Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Accessible fishing pier project in Derby moving forward

Dugatto announces $325,000 grant 
DERBY - Mayor Anita Dugatto announced today that a $325,000 grant has been awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Connecticut Housatonic Natural Resource Trustee Council to construct an accessible fishing pier at O’Sullivan’s Island Recreation Park.  
Although previously planned, the project was unable to be approved due to ongoing environmental issues at the site. 

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) was able to secure the funding after conducting extensive analysis of the soils and groundwater. 
Based on those studies NVCOG requested a report on potential public health risk from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH). Meg Harvey, Epidemiologist with the CTDPH and author of the June 2015 Health Consultation for the site concluded that, “the available site information indicates that the intended construction and engineering work can proceed as planned in a safe manner.” 

Working with the Derby Board of Aldermen, NVCOG staff developed the project at the direction of Executive Director Rick Dunne and Dugatto. 
During construction a Licensed Environmental Professional will sample and review conditions of all soils excavated and disturbed to properly manage any potential contamination that is known to exist below the surface layer. 
President of the Board of Aldermen, Art Gerckens, said, “Securing this grant is a fine example of local government working together with other agencies to achieve a positive goal. This is a win for the citizens of Derby and will give our fishermen a better opportunity to land some huge stripers.”

The pier will be designed and permits secured this year with construction slated for completion in early fall 2016. Dugatto said, “This opportunity, the result of successful collaboration among community partners, brings us one step closer to our goal of restoring recreational use to O’Sullivan’s Island.”

The grant was made possible by funding set aside specifically for sites along the Housatonic River like O’Sullivan’s Island. 
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, “An October 2000 Consent Decree required GE to provide $15 million to the Natural Resource Trustees for natural resource damages; these were associated with the environmental harm caused by releases of PCBs into the Housatonic River watershed in western Massachusetts and Connecticut. The funds were roughly divided so that $7.5 million would be available for restoration projects in each state's portion of the Housatonic River watershed.” 

The Derby project was originally selected for funding in 2010 under the Housatonic River Restoration program but not funded due to an inability to secure environmental clearances. 

“We look forward to working with the NVCOG and the City of Derby to improve public access to the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers,” said Tom Chapman, Supervisor of the USFWS New England Field Office. 
“The new path and accessible fishing pier will re-connect people with these extraordinary rivers.”

O’Sullivan’s Island is a peninsula at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers, located south of Derby’s downtown commercial district. 

The addition of an accessible fishing pier will provide an elevated place to view the river and create equitable access to the Housatonic’s increasingly rich fish stock. In the coming years the City of Derby and NVCOG will continue making O’Sullivan’s Island safer, cleaner, and more accessible for all who enjoy fishing, walking, biking, boating, and spending time in this singular place at the union of two rivers. 

Updates on the project will be available on the NVCOG website at www.nvcogct.org



This is a press release from Mayor Dugatto's office.


Church in Orange to host 35th annual 'Odyssey' this weekend



The festival features food, Greek dancing, children's games, giant tag sale, marketplace, and more. 

Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Labor Day.

This four-day event is a popular Labor Day weekend tradition! 

It is held on the grounds of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 480 Racebrook Road, Orange.


3D printing topic of teen program at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen Maker Space from 3:30-5 p.m. Sept. 22 for an Introduction to 3-D Printing


Attendees will learn about the possibilities with this new technology. 

Light refreshments will be provided. 

Registration is requested. 

For more information stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult/reference librarian, Derby Public Library.

Book on witch trials topic of talk planned at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host an author visit at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21.  


Cindy Wolfe Boynton will discuss her book, Connecticut Witch Trials: The First Panic in the New World.

It is a little known fact that Connecticut’s witch hunt ever existed, let alone that it was the first and most ferocious in New England.  

Connecticut holds the dark honor of carrying out young America’s first witchcraft execution in 1647, 45 years before Salem’s first executions.  

Connecticut also holds the dubious distinction of having a 
witch panic that spanned several decades versus Salem’s seven months and ultimately a witch hunt that was proportionally much more deadly.

Boynton will discuss the towns, the people whose names became famous and forgotten during this frightening
period, and the process of writing her book.  

Registration is requested.

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or 
visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.      



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

Seymour Library to host talk on community college


SEYMOUR - A free presentation, "Why Choose a Community College?," will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Seymour Public Library, 46 Church St.


The talk is sponsored by Bernard Shea, Assistant Director of Admissions, Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport.

Learn how to maximize your college experience, obtain your degree, and save money.

Contact: BShea@hcc.commnet.edu.


This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.

Shelton handmade market slated Saturday


SHELTON - Downtown Handmade Market kicks off for back to school! 
Celebrate Shelton’s “First Saturdays” celebration of handmade artisans continues from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Conti Building, 415 Howe Ave. 

Each month, a collection of local artisans, craftsmen and small businesses showcase their wares as well as a local nonprofit highlight. 
This month’s nonprofit is the Parent Child Resource Center and their full list of artisans include: 
Hipponotic Candle, Origami Owl, Natural Solution Skin Care, The Little Dog Laughed, Marie's Mountain Quilters, Oronoque Farms, Kohler Imaging, ACR Designs, Sugar Pop Crochet, Bead Dangle Design, Lilla Rose, Liquid Lunch, Unending Threads, and Reid’s BBQ. Conti Building Shops include BringtheHoopla, The Glass Source, Periodic Tableware, Shadee Lady, Treasures from Aunt Helen's Attic, and Written Words Bookstore.

Children’s activities include: CrazyFun FacePainting and a DIY Creativity Corner with Sarah Sage. Live music from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. with Joe Ballaro of The Wagon Riders/Smoke Signals. 

Learn more about Celebrate Shelton at www.celebrateshelton.com and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/celebrateshelton) and Instagram. 
For any questions, e-mail celebrateshelton@gmail.com or call 203-924-4368.

Ample parking is available and the location is handicap accessible.


This is a press release from Nicole Heriot-Mikula, Celebrate Shelton coordinator.

2 charged in murder of Ansonia native

As regular readers know, I prefer to write feature stories and post news about happenings in the community. 

Dr. Teresa Stievers
I leave the hard news to other media outlets that cover the Valley.

But I must mention it was good to read today that two suspects were arrested in the brutal murder in Florida of an Ansonia High School graduate, Dr. Teresa Stievers, 46. 

She was not only a member of the Class of 1986, she was its valedictorian.

My sincere condolences go out to her family and friends.

You can read the full story by clicking on this link from the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Knights of Columbus to host benefit breakfast in Ansonia

ANSONIA - The Knights of Columbus Chapter 23 will hold a pancake breakfast from 9-10:30 a.m. Sept. 13 in Assumption Church Hall, 61 North Cliff St.

The breakfast will benefit the Knights’ scholarship fund.

Tickets in advance are $7; $8 at the door.

For more information call Rick, 203-881-2624 or 203-893-8647.



*Information shared from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.