Madison News Roundup

A lot of interesting goings on in Madison, CT this weekend, including the Bauer Park Harvest Fest, a guided tour of the Griswold Airport/Madison Landing site, a home football game for Daniel Hand, and a passel of interesting authors at RJ Julia.

FRIDAY
3-6 p.m., Town Green — The Madison Farmers’ Market, begun in 2007, runs every Friday from May 1 to October 23. This beautiful and diverse market is centrally located in Madison, CT, on the Historic Town Green. The farmers/vendors who make up this bustling market offer a wide array of CT Grown/produced items, which are beautifully presented.
7 p.m., RJ Julia Booksellers — What does it mean to be cheap and when is stowing away wise? Journalist Lauren Weber delves into America’s hot-and-cold relationship with thrift in In Cheap We Trust.
7-10 p.m., Surf Club — DHHS varsity football, vs. North haven

SATURDAY
8-10:30 a.m., Hammonasset — The 23rd Annual Fall Bird Walk series at Hammonasset State Park and Beach is conducted each Saturday from September 12 to November 21. Participants will see migratory shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey at one of the premier birding areas in Connecticut. Participants meet at The Audubon Shop, at 7:50 a.m. and carpool to the park. There is a $4 charge per person. For more information, call 203-245-9056, or visit the Audubon Shop website.
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Bauer Park (257 Copse Road, Madison, CT) — The Bauer Park Harvest Fest. Music by the Dudley String Band and the Semi-Locals, Food Tent, Crafts, Pony Rides, Face Painting, Hay Rides, and much more.
6:30 p.m., RJ Julia Booksellers — Actor and “Extra” host Mario Lopez, who rose to TV fame as AC Slater on “Saved by the Bell,” signs his children’s picture book Mud Tacos.

SUNDAY
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Griswold Airport property — Tour of the Griswold Airport/Madison Landing site, guided by Patrick Comins, Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation, and Heather Crawford, a member of the Madison Conservation Commission.
2:30-4 p.m., Scranton Memorial Library (lower level) — Madison Land Conservation Trust First Annual Photo Contest. A reception to view the photographs submitted to the Madison Land Conservation Trust in its first annual photo contest. The photographs will be on display at the library throughout the month of October.
4:30 p.m., RJ Julia Booksellers — Gripping young adult author Scott Westerfeld (Uglies trilogy, So Yesterday) presents the first book in a brand new series: Leviathan. Robin Wasserman visits too, discussing Crashed.

A public forum to discuss the skills and experience that a Madison, CT chief of police should have, what his or her community policing priorities should be, and what his or her vision should be for community policing in Madison will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the upper level of Memorial Town Hall.

Madison residents are invited to provide their opinions and comments regarding the qualifications, priorities, and vision that a new chief of police should possess for the town of Madison and its citizens.

The Madison Board of Police Commissioners has requested this public forum to assist them in aligning community policing needs with the operational law enforcement duties required of the chief of police. The public forum is one of several measures that the Board of Police Commissioners has adopted to ensure a thoughtful and thorough selection process.

Hoping to ensure an orderly and constructive venue for residents’ comments, the Board of Police Commissioners has asked Stewart Hudson, a Madison resident, to serve as a procedural facilitator of the forum. Hudson has agreed to serve in this capacity and will try to ensure that the views of the public on these topics will be heard.

The forum will be videotaped for review by the Board of Police Commissioners prior to conducting final interviews for the position of chief of police.

Madison, CT town officials and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) are inviting town residents to take either of two site tours of the former Griswold Airport property, to be held this Sunday, October 18, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

TPL, a national land conservation nonprofit organization, recently announced that it had reached agreement to purchase the 42 acres of land known as the Griswold Airport property from Madison Landing Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Leyland Alliance, LLC. And now Madison,

The tour is structured as an “open house,” with two guided walks offered at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. The walks will be guided by Patrick Comins, Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation, and Heather Crawford, a member of the Madison Conservation Commission.

The 42-acre property is adjacent to Hammonasset Beach State Park and includes prime wetland habitat, upland forest, and significant frontage along the Hammonasset River. The former airport property was sold to Leyland Alliance in 2007, and permits to construct 127 units of housing on the land were subsequently granted.

The conservation goals for the property are to maintain the land as natural open space with walking trails and viewing areas along the river, with the potential to restore a portion of the grasslands to accommodate a variety of birds. On the front portion of the property, closest to the Post Road, Town officials potentially envision several recreational fields for use by Town families and possibly a small area reserved for future commercial use compatible with a park.

“TPL is delighted to bring this opportunity to the voters of Madison, and we encourage families to come out and see all that this land has to offer. Conservation experts will be on hand to discuss the conservation values of this unique property,” said Alicia Betty, Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land.

Under the terms of the proposed sale, the property would be purchased for $9.7 million, with a closing scheduled for April 1, 2010. Also under the agreement, the town has 45 days to decide whether or not to offer Madison voters a referendum to authorize a bond to cover $8 million of the purchase price. The Town will likely add as much as $1 million to the $8 million bond to cover demolition and renovation costs which would fund the initial conversion of the airport into a park. Such a referendum is expected later this fall.

Because of a temporary shortage of seasonal flu vaccine, the Madison Town Campus flu clinic scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. will be restricted those to those 50 years old and older or who have medical conditions that put them at risk for severe complications from the flu.

“Nite In Hand” is looking for parents from ALL grade levels to help with this school year’s Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) post-graduation celebration. Parents do not have to have a senior in school to participate. Actually, it is recommended that parents of underclassmen come and see what it is all about so they can provide the same safe and fun evening for their own children when the time comes. Volunteers have lots of fun, and any amount of help is greatly appreciated.

Nite In Hand is a post-graduation party for DHHS seniors. This fun, safe, substance-free evening of celebration is held graduation night at the high school, and it is planned and funded entirely by parent, student, community, and local business contributions. Now in its 21st year, this event would not be possible without the generous support and exhaustive volunteer efforts of those dedicated to its success.

Parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Daniel Hand HS Dining/Assembly Hall. If you have any questions, please e-mail Dan Zittoun, assistant principal at zittound@madison.k12.ct.us.

Did you know that you can support Madison Public Schools when you shop at area stores? Here are the details:

Stop&Shop A+ Bonus Bucks Program
When you shop at Stop& Shop, each time you use your Stop&Shop card, you will earn cash for up to three schools.
When you register your card, you will have the opportunity to register those schools. The amount earned will be divided equally between the number of school chosen. To register:
• Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online
or
• Dial 1-877-275-2758 to register you’re your card over the phone
The ID code for Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) is #06167.

Big Y Express Saving Club
When you shop at Big Y, each time you use your Big Y card, you will earn points for a school toward math, sports, audiovisual, music equipment, computers, books and more.
To help us earn points you can:
• Complete a form at the customer service desk
or
• Log on to www.bigy.com/education to register online
The ID code for DHHS is #5436.

Target Take Charge of Education
At Target if you apply and get approved for a REDcard, you can participate in the Take Charge of Education program and earn a donation for your school. Target will donate up to 1% of your purchase to the school you indicate.
To enroll:
• Go to www.Target.com/tcoe and select Take Charge of Education
or
• Call 1-800-316-6142
The ID code for DHHS is 38818.

A handful of curious residents gathered Thursday afternoon to watch the demolition of the venerable Madison Beach Hotel on West Wharf Road in Madison, CT. The Duques family is planning to replace the landmark with a new hotel, scheduled to open in the fall of next year (2010). The new facility will be larger, with updated guest rooms and new dining facilities, and the owners hope to keep it open year-round. Plans call for a new entrance and courtyard on Parker Lane, and the building will have cedar shingle exterior with white trim. Many of the guest rooms will have fireplaces. View an online photo gallery of the early stages of demolition.

Looks like another quiet weekend in our little town:

FRIDAY
3-6 p.m., Town Green — The Madison Farmers’ Market, begun in 2007, runs every Friday from May 1 to October 23. This beautiful and diverse market is centrally located in Madison, CT, on the Historic Town Green. The farmers/vendors who make up this bustling market offer a wide array of CT Grown/produced items, which are beautifully presented.
7-10 p.m., West Haven — DHHS Varsity Football — Away – WHHS-Ken Strong Stadium.

SATURDAY
8-10:30 a.m., Hammonasset — The 23rd Annual Fall Bird Walk series at Hammonasset State Park and Beach is conducted each Saturday from September 12 to November 21. Participants will see migratory shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey at one of the premier birding areas in Connecticut. Participants meet at The Audubon Shop, at 7:50 a.m. and carpool to the park. There is a $4 charge per person. For more information, call 203-245-9056, or visit the Audubon Shop website.

SUNDAY
4 p.m., RJ Julia Booksellers — David Morine. “Two Coots in a Canoe” is the charming memoir of lifelong friends who paddle along the Connecticut River, relying on the kindness of strangers for their overnight stays. Coot and conservationist David Morine shares his story.

In a letter to parents sent out on Tuesday, Madison CT Public Schools Superintendent David J. Klein says that Madison Public Schools are collaborating and planning with officials from Guilford, North Branford, Branford and East Haven to prepare for the H1N1 flu virus.

They continue to recommend the following common sense strategies:

Common Sense Strategies to Minimize the Spread of the Flu:

• If you are sick, stay home from work and please keep sick children home from school. Children, determined to be sick while at school, will be sent home. You may return to work or school 24 hours after the fever is gone, without the use of feverreducing medications. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who get infected Note: Develop a family plan for childcare should your child(ren) become ill and be out of school for several days. Please be sure that the contact information on your emergency contact list includes those people who are part of your family childcare plan.
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective when soap and water are not available.
• If your child has a medical condition, please communicate with your family pediatrician and the school nurse so that we can work together.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw tissues away after use. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
• Don’t share personal items – drinks, water bottles, food, utensils, clothing or towels.
• Know the Signs and Symptoms of the Flu – Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also experience vomiting or diarrhea. If your child is absent with any of the aforementioned flu symptoms, please contact your child’s school nurse. This will help school officials to properly monitor the emergence of the flu within the district schools.

Decision to Close a School(s):
In accordance with CDC guidelines, the decision to close a school or multiple schools will be based upon the magnitude of the absenteeism levels for students and staff members. The fundamental question will be whether or not we have the necessary staffing to keep our schools open. If school officials have available staff to deliver our educational program, then they will attempt to keep schools open.

Priority Populations for Inoculation:
According to Madison Director of Health, John Bowers, the current priority populations for H1N1 vaccinations are as follows:

• Pregnant Women
• Caregivers for very Young Children – Children from birth to 6 months of age
• Children and Adults – Ages 6 months to 24 years

Local Availability of Flu Vaccine / Intra-Nasal Mist:
The H1N1 flu vaccine is scheduled for distribution to physicians this week in our Madison community. The first supply of vaccine will be the intra-nasal spray variety which is intended for healthy people ages 2-49. The priority group for the intra-nasal spray is children 2-4 years of age.

Community Inoculation Center(s):
Kleins says he will share information about community inoculation centers established by the Town of Madison as that information becomes available in the coming weeks. John Bowers and Klein will also continue to apprise residents of any new flu guidance from the CT Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. For more information about the H1N1 Virus, please visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO. The CT Department of Public Health has also established an H1N1 Hotline (1-800-830-9426) to answer your specific questions regarding the flu.