Portrait fun-draiser to be held in April

Friday, 19 March 2010 11:02

The Redding Elementary School PTA will hold a Spring Family Portrait Fund-raiser Saturday, April 10, and Sunday, April 11.

Redding photographer Darcey Stone is donating her time, offering 15-minute photography sessions for $30, with proceeds supporting PTA programs for elementary school students.

NABR's 10% budget reduction request more like 20.5% cut

Written by Susan Wolf
Thursday, 18 March 2010 16:15

An analysis by the town controller regarding NABR’s request for the town to reduce its spending by 10%, with some exceptions, shows it would actually take a 21.5% reduction in the proposed town government budget to reach this goal.

Study on sewers, building lines?

Written by Liz Skalka
Thursday, 18 March 2010 15:54

The Planning Commission voted to recommend that ad hoc committees be created to study the parking needs and sewer capacity of Main Street and Old Mill Road in Georgetown.

The committee voted unanimously March 9 to prepare a statement for the Board of Selectman asking for the creation of the committees to study the impact of development that is expected to occur on the street over the next 10 to 20 years, as well as to explore the needs that would be created by the Building Line Program.

Town eyes summer work on bridge

Written by Susan Wolf
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:32

The repair of the bridge on Station Road is nearly set to begin.

“There will be no visual change to the bridge structure,” said First Selectman Natalie Ketcham on Monday. “That is important to the Planning Commission because it is on a scenic road.”

Additional plans are unveiled for police station

Written by Susan Wolf
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:26

Plans for a proposed two-story addition to the police department were unveiled at Monday’s selectmen’s meeting. The project does not include the renovation of the existing building.

The addition would be paid for with a $500,000 state STEAP grant. It would be constructed at the back of the existing building. Each floor would have 1,000 square feet with the top floor for separate male and female locker and bathroom facilities, plus a small area for exercise equipment. The bottom floor would provide a prisoner detention and a processing area that is separated from two holding cells. The two cells would be separated by sight as required by state law and one would be handicap accessible. There would be a separate outside entrance at grade level to this area, which would be accessible only to police staff.

Board approves 2.76% increase

Written by Liz Skalka
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 13:59

The Region 9 Board of Education adopted a 2.76% increase over its current operating budget Tuesday night, amounting to an almost palindromic budget number of $21,212,212 for the 2010-11 school year.

The board’s vote was unanimous to bring down the administrators’ starting point at a 4% increase to the lower number. The budget may still be changed up until the April 5 Region 9 hearing. In May, it will go to referendums in Redding and Easton. To be approved, it will require a majority of the combined vote of Redding and Easton voters.

Town offers aid to hard-hit neighbors

Written by Susan Wolf
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:18

Redding was spared the severe damage suffered by many other towns during last weekend’s nor’easter. Now the town is stepping up to the plate and offering, at Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s request, some aid to neighboring towns.

“Saturday’s storm was among the most destructive to ever hit Fairfield County and the damage is simply astounding,” Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a release after touring areas impacted by the storm.

In this week's Pilot

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 13:56

Here are some of the stories and features in this week’s Redding Pilot, out today:

Census forms out this week

Written by Susan Wolf
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 14:35

The U.S. Census Bureau is sending out letters this week notifying citizens that the 2010 census form will be sent out next week.

The census, which is required by the Constitution every 10 years, aims to provide a count of every person living in the United States. Census counts determine the number of representatives that states are allowed in the U.S. Congress and how more than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed to state, local and tribal governments each year. This includes money that could go toward roads, hospitals, schools and critical social services.

Minor power outages in Redding

Sunday, 14 March 2010 12:54

3:20 -  Metro North train service on the Danbury line has been restored.

Police Chief Douglas Fuchs says things have been "fairly quiet."

Route 107 by Redding Elementary School  was closed for a few hours on Saturday evening — tree took down transformer and lines.  The road has been cleared and is open. There was a minor power outage and a few other minor issues but nothing widespread, he said.

Highway Superintendent Bruce Sanford said there was a lot of flooding. The usualy roads — Valley, Simpauag Turnpike, and Topstone Road — were flooded, he said. Beeholm flooded over just beyond the  pond and dam, Mr. Sanford said. Because a drain was blocked with twigs, some of the water ended up on Route 107.

While some small branches were down, no major branches ended up on the roads, said Mr. Sanford. He said the town's tree program of the last four or five years played a big role in this.

All three fire departments were busy helping residents with flooded basements, he said.

He had a small crew working throughout Satiurday night into Sunday to keep an eye on the roads.

CL&P is reporting 120 homes in Redding out of 3,916 homes are without power as of noon today, March 14.

Metro North has announced there will be busing on the Danbury Branch line until further notice due to last night’s storm.

There are reports of more than four inches of rain during a 30-hour period of rain.