TEAM announces appointment of new CEO effective today

Timothy Makris

 

Derby Public Library Board of Directors to meet Wednesday; open to the public

DERBY - There will be a Derby Public Library Board of Directors meeting in the Upper Level Community Meeting Room at 6:15 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21. 

The meeting is open to the public.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

Derby Public Library Board to meet Wednesday

DERBY - The Derby Public Library Board of Directors will meet in the Community Meeting Room at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The meeting is open to the public. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

Shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Public Library Board of Directors to meet today

DERBY - Derby Public Library Board of Directors will meet in the upper level meeting room at 6:30 p.m. today, Nov. 20.

The meeting is open to the public. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Historical Society seeks new members for Board of Directors

The Derby Historical Society was founded on April 18, 1946, to serve the Naugatuck Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

Contact Us

37 Elm Street
Ansonia, CT 06401
(203) 735-1908
info@derbyhistorical.org
www.derbyhistorical.org  

Derby Public Library Board of Directors announces scholarship award recipient

Schuyler Cummings

DERBY - The Library Board of Directors has announced the 2021 Scholarship Award recipient is Schuyler "Sky" Cummings.

She will receive her $500 prize award virtually from the Library Board of Directors.

After graduating Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Sky will attend University of Connecticut in Storrs and plans on majoring in English Literature.

In her essay Sky wrote,“The ignorant become educated, the lonely find a friend, and those in the dark turn on the light. This is the kind of power that libraries, books, and authors all hold. A cornerstone to every community, the library, in every essence, is every town’s very own fairy tale.”

We wish Sky many adventures and hope she comes back to visit us.

In addition to the monetary prize, her name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Teen Zone.

For the meeting's Zoom details, please visit https://www.derbyct.gov/meetings

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Congratulations and best wishes to Sky in her future endeavors!

Derby Historical Society recognizes longtime member of Board of Directors

Thank you, Kevin C. Henri, for having served Derby Historical Society in many capacities over the last 9+ years. 

Congratulations on reaching Emeritus status for your service on the Board of Directors.

This is a press release from Daniel Bosques, executive director, Derby Historical Society.

Valley Community Foundation welcomes new board members

 Burrell                 Grizzle             Tarasovic

DERBY - The Valley Community Foundation’s Board of Directors welcomes Tammy Burrell, Christopher Grizzle, and Patricia Tarasovic to the Board. 

Each new member has extensive involvement in their personal, professional, and volunteer capacities throughout the Valley.

 

The VCF Board announced additional developments: Jack Walsh, former Vice-Chair, will now serve as the incoming Board Chair and current Board Chair Donald Smith, Jr. will become the Immediate Past Chair on the Executive Committee until the completion of his term of service in 2021.
Jennifer Magri has been elected to Vice-Chair with Raymond Oppel and Marianne Smythe continuing their respective roles as Treasurer and Secretary.

 

During his tenure on the Board, Smith has served as Governance Committee Chair and Vice-Chair. During 2020 he led VCF through strategic decision making and responsive measures to assist Valley nonprofits during the pandemic. Incoming VCF Board Chair Jack Walsh is a life-long resident of Derby who served as President & COO of Valley United Way from 1989 until his retirement in 2016. 

He currently serves as President of the Board of Directors at Derby Neck Library and is Chairman of Derby’s Water Pollution Control Authority. He is a past Chair of Derby's Park & Recreation Commission, currently chairs the City's Greenway Committee, and is co-chair of the Naugatuck River Greenway Committee. Walsh most recently chaired VCF’s Program Committee in addition to serving as Vice-Chair of the Board.

 

VCF thanks Alan Tyma for his extensive service on the Board of Directors. Now completing his second and final seven-year term, he was among the founding members of the VCF Board of Directors when the organization was established in 2004. 

During his tenure, Alan served a three-year term as VCF Board Chair and as the first Mission Related Investment Committee Chair for the organization. During his first term, Alan served on the Board for VCF’s partner in philanthropy, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, where he also served as Board Chair.

 

Sharon Closius, VCF President and CEO, said: “On behalf of the VCF Board of Directors, we are thrilled to welcome Tammy, Chris, and Patricia. While each is entering their first term on the Board, they bring incredibly impressive and diverse lived experience as it relates to their community involvement. Their contributions will be invaluable resources to VCF as we build the Valley’s permanent endowment. 

"We also thank Don for his Board chairmanship during such an unprecedented year. His leadership has positioned VCF to respond to our Valley’s rapidly changing needs. I look forward to working with Jack Walsh. His knowledge of the Valley and the area nonprofits couldn’t come at a better time as we continue to respond to the COVID crisis.
"We also extend a very appreciative and warm farewell to Alan Tyma. As a founding Board member, Alan has been involved with so many Valley nonprofits and projects that it is very difficult to name them all. We are fortunate that he took on the project to help start a community foundation in the Valley! We are forever grateful for his time, counsel, ambition, and belief in VCF over his many years of committed service.”

 

New VCF Board Members:

 

Tammy Burrell

Tammy L. Burrell, a CPA, is a lifelong Valley resident who grew up in Shelton. She has served on the BHcare Board of Directors for 15 years. 

In this capacity, she serves as Treasurer and Chair for the Back to School Program and the Under the Tree Project.

She has lived in Seymour with her husband, Al, since 1997. Together they have volunteered with a range of nonprofit organizations in support of Thanksgiving and holiday efforts. In her free time, Tammy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and being outdoors.

 

Christopher Grizzle

 

Christopher (Chris) H. Grizzle is a recently retired, 28-year Air Force Veteran. Throughout his military career, he was able to travel the world, embrace many different cultures, and serve as a K-9 handler specializing in bomb and drug detection. During his time as a handler, Chris was selected to work with the Secret Service and was assigned to the Presidential Support Team.

 

He later served as a Cyber Transport Technician for nearly a decade with the Connecticut Air National Guard where he deployed twice for Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle, as well as providing support domestically after Hurricane Katrina.

 

From 2008-2019, he served as a Production Recruiter, Recruiting Office Supervisor and Recruiting and Retention Manager. Throughout his recruiting career, he built and nurtured strong relationships with educators, influencers, families, and young adults.

He is also an active member of James H. Wilkins Lodge #9 based in Ansonia. Chris loves the outdoors. Some of his hobbies include fishing, skiing, kayaking, and hunting. Even with his adventurous side, he still refuses to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft or ride on rollercoasters. Chris and his wife, Sonia, have resided in Ansonia since 2001.

 

Patricia Tarasovic

 

Patricia C. Tarasovic has spent three decades working in the nonprofit sector, serving on a range of committees, councils, and task forces, and has spent her professional career supporting the long term good of the Valley. 

Since retiring from Valley United Way in 2020 as the Vice President of Community Engagement, she has continued to remain active in the community for which she has a very special appreciation.

 

In her various roles, Patricia created and advanced a number of initiatives such as the Corporate Volunteer Council, High School Volunteer Council, Harvest House, as well as the Back to School Clothes for Kids and Youth Leadership Programs. She helped develop the Food Security Task Force, served as Chair on the Valley Council for Health and Human Services, and received a Governor appointment to the CT National Service Committee where she serves as a Commissioner. Pat served as Co-Chair of the Breast Wellness Center Campaign and Co-Chaired the Valley Goes Pink initiative for five years.

 

Recognized for her contributions, Patricia has received numerous awards. She is a Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal recipient, CT Statewide Education Association Volunteer of the Year, and a Dr. John Ireland Award recipient from Derby Historical Society. She has also been a Derby-Shelton Rotarian for the past 20 years, where she also served as President. She is a Griffin Hospital Corporator and has been recognized as a Woman Making a Difference.

 

Originally from Massachusetts, Pat and her husband, Nicholas, have lived in Oxford for 40 years. Together they have three children and six grandchildren.

 

Departing Board Member:

 

Alan Tyma

 

Alan Tyma was raised in Derby. He was a founding Board member of the Valley Community Foundation and returned for a second seven-year term. Alan created the John Tyma Fund at VCF to honor his father, who passed away at a young age. He is also a co-founder of the law firm, Ryan & Tyma in Shelton. Alan has served as counsel to many local nonprofits and Corporation Counsel to Derby and Assistant Corporation Counsel to Shelton. He has also served in leadership positions on many area Boards of Directors, including The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Valley Chamber of Commerce, Griffin Hospital and the Valley Regional Water Authority, among others.

 

About the Valley Community Foundation

 

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) distributes $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives a majority of its discretionary funding as a result of The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, visit www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

 

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors welcomes Shelton native

Aleta Miner

DERBY - The Valley Community Foundation’s Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Aleta Miner, Assistant to the President of the Shelton Economic Development Corporation. 

Sharon Closius, VCF President and CEO, said, “On behalf of the VCF Board of Directors, we are thrilled to welcome Aleta. Having spent the past two and a half decades with the Shelton Economic Development Corporation, she brings a level of energy and connectivity that we are very fortunate to have. 

"Her professional and personal involvement throughout the City of Shelton, and the Valley as a whole, speaks volumes to how committed she is to not only this community but the organizations that serve it. We look forward to having Aleta join us as we work towards building the Valley’s permanent philanthropic endowment.”

Aleta Miner

Aleta Miner, a Shelton native, has worked as assistant to the President of the Shelton Economic Development Corporation since 1994. She is proud of her contributions to Shelton’s dramatic economic growth in both the commercial and residential sectors, especially in the downtown area. 

Having served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley for nearly two decades, Aleta has also been involved with several other nonprofits and organizations. She served on the Strategic Planning Committee for Center Stage Theatre, as a Corporator of BHcare, and on the Advisory Board for the Yale University Community Rowing Program. 

She also holds an elected office with the City of Shelton on the Library Board of Trustees. 

No stranger to the Valley Community Foundation, Aleta has been involved with VCF’s Community Grant Program, Board Advisory Council, and Development Committee. 

She has also received the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal Award in recognition of her many civic contributions. 

When not busy improving her corner of the world, Aleta enjoys entertaining friends and family at her home along the Housatonic River with her husband Ed and daughters, Ali and Kate. 

About the Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. 

VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives a majority of its discretionary funding as a result of The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help support the quality of life in the Valley, visit www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President Sharon Closius at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Adam's House in Shelton names 2 new board members

Renata Plonski

Sarah Prout

SHELTON - Adam’s House has announced the appointment of two new members to the Board of Directors for the nonprofit grief support and education center in Shelton.

Joining the Board are: Sarah Prout, the Director of Finance and Human Resources at The Arc of Litchfield County, Inc. (LARC) in Torrington, and Renata Plonski, who brings more than a decade of healthcare management experience to her new position.

Prout and Plonski will join Board President Adam Lewis and seven other board members in providing leadership to Adam’s House, which provides free educational and peer-support programs to grief-stricken children and families in Connecticut.

Adam’s House Founder and Executive Director Allison Wysota said Prout and Plonski have exceptional backgrounds that will certainly be an asset for Adam’s House.

“Sarah Prout and Renata Plonski not only possess outstanding credentials in their respective fields, but both women have a strong community spirit and dedication to helping others,” Wysota said. “We know their education, talents and expertise will help Adam’s House craft valuable strategies and new ideas to enhance our mission. They join Adam’s House at a very exciting time for us as we continue to attract more clients and expand our role in the Valley community.”



Adam's House is located at 241 Coram Ave., Shelton.

This is a press release from Adam's House.

Boys & Girls Club in Shelton names new board president

Fred Serra/ Contributed photo

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is pleased to announce its new Board President and five new Directors:

Frederick W. Serra, NFP – President
Harry Burlakoff, Minuteman Press of Shelton – Director Christopher Douglas, Encon – Director
Dave Jones, Splash Car Wash – Director
Christen Perry, Wellington’s Restaurant – Director Carlo Sarmiento, City of Derby – Director
“Fred has clearly demonstrated his commitment and value as a member of our Board of Directors,” Shaye Roscoe, Executive Director, said. “Fred’s company, Serra & DelVecchio, has been a valued supporter of our Club for more than a decade. We look forward to his leadership over the next three years, as well as the experience of our five new Directors: Harry Burlakoff, Christopher Douglas, Dave Jones, Christen Perry, and Carlo Sarmiento.”

Serra, a Club kid himself, brings a wealth of experience to the Boys & Girls Club as a local business owner of 35 years. 
Serra began serving the Club in 2005 as a Corporator, advancing to a Director, and taking the reins as Back-a-Kid Annual Appeal chairman in 2017, before being tapped for the Presidency.
During his career Serra was CEO and Chief Mergers and Acquisitions Officer of Serra & DelVecchio Insurance. He is now a Managing Director of NFP, the fourth largest independent insurance broker in the country. 
Serra serves on many local boards and was the past Chairman of the Connecticut Benefit Brokers.

Fred, his wife, Lisa, and their six children and grandchildren live in the Valley.
“I have worked in private business my entire career, and many of my clients were nonprofit organizations,” Serra said. “I understand their unique needs, and my number one goal is to build on the strong Board the Club currently has - creative thinkers that are passionate about our mission.”
The newest Directors were inducted onto the Board at the Club’s annual meeting and are part of the organization’s strategic plan to enhance the diversity and industry knowledge of the Board.

“Our new Directors have a broad range of experience and lots of enthusiasm, which will help us execute our vision and keep pace with the rapidly growing needs of our community and the kids we serve,” Roscoe said.
Harry Burlakoff of Minuteman Press Shelton has been involved in the community since opening his business in 2009. Harry joined the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Seeds to Leads Networking Group, the Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council, and the Exchange Club of Shelton. 
Giving is in Harry’s nature, and he goes above and beyond assisting our Boys & Girls Club, as well as the other nonprofits in our region. Harry is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Valley Class of 2015.
Chris Douglas is co-President of Encon, which he joined in 1982 as a service technician. Known as one of the hardest working men in the industry, Chris quickly acquired the experience and education necessary to advance into sales and engineering in 1987. 
He has extensive industry knowledge of commercial HVAC design, installation, and building controls. Chris holds professional licenses in heating, piping, cooling, electrical, and solar. As a charismatic executive with a dedication to excellence, Chris leads by example and sets a high standard for the entire company. Chris is an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club. While attending the Club he enjoyed spending time in the fitness room and participating in the floor hockey league. He joined the Board as a way of giving back. Chris and his wife reside in Shelton.
Dave Jones is originally from Monroe and now resides in Shelton with his wife of six years and two infant sons. He has been employed with Splash Car Wash in Shelton for 14 years. He played high school baseball and football and attended community college. 
While growing up, Dave’s father taught him that “when people are different they may need a helping hand, so use your God-given ability to help others.” Dave found himself always helping out those who were different. Dave joined the Board of Directors because he realized the Boys & Girls Club was much more than a place to play sports. It was a place where kids who may feel different because of their circumstances can find a safe haven and guidance for their future.
Christen Perry has been familiar with the Boys & Girls Club her whole life. Her father, Leon Sylvester, was a Board member for many years, and her husband, Ben Perry, is a Club alumni as well as a past Board member. 
Christen received her degree in Business Management from Post College and has worked at Market Data and the Ascot Club, and is now with Wellington’s Restaurant, all in Shelton. Christen, Ben, and their daughters live in Shelton.
Carlo Sarmiento was born in Argentina, and he and his family came to the United Stats in 1981. He now serves the City of Derby as the Building official, Planning and Zoning Enforcement Agent, the Blight Officer, and the Relocation Officer. 
Carlo is an accomplished cook and donates much of his time helping charitable organizations and nonprofits with their catered events. 
In addition to serving on the Board, he is a member of the Valley Angels as well as the Sargeant in Arms for The Fourth Watch.

Welcoming environment
Boys & Girls Clubs fill the gap between school and home. 
The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley provides a welcoming, positive environment in which kids and teens have fun, participate in life-changing programs, and build supportive relationships with peers and caring adults. 
More than 3,300 kids in four units attend  programs on a yearly basis.
For more information visit www.BGC-LNV.org.


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club. 

Boys & Girls Club of Shelton inducts 2 board members

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s Board of Directors announces the induction of two new board members, Brendan Carey and Ben McGorty.

Carey is a lifelong resident of Shelton. He graduated in 2005 from Shelton High School. He attained his bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Psychology in 2010. 

Carey earned his Masters of Science Degree in Business Management in 2012 from Merrimack College in Massachusetts, where he graduated with Honors. 

He was inducted into Sigma Iota Epsilon, the National Honor Society for Management Professionals in 2012.

Carey currently works for Serra & DelVecchio Insurance based in Shelton, where he works as a life insurance consultant. He started his insurance career in Melville, Long Island, with New York Life as a life insurance and financial planning agent. 

He received a Rookie of the Week Award twice and the Life-Sales Achievement Award, which is given to agents who achieve certain sales goals set forth by New York Life. Carey is actively involved in community organizations. 

Carey is a member of the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club, along with a Hartford-area Habitat for Humanity group.

McGorty is a state representative for the 122nd District of Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull, as well as a realtor with William Raveis Real Estate. 

He serves the City of Shelton as a Deputy Fire Marshal and a Fire Commissioner and is a volunteer firefighter with the Huntington Fire Department.  

McGorty is a founding member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 14014 of St. Lawrence Parish.  He also was an active member of the Greenwich Boys Club in his youth.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Board of Directors is collectively responsible for furthering the Mission of the Club. 

For more information visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 

This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Club shines spotlight on ex-Shelton educator as part of anniversary celebration

As part of its year-long 60th anniversary celebration, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley will be recognizing the life of someone who has been positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club on a regular basis throughout the year.

This month the Club recognizes Louis “Lou” Dagostine, Sr. 
Lou’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Club has been as a club member, a staff member, and a member of the Board of Directors. 
Lou fondly recalls many of the activities he participated in as a Club member, including the stamp collecting club and woodworking club. 
Games room and gym activities were popular then, as they are now, and Lou especially enjoyed ping pong (with sand paddles!), pool, and basketball.
Lou, like many of the Boys Club members of the late ’50s and early ’60s, transitioned from the Boys Club to the Community Center (back room to front room) and continued to be an active member of the Community Center.

After graduating from Western Connecticut State College, Lou began a 34-year career in the Shelton School System that included teacher, counselor, and principal. 

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club, Lou has served as Second Vice President of the Parent Child Resource Center Board of Directors, a member of the Shelton Youth Services Bureau Juvenile Review Board, and a mentor in the Shelton Student Mentoring Program. 
He was the recipient of PCRC’s Award for Significant Contributions to Children and Families in the Valley Area.
Lou, his wife Jenny, and their three sons, Louis, Peter, and Ralph have all been involved with the Boys & Girls Club as members of the Board of Directors, members of the Corporation (Corporators), and as various committee members. 
Their family has expanded to include Louis’ wife Renee and grandchildren Emery and Maria; Peter’s wife Michelle and granddaughter Madeleine; and Ralph and his girlfriend Andrea.

The club is looking for stories about anyone whose life was positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club. 
Stories are welcome all year long, from Club members, past members, friends, and family. 
If you have an experience you’d like to share please email Press@BGC-LNV.org, or call Ann Wheeler, 203- 924-7462. For details visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Valley United Way elects chair of board of directors

Jennifer S. Bull

SHELTON - Jennifer S. Bull, an Accounting and Audit Principal of DHL&S in Shelton was elected Chair of the Board of Directors at Valley United Way’s at the 48th Annual meeting April 26. She succeeds Janice Sheehy of Webster Bank who  served two terms as president and will remain on the Board. 

Ms. Bull has served as the Vice Chair of the Board and has also been a member of the Executive, Finance and Audit Committees. 

She has also been a member of the Campaign Task Force. At DHL&S, she also coordinated the very successful United Way employee campaigns.

In her work at DHL&S, she is responsible for the planning, supervision and evaluation of engagements in various industries comprising manufacturing, financial services, charter schools, retail and not-for-profit, including college foundations.

Ms. Bull graduated Cum Laude in 1994 from Sacred Heart University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1997. As part of her annual continuing education, Ms. Bull attends all relevant updates sponsored by the State Board of Accountancy, and is an active participant in the Firm’s training programs for new accounting staff.

She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and is active in many community activities.

Ms. Bull serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce as their Treasurer and the Vice-Chairwoman, and the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross. 

She is actively involved with The Leads Group Women in Networking, sponsored by the Valley Chamber of Commerce, and is a twice past President, during which time she was instrumental in the establishment of the Women in Networking Entrepreneurial Grant with the Valley Community Foundation. 

This grant provides financial assistance to women in the Naugatuck Valley area who own their own businesses or are trying to start their own businesses.

An avid runner, she is also a frequent participant in road races that benefit various charities. Ms. Bull resides in Milford with her husband, Michael Simon, and their two sons, Tyler and Matthew.

In addition to the election of the Chair, Michael Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Ansonia was elected to the Board and Freeman Burr (retired Shelton Superintendent of Schools), John DeGray (Point Energy Solutions), Bill Purcell (Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce), Janice Sheehy (Webster Bank), Dominick Thomas (Cohen & Thomas), Mary Ann Miskowicz (Better Packages) and Joe Pagliaro, Jr. (Riverview & Adzima Funeral Homes) were all re-elected to three year terms.

This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. 

United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. 

Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.