Republican to Announce for 16th Senate Run

Paul D’Angelo will be announcing his candidacy for the 16th State Senate seat on March 3rd at Paisano’s Restaurant on Meriden Rd. in Waterbury. D’Angelo currently serves on the Waterbury Board of Education. The event will include a fundraising dinner. Tickets are $30.

The 16th District covers all of Wolcott, Southington, the east and north ends of Waterbury and the northern section of Cheshire. The seat is currently held by Sen. Sam Caligiuri of Waterbury who is completing his second two year term. He is vacating the seat to run against Congressman Chris Murphy in the 5th District. Murphy was a state senator for the 16th District before Caligiuri.

D’Angelo on Facebook

Fundraiser Event

Board Holds Public Hearing

The Board of Education held a public hearing last night on their budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. According to the Waterbury Republican American, the school budget has a 0% increase overall.

With salaries rising, what will the cuts in other areas affect?
Did you go to the hearing? What do you think of the budget proposal?

We’d love to hear from you. Click on “Leave a Comment” below! This is an open forum topic.

Cans for Camping

Cub Scout Pack 230 is holding their semi-annual Bottle and Can Drive on Friday, Feb. 26* and Saturday Feb. 27th*. Please leave clean, redeemable 5 cent deposit bottles and cans – water bottles too – at the curb Friday night and Pack 230 will pick them up Saturday morning. All proceeds will go toward programs, events, field trips, materials and activities for our Cub Scouts.

* In the event of inclement weather, we will have our pick up the following weekend, March 5 & 6.

The Cub Scouts and volunteers thank the people of Wolcott in advance for their participation.

Want to be an Olympian?

You don’t have to travel to Vancouver this week to enjoy the snow and thrill of victory. Two affiliate organizations are bringing winter Olympic sports to the area. You don’t have to be rich or necassarily in shape to try these out. Both are free or low cost and great events for the family.

The Norfolk Curling Club is holding an open house today and

Spring Is Near: Time For Sports

Vanessa Malena

I know it doesn’t look like it after our recent snowstorm, but, spring is in the air in Wolcott! The Baseball Association of Wolcott (BAW) had its sign-ups and practices will begin in March. It’s not too late to sign-up if your child (ages 5 – 18) would like to join. Visit their site at here: Baseball Association of Wolcott

Spring soccer and lacrosse are also open for registration. Please visit their sites at Wolcott Warriors and the new Wolcott Lacrosse League , respectively.

Although the Super Bowl is in the past and the football season is behind us, it isn’t

Title Queens Challenge Political Kings for Rescue Group

Miss Wolcott and Miss Wolcott’s Outstanding Teen are used to tough competition, but Friday they’ll trade in heels for bowling shoes as they take on Wolcott’s political suits in what promises to be a fun event for all. Whether you roll with bumpers or have your own balls, all are welcome to pin their support for the Animal Rescue Foundation‘s efforts to build a new facility. The group is rebuilding its animal shelter in Plymouth after the previous one burned down on November 23rd, 2008.

Erin Ward has been a dedicated member of the ARF group and is co-sponsoring the fundraiser. Her involvement began knowing her family’s black lab / sharpei mix was a rescued dog from ARF’s shelter. “I want to know that other people will have the same opportunity to have a good pet like I had with Zoey.” In this month’s Wolcott Community News, Ward writes about how Zoey mixed well with her family, and was curious about the tennis balls on the legs of

Library Closed, Handicapped Meeting Cancelled

Because of the second of a two-stage snowstorm, the library closed at 4 pm today.

The Handicapped Commission meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled.

As of 4:30, the Town Council meeting is still scheduled as usual. It may be viewed on Channel 21 at 7:30.
Agenda:
Hometown Hero award,
Historic Documents Presentation Grant
Authorization for the mayor to sign a new fuel contract.

The Whisper is able to see how viewers reached this site and what search terms you are looking for in the ‘search’ box. Sometimes this gives an article idea. Over the last two weeks someone has been searching for the terms “How much snow will Wolcott get today”. Well, I don’t have my magic 8 ball, but there’s about 5 inches on my porch at the moment and its still falling. That was after I shoveled 3 inches this morning.

My 6th sense, however predicts one more inch. If any more falls, don’t worry, I predict that the wind will pick up to blow it away. (who needs a snowblower?!). Well… its heavy snow, so… uh.. maybe.

Here’s some more scientific predictions:
Intellicast is predicting 1-2 inches with 10-20 mph winds this afternoon.

WTNH is predicting 1-3 inches, breezy tonight 20 mph winds.

Channel 3 has an interesting forecast guessing from 4-12 inches with question marks. Click for details.

As always, feel free to start a discussion by clicking on “Leave a Comment” below.

Youth Center Bids Accepted

The Town is accepting bids to build the Wolcott Youth Center. The center is planned to be built behind Frisbie School. The plans and bid package can be picked up at Town Hall. The bid deadline is February 18th at 11:00 am.

Construction is expected to begin this spring and be completed before the Lions Fair in August.

Snow Day: What’s Open

School was cancelled today and many businesses shut down, declaring a mid-week holiday after predictions of two feet of snow were announced. As of 3 pm, however only 2 inches of snow appears to have fallen. Most roads have a light coat of snow with Wolcott and Meriden Rds being cleared of snow though wet. Road crews are out and the wind seems to have blown most of the snow away.

It is slippery on many roads, however. If you do venture out, leave plenty of room in front of you and drive slowly and carefully. There’s enough snow to make you slide or skid if you stop too abruptly.

A quick drive up Wolcott Rd. shows the following businesses are open (this is not an all-inclusive list). Feel free to add to the list by leaving a comment! (or organize a little snow-party):

Harold’s Deli
Pat’s IGA
Cumberland Farms
Carlucci’s Pizza
Dunkin Donuts (both)
Laurel Crest Liquors
McBride’s Pizza

Virtu’ Raises Funds For Animal Group

Warm yourself up tonight at Virtu’s Restaurant at 1986 East Main St. with a spaghettii dinner for a good cause. The Animal Rescue Foundation will benefit from the $20 a plate supper. The supper will be from 5p – 8p. n the process of raising the funds to replace their shelter which burned down almost two years ago. “We’re over halfway there to the point where we can break ground,” said Joe Ouimet, a volunteer for the group and Wolcott’s Animal Control Officer.

A frequently updated Facebook group has been started to keep animal lovers up to date on the project. That can be viewed here. Questions, or other information can be obtained by e-mailling alyrox4life@aol.com.

Tickets may be purchaed at the door.

Rep- Am Gets Senate Announcement Wrong

Hopefully the Waterbury Republican- American writes its events in pencil. At least they have the Whisper to back them up with timely corrections. On page 5B today they announced Paul D’Angelo, a candidate for the 16th Senatorial District would be holding a fundraiser for his campaign at Paisano’s Restaurant tonight. However, the actual date is March 3rd, not February 3rd. Current State Senator Sam Caligiuri is not seeking a 3rd term in the seat. Instead, he is challenging US Congressman Chris Murphy for the 5th Congressional seat. Murphy was a State Senator from the 16th immediately before Caligiuri.

“They got it wrong,” said D’Angelo while still

Busy Week At Town Hall

February begins budget season in Wolcott. The Board of Education has begun finance committee presentations on their budget and Parks and Recreation and Farmingbury Hills commissions will also begin discussions. The Library Board met last night and also was expected to discuss their budget.

All of these and other budget proposals will be forwarded to the Mayor for his approval or for changes. After he does this, he will make a presentation to the Town Council which will then hold public hearings on these proposals. Ultimatly by the end of May, the Town Council will approve a budget and tax rate for the new year.

Other business is also being conducted by the various commissions. Below are some of the highlights of various meetings going on in Wolcott this week. All are open for public viewing. If the meeting is a regular meeting, public input is also available. If the meeting is a workshop, however, then there is no public input and minutes are not generally taken. They may be observed, however. :

Tonight

Board of Education
– Finance workshop (Alcott School conference room. This room is in the uppermost level of the brick building. Conference room is the closest room to Woodtick Rd.)

Town Council – 7:30
– Discussion and possible vote on Charter Revision
– Discussion and possible adoption of Finance Officer’s contract
– Appointments for Youth Center Building Committee

Wednesday

Planning & Zoning
– Musco Propane application for a zoning permit for (4) 10,000 gallon propane storage tanks at 585 Wolcott Rd.
– Zone tax amendment change for Reg. 23.2.4

Thursday

Board of Education
– Overview of 2010-2011 budget proposal
– Adopt WHS ’10-11 Course of Study Guide
– Approve a grant submission

Monday, February 8
Farmingbury Hills Golf Commission
– Land Use Sale
– Wish list
– Restaurant Contract

Tuesday, February 9

Parks and Recreation
– Vehicle policy for Peterson Park
– 2010-2011 budget
– WGSA field lease
– 2010 field allotments