA - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia/Derby, is pleased to report Ansonia is getting a $400,000 housing grant.  

The funds will help low and moderate-income homeowners to rehabilitate their homes.  

As many as 10 homes are expected to use the funds for roof replacement, heating system upgrades, window replacement, lead paint and asbestos removal, electrical, and building code upgrades.

“This is great news for Ansonia and for homeowners in desperate need of fixing up their properties,” said Gentile.  
“We all know how expensive it can be to pay for repairs and normal home maintenance. These funds will help ease the financial burden while improving property values.”

Twenty other towns in Connecticut with populations under 50,000 are sharing a $13 million Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.


This is a press release from the Connecticut House Democrats' office.


Sharing message from Derby official about Friday's fireworks

From an email this afternoon from Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

Updated info: 
"Mayor Dugatto has been informed that the Derby Shelton Fireworks will be postponed until Sunday July 3, 2016 due to the anticipated inclement weather tomorrow evening.

"We regret any inconvenience and wish you a happy and safe 4th of July weekend."


From an email today from town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:
  
"Please be advised that a decision will be made on the Derby Shelton Fireworks tomorrow by 12:00 noon.

"Please consult the Derby Website at www.derbyct.gov for news on this matter.  We will also send another email tomorrow to confirm.

"Thanks and have a safe holiday.  May the 4th be with you!"


*Full disclosure: This photo was not taken at the Derby-Shelton fireworks. I took it last year in another location.

Rubber City Blues Band to perform in downtown Seymour Saturday

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Culture and Arts Commission will continue its summer concert series Saturday with the Rubber City Blues Band. 


This 11-piece ensemble based locally out of Naugatuck will be sure to entertain with their mix of Pop, Jazz, and Rhythm and Blues selections. 

The concert will take place in downtown Seymour on the corners of First and Bank Street from 6-8 p.m. 
There is no rain date or location for the concert. Please bring your own chairs. 

Parking is available on surrounding streets, but do not park in the First Street plaza as shop owners will have your car towed. 

For more information please contact Kim at 203-888-7880.


* This information was shared on The Valley-Voice CT Facebook page by Kimberly Osgood, commission member.

Have an event you want to share with a wider audience? You can post it on The Valley-Voice CT or email me at pmcv394@gmail.com to be included on my blog and possibly in the newsletter.


TEAM in Derby offers free play groups on Mondays


DERBY - Free Learn and Play Groups for families with children 5 and under are offered at TEAM's Family
Resource Center, 30 Elizabeth St., from 10-11 a.m. Mondays.

* Enjoy guided educational activities exploring numbers, letters, crafts, music and more;
* Socialize with other children;
* Get ready for the structure of daycare and/or school;
* Learn if you are eligible for diapers and wipes from TEAM's Diaper Bank.
Walk-ins welcome; please call ahead because all programs are subject to change. 
Parking available in Derby Municipal Parking Garage. 
Your parking will be validated. 
Any questions, please call Jennifer, 203.736.5420 ext. 208.

*Information shared from TEAM's Facebook page.

Seymour Pink opens registration Friday for 5th Annual Pounding the Pavement


Sat. October 1st 2016  
Go BIG or Go Home!
As we prepare for registration to open this Friday for our 5th Annual Pounding the Pavement for Pink, we've looked at how this event has just exploded.  Over 2200 runners and walkers joined us last year, including members of over 80 teams. Over 2200 in only our 4th year!!!  We can't wait to see where we go from here.  Join us on October 1st to walk or run for Hope.
Registration for the 2016 POUNDING THE PAVEMENT FOR PINK:


Adults 18+Ages 6-17Kids Run
(8 and under)
Early BirdJuly 1-31$25$15$10
RegistrationAug. 1-31$30$20$15
Late RegistrationSept. 1-15$40$25$20
The first 1800 people to register will receive the 2016 race T-shirt.
Registration will open at 7am on July 1st
Team Registration Incentive... 
To kick off our registration -  the first 10 TEAM CAPTAINS to register their team and have at least 5 members register will be literally glowing!
Donations Appreciated!
We want to take this event over-the-top this year.  So we are offering an incentive to individuals that are interested in collecting donations for Pink. An individual who raises $500 in donations for Seymour Pink for their 5k run/walk, that person will receive a $50 gift card to either Hot Tamales, 500 degrees on Main Street OR Tavern 1757!  An individual who raises $1000 in donations will receive a $100 gift card to the one of these restaurants, YOUR choice!

If you want to get people to donate or sponsor your run/walk - the registration site will give you a chance to set up a "FUNDRAISER". This will allow you to set a goal and to have people donate towards your goal.
If you want to set this up when you register:
1. Navigate to the Race Page.
2. Select Donate from the left-hand sidebar.
3. Select Become a Fundraiser.
4. Enter in a name for your Fundraiser
5. Enter in a goal for your new Fundraiser
6. Add a message to describe your Fundraiser
7. Complete your registration

You can also go back and set this up after you register:
1. Sign In to RunSignUp
2. Go to your Profile
3. Click My Registered Races
4. Click View/Edit next to the registration to View/Edit
5. Click Fundraiser in the left-hand sidebar to begin

Here is a full How-To if you have any problems. https://runsignup.com/How-To/Become-Fundraiser 
Sponsor Opportunities
There are TONS of ways your business can help support this event and Seymour Pink.  The Presenting Sponsor level has been taken again by Haynes Construction (THANK YOU!!!).  There are other levels still available.  Please reach out to Mary Deming via email or phone(203-668-3170) for more information.

Seymour Ambulance to offer safety class for children




*Sharing this information from the Facebook page of the Office of the Seymour First Selectman.