Huntington Branch Library to close Jan. 29 for renovations

 Shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Renovations to close part of Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

SHELTON - The main book area of the Plumb Memorial Library's adult department will be under renovation starting on March 28.

The Huntington Branch will be open and we will be encouraging you to use them.

Thank you for bearing with us!

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Local history

I took this photo of the Soldiers' Monument featuring a Union soldier from the Civil War on the Derby Green as the sun was setting Wednesday. I had to use my phone since unfortunately I'd left my camera home.

Plaques on two sides of the recently-renovated monument list local soldiers who had fallen in four Civil War battles: Atlanta, Chancellorsville (Va.), New Bern (N.C.), and Gettysburg. 

One plaque explains the reason for the monument. It is inscribed: 

ERECTED BY THE
PEOPLE OF DERBY AND HUNTINGTON A.D. 1883
IN HONOR OF ALL WHO FOUGHT
IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY "THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE, SHOULD NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.” 

Newsletter features Ansonia AA bond rating, Twelfth Night celebration

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features Ansonia's AA bond rating, annual Twelfth Night celebration at the David Humphreys House in Ansonia, and an update on the house renovations.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the weekend!

Patti  

Dedication of renovations at Ansonia Animal Shelter slated

File photo taken in September, 2013.

Newsletter highlights TEAM fundraiser Aug. 26

Dear readers,

Happy Monday!

Today's Valley Voice newsletter focuses on an upcoming fundraiser in Ansonia for TEAM, Inc.

It also features photos of an ongoing renovation project at the historic Gen. David Humphreys House in Ansonia, and photos from the Seymour Farmer's Market.

Thanks for checking it out!

~ Patti and Ralph

Banko's Music in Ansonia invites community to grand re-opening

ANSONIA - Banko's Music invites the community to an official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday from 5-7 p.m. (with an official cutting at 5:30 p.m.) and also to its Grand Re-Opening Celebration Saturday from noon-5 p.m. 

Banko's Music, 360 E. Main St., is under new ownership. All are cordially invited to join in the festivities.

Invited guests are Mayor David S. Cassetti and Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell. Wine and beer will be served and there will be live music.

The Saturday Grand Re-Opening Celebration will have a free all-day cookout with non-alcoholic refreshments served, free giveaways, and live music.

Banko's Music has been in continued operation and at the same location for over 60 years. 

The original owner, Frank Banko, opened the store in 1955. It was then passed on to Joe and Sherry Salvati in 2001. 

Now the legacy of Banko's has been handed over to new owner Joe Shapiro.

He said, "As a loyal customer of the store for many years, I jumped at the opportunity to buy Banko's when I heard the previous owners were selling. I am grateful Joe and Sherry Salvati have agreed to stay on with us as employees. Going forward, I foresee Banko's Music reclaiming its past and rightful place as the center of the musical community in the Valley and beyond."

Banko's has recently been restored, renovated, and expanded. 

Banko's is committed to serving the musical needs of the Greater Valley area and beyond while providing a community-oriented environment. 

For more information visit www.Bankos.Rocks or contact natalie@bankos.rocks.

This is a press release from Banko's.

Landmark Ansonia music store completes renovation

Contributed photo

ANSONIA - The renovation of Banko’s Music, 360 E. Main St., is nearly complete with the addition of a new storefront sign. It replaces the 70’s “feeling groovy” signage predecessor.

Joe Shapiro of Shelton acquired the 1955-founded Ansonia landmark last year and has since completely renovated the interior retail space, exterior façade and second floor offices, which also double as space for weekly open jam sessions and  music lessons.
A grand opening will be held this summer.


This is a press release from the City of Ansonia.

Crisco, Gentile welcome funding for Derby Public Library repairs

DERBY - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, and state Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, - both of whom represent Derby or a portion of Derby in the legislature – are welcoming a recent decision by the State Bond Commission to pay half the cost of needed repairs to the Derby Public Library.

The State Bond Commission voted on Sept. 30, 2016 to approve $100,000 to repair water damage and make exterior pathway improvements at the Derby Library; the total estimated cost for the two projects is $200,000.

Funding for the Derby Library renovations was included in the 2007 state bonding bill, which was approved on a bipartisan and nearly unanimous vote of 162-1 in the House and Senate.

“The Derby Library is over 110 years old, and I think it took about 90 years to even update it,” Crisco said, referring to the library’s 7,200 square-foot addition in 1990 that essentially doubled the size of the building that is on the National Historic Register.

“Now the state is chipping in on the cost of repairing this building, which continues the tradition of public-private investment that began in 1902 when Mr. and Mrs. Wood donated the land, the building, and $5,000 for library books on the condition that Derby match those funds and maintain the library. I am proud to say that a century later, the State of Connecticut is helping Derby and its residents to keep that promise, and to protect and preserve this gorgeous and valuable community resource.”

“Despite the advancement of technology, libraries continue to serve a vital service to the community,” Gentile said. “These funds will help to safeguard their future. Repairing and preserving the Derby Public Library is long overdue.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco, Conroy welcome grants for Beacon Falls, Woodbridge

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. D-Woodbridge, and state Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Beacon Falls, Derby, Seymour, today welcomed nearly $1 million in state Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants to Woodbridge and Beacon Falls.

The funds will go toward renovating the regional animal shelter in Woodbridge, and reconstructing a portion of West Road in Beacon Falls.

“This regional animal shelter has been saving taxpayers money and providing more resources for needy animals than before, but of course we need upkeep on our investment, and that’s what this state funding will help accomplish,” Crisco said. 
“I am so glad the state has a program like STEAP that can help small towns afford the cost of capital projects, expansions and renovations; the quality of life improvements and local tax savings that these STEAP funds help bring about are both real and valuable.”

“West Road in Beacon Falls can be dangerous, especially during heavy rain and extreme cold,” Conroy said. “When the legislature created the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, this is exactly the type of funding that was envisioned. We want to make sure small communities like Beacon Falls can invest in its infrastructure.”

Woodbridge received a $400,000 state STEAP grant to support the planning and construction of the renovation of the interior and exterior of the existing regional animal shelter that jointly serves Woodbridge and Bethany. This project will benefit the three communities and aid in the humane treatment and care of animals in the region.

Beacon Falls received a $500,000 state STEAP grant for the reconstruction of West Road.  
Beacon Falls is experiencing several maintenance and safety problems at the lower section of West Road, where several of the drainage structures and piping runs are undersized or were previously installed at substandard slopes.  
The project will eliminate several hazardous conditions, including road repair of deteriorated pavement, flooding onto private properties, and icing on the roadway.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced 16 various state STEAP grants today; the grants assist smaller communities with infrastructure and capital improvement projects. 

“By partnering with our smaller communities, our state can assist towns with infrastructure projects that will help them grow, remain competitive, attract businesses, and bring added value to residents for years to come," Malloy said. 
“These STEAP grants allow us to get funding directly to municipalities to complete projects that make Connecticut a better place to work and live.”

Since 2011, small towns across Connecticut have received approximately $230 million in STEAP funds.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Renovations under way at St. Vincent de Paul shop, food pantry in Derby

John Soloman, left, works on upgrading the electrical system at St. Vincent de Paul Helping Hands of the Valley in Derby. With him is Ed Twarog, a member of the nonprofit's board of directors' building committee who is overseeing electrical work on a major renovation project at the 237 Roosevelt Drive location.

Please check out my story on the building expansion in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Crisco welcomes funding for schools in Woodbridge, Naugatuck

Crisco

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph Crisco Jr., D-Woodbridge, announced the school building projects bill approved recently on a unanimous and bipartisan basis in the state Senate includes funds to repair the roof at the Beecher Road School in Woodbridge and additional funding for renovations and an extension at Naugatuck High School.

“There are about 2,000 students between these two schools who are going to have a better, safer and more productive educational experience thanks to the financial investments the state is making in their future,” Crisco said.

“I was proud to join with my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this funding, which not only benefits students but helps keep the burden off of local property taxes as well.”

House Bill 7102 authorizes state grants for various school building projects, including:

· $3,717,917 for alterations to and replacement of a portion of the roof at the Beecher Road School. The grant will cover 27.86% of the school’s total estimated $13.345 million renovation cost, which includes the North roof replacement, HVAC work, windows, walls, lighting, an entry canopy, a pool cover and dehumidification, security upgrades and more.

· $849,075 more for renovations and an expansion to Naugatuck High School. The state had already approved $58,475,925 for the high school upgrades; it will now provide $59,325,000.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Ground broken for O'Brien Tech renovations in Ansonia

Superintendent of Connecticut Technical High School System Nivea Torres Monday addresses the crowd at a ceremonial groundbreaking for additions and renovations to the school in Ansonia. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman is seated at right.


ANSONIA - Emmett O'Brien Technical High School is being transformed.

Construction started in May, and on Monday morning state education officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking to kick off the $94.3-million project.