Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Seymour school plans clothing drive, shred event



*Information shared from the Office of the First Selectman's Facebook page.

Seymour teen reported missing

Update: The silver alert has been cancelled, according to a report Thursday in the Valley Independent Sentinel.


Police have issued a silver alert today for a missing Seymour teen.

Read the New Haven Register story here.





Seymour Lions Club offers annual scholarships


SEYMOUR - The Seymour Lions Club will award two $1,000 scholarships.

Applications are open to all high school students who are residents of Seymour planning to attend any college and follow any course of study.

You can fill out an application at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/seymourct.

After filling out the application under the scholarship tab, print it out along with the application cover sheet, also found online.

Mail your essay, application, and cover sheet to: Seymour Lions Club, 26 George St., Seymour, 06483.

All applications must be postmarked by April 1 of the current year.


Information taken from the club's website.


Program planned in Shelton for caregivers

SHELTON - Balancing the responsibilities of work, finances, family life, and caring for an aging loved one can leave you feeling “Sandwiched” and in need of support.

Let us help!

Caregivers are invited to Wesley Village from 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 1 for our caregiver education series!

Our topic for this session is entitled: Caring Support for the Caregiver

Diane Betkoski, Coordinator of Griffin Hospital Lifeline, will discuss the growing needs and challenges associated with caregiving and offer some helpful resources to support both the person who is in need of caregiving and the caregiver.

RSVP at 203-925-4952 or www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. The free program will be held at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village Campus,  at 580 Long Hill Ave.
A light supper will be served. 

This is a monthly series. Be sure to “Save the Date” for our other upcoming programs, happening on the first Wednesday of the month.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Senior safety in spotlight at Derby Library


DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host a program, Senior Safety and How to Avoid
 Scams, at 6:30 p.m. April 14

Tracey Parks from BHcare's The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will lead the conversation.
Learn more about what you can do to help a friend, neighbor, or family member who is being bullied, controlled, or financially harmed.
There is help, and knowing the signs is the first step.  

Registration is requested.
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit  


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library. 

TEAM's 'Men Who Cook' returns to Valley in April



ANSONIA - Join the fun at the eighth Annual “Men Who Cook” as it returns to the Valley April 25. 

This is a unique spring evening out with friends and family at the Valley’s most popular event. 
Let someone else cook while you enjoy a wide variety of dishes and desserts prepared by 98 “celebrity chefs.”
The Men Who Cook are not professional chefs; they are dedicated community neighbors who want to share their cooking talents and camaraderie with you and your friends.

What’s on the menu? 
Go international with Hungarian Goulash, pulled pork tacos, hot German potato salad, empanadas, and unique pasta dishes. 
Prefer grilled food? Try wings or chili. 
If you are a sea foodie, try the seafood gumbo, or shrimp and grits.
Sample the porketta, fried ravioli bites, eggplant parmesan, or the Philly cheesesteak.
Remember to leave room for dessert, featuring chocolate mousse, ginger cookies, key lime pie, or fried Oreos. 

Chairpersons are Charles Sullivan, David Grant and Jeff Westine.

And the chefs who’ll proudly wear the Men Who Cook aprons are: 
Joseph Apicella, Kevin Atterbury, Pastor Edward Barnes, Chandler Barnes, Jack Betkoski, Beacon Falls First Selectman Chris Bialek, Juan Bonilla, Harry Burlakoff, Bill Calderara, Michael Caleca, Patrick Carey, Keenan Carey, Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, Echo Hose Ambulance Corps Chief Mike Chaffee, John Coscia, Jack Cowell, Dexter Davis, Ed DeMarseilles, Dr. Steve DiBenedetto, Dr. Jay Dworkin, David Eisenman, Mark Foley, Brian Fonck, John Gentile, Nick Gentile, Anthony Giobbi, Roger Giori, Bruce Goldson, Terri Goldson, Chris Hill, Dave Hill, Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman, Craig Jones, David Jones, state Sen. Kevin Kelly, Pat Kelley, Mike Kieley, Tim Kieley, Richard Knoll, Patrick Lahaza, Kevin Lantowsky, Pete Larsen, Dan L’Atrella, Joe Laucella, Paolo Mancuso, Michael Marques, Tim McColl, Dan McGinnis, Paul McGinnis, Tim McGinnis, state Rep. Ben McGorty, Sherrod McNeill, John Mihalko, Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, James Mills, Michael Mills, Makai Mills, Dave Monahan, Nelson Morales, Rick Moore, West Haven Mayor Edward O’Brien, Chris O’Connor, Jack O’Donnell, John Paul Olival, Dan Onofrio, Marcello Onofrio, Tim Oppel, Win Oppel, Fred Ortoli, Dave Pendagast, state Rep. Jason Perillo, John Petrillo, Jorge Pezo-Candelario, Rick Ponce DeLeon, John Rollinson, Joshua Rosado, Andrew Rose, Chris Sansone, Rick Scaife, Mike Shirling, Anthony Simonetti, Fernando Solis, Kevin Spooner, Robert Stabile, Fred Stanek, Dr. Ira Stein, Jeff Stone, Nicholas Tarasovic Sr., Nicholas Tarasovic Jr., Dominick Thomas, Ben Trabka, John Trentacosta, Philip Tripp, Lorie Vaccaro, Rob VanEgghen, Hector Velez, Ken Weinstein, Blake Williams, Stuart Williams, and John Yeager.

Special MC for the event is Chaz of Chaz and AJ in the morning on 99.1 PLR.
The Electric Lady Band featuring George Logan will provide entertainment and dancing music. 
Men Who Cook runs from 6-11 p.m. at Warsaw Park, 119 Pulaski Highway.
Only $55 per person includes food, beer/wine, and soft drinks. You can bid at the Valley’s greatest silent auction and dance away the night’s calories with music.

The Platinum Marquee Sponsor for Men Who Cook is the Bassett Family Fund and Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan is Marquee Sponsor.

To sponsor Men Who Cook or donate an auction item, call Trish Wigglesworth, 
203-736-5420 ext. 221. To purchase tickets,  call Trish or obtain tickets online at www.teaminc.org

All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the programs provided by TEAM, Inc. serving the needs of individuals and families living in the Valley.

This is a press release from TEAM Inc.,  a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community. 
It aims to achieve its mission by conducting activities that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families including resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery. 
TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.            


Ansonia, Milford to share recycling equipment

Mayors join forces to save money 
Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, left, and Milford Mayor Ben Blake pictured with an asphalt recycler. / Contributed photo

MILFORD -  Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti and Milford Mayor Ben Blake recently discussed a plan to share certain equipment belonging to the City of Milford that will result in savings for residents in both communities.

The meeting marked the beginning of a new relationship between the two municipalities. Ansonia's Superintendent of Public Works Doug Novak and Milford Public Works' Director Chris Saley have had several conversations regarding shared services over the course of the past several months.

The first initiative in this cost-saving endeavor will be the shared use of Milford's Bagela asphalt recycler. 
Nearly a decade ago, the City of Milford acquired this piece of machinery that uses waste asphalt or milled material and turns it into new "hot patch" asphalt, which can be used to fill potholes on local streets. 
Saley described the process as "extremely efficient," adding that recycling the used asphalt "significantly reduces transport and disposal costs."

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has acknowledged that this has been the worst pothole season that we have seen in generations. Both mayors see this as a serious problem and agreed that the shared use of the asphalt recycler would serve as an immediate solution to reducing costs for their respective communities in undertaking the daunting task of filling these potholes.  
Under the new agreement, Ansonia will deliver broken asphalt from its roads to Milford, which will process it into new asphalt and then sell it back to Ansonia at a rate of $50/ton - a savings of up to 50 percent. 
The machine itself generates approximately 10 tons of new asphalt per hour, producing an ample amount to supply both cities with the quantities needed to repair their respective streets.
The state of Connecticut is encouraging all municipalities to regionalize services and equipment wherever appropriate and has also offered other incentives and grants to encourage these activities.
"I am proud of Ansonia's and Milford's public works departments and in particular I want to thank Mayor Blake for his cooperation on this agreement. It is a win-win for both of our communities and it's nice to know we have a friend in Milford," Cassetti said.

"It has been a pleasure to work with my counterpart in Milford, and I am looking forward to a continued partnership," Novak said. "This simple solution will help both of us more forward. It's good for Ansonia and good for Milford."

Cassetti added, "The increasing shift of the local tax burden to homeowners is particularly problematic for Ansonia residents. We have a responsibility to our residents to look at any way possible to lower their tax bill. This will move us one step closer to lessening the tax burden."


This is a press release from Cassetti's office.


Students from Bungay School in Seymour applauded for excellence in art, music

State organization holds recognition dinner
Alexa Tamburrino
Gabriel Sand


















SEYMOUR - Bungay Elementary School staff congratulates Gabriel Sand (from Ms. Garofalo’s class) and Alexa Tamburrino (from Mr. Milia’s class) for being chosen as this year’s Connecticut Association of Schools' award recipients.

Gabriel received the Elementary Arts Award for art, and Alexa received the Elementary Arts Award for music.

This program recognizes students with outstanding citizenship, cooperative skills, and artistic ability in performing or visual arts at the elementary level.

Gabriel and Alexa, along with their parents, attended a dinner Feb. 24 at Aqua Turf in Southington.

Bungay School staff thanks Gabriel and Alexa for representing our students and school.


Photos and information were submitted by Bungay School.



Congratulations go out to Alexa and Gabriel on their awards! Wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.