Klarides-Ditria: Public hearing slated on property taxes, affordable housing bill

HARTFORD -The Planning and Development Committee will hold a public hearing Monday, March 22 at 10 a.m. via Zoom on S.B.1068 (Raised) An Act Concerning Property Taxes and Affordable Housing.  This proposed bill will tie an additional tax to properties assessed at more than $300,000 (estimated fair market value of approximately $430,000) to the percentage of "affordable housing" in each municipality. While I certainly support increasing options for affordable housing, penalizing residents of municipalities on this basis is excessive and unfair. We should use incentives to promote affordable housing, not the heavy hand of state government to punish local communities. The mill rate schedule for towns with a certain percentage of affordable housing is as follows: 10% or more                    0.0 Mills 8%, but less than 10%      0.4 Mills 6% but less than 8%         0.8 Mills 4% but less than 6%         1.2 Mills 2% but less than 4%         1.6 Mills Below 2%                         2.0 Mills Click here if you’d like to testify virtually (via Zoom.)  The deadline to register is Sunday, March 21, at 3 p.m. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes of testimony. The speaker order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Planning and Development Committee website on March 21 at 8 p.m. under Public Hearing Testimony. You may provide testimony via telephone. To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at 203-350-3769 to leave your contact information. To testify via email, submit testimony in a Word or PDF document to PDtestimony@cga.ct.gov.  Include your name and the bill number you are testifying on and please copy me on the email.

Sincerely,

Derby Public Library to host virtual discussion on Academy Awards

DERBY - Join a virtual discussion hosted by Derby Public Library at 6:30 p.m. April 12 about this year’s nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards.

Joe Meyers, who wrote about movies, theater, and books for the Hearst Connecticut Media Group, will lead the discussion. 

Register at https://bit.ly/3qKazaZ for Zoom link and password or call 203-736-1482.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Board of Education appoints business manager for Derby Public Schools

John Passarelli

DERBY - The Board of Education has appointed 
John Passarelli to the position of Business Manager for Derby Public Schools. 

The appointment was made on the  recommendation of the Advisory Selection Committee and Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway. 

John joins our family from the Production Resource Group, located in New Windsor, N.Y., where he was the director of finance and financial planning and analysis. 

Prior to PRG, he served in various finance/financial management roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career.

John received his bachelor of Business Administration Degree in finance and accounting from Pace University, his MBA from Mount Saint Mary College and is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Management Accountant. 

Board Chairman Jim Gildea said, “The Derby Board of Education welcomes John Passarelli to the family as our new business manager. John brings many years of service in the area of finance and we are confident he will continue the strong foundation that has been created by our previous business manager Mark Izzo. John has proven that he is a relationship builder and we look forward to working with him as a Board and watching him work with the various stakeholders and City officials.”

Mark Izzo, previous business manager, said, “I am excited to welcome John to the Derby Public Schools family. He has an extensive financial management background and will provide the district with outstanding financial stewardship as part of Dr. Conway’s leadership team. Congratulations and good luck John!”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew J. Conway Jr. said, “John embodies our Derby family
values and comes to the table with not only a strong financial background, but someone who has a reputation of not having ‘a bad bone in his body, a great guy and even better employee.’ We are excited to welcome John to the family. John will have the opportunity to learn from the best,
as retired business manager Mark Izzo will help introduce John to all aspects of the role of a
school district business manager.”

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Cabrera, Rochelle slate virtual office hours Saturday

Sharing from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby:

"If you have thoughts or questions about the 2021 legislative session that you want to share with me or State Senator Jorge Cabrera, join us for Community Office Hours on Saturday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Please email Liam.ODonnell@cga.ct.gov for the event link!"

Ansonia Police locate car used in attempt to stop vehicles, thank public for assistance

ANSONIA - Ansonia Police located the car used in the attempt to stop vehicles in the Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street areas yesterday, 3/18/2021, Lt. Patrick Lunch said in a written statement Friday afternoon. 

The car was unoccupied and was impounded by the department in order to examine it to identify the owner and/or occupants of the car. 

Thank you to all the citizens who provided information and assistance in locating the car.

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

 

Derby Historical Society offers free 'A Day in 1762' virtual field trips

 

Seymour Public Library to host Zoom presentation on Titanic

 

Center for Cancer Care at Griffin in Derby offers calls with colorectal cancer experts

 

The Center for Cancer Care is scheduling one-on-one phone calls with colorectal cancer experts March 24./ Contributed photo

DERBY -  In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital is offering free one-on-one phone calls with cancer experts March 24.

Griffin’s colorectal cancer specialists will provide individuals with trusted information to help them understand personal risk factors, explore lifestyle enhancements to lower risk, learn about benefits of early detection, and create a personal screening timeline. 

Participants will be able to make an appointment for a colorectal cancer test during the phone call if needed.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women in the U.S., and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. 

Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 (4.3%) for men and 1 in 25 (4.0%) for women. Colorectal cancer is estimated to cause about 52,980 deaths this year.

Fortunately, there are screening options, including colonoscopy, that can prevent and detect colorectal cancers at an early and treatable stage.

Appointment spaces are limited. 

Call 203-732-1280 to make an appointment for the pre-screening phone call or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Seymour Public Schools seeking nominations for Teacher of Year, annual awards

From the Seymour Public Schools' Facebook page:

"Hello Seymour School Community,

"Now is the time for you to recognize a teacher by nominating him or her for the 2021-2022 Seymour Teacher of the Year.

"The form is located on our website at

https://www.seymourschools.org/board.../teacher-of-the-year

"The deadline for Teacher of the Year submissions is April 12, 2021.

"We are also accepting nominations for our District Awards until April 12, 2021.

"This is a great way to acknowledge the work of those who have contributed to our district."

Derby Public Library slates virtual game night

 

DERBY - Derby Public Library will hold a Tweens/Teens Game Night (ages 10 to 17) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 23.

Participants will play the classic game of skill and chance: “YAHTZEE" Virtual.

For required registration and more information, visit https://bit.ly/38oXDkt

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

TEAM, Inc. to hold Zoom meeting on housing in Ansonia, Derby

 

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

 ... at 7 a.m. Happy Friday!