Around town

AROUND TOWN
(last updated March 5, 2010)

This website page will be used to promote activities and events that are occurring “around town.”

In order to let people know what is going on, we need YOU TO INFORM US so that we can spread the word. Please send your events to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If we don't know about it, we can't publicize it!

The next time you are at Town Hall, take a moment to sit on the bench placed in the "semi-circle" overlooking the river at the rear of the parking lot. This bench was erected by members of St John's Church in honor of the many years of service Charlotte Dufour served as Town Clerk of New Hartford. What a lovely place to sit and contemplate all of life's many pleasures!

Scholarship Opportunity

The New Hartford Women's Club is accepting applications for the New Hartford Memorial Scholarship. This opportunity is open to local women returning to school to receive academic or vocational training. For more information, please call Dana (scholarship co-chair) at 860-921-0029 or visit www.NewHartfordWomensClub.org. Deadline for applications is March 27, 2010.

SAVE THE DATE: EVERY WEDNESDAY - DROP-IN VOLLEYBALL at Antolini School 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM (if school is closed, volleyball is cancelled)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010: CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE dinner ( 5:00 PM) at the New Hartford Senior Center. This free dinner is open to all people age 55 and older BUT YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE! Call Jean at 860-379-3980

Saturday, March 13, 2010: New Hartford Seniors will attend the Irish Dancing Sensation "Riverdance" at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford. Tickets are $75.00 per person. Matinee begins at 2:00. Bus pick up time to be determined. Call Jean at 860-379-3980 to register.

Saturday, March 13, 2010: Pine Meadow Volunteer Fire Department sponsors a Corned Beef/Cabbage/Potatoes Dinner prepared by your local volunteer heroes. All proceeds benefit the Pine Meadow Volunteer Fire Department. Adults $10.00, 12 and under = $8.00; 6 and under = FREE. 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Saturday, March 20, 2010: FUN FAIR at Bakerville United Methodist Church (1087 Litchfield Tpke) sponsored by Bakerville Community Nursery School -- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM; activiites for parents and children, silent auction.

Sunday, March 21, 2010: New Hartford Lions Club sponsors Antiques and Collectibles show at NW Regional School.
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010: Farmington River Watershed hosts a workshop re: Atlantic Salmon Stocking.. Volunteers needed to assist in stocking local waterways. For more information, attend the workshop at the Avon Free Public Library on 281 Country Club Road in Avon from 7 - 9 PM. Click here for flyer with additional information.

IMPORTANT BUDGET MEETING DATES FOR YOU TO KEEP IN MIND:

Tuesday, April 6, 2010: Board of Finance hosts Public Budget Hearing at 7:00 PM in the Senior Center/Meeting Room of the Town Hall. This is your opportunity to come and listen to the proposed budgets for Town Government, Local Education and Regional School District # 7. Public Comments are welcome and encouraged! Get involved in the process, let your elected leaders know what your thoughts are about the budget. Provide input for discussion. THIS IS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR 2010-2011 BUDGET!!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010: Regular Board of Finance Meeting - 7:00 PM at Town Hall. Board of Finance will discuss input received at the budget hearing and will implement any changes resulting from discussions at the hearing.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010: Annual Budget Meeting/Annual Town Meeting. 7:00 PM in the Senior Center of the Town Hall. The Budget Meeting adjourns to referendum. NO CHANGES TO THE BUDGET OCCUR AT THIS MEETING (the final proposed budget automatically goes to referendum) Annual Town Meeting follows the adjournment of the budget meeting. Agenda for Annual Town Meeting will be available when finalized.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010: Budget Referendum. 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Please exercise your right to vote!

Residents of New Hartford may call the First Selectman Dan Jerram at (860) 379-3389 during regular office hours to discuss concerns with the budget. Public input is vital to the budget process. This is your town and your tax dollars... make your opinions/suggestions/comments known!

EARTH DAY PLANT SALE:

Friday, April 23 (9:00 - 6:00) *** Saturday, April 24 (9:00 - 4:00 ) **** Sunday, April 25 (10:00 - 3:00)
Sponsored by the Northwest Conservation District and held at the Goshen Fair Grounds on Route 63 in Goshen, CT.
Order forms available at New Hartford Town Hall or at www.conservect.org or by calling (860) 626-7222. Order deadline is April 6, 2010. (for those who do not pre-order, there will be plants available for sale on site.... however, quantities and selection may be limited.)

Energy Assistance Applications now being accepted, income levels apply. Call Administrative Assistant Christine Hayward at 860-379-3389 to schedule an appointment. Visit The State of CT website, Social Services department at
http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&Q=305194 for additional information.

For up to date information and breaking news regarding H1N1 (Swine Flu), please visit the Farmington Valley District Website at www.fvhd.org.

CHANGE IN BUSINESS HOURS

TOWN HALL OFFICE HOURS ARE CHANGING EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2010
TOWN HALL WILL BE OPEN
MONDAYS, TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
WEDNESDAYS FROM 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
FRIDAYS 8:00 AM - NOON
(please note that the Tax Collector's Office opens at 9:00 AM daily)

FOR DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFO, PLEASE GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE AND CLICK ON TOWN DEPARTMENTS

NOTICE TO NEW HARTFORD RESIDENTS REGARDING FIRE DISTRICT TAXES
The Tax Office and the First Selectman's Office receive numerous calls regarding Fire District Tax Payments. Please be aware that there are three separate fire districts within the town and residents are taxed according to the district they in which they reside. The Fire Districts are entirely separate from the Town. They each set their own mill rate and are responsible for the collection of taxes within the district. The Town has absolutely no authority over the districts. Fire District Tax Payments cannot be accepted at Town Hall. Each district elects Commissioners who act as the governing body of their specific district. Tax Collectors are also elected to their position. Elected Officials serve for a specified term and are elected at Annual Meetings scheduled by the district. Concerns regarding the operations of the district need to be addressed to the Commissioners of the district. Monthly operational meetings are also held for each district at a location specific to the district. Members of the public are encouraged to attend fire district meetings and participate in discussions. For additonal information concerning scheduled meetings, please call the specific fire house.
New Hartford Fire (Village or First District) 379-4936
South End Fire (Second District) 482-7336
Pine Meadow Fire Department: 379-8014

OPEN BURNING IS BY PERMIT ONLY (when conditions allow)! Please call the town hall (379-3389) to receive contact information for the burning official. The Burning Official is responsible for issuing burning permits. Call him to make arrangements for him to check your pile and issue a permit on site. The permit fee is $25.00. Reminder: Burning should not be done on wet, cloudy days. The smoke cannot rise as it needs to in order to prevent a distrubance to your neighbors. For additional information on open burning, visit the web page "burning official."

Dave Boyajian is the burning official "on duty"... Please call him at 738-8958 to make arrangements for a site inspection and issuance of a burning permit. Please keep in mind that he has a "full time job" in addition to his burning official duties, so he may not be immediatley available. He schedules appointments -- so, please leave a message on his answering machine if you do not reach him directly. He WILL return your call.

MISCELLANEOUS "TID-BITS":

The Seniors continue their on going project -- Seniors Supporting Soldiers (SSS). If you have a friend, relative, or neighbor serving overseas, please contact Senior Director Jean Barnicoat at 379-3980 to receive an information sheet to fill out for the soldier. CASH donations are welcome and needed to help defray the cost of postage. Thank you to Patty Duong for all of her hard work and dedication to this worthwhile project.

Free Medicare and Insurance Counseling! - CHOICES is a "one -stop" information source for services available to older adults. Referrals to appropriate agencies to access services is provided thorugh our very own CHOICES counselor... Ellen Durstin. Ellen can be seen by appointment on Wednesdays at the Senior Center. Call 379-3980 to set up an appointment or for additional information.