Sen. Logan Applauds Proposal to Restore Cuts to Local Education

 

Sen. George S. Logan on Feb. 7 applauded the Connecticut Senate and House Republicans’ plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state.

 

The Republican proposal would allow the state to restore Education Cost Sharing funding that was cut by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration in December and also close the current budget deficit of $11.9 million as estimated by the Office of Fiscal Analysis.

 

“The December cuts to towns were unfair,” Sen. Logan said.  “Local officials should be able to plan on what their state education funding should be.  This is what I hear over and over again when talking to area mayors and first selectmen.  My top priority is to protect Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge.  Our Republican plan restores the cuts, and I will continue to fight to protect local education funding and property taxpayers.”

 

The plan can be viewed at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com .

 

Sen. Logan can be reached at George.Logan@cga.ct.gov and at 800 842-1421.  He represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. On the web: www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com. 

 

(This is a press release from Logan's office) 

Crisco welcomes new law to help horse owners, stables

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, talks Tuesday with 'Cheyenne' and Fiona Hynes, 12, of Woodbridge at Locket's Meadow Farm in Bethany just before the ceremonial signing of a new state law designed to help reduce insurance costs for horse owners and horse stables. Hynes testified earlier this year before the General Assembly in favor of the new law./ Contributed photo

BETHANY - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, Tuesday joined horse owners and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for the ceremonial signing of a new state law that will protect horse owners and equestrian businesses from paying significantly higher insurance premiums for owning or boarding horses and other, related animals. 

Crisco, Malloy and others were on hand at Locket's Meadow Farm for the re-signing of Public Act 14-54, which requires that in any civil action brought against the owner or keeper of any horse, pony, donkey or mule to recover damages for any alleged personal injury, the animal shall not be found to belong to a species that possesses a naturally mischievous or ‘vicious’ propensity. 

The bill passed the General Assembly in early May on a unanimous and bipartisan vote.

“I was alerted to this issue earlier this year by calls from my constituents in Bethany, many of whom own horses or board their horses at places like Locket's Meadow,” Crisco said, who co-sponsored the legislation. 

“From a personal perspective, insurance coverage for these animals would have become unaffordable if they were automatically deemed to be vicious in nature. And from an economic standpoint, horse farms, stables and training centers – which contribute quite a lot to Connecticut’s economy – could have been put out of business. So I think this new law gives everyone a little peace of mind.”

The new state law was passed in reaction to a state Supreme Court ruling earlier this year which found that an owner of a domesticated animal has a duty, under a two-part test, to use reasonable care to restrain the animal so as to prevent it from doing injury. 

“Connecticut has a large population of horse owners and handlers, and as such, I’m happy to sign this legislation so that we can ensure their operations can continue without possible negative consequences,” Malloy said.  

“I am proud of Connecticut’s growing agricultural sector, and I remain committed to the growth of this industry and to the hard working farm families of Connecticut.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Malloy visits Bethany farm to celebrate passage of law to protect horse owners

Bethany resident Kathleen Schurman of Locket's Meadow Farm, left, rejoices Tuesday after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, far right, held a ceremony to mark passage of a law that protects owners and handlers of domesticated horses. 

Stay tuned for a story in the New Haven Register.

Seymour Pink to host golf tourney Saturday

Note: This information was taken from Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller's Facebook page.

Crisco announces arts grants

Organizations in Bethany, Hamden, Naugatuck among awardees

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Monday three local organizations have been awarded grants through the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund to sustain their contributions to the community.

“Congratulations are in order for these outstanding awardees,” Crisco said.

“Thriving local arts are a hallmark of flourishing communities, and my constituents are lucky to have access to such outstanding offerings. I want to thank the governor for taking an active role in supporting the arts in our cities and towns.”

“Having a vibrant arts community not only increases our quality of life, it also spurs our economy and helps to create thriving centers of commerce,” Malloy said. “I’m proud that we could make investments in these different groups, so that they can continue to do the good and important work of enriching our communities.”

The grants will be awarded through the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund, which is maintained by the state Department of Economic & Community Development and its Connecticut Office of the Arts.
The Fund was established to stimulate the development of private sector funding for the arts and to help stabilize arts institutions.

COA develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut through its grant programs, investing in Connecticut artists and arts organizations and encouraging the public’s participation as creators, learners, supporters and audience members.

The local grants are:

Bethany	Dandelion Productions/Bridgeport Free School	1,081.00
Hamden	The Eli Whitney Museum	941.00
Hamden	Young Audiences of Connecticut, Inc.	694.00
Naugatuck	Shakesperience Productions, Inc.	1,221.00

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco: Legislation protecting horse owners clears hurdle

HARTFORD – In response to a court ruling that could have a chilling effect on equestrians in Connecticut, the General Assembly’s Environment Committee has voted unanimously to approve legislation clarifying in law that domesticated horses are not inherently dangerous.

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, has been advocating for the legislation and spoke in its favor during a public hearing on the bill last month.

“This bill is particularly important for my constituents in the Town of Bethany,” said Crisco.
“Bethany is home to many equestrians and at least four equestrian centers and riding stables. My constituents are members of local horse clubs and are passionate equine enthusiasts. I fear the chilling effect that it will have on my constituent’s passions if horses are deemed to be vicious and inclined to mischief. Horses will become immensely difficult to insure, as premiums will likely skyrocket.”

The legislation comes in response to a 2012 Appellate Court decision, currently being appealed to the Connecticut Supreme Court, deeming all horses to be wild and inherently dangerous. If upheld by the Supreme Court, the ruling could lead to an extreme increase in insurance premiums, potentially making horses uninsurable.

This would be devastating news for horse owners and enthusiasts, putting into question the insurability of Connecticut’s horses, including farm horses, privately owned horses for riding and therapeutic horses.

H.B. 5044, proposed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, would remedy this prospective problem by ensuring that civil cases involving horses are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, without the presumption that the horse is inherently vicious.

“This bill will be welcome news for my constituents,” Crisco said. “I hope the General Assembly will join the Environment Committee in adding its full support to the measure.”




This is a press release from Crisco's office.

On farmers, history, and a sundae on Sunday

Yumm...a hot fudge sundae, an ice cream cupcake, and Moose tracks 

Ice cream 101 continues: Bethany edition

On Saturday I went to the newly-opened Ansonia Farmer's Market and met a young couple selling vegetables grown at Darling Farm at the historic Thomas Darling House in Woodbridge. The two are caretakers there and started a farm this spring.

Since husband Ralph, daughter Allegra and I all like learning local history, we drove there today to take a peek.

This house at 1907 Litchfield Turnpike in Woodbridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.  

While we were in the "neighborhood," we continued driving to Bethany and stopped at Billy's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream, 742 Amity Road (Route 63). We had been there before, but it had been quite a few years.

Since it's my ice cream series I threw caution to the wind and ordered the big, fat hot fudge sundae...strawberry ice cream was under all the whipped cream. I haven't had a sundae in a long time. It was quite good!

Next post I do I'll have to go back to having just one unadorned scoop.


Ralph enjoyed a cup of Moose tracks ice cream, and our daughter tried something a bit different, an ice cream cupcake.
It was a chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and sprinkles. She said it was super-sweet and she couldn't finish it.

But she liked what she did eat!

I was surprised that we were the only customers. The weather wasn't bad, no rain or humidity, and I thought there would be people there enjoying ice cream.  But maybe they had gotten there before us, or arrived later.

Will we return? Probably, but not before trying out ice cream places in the Valley, Milford, and beyond.

Woodbridge OKs Derby animal control merger

By Bridget Albert

Register Staff
balbert@newhavenregister.com / Twitter: @nhrbalbert

WOODBRIDGE — The Board of Selectmen has approved adding Derby’s dogs to the town’s animal control duties.
Last week, Derby’s animal control officer abruptly resigned three weeks before his retirement, leaving the city to scramble to find state-mandated animal control coverage.
Initially, Oxford stepped in for the weekend, and Woodbridge Animal Control has filled in since.
Town Attorney Gerald Weiner said Derby will pay the town $3,500 for animal control services through June 30. The agreement mirror’s the town’s contract with Bethany.
Woodbridge will provide all necessary animal control assistance required by state statute, including necessary patrols, housing and associated care for impounded animals.
After June 30, the municipalities can enter into a new yearly agreement. Bethany is due to renew its animal control agreement at the same time.

Read the full story here. 

Warrant details drug allegations against ex-Shelton cop (document)

By Phyllis Swebilius
Register Staff
DERBY — A recently released arrest warrant details the state’s drug case against former Shelton police Officer Loren J. Casertano.
Casertano, 51, turned himself in to state police in Bethany March 23.
The warrant, dated March 21, says that police found two controlled substances and syringes in Casertano’s locker at the Shelton police station.
He was released on a promise to appear in Superior Court. The case is on the docket for 10 a.m. Friday.

Read the full story here.

Ex-Shelton cop Loren Casertano arrested on drug charges

By Phyllis Swebilius
Register Staff
BETHANY — A former Shelton police officer who was fired following an internal affairs investigation into his alleged involvement in a larceny case turned himself in to state police today on drug charges.
Loren Casertano was charged with two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance; one count each of illegal possession of a narcotic, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia , and not having a prescription drug in its original container.
Casertano's attorney, Rob Serafinowitz, said his client was released on a promise to appear in Superior Court in Milford.
He said his client served 24 years as a police officer and his firing was retribution by Chief Joel Hurliman.
Casertano recently filed a lawsuit, seeking compensatory damages exceeding $15,000, and the erasure of records related to the criminal case against him from internal affairs reports.
Casertano was fired in May 2011.

Ex-Shelton cop faces new arrest

By Phyllis Swebilius
Register Staff
BETHANY — A former Shelton police officer who was fired following an internal affairs investigation into his alleged involvement in a larceny case was expected to turn himself in at state police Troop I barracks this afternoon.
The Valley Independent Sentinel is reporting that Loren Casertano will face drug charges.
Casertano recently filed a lawsuit, seeking compensatory damages exceeding $15,000, and the erasure of records related to the criminal case against him from internal affairs reports.
Casertano was fired in May 2011.

TEAM offers energy assistance

    Families and individuals who have not obtained help to offset winter heating bills may apply up to May 1, 2012 for assistance from TEAM, Inc.
    If you have already applied for energy assistance for the September 2011 to May 1, 2012 season, you do not have to reapply with TEAM. 
    Applications are being taken for those households or individuals who have not yet applied for the 2011-2012 season.
      Families and individuals may qualify for assistance if they fall below these income levels: $31,864 for a household of one, $41,668 for a household of two, $51,472 for a three person household and $61,276 for a four person household.
      Applicants are deemed eligible based on review of their total household income, such as job earnings, unemployment compensation, social security, pension, etc.; household size; and liquid assets, as shown through bank statements. 
        If an applicant is approved for assistance, TEAM will make direct payments to their home heating provider.
     Homeowners and renters who are residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton and Woodbridge can apply for energy assistance from TEAM.
    To schedule an appointment with TEAM Energy Assistance, call 203-736-5420 ext. 3, or in Milford, 203-783-3253; Woodbridge, 203-389-3429; Orange, 203 891-4787, and Bethany, 203-393-2100 ext. 124.

New Haven man faces charges in Woodbridge, Bethany, Hamden and Derby burglaries

By Brian McCready
Milford Bureau Chief
WOODBRIDGE — Police leveled a weapons charge Wednesday against a New Haven man, who they believe is also responsible for a string of burglaries in Woodbridge, Bethany, Hamden and Derby, police said Friday.
Police Spokesman Sgt. Frank Cappiello said police were investigating three recent residential burglaries that occurred on Dillon Road on Jan.9,  Apple Tree Lane on Jan. 11 and the Litchfield Turnpike also on Jan. 11.

Read the full story here.

Family members of missing Waterbury man claim they never harassed anyone

By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor
NEW HAVEN — Family members of missing Waterbury man William “Billy” Smolinski Jr. denied claims they harassed or threatened anyone, and said they put up posters about Smolinski solely to try to find him, during testimony Monday.
Madeleine Gleason of Woodbridge, who dated Smolinski until they broke up just prior to his disappearance, sued his mother, Janice Smolinski of Cheshire, and his sister, Paula Bell, in 2006.
The lawsuit claims the defendants falsely accused Gleason of involvement in Billy’s disappearance and have defamed her, and she is seeking monetary damages.


Read the full story here.