By Pam Johnson and Fay Abrahamsson
Courier Senior Staff Writers
January
In a vote of 6 to 1, the Planning & Zoning Commission approves “the Rockpile,” the future Guilford Commons shopping plaza on Boston Post Road, overlooking exit 57.
After more than five years in court, Guilford, along with 70 other towns in Connecticut, recoups $334,000 in funds from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, the trash agency.
A draft proposal creating a Representative Town Meeting (RTM) form of government for the town is approved by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to be included in an upcoming referendum. The selectmen differ in the process of nominating the proposed representatives.
With home heating oil costs averaging more than $3 a gallon, requests for help with government heating assistance application reach a new record–the highest application rate in five years–at Guilford Social Services.
After more than three years of researching all Guilford school buildings, the Community Task Force on School Facilities (CTFSF) brings into focus pressing needs at two overburdened buildings, Guilford High School and Adams Middle School. The CTFSF will now bring the findings to the Board of Education.
The Nathanael Greene Community Center celebrates its 15th year in action. The Church Street facility, which also houses Guilford Parks and Recreation and Guilford Seniors, was built at a cost of approximately $3 million and officially opened Jan. 15, 1993.
February
Barbara Higgins, 41, who was living temporarily in Guilford, dies in a house fire at a home on Stillmeadow Drive. Five others who were present at the time of the fire escaped unharmed.
A large misunderstanding that caused a short furor occurs when the Connecticut Horse Council mistakenly believes that the town’s Conservation Commission was proposing a “no horses” policy on certain trails.
A special Ad Hoc Committee for Use of the Guilford Green is formed by the Board of Selectmen to address certain problems and issues that occur with events held on the green.
A plan to build a new VFW Hall–at no cost to Guilford Post 7666–has stalled since it was established in October. Plan originators Stephen Spurrell and Howard Irving, partners at Neighborhood Builders Construction Management, say many in-kind construction donations of goods and services have been secured, but cash donations are also needed to undertake the $1.8 million job. The Guilford VFW Building Fund is established to accept tax-deductible donations.
A construction worker falls 15 feet from the roof at the town library work site, suffering a cracked pelvis and a leg injury. The accident is the first to occur since construction began in June.
In a technological testament to better service, Guilford Parks and Recreation develops its first online registration program. The website-based process goes live the first day of Spring Program Registration.
March
The town’s ’07 Grand List, or listing of all taxable properties in town, rises by 36 percent due to the recent revaluation. In contrast, the Grand List for ’06 rose by 1.46 percent.
The town hires former Orange First Selectman Mitchell Goldblatt as director of human resources; Jacklyn Simonetti is brought on as the new part-time economic development specialist.
Guilford High School is proposing extending classes from 45 minutes to 58 minutes, with lunch times reduced from 45 minutes to 25 minutes. The proposed changes are geared to increase daily instruction time for improved student achievement.
Heavy rains flood the basement at Adams Middle School, closing six classrooms for two days while crews clear water more than three inches deep. Areas of the basement were recently renovated in the fall after water-damaged wallboard in one classroom tested positive for black mold and forced closure of the basement classrooms during an extensive expungement process. At an upcoming April referendum, voters will be asked to approve a $65,400 project to update the school’s drainage system.
April
Voters approve a $75.5 million combined town and school budget on its first go-around. In the same referendum, voters also approve almost $3 million in school improvements.
With advice from the Charter Revision Commission, the Board of Selectmen enacts a new commission to oversee the $2 million Department of Public Works.
Larry Muccilli, 56, member of the Board of Police Commissioners and widower of former Board of Education member Cindy Muccilli, dies at home in his sleep.
The Planning & Zoning Commission, after months of meetings and testimony, approves Arrow Paving’s application for a site and coastal plan at the company’s property on Whitfield Street.
Police arrest four Branford residents between the ages of 16 and 19 for breaking into vehicles and stealing items moments after a resident reports suspicious activity in the Guilford Lakes area. The arrests are made on the heels of a rash of recent reports of vehicle break-in thefts. Police use the town’s reverse-911 system to contact residents within crime area perimeter.
After months of “Community Conversations,” TEAMGuilford holds a Community Forum at Guilford High School (GHS), where residents gather to turn ideas into actions. Several new committees are formed to begin addressing recognized community needs across a broad spectrum.
May
The last hurdle for the Ohio developers that want to build a shopping center on “the Rockpile” is overcome when the Connecticut Siting Council approves the relocation of an existing cell phone tower. The tower’s move is necessary to accommodate the design of the $37 million, 150,000 square foot retail complex.
Fire companies from as far as Essex race to assist Guilford Fire Department with a fast-spreading fire in a section of Westwoods. A total of 63 firefighters battle the blaze during a 10-hour effort. As many as 20 acres of rough terrain are consumed by the fire.
At its annual meeting, the Guilford PTA questions three Guilford Board of Education (BOE) members present as to whether the BOE is offering the public too many choices on how to go forward with meeting pressing facility needs at Guilford High School and Adams Middle School. The PTA urges the BOE to send a final proposal to referendum.
Police act quickly to chase down and arrest a suspected robber whose vehicle struck a business owner of a Goose Lane storage facility. The owner contacted police after questioning a man piling scrap metal into his pick-up truck. A short police pursuit ended at the I-95 rest area in Madison, where police pulled over and arrested the suspect.
Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz honors nearly 100 World War II veterans living in Guilford, presenting each with a special Connecticut Public Service Award during a ceremony at the community center. First Selectman Carl Balestracci, Jr., VFW Commander Larry Santamaria, and American Legion Commander Costi Montone are recognized for gathering the veterans to receive the awards.
June
Pinchbeck Roses, the 79-year-old business on Boston Post Road, announces it will close its wholesale business due to overseas competition and high labor costs.
Members of the newly formed first commission to oversee the Department of Public Works are named, with former First Selectman Charles “Gene” Bishop as chairman.
Shocked seniors react when they receive notice from the town’s Assessor’s office informing them that they have been removed from the Elderly Tax Relief Program.
Two New Haven men armed with a facsimile gun are tracked down and arrested in Guilford after allegedly pistol-whipping a Boston Post Road man at his home. Police located the first man on foot in woods near the home. The second was found after an intensive search with assistance from an East Haven K-9 unit, state police, and state police helicopter Trooper One.
Three new officers are needed to fill the roster at Guilford Police Department. Two positions are due to retirements, the third is a new officer position approved in the town budget. Guilford currently has 39 sworn officers and two in training at the state academy.
The GHS Class of 2008 graduation ceremony takes place on the town green in record time–in deference to a threatening thunderstorm. Diplomas are conferred on 296 graduates.
July
Leslie Kane, a woman of many titles–town environmental planner, Inland Wetlands administrator, GIS administrator, and tree warden–accepts a new position in Southbury as director of the Audubon Center.
Many business owners turn out at a jam-packed Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to hear about proposed changes in the town’s signs regulations.
The Guilford Free Library announces that it will close its temporary location on Carter Drive to relocate to its newly renovated and expanded home facing the Green.
The Planning & Zoning Commission approves the first tenant for the Woodruff Farm property–the Guilford Day Care Center.
An East Haven man is arrested after police investigate a report he attempted to entice young females with a necklace in a Water Street parking lot. Police acted on a tip from parents of an eighth-grade girl.
Police charge a 14-year-old resident as a juvenile in a case of reckless endangerment after he allegedly fired paint-balls from the window of a Boston Post Road residence. One of the paintballs struck the face of a child across the street in the CVS/Pharmacy parking lot. Several vehicles in the lot were also struck by paintballs.
Bishop’s Orchards announces that Green Machine Bio, LLC, of Rhode Island will study wind resources on the farm’s Long Hill Road property with an eye toward gathering wind-power to provide electricity for Bishops’ farm market and apple storage facility. An application has been made to the town to install a data-gathering meteorological monopole. The pole, approximately 200 feet tall, will be in place for about a year. If tests prove adequate wind power can be generated, a single turbine wind energy system will be installed.
The town’s first librarian, Edith Nettleton, turns 100. During her 45-year tenure, which began in 1933, she established the library’s Historical Room (now named in her honor). Nettleton still volunteers at the library and is now in her 75th year of continuous service. Many friends and fans gather to honor her at a party at the town’s temporary library on Carter Drive.
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the opening of 1-95, residents help the Guilford Courier remember the town “before” and “after” the turnpike was constructed.
August
The Chabad of the Shoreline, after withdrawing its application for a special permit last year, resubmits its proposal to build a synagogue on Goose Lane to the town’s Planning & Zoning Commission.
Democratic incumbent Deborah Heinrich wins the primary against challenger Gina Tracy in the race for state representative in the 101st district.
Town lifeguards Derek Faulkner and Carlye Thommen are commended for making life-saving rescues at Lake Quonnipaug this summer. Faulkner saved a submerged 32-year-old man and Thommen entered the water to save a two-year-old and a four-year-old on different days.
Four new computers are stolen from inside the renovated Guilford Free Public Library building. Workers find a broken window in an interior door leading to a room where the computers had been stored over the weekend.
Guilford Public Schools introduces 19 new educators during its New Teacher Orientation. The teachers greet students when classes begin Aug. 28.
The town’s bus company, Student Transportation of America, has added 19 brand-new buses to its fleet.
Police say a man armed with a semi-automatic handgun got away with $15 during an early-morning street robbery. The victim is a bread deliveryman outside Guilford Food Center on Whitfield. The robber ran to a car and drove away.
September
The Community Task Force on School Facilities recommends the replacement of the high school and middle school to the Board of Education (BOE). Soon after, the BOE votes eight to one in agreement.
Sachem’s Hollow, a year-old elderly housing development, is dedicated to Jim Goodridge. After 20 years with Guilford Housing Authority, Goodridge is retiring from his position as GHA chairman and board member.
The Guilford Free Library is back in business at its 67 Park Street location, opening the renovated building and a new addition to the public on Sept. 5.
The planned Soundview YMCA, to be built in Branford at the Guilford border and serve the shoreline, gets critical approval from both Branford Inland Wetlands and Planning and Zoning. Officials hope to continue fundraising and break ground before winter.
October
Eleventh graders give each other “high-fives” as they rank in the top 10 in the state in growth in three out of four subjects in the Connecticut Academic Performance Test.
In its largest acquisition ever, Guilford Land Conservation Trust acquires the remaining 33 acres of the 141-acre parcel known as Broomstick Ledges.
Selectmen approve going forward with a January 2009 referendum so voters can decide whether to approve or deny the appropriation of $15.45 million dollars to purchase 625 acres in town called the East River Preserve (Goss and Zipp properties).
The town’s website remains up despite a new state law that requires all municipalities post minutes of all town meetings, effective Oct. 1.
GHS physics teacher Raisa Roginsky receives an “American Stars of Teaching” Award, during a surprise Board of Education ceremony. One teacher from each state is selected annually.
November
The Democratic Party ruled the November elections as State Senator Ed Meyer and state representatives Patricia Widlitz and Deborah Heinrich, all incumbents, win their seats. It was a large turnout as 84 percent of voters in town went to the polls.
Voters reject the idea of a Representative Town Meeting but approve a four-year term for the first selectman and Board of Selectmen.
Police arrest a part-time home aide who allegedly stole $11,000 hidden beneath a mattress in a Guilford home. The money belonged to another home aide who also worked in the home.
A 23-year-old man is killed by an Amtrak train near the Route 146 corridor and is determined to have suffered an accidental death; he appeared to have intentionally remained in harm’s way and was struck. The man, a former Guilford resident, last resided in Norwich.
December
After 22 hours of public hearings and meetings, the town’s Planning & Zoning Commission, in a tight 4 to 3 vote, approves the Chabad’s special application to build a synagogue on Goose Lane. Immediately after the decision, the closest neighbor to the site says she would appeal.
The Guilford Police Department is investigating alleged misuse or misappropriation of funds from the Soccer Club of Guilford by its former treasurer and Guilford resident, Carlos Garcia.
Selectmen tighten up conditions over the use of the Guilford Green and approve the 2009 multi-day events for the Craft Expo and Shakespeare on the Shoreline.
The Planning & Zoning Commission, after listening to feedback from local merchants regarding possible modifications to its signage regulations, significantly tones down the changes, removing from the books the most controversial.
Governor M. Jodi Rell announces the state bonding commission is expected to approve a substantial portion of a grant for the new Soundview YMCA. Rell anticipates $600,000 will be approved for construction of the new facility.
Two 15-year-old GHS students are arrested and face juvenile charges after they allegedly initiate a bomb scare that clears the building of students.