Message from the First Selectwoman

May 26, 2010

Springtime Update

1. Little Hikers: A great time to get outdoors - for children (5 years and under) and their families (older siblings welcome) to hike on June 26, at 10:30 am, the Little Hikers will meet at the Portland Reservoir. Contact Ali Behnke with any questions: Earlychildhoodcouncil@portlandct.org 860-342-6758.

2. Art Exhibits: The Town Hall Gallery is featuring the art works of Ann Snow and Lesley Braren, and Quarry Ridge Restaurant is featuring the works of the members of the Brownstone Arts. Please visit the exhibits and support the Arts in Portland!

3. Portland High School Graduation: June 15, 6:00 pm at the High School Soccer Field; all are welcome. If it rains, the graduation will be for ticket holders only in the Don Gates Auditorium at the high school.

4. River Front Fun Day: June 19 10:00 am – 2:00 pm The Portland Library’s Big READ wrap-up will be a community event presented in collaboration with Portland's Parks & Recreation Department. Meet and greet camp counselors at the Riverfront and enjoy games from Mark Twain's era followed by a good old fashioned picnic and more! This is also a “free admission day” for Portland residents only at the Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park.

5. Hawaiian Luau Benefit for the Family of Michael Flood: June 19 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Portland High School. David Mensher(Chef at PHS) will prepare the food. Advance adult tickets $25.00; at the door $30.00; advance keiki 5-12yrs $12.00; at the door $15.00. Hula dancing; fun; singing and dancing. For more information, consult the Rivereast NewsBulletin.

6. A special THANK YOU to the Brownstone Quorum for their tremendous work in building the Brownstone Quarries/Riverfront Park! In addition, our Public Works employees have done outstanding work in clearing the land, and a STEAP Grant from the State of CT has allowed us to extend Brownstone Avenue, and add a new parking area at the corner of Middlesex & Brownstone Avenues. Sidewalks along Middlesex Avenue will also be replaced using the STEAP grant money.Recently, members of Brownstone Quorum, Ryder Foley and his team of volunteers from TRIUMVIRATE, (a Portland business located in the Industrial Park), and Seth Nuzum, along with his youth group from the Valley Bible Church in Haddam, worked to clear brush and spread wood chips throughout the Park. They all did a fantastic job and I can’t thank them enough! Please be sure to visit the Park soon and enjoy a springtime walk outdoors.

Message from the First Selectwoman

April 27, 2010

We are very pleased to announce that we received the prestigious Regional EPA Environmental Merit Award in Boston on April 22, 2010 – the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The Merit Award recognizes “Partnerships for Green Jobs for the Water Sector.” As stated in the awards’ program brochure, “…Connecticut led the way in preparing students for careers in the water sector. Under the oversight of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Section of the American Water Works Association (CTAWWA) designed and funded a pilot program in Portland, CT, called the Water and People Program. This popular high school course provides hands-on instruction, features trips to water utilities, supports a local cable show and prepares students to pass a water operators certification exam.”

David Kuzminski, head of the Portland Town-Tech Initiative, Seb Agostino, Portland High School Science Teacher and Sally Doyen, Superintendent of Schools, cooperatively wrote the curriculum for the Water and People course. I had the honor of attending the award ceremony at Fanueil Hall in Boston on April 22, 2010, where we received one of only 40 awards given for all of New England. Please join me in congratulating Dave, Seb, and Sally, along with all the students involved with the course - we are very proud of their outstanding achievements!

Message from the First Selectwoman

August 19, 2009

I would like to congratulate the Town Tech Program on its very successful Water and People course completed this past spring. The course is a one semester class for high school seniors that introduces them to careers in the water industry. The curriculum will soon be copyrighted and made available to other schools throughout the country. The course was taught by Seb Agostino, of Portland High School and Dave Kuzminski, of the Town Technology Department.

The course has received many accolades. David Kuzminski received the prestigious George Warren Fuller Award at the Annual Conference of the American Water Works Association for his leadership in the water supply field. He also received the Section Education Award for the ground breaking Water and People Course. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is preparing a video featuring Portland. It will be used as a recruiting tool intended for nationwide use.

Thank you and congratulations to the students, Seb, Dave, our schools, and the Town for a very successful program. We are very proud of all of you!

Also See Water and People Course Makes National Headlines!!

Message from the First Selectwoman

August 31, 2009

I would like to invite Portland residents to the Senior Center every Wednesday in September from Noon - 1:00 pm. Bring a brown bag lunch; or, seniors can call ahead to reserve a lunch with the Center (342-6760) the day before. Everyone is invited to come and discuss any issue or concern.

In addition, every Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in September will be Open Topic Hour at Town Hall, 33 East Main Street. On Tuesday September 8 we will have information on Portland's participation in the Community Energy Challenge, which is an opportunity for towns across New England to identify simple and cost-effective measures that increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use while reducing air pollution and saving money. Hope you can join us. If these times are not convenient, please call and we can arrange another time. Thank you.