The zoning meeting Monday evening should prove to be very interesting.
I wonder if there will be a huge crowd. If so the meeting might have to be rescheduled in a larger venue.
At issue is a gun shop that hopes to open in Woodbridge.
It seems there are just as many people who want the shop as there are who do not.
Some argue that the shop will send a negative message to teens who frequent the nearby Amity Teen Center. Others argue that there are a ton of federally mandated regulations the shop must follow which means teens won't be able to even get in the door.
Also there is a peaceful protest planned for 7 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. meeting.
What do you think?

The issue of a gun shop in Woodbridge is sure to create an interesting discussion at the April 2 Town Plan and Zoning Commission meeting.
While the idea of locating it near a teen center, at first blush, can be alarming is it really such a big deal? After all, the store will have federal oversight. The gun shop owners will be completely vetted. One of the criteria to get the necessary approvals is to meet with the town police department.
The owners have already gotten approval from the Chief of Police Gene Marcucci. And since one of the owners is a retired police officer, wouldn't you think that would add another layer of security. After all, he has had additional training on how to look for trouble.
Additionally, selling guns is allowed by law. A detailed background check is conducted and NRA sanctioned safety classex are taught to the buyer.
Realistically a teen will not be allowed to purchase a weapon.
And we don't know, but perhaps the shop is going to specialize in antique weapons.
The owners did not want to discuss their business plans.
What do you think?

The Republican Registrar of Voters will hold a voter registration session in the Registrars’ office at Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany on Tuesday, April 10, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., for the purpose of registering and/or enrolling electors entitled to vote in the Republican Presidential Preference Primary to be held on Tuesday, April 24. The Registrar will also hear requests by persons removed from the registry list for adding their names to the list.
In order to vote in the primary, the cutoff date for registering or enrolling BY MAIL is April 19 and the cutoff date for registering or enrolling IN PERSON is April 23 at noon. Note that there is a 90 day waiting period for anyone switching from a major or minor party to a different major or minor party. Unaffiliated or unregistered voters are free to make party changes at any time up until the above cutoff dates. Residents may also register any weekday and Monday evenings in the Town Clerk‘s office. If you have questions, please call Republican Registrar Will Brinton at 203-393-2100 EXT 121.

Christ Church, Bethany invites you to attend services during Holy Week, the last week of Lent. The Reverend Dr. E. Bevan Stanley, interim rector, said that “The more one participates in the various worship experiences of Holy Week, the more powerful Easter will be. These services are also a great resource for teaching children about our faith and what Jesus did for us.”
The week begins with palm waving and the joyous celebration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, April 1. Traditional services will be held at 8 and 10 a.m. and a contemporary service will be held at 5 p.m.
Holy Week continues with Holy Eucharist services held at 7 p.m. on Monday and at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
On Wednesday the very moving Tenebrae service is at 7 p.m. Candles are gradually extinguished to symbolize the somber events of Holy Week.
At the meaningful Maundy Thursday service, which commemorates Christ’s Last Supper, there will be a Holy Eucharist, foot washing, and stripping of the altar.
April 6, Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross devotion at noon will follow Jesus on his way to Calvary. At 7 p.m., there will be a Proper Liturgy with the reading of the Passion narrative from the Gospel of John and the Veneration of the Cross.
The Great Vigil of Easter will be held on Holy Saturday at 8 p.m., the holiest night of the Christian year. This dramatic service begins in darkness when the new light is ignited. After a quiet time of hearing Scripture, the miracle of the Resurrection breaks in with light and music. In the Parish House, following the service, there will be a festive celebration of the Resurrection to which everyone is invited.
Stanley said, “If you cannot make it to church every day of Holy Week, at least try to come to the special events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening. If you can’t make anything else, do what you can to get to the Great Vigil of Easter,” for that is the most important liturgy of the entire Christian Year.
On Easter Sunday the services will be at 8 a.m. and l0 a.m. There will be a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt for all children in attendance following the l0 a.m. Eucharist

This Saturday, March 24, and next Saturday, March 31, the Bethany Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge will hold two bulb swaps at the Bethany Transfer Station. Residents are invited to come exchange four working incandescent bulbs for four new energy-efficient CFLs, which could save an average Connecticut home up to $100 a year. CFLs start saving money and energy as soon as they are installed, and are an easy first step to reducing energy waste. Residents will also have the opportunity to sign up for a free in-home lighting visit from Neighbor to Neighbor at the exchange; they can then get up to 20 of the bulbs in their home replaced for free. To learn more about the program, visit www.CTEnergyChallenge.com/lighting or call the Neighbor to Neighbor office at 860-372-4406. Residents of Cheshire are also among the participating towns.

I recently interviewed Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli and boy did he have a lot to say.
I will be writing about his conversation tomorrow. But here is a heads up.
While the town budget has not yet been set you can definitely expect a mill rate increase. And you might be surprised where some of the increases are coming from. Stay tuned.

The public is invited to attend an Opening Reception for The Palette Art Studio at the Woodbridge Library on Wednesday, April 4th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

The March/April exhibit features the works of students of the Palette Art Studio in Cheshire. Their work represents a variety of technique, media, and content. The artists used materials such as oil, watercolor, gouache, tempera, pencil, and ink to create still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and more. The participating artists range in age from five years old to adulthood.

Palette Art Studio was founded, in 1997, by artist and teacher Natasha Piskunova. Trained in Russian schools of classical and contemporary painting and drawing, Piskunova draws on her experience as a teacher of artistically-gifted children in St. Petersburg. Her studio employs both innovative and traditional teaching methods. Students are systematically introduced to the fundamental concepts and skills of painting and drawing. They learn to understand and manipulate structure, form, and color, while utilizing a broad range of mediums and techniques. At Palette Art Studio, personal artistic expression and growth is encouraged, and students enjoy the process of creation. Teaching methods are flexible and individualized, so that each student can thrive in a dynamic and exciting setting. For more information, visit their website This exhibit is free and open to the public. All are welcome to visit.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, I am meeting with Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli to talk about finances. Are there any questions you would like me to ask him?

It appears taxes in town will be going up unfortunately. How much, I do not know, but hope to have an answer for you.

I also hope to talk with Jim about issues at Amity High School. Orange is projected to have close to a million dollars more to pay than Bethany or Woodbridge. Is this fair? Isn't there anything Amity can do to keep this down a bit.

Apparently there is nothing Amity can do. what do you think?

I recently met with Barb Block to talk about her daughter Eva who died in a house fire near Marist College. That was a very difficult interview. She is an amazing woman who is working through her pain in a productive manner.

She is trying to educate everyone on the dangers of a fire and how to escape if there is a fire.

Barb and the Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department are hosting a huge fire safety day the end of the moth. You can find out everything you need to know how to put out a fire and escape without injury.

Here is a link to the story I wrote.

Last night I attended the Amity Board of Education meeting. The BOE voted to name the schools auditorium after Dr. Brady. The vote was controversial with Bill Blake breaking a tie. But a lot of other things were also taking place at the meeting. Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli was once again there asking the BOE to reconsider their proposed budget. Orange has an increase of almost $1 million and Amity is projected to have a surplus once again. Jim Leahy, a member of the Orange BOF said Amity has had a surplus for the past 7 years averaging $800,000. Do you the readers want to learn more about this? Let me know.