SundayRepublican ALL EDITIONS $2 REP-AM.COM AUGUST 23, 2020 Partly sunny and humid with a chance of showers. Page 18A High 89 Low 68 Accent 1C Books 2C Classified 4B Crossword 3B Dear Annie 3C Editorials 16-17A Horoscope 3C Games 3B Letters 17A Lottery 2A Money & Life 6B Obituaries 12-14A Pets 4C Police blotter 2A Sports 1B Television 3B Nation 14A Your Day 2A 65 years later ... Winsted’s Jim Moore wants to help keep the memories of the Flood of ’55 alive through music. PAGE 3A City has 6th homicide of year Waterbury police are investigating the killing of a man who was shot in the chest early Saturday morning on Violet Street. PAGE 3A 44 pages. © 2020 The Sunday Republican Established 1906, Waterbury, Conn. All rights reserved Read it at rep-am.com 6 3 4 3 7 3 3 1 9 5 0 8 >> HIT THE PAWS BUTTON Check out Jax and the rest of the pets of the week and vote for your favorite. >> SPORTS TALK Check out the latest episode of our chat with Waterbury sports legend Joan Joyce at rep-am/sports. TO DAY AT R E P -A M .C O M OPINION OF THE DAY: “The tapping of Kamala Harris as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee is a groundbreaking moment for our country. I would urge American citizens to embrace the moment as progress. We must end racism based on the color of someone’s skin.” —Peggy O’Connell, Woodbury READ THE FULL LETTER ON PAGE 17A BY LANCE REYNOLDS REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Students should pack sunscreen along with their pencils and notebooks before ar- riving at school this year. Superintendents across the region have looked for ways to ensure social distanc- ing when students return to class, which starts this week in some towns. They’ve found the outdoors to be their best re- source — at least on good weather days, for the next couple of months. Region 12 Superintendent Megan Ben- nett found ample outdoor learning space in her rural district, which will fully re- open Aug. 31. The Bridgewater Fairgrounds will be an outdoor classroom, which will allow Districts getting creative on ways to keep kids safe Outdoor classes, constant cleaning part of virus plan BY MICHAEL PUFFER REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Once Naugatuck public schools reopen, any student diagnosed with COVID-19 will be sent home for 14 days. The rest of their school will close for two to five days. Those days will be spent sanitizing the school and working with local health offi- cials to determine when the school can safely reopen, said Laraine Weschler, spokeswoman for Naugatuck schools. That’s their plan, but as districts grap- ple with how to reopen this fall, there still are no statewide thresholds telling dis- tricts when they must close a classroom, several classrooms or an entire school due to the presence of COVID-19. State officials said they expect to re- COVID-19 and how to handle it high on the list State expected to release virus guidelines this week SCHOOL DAYS See STUDENTS , Page 11A See VIRUS , Page 11A CORONAVIRUS AND OUR SCHOOLS BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERBURY — Rudonna LeGree spent her 45th birthday in prison at York Correctional Institution in Niantic. She has been arrested several times for minor larcenies, with several con- victions on her record. But those petty crimes aren’t what has kept her in prison for months. LeGree, of Water- bury, was one of more than two dozen people arrested during Black Lives Matter protests that ended with people handcuffed on the ground. Protester’s fate uncertain after BLM arrest Parolee’s contact with police is considered a violation by DOC LeGree CONTRIBUTED >> What’s happening at the U.S. Postal Service? A look at the recent changes to the post office, Page 18A. >> Read an Associated Press fact check on the history of the post office and comments made, Page 18A. >> How will your school handle the year during the pandemic? A look at reopening plans on Page 10A. >> The University of Connecticut and other colleges are learning reopeing is not so easy. In Monday’s paper. >> Tracking the virus in Connecticut: A look at the numbers over the past five months at rep-am.com. BY LISA MASCARO AND MATTHEW DALY ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — With de- bate over mail delays, the House approved legislation in a rare Saturday session that would reverse recent changes in U.S. Postal Service opera- tions and send $25 billion to shore up the agency ahead of the November election. Speaker Nancy Pelosi re- called lawmakers to Wash- ington over objections from Republicans dismissing the action as a stunt. President Donald Trump House OKs $25 billion to help post office BY RUTH EPSTEIN REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN SALISBURY — Groups in this town had a message to send to the White House: “Save our post office.” Rallies were held Saturday morning in front of the Lakeville and Salisbury post offices by those upset with the recent cut- backs made to the U.S. Postal Service by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Participants shared strong sentiments about the re- moval of postal boxes in front of post offices and 600 mail-sorting machines across the country. In his testimony Friday before the U.S Senate, DeJoy said he plans to halt any further such moves until after the November election, but he also noted he will not bring back the boxes and sorting machines that were removed. Salisbury rallies for the mail See PROTESTER , Page 9A RUTH EPSTEIN REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Jo Loi holds an envelope she’d like to send to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy at the rally Saturday in front of the Lakeville post office in Salisbury. Residents upset about changes to Postal Service See RALLY , Page 18A UCONN FRESHMAN PAIGE BUECKERS IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER, PAGE 1B See HELP , Page 11A THOUGHT FOR TODAY “IT IS AMAZING HOW COMPLETE IS THE DELUSION THAT BEAUTY IS GOODNESS.” — LEO TOLSTOY, RUSSIAN AUTHOR (1828-1910) OFFBEAT More cases of COVID-19 have been linked to a Maine wedding reception that violated attendance limits. Maine state health officials said Saturday that so far, 53 cases of the virus have been traced back to the Aug. 7 re- ception in Millinocket. One person has died, according to a local hospital. The reception at the Big Moose Inn exceeded the state’s indoor gathering limit, among other violations of state rules. The outbreak affected individuals from 4 to 78 years old, officials said. About 65 people — more than the limit of 50 — attended the reception. A representative for the Big Moose Inn has declined to comment. — Associated Press COVID cases linked to Maine wedding NEED TO KNOW ASSOCIATED PRESS A firefighter attempts to put out a portion of the wildires spreading across California. The blaze forced thousands to flee and destroyed hundreds of homes. Y OUR DAY THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN 2A POLICE BLOTTER THE LATEST AUGUST 23, 2020 SundayRepublican 389 Meadow St., P.O. Box 2090, Waterbury, Conn. 06722-2090 Toll free: 800-992-3232; Fax: 203-596-9277; rep-am.com 203-574-3636 Circulation / Subscription.......... Press 3 Classified advertising ............... Press 4 Retail advertising .................... Press 5 Newsroom .............................. Press 6 Community news .................. Ext. 1496 Obituaries ............................ Ext. 1468 Torrington bureau ......... 860-489-4615 Questions or comments about coverage: feedback@rep-am.com Purchase our photos: photos.rep-am.com/gallery-list Photo reprints: 203-574-3636 and ask for the newsroom library THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN (USPS 668-880) Published weekly at: 389 Meadow St., Water- bury, Conn. 06702. Phone: 203-574-3636. Subscriber Service: 203-574-3606. Periodicals postage is paid at Waterbury, Conn. Weekly by mail in 1st and 2nd Postal Zones: $130 for 52 weeks, $65 for 26 weeks, $32.50 for four weeks, $2.50 for one week. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Republican-American, 389 Meadow St., Waterbury, Conn. 06702. Have you noticed any issues with your mail in the last couple of weeks? No, I haven’t.....................................................................71% Yes, I have........................................................................29% Visit rep-am.com to vote on today’s question. The Republican-American strives to get news right the first time. Let us know about errors and we’ll correct or clarify it. Please call 203-574-3636 to report an error. Obituary and Sports corrections appear in those sections. Baumann, Julius, of Dublin, Ohio. Carusillo, Joseph P., 83, of Boca Raton, Fla. Cutrali, Sandra J., 76, of Waterbury. Duffy, Michael B., 78, of Waterbury. Fassett, Helen, 100, of Beacon Falls. Gerrard, Randall G. Jr., 65, of Torrington. Hallaran, Michael T., 73, of Middlebury. Iadarola, Carmen, 94, of Bristol. LaBelle, Yong Hui, 77, of Beacon, N.Y. Marciano, Marion F., 89, of Watertown. Marciano, Phyllis A., 92, of Deland, Fla. Markette, John J., 72, of Seymour. Nichols, Francis P., 89, of Winsted. Picanso, Edward A., 80, of Naugatuck. Stien, Jeffrey, 43, of Seekonk, Mass. Sullivan, Ann T., 89, of Prospect. Taylor, Mary, 80, of Wolcott. Wallace, Imelda M., 82, of Wolcott. Young, David W., 55, of Torrington. O BITUARIES ON PAGES 12-14A U .S. flag: Fly at full staff. State flag: Same CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS HOW TO REACH US YESTERDAY’S POLL RESULTS TODAY’S OBITUARIES TODAY’S FLAG ETIQUETTE TODAY IN HISTORY HISTORY.COM In 2005, Hurricane Katrina formed over the Bahamas, later becoming a category 5 hurricane. In 2012, four people are killed and 28 injured in a hot air ballooning accident in Slovenia. In 2007, hashtag invented and first used in a tweet by U.S. product designer Chris Messina. In 1963, Beatles release single "She Loves You" in the U.K. In 1947, 1st Baseball Little League World Series, Williamsport, Pennsylvania: Maynard Midgets beat Lock Haven All Stars, 16-7 In 1933, Mahatma Gandhi released from Indian jail fol- lowing another hunger strike. For more Today in History, visit rep-am.com. LOTTERIES CONNECTICUT Play 3 Day: 8-3-3 Play 4 Day: 4-0-3-6 Play 3 Night: 5-4-9 Play 4 Night: 8-5-6-4 Cash Five: 5-31-10-6-12 Powerball: Not available Estimated jackpot: $29 million Tuesday’s Lotto: $1.8 million Tuesday’s Mega Millions: $57 million MASSACHUSETTS Midday: 6-6-4-9 Evening: 2-1-6-5 NEW YORK Midday Daily: 4-7-3 Midday 4: 7-8-0-4 Daily: 0-3-2 Win 4: 9-5-7-4 Pick 10: 1-2-4-13-15-19-20- 28-30-32-38-39-41-42-46 52-53-61-70-79 TORRINGTON ROBERT SMITH , 25, 451 Harwinton Ave., Torrington, violation of a protective or- der, Aug. 7. Released on $2,500 non- surety bond for appearance Aug. 18 in Torrington Superior Court. FOREST R. CLASSEY , 26, 18 Lewis St., 2 rear, Torrington, second-degree breach of peace, first-degree criminal tres- pass, interfering with police/resisting arrest, second-degree criminal mis- chief, Aug. 14. Released on $2,500 non- surety bond for appearance Aug. 24 in Torrington Superior Court. CLAUDE S. JONES , 25, 82 James St., Tor- rington, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree criminal mis- chief, Aug. 15. Released on $1,500 non- surety bond for appearance Aug. 17 in Torrington Superior Court. MICHAEL P. DATTEL , 51, (street ad- dress redacted by police), Torrington, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, Aug. 16. Released on $1,000 non-surety bond for appear- ance Aug. 17 in Torrington Superior Court. PATRICIA R. BROWN , 38, (street ad- dress redacted by police), Torrington, third-degree assault, disorderly con- duct, Aug. 16, misdemeanor summons. BRITTANY A. BELDEN , 22, 119 Kinney St., Apt. 1B, Torrington, evading responsi- bility, following too close, Aug. 11, mis- demeanor summons. LORI A. BEYUS , 57, 88 Birden St., Torring- ton, sixth-degree larceny, Aug. 14, mis- demeanor summons. WATERBURY Waterbury police recently filed the fol- lowing charges: WILFRIDO DIAZ , 31, of 22 Channing St., Worcester, Mass., violation of protec- tive order. SULLYNI JOHNSON , 30, of 95 Fairview St., third-degree assault. TRISHAWN JOHNSON , 44, of 29 Clair- mont Ave., second-degree breach of peace, third-degree strangulation, first- degree criminal trespass. VICTOR JORDAN , 30, of 44 Spencer St., Naugatuck, violation of probation. MATTHEW ABRAMOVICH , 34, of 42 Pine St., violation of protective order, first- degree criminal trespass. MARLO ACEVEDO , 49, of 29 Tudor St., sixth-degree larceny. PHILIP LAMI , 35, of 333 S. St. Andrew’s Place, Los Angeles, Calif., sixth-degree larceny, interfering with an officer/re- sisting arrest. JOSHUA MILLER , 27, of 50 Cedar Croft Road, Madison, second-degree failure to appear. NADINE SALNIKOVA , 20, of 7910 35th Ave., A4E, Jackson Heights, N.Y., illegal operation of motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs. ASSOCIATED PRESS LAFAYETTE, La. — The mother of a man fatally shot by Louisiana police said her son was intelligent, shy and had sought therapy for social anxiety. Her lawyers said they plan to sue over the death of Trayford Pellerin, who police said had a knife and was trying to enter a con- venience store. The shooting Friday night was captured on video, and the state ACLU condemned what it described as a “horrif- ic and deadly incident of po- lice violence against a Black person.” Both the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center on Saturday called for an investigation. Louisiana State Police said Lafayette officers followed Pellerin, 31, on foot as he left a convenience store where he had created a disturbance with a knife about 8 p.m. Fri- day. Stun guns failed to stop him, and the officers shot Pel- lerin as he tried to enter an- other convenience store, still with the knife, according to a news release. Pellerin became anxious in groups and may have been frightened by the officers, Michelle Pellerin told The Advocate. He had sought pro- fessional help earlier this year, she said. “Instead of giving him a helping hand they gave him bullets,” national civil rights attorney Ben Crump told the newspaper. He and Baton Rouge attorney Ronald Haley said they have begun their own investigation by inter- viewing witnesses. Some said Pellerin was not armed, Ha- ley said. The family believes Pel- lerin may have been having a mental health crisis, Crump said. Lafayette police asked state police to investigate — stan- dard procedure in the state for shootings by local officers. “Lafayette police shot Mr. Pellerin several times as he walked away from them,” Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said in an emailed statement. “His killing demands an analysis of the excessive use of force by law enforcement. We fully support movement leaders’ calls for a swift and transpar- ent investigation into Mr. Pel- lerin’s killing.” State ACLU executive di- rector Alanah Odoms Hebert said, “Once again, video footage has captured a horrif- ic and deadly incident of po- lice violence against a Black person who was brutally killed in front of our eyes.” Captured on video, the May 25 death of George Floyd un- der the knee of a white Min- neapolis police officer sparked a global reckoning over police tactics and racial injustice. On Saturday night, dozens of protesters gathered in Lafayette to demonstrate against the latest fatal police shooting. “Trayford Pellerin should be alive today. Instead, a fam- ily is mourning and a commu- nity is grieving,” her state- ment said. “None of our com- munities are safe when the police can murder people with impunity or when rou- tine encounters escalate into deadly shooting sprees.” Rikasha Montgomery, who took a video of the shooting, told The Advertiser that a man holding what looked like a knife kept walking down the highway while some officers fired stun guns at him. Officers holding guns shouted at him to get onto the ground, said Montgomery, 18. She said they fired when the man reached the door of a Shell gas station. “When I heard the gun- shots, I couldn’t hold my phone like I was first film- ing,” she said. “I feel kind of scared about it. I’m trauma- tized. You’re so used to hear- ing about this, but I never thought I would experience it.” Crump, representing Pel- lerin’s family, called the shooting reckless and his death tragic. “The officers involved should be fired immediately for their abhorrent and fatal actions,” Crump said in a statement Saturday. The incident was the third shooting by Lafayette police since mid-July. State police said a man was critically wounded last month after being shot during an al- tercation with police. Another man was in stable condition after being shot during a bur- glary investigation earlier this month. Police shoot, kill Black man outside convenience store in Louisiana ASSOCIATED PRESS Protesters take to the street and block traffic at the intersection of Willow Street and Evangeline Thruway after a vigil held Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Lafayette, La. ASSOCIATED PRESS PORTLAND, Ore. — Fed- eral authorities on Saturday forced demonstrators away from a plaza near a federal building as dueling demon- strations in Portland by right- wing and left-wing protesters turned violent. The area includes county and federal buildings and has been the site of numerous re- cent protests. Department of Homeland Security officers moved through the plaza across from an 18-story federal building. A federal courthouse is also near that area. Violent demonstrations have gripped the city of Port- land for months, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The demonstration began at about noon near the Mult- nomah County Justice Center in Oregon’s biggest city, local media outlets reported. Demonstrators hurled rocks and other items at each other and got into fights. Streets were blocked amid the may- hem. Portland protest turns violent, federal police clear plaza AUGUST 23, 2020 DAILY DIGEST Local News THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN 3A BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERBURY — Police are investigating a homicide of a man who was shot in the chest early Saturday morning on Violet Street. Police had not released the man’s identity Saturday be- cause they were still notify- ing his family. His death marked the city’s sixth homi- cide of the year. Police say they arrived to a parking lot near 12 Violet St. just after midnight where they found the man on his back and a crowd around him. Though police tried to treat his wounds, he was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospi- tal, where he was pro- nounced dead less than an hour later. Officers later found empty bullet casings near where the man was found. At about the same time offi- cers were arriving at the scene, they were called to 195 Woodlawn Terrace for a re- ported shooting at 12:09 a.m. The street is about a mile west of the homicide scene. When officers arrived, they found a wounded man who had been shot in the leg, po- lice said. He was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital for treat- ment. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the detectives at 203-574-6941 or leave infor- mation anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 203-755- 1234. Man fatally shot in chest JIM SHANNON REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Waterbury detectives investigate a homicide involving a man who was shot in the chest early Saturday morning on Violet Street. Another man wounded in leg in shooting about a mile away PHOTOS BY JIM SHANNON REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Alaina Correia, 6, of Watertown, gets a gift from a family friend during a birthday parade in her honor Saturday at John Trumbull Primary School in Watertown. Alaina, who be- came known as ‘Little Miss Watertown’ during nightly bell-ringing for her cute costumes and inspirational videos her mom posted on Facebook, has become a little local celebrity. BY ANDREW LARSON REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WOLCOTT — The town has terminated the health in- surance benefits of Zoning Enforcement Officer David Kalinowski, prompting the threat of litigation for breach of contract. “He has a reasonable re- liance on the assurances made by both the mayor and town staff,” Kalinowski’s at- torneys wrote in an email to Mayor Thomas G. Dunn on Aug. 18. Kalinowski, 60, resigned effective May 15 but initially received the same health in- surance as employees who retired at 65. In July, Dunn said Kalinowski accumulated enough time to carry him to 15 years, making him eligible to retire early under the De- partment of Public Works union contract. During a July 21 meeting, Town Council members questioned whether Dunn made a deal with Kalinowski without informing the coun- cil, but did not receive a clear answer. Now, Kalinowski’s benefits will be terminated effective Zoning officer’s benefits dropped BY KURT MOFFETT REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WINSTED — Jim Moore wants to help keep the memories of the Flood of ‘55 alive through music. Moore, 59, has written a song called “Mad Riv- er” on the 65th anniver- sary of the flood, which killed seven people and transformed the down- town into a one-sided Main Street. The song took about a week to write and anoth- er week to produce, Moore said. The song was produced by Sam Guglielmo at Mad River Music. “It’s gotten a really great response,” Moore said. “Three hundred to 400 people have made comments on Facebook.” Moore said he was in- spired to write the song by all of the flood stories he has heard over the years living in Torrington and Winsted his entire life. “Everybody’s got a sto- ry about the flood,” he said. Two hurricanes hit the region back-to-back in mid August 1955, causing the ground and valleys to saturate and the river- banks to swell, leaving the excess water with no place to go but into the sur- rounding communities. Semi-retired from a management position with Shop Rite grocery stores, Moore said he be- gan his musical journey in 2010. One of his biggest inspirations is his mother, who was a Coun- try Western singer, “It was on my bucket list and I was running out of time,” Moore said of becoming a singer-song- Flood of ’55 inspires Winsted man’s ‘Mad River’ song Town’s action may spur lawsuit BY HANNA SNYDER GAMBINI REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERTOWN — Alaina Correia turned 6 last week, and may have had one of the biggest birthday celebrations in town on Saturday as droves of well-wishers participated in a surprise drive-by parade for their very own “Little Miss Watertown.” Alaina earned that nick- name several weeks into a multi-town, nightly bell-ring- ing initiative where resi- dents, many confined to their homes in the early days of the Well-wishers drive past little bell-ringer’s Watertown home to mark her 6th birthday LITTLE MISS BIRTHDAY GIRL Friends of Alaina Correia, 6, of Watertown, make their way through a birthday parade in her honor Saturday. CONTRIBUTED Jim Moore, who has lived in Winsted and Torrington his entire life, wrote the song ‘Mad River’ about the Flood of 1955. “EVERYBODY’S GOT A STORY ABOUT THE FLOOD.” JIM MOORE ‘MAD RIVER’ SONGWRITER See PARADE , Page 7A See SONG , Page 7A See BENEFITS , Page 7A W A T E R B U R Y Boy’s dirt bike stolen at gunpoint, later found A dirt bike was stolen from a boy at gunpoint Saturday, police said. A man and his juvenile son approached an of- ficer at 2:33 p.m. to report that his son had just been robbed of his 2002 Honda XR80r dirt bike on Waterville Street, police said. When the victim was riding the bike, a young black male pushed him off and caused the victim to fall to the ground, police said. When the suspect could not start the bike, he pointed a handgun at the victim and demand- ed he show him how to start it, police said. The victim then ran away. He suffered some cuts and scrapes, but did not need medical atten- tion. Police described the suspect as having a thin build, and wearing a black T-shirt and black jogging pants with a red stripe. The suspect was last seen pushing the bike up Waterville Street, police said. Police later found the bike on Lincoln Street. Detectives are assisting in the investigation. T O R R I N G T O N Man, 78, charged with assault after domestic incident Ronald Cosban complained to New Milford police that a woman who had been ordered to stay away from him under the terms of a pro- tective order had violated the order, but it was Cosban who ended up in handcuffs following the Aug. 16 complaint. Police said Cosban, 78, of 164 Prospect Hill Road, fought with the unnamed woman and ad- mitted to striking her in the face. She suffered a broken nose and black eye, as well as other in- juries, police said. Cosban was arrested on a charge of second- degree assault and released on a promise to ap- pear for his next court date following arraign- ment Friday in Torrington Superior Court. Police said they also will develop a warrant to arrest the woman for violating the protective order. L I T C H F I E L D C O U N T Y No COVID-19 hospitalizations reported since Aug. 12 There have been no COVID-19 hospitaliza- tions in Litchfield County since Aug. 12, accord- ing to data from the governor’s office. Hospitals in the county include Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Sharon Hospital and New Milford Hospital. However, New Milford does not have an intensive care unit. From Aug. 12-21, there have been no con- firmed deaths from COVID-19 in Litchfield County, but the number of confirmed cases rose by 24 to 1,576, according to the state data. Statewide during the same time period, the number of cases increased by 813 to 51,519. The last COVID-19 death reported by the state in Litchfield County occurred Aug. 11. W I N S T E D Schools again offering free breakfast, lunch to all pupils The public school system once again is offer- ing free breakfast and lunch to all students at all times. Household incomes are no longer required to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals at schools participating in the National School Program. The participating schools are Batcheller, Oak Street and Pearson. Weekly meals for distance-learning students may be picked up via drive-thru at Pearson School, 2 Wetmore Ave., from 3:30 to 4 p.m. on Mondays starting Aug. 31. For information, call Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley at 860-379-0706. S O U T H B U R Y I-84 rehab work under way on Rochambeau Bridge The state Department of Transportation has begun construction for the rehabilitation of the Rochambeau Bridge, which carries Inter- state 84 over the Lake Zoar section of the Housatonic River between Southbury and Newtown. Drivers are advised that two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during peak periods, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with lane closures only allowed at night. W A T E R T O W N Transfer station on regular schedule Sept. 1 -May 31, 2021 The Department of Public Works said the regular-hours schedule for the transfer station is in effect Sept. 1 through May 31, 2021. The hours are Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The station is closed the other five days. Materials taken for free at the facility for cur- rent permit holders include all paints, mattress- es, clothing, metal, electronics, glass, paper, waste oil, used antifreeze and leaves. For information, call 860-945-5240. THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN L M 4A AUGUST 23, 2020 TOWN BY TOWN BY HANNA SNYDER GAMBINI REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERTOWN — Water- town High School’s Indian could become the latest Na- tive American logo to be changed after alumni asked the Board of Education to consider adopting a new, more appropriate mascot. A petition signed by more than 200 Watertown High School graduates in support of retiring the Indian was presented to the Watertown Board of Education at a reg- ular meeting last week. Board of Education Chairman Leslie Crotty said the board will respond to the request at the next reg- ular meeting on Sept. 14. “Our response will in- clude sharing the process we will use to provide op- portunities for everyone’s voices the be heard in order to determine how the com- munity feels about the questions they have raised,” Crotty said. Advocates for change said Native American mas- cots are harmful and per- petuate stereotypes, and they urged the board to take action to “correct the path for Watertown history.” Changing the current mascot would show that Watertown High School is an inclusive community that respects all cultures, alumni said. “Native Americans are not mascots, but living peo- ple with a history and cul- ture that must be respect- ed,” the petition reads. “The National Congress of Amer- ican Indians, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization, has long held a clear position against derogatory and harmful stereotypes of Na- tive people, including sports mascots.” Colleen Murphy, one of the alumni petition organiz- ers, said in recent years use of the Indian logo has grad- ually faded, replaced by the more commonly used or- ange “W,” and high school teams are often referred to as Watertown rather than the Indians. And while the Indian is not as prevalent now as it was years ago, it’s still the school mascot. Murphy and her fellow advocates said a complete and official change “would allow the community to pick a mascot that they can be proud of and that can show up through all WHS visual branding.” Murphy shared with the board a statement by Nip- muc Tribal Council Chair- man Kenneth Gould Sr., who said “Native American mascots, often portrayed as caricatures or cartoons, are demeaning to Native Amer- icans and it is our opinion that they should not be used.” Just last week, the Glas- tonbury Board of Education voted to remove that school’s tomahawk mascot. In June of this year, the Guilford Board of Educa- tion unanimously voted to remove its Indian high school mascot. They join numerous other schools, teams and organizations around the nation that have changed or are exploring a change of Native American mascots. In July, the Washington NFL team announced the re- tirement of the Redskins name and logo. Amelia Luciano, the 2006 Watertown High valedictorian, spoke to the Board of Educa- tion last week, recalling her school being progressive enough to let girls — herself in- cluded — play on the football team, yet it still uses the Indi- an. “I remember thinking the mascot was inappropriate, but 15 years later, the Indian mas- cot still stands,” Luciano said. Call to remove Watertown High Indian logo More than 200 graduates petition school board to adopt new mascot RA ARCHIVES Watertown High School’s official mascot is the Indian, but the single orange W has been used more often in recent years as the unofficial school logo. A movement is under- way to officially replace the Indian mascot. NO FAIR, BUT STILL A FOOD TRUCK FEST IN WOLCOTT PHOTOS BY JIM SHANNON REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Above, Jim Reginatto, who owns the Johnny Potato food truck with his sons, Tyler and Scott, hands off some potatoes to volunteers Samantha Smith, 12, and Ryder Reiling, 12, both members of the Navy League Cadet Corps, during the Wolcott Lions Club drive-thru food truck festival Saturday in place of the canceled Wolcott Country Fair. The volunteers picked up and delivered meals to guests who were waiting in their vehicles. The event continues today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the club’s property on Wolcott Road. Below, Navy League Cadet Corps members, Colin Luciani, 14, left, and Surya Patel, 13, deliver food and drinks to guests. B E T H L E H E M Chip-sealing work to begin Monday on many town roads Chip-sealing work on a number of town roads will begin Monday, weather permitting. Roads include Munger Lane from Long Mead- ow to Bergemen; Todd Hill Road; Woods Edge Road; Dark Entry Road; Sunset Road; Hayes Road; Burrit Hill Road; Cowels Road; Judson Road; Green Hill Road; Nonnewaug Road; Mag- nolia Hill Road from Hard Hill to the bridge; Hard Hill Road from Route 132 to Magnolia Hill; Hickory Lane from Magnolia Hill to #154, and Deerwood Drive. The work could cause lane closures, detours and delays, and drivers should use caution when moving through road work areas. S O U T H B U R Y Town looking for volunteers to serve on EMS Committee The town is looking for volunteers to serve on the restructured EMS Committee. Any Southbury resident interested in serving should forward a letter of interest and resume to selectoffice@southbury-ct.gov. “Citizen representatives with the relevant ex- perience, capabilities, qualifications, tempera- ment, availability and enthusiasm to further the cause and facilitate the ongoing process of EMS oversight and future enhancement,” are en- couraged to apply, town officials said. Applicants whose qualifications do not match any of those listed below also may be consid- ered: experienced EMS professionals, such as EMTs and paramedics; doctors and nurses who have experience in working with EMS services; other health care professionals, patient advo- cates and hospital administrators who have rel- evant experience; legal professionals, such as accountants and attorneys; local business lead- ers; experts in data management and analytics; and one citizen representative purposely cho- sen to represent the town’s senior population. L I T C H F I E L D Camp Dutton Road to be closed to thru traffic starting Tuesday Camp Dutton Road will be closed to thru traffic beginning Tuesday so a drainage culvert can be replaced. The closure is scheduled to last until Oct. 5. For information, call 860-567-7575. L I T C H F I E L D Buttero to perform online concert tonight Litchfield County Choral Union will feature Ray- mond Buttero in concert tonight at 7 p.m. on Zoom, Instagram and Facebook live. Buttero is a concert pianist and choral union ac- companist. He will perform works by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Albeniz and Joplin. The concert will be live- streamed free. Zoom users can log on at zoom.us/j/7887117384. W A T E R B U R Y Back-to-school book bag giveaway slated for today DJ Sinz Productions will conduct a back-to- school book bag giveaway today from noon to 4 p.m. at 835 Wolcott St. There will be free backpacks, popcorn and slushies, as well as a live DJ. Next Level Nutrition Spot is sponsoring the event. For information, call 203-510-5959. W O O D B U R Y ‘Farm to Flanders’ picnic, online auction to take place today An annual “Farm to Flanders” gourmet picnic and online auction will take place today with pick- up between noon and 4 p.m. at the Van Vleck Farm and Nature Sanctuary, 5 Church Hill Road. Patrons can preorder a gourmet picnic meal made by renowned chefs using local, farm- fresh ingredients. Multi-course meals will be packaged in a cooler tote that can be kept. There also will be an online auction of items and experiences. Curbside pickup will be avail- able. Meal cost is $75 per person. Purchase meals at 203-263-3711, ext. 11, or flandersnaturecenter.org. S E Y M O U R Free bake-along workshop on Zoom from library Monday Seymour Public Library will sponsor the Grounded Goodwife as the duo offers a free Zoom bake-along workshop featuring zucchini sandwich cookies Monday at 6:30 p.m. The Grounded Goodwife, of Woodbury, com- prises the mother-daughter team of Velya Jancz- Urban, a history teacher, and Ehris Urban, a grounded herbalist. Participants will need to pick up some ingredi- ents to participate. Call the library at 203-888-3903 to get the Zoom link and ingredient information, and check the events calendar at seymourpubliclibrary.org. N A U G A T U C K Kerry Boys to perform concert Tuesday on Green The Arts Commission is sponsoring a concert by the Kerry Boys on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Naugatuck Green on Division Street. People who attend are required to wear masks and maintain social distance. The rain date is Sept. 1 BY JOHN MCKENNA REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN GOSHEN — A summer tra- dition of more than 50 years at Church of Christ Congre- gational will take place a few weeks later than usual and in a much different way. The church’s annual blue- berry festival has always fea- tured a pancake breakfast and the sale of homemade blueber- ry pies and blueberry muffins on the first Saturday of Au- gust. The event is the church’s largest annual fundraiser. Unbowed by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the scheduled date to be can- celed, the church’s congre- gants have decided to hold a scaled-down version of the festival next Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. “People count on it and look forward to it,” congre- gant Lucy Hussman said dur- ing a break from making pies in the church hall Saturday. The breakfast won’t be held because of the size of the crowd it draws, but pies, muffins and blueberry jam will be on sale in a drive-thru setup outside the church hall. “So many people in the church thought it was some- thing we could make hap- pen,” Hussman said. “We fig- ured out a way to carry on in a new fashion.” Saturday was the large pie- production day. A total of 300 blueberry and blueberry-and- peach pies the volunteers made will complement the 300 mini pies made last week. Vol- unteers wore masks and gloves, and kept their distance. They even had their tempera- tures checked as a precaution before beginning work. Large pies will cost $15, mini pies $5 and muffins by the half-dozen $5. Home- made jam is $7. To pre-order, visit goshenchurch.com or call 860-491-2793. Contact John McKenna at jmckenna33 @ optonline.net. L M THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN 5A AUGUST 23, 2020 Goshen church’s blueberry fest to be much different than in previous years BY RUTH EPSTEIN REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN FALLS VILLAGE — Inter- im Region 1 Superintendent Lisa Carter said 75% to 90% of district students plan to attend school in-person when classes begin with a half day Sept. 8. In-person classes will be of- fered at North Canaan Ele- mentary School, Cornwall Consolidated School, Lee H. Kellogg School in Falls Village, Kent Center School, Salisbury Central School and Sharon Center School. Parents have the option of keeping their chil- dren home to learn online. Housatonic Valley Region- al High School will offer a hy- brid system. Half the stu- dents will attend Monday and Tuesday; the other half Thursday and Friday. The school will be closed Wednes- day for a thorough cleaning. When not in school, students will learn online. Carter said there will be no mandated COVID-19 testing. “We’ve been told by many in the medical profession the tests are not an effective miti- gating strategy,” she said. Because it can take three to five days for results, “they may not necessarily reveal what we think they would,” Carter added. Masks will be required, but other measures will be used for those who have a medical excuse not to wear one. “Face coverings are a must,” Carter said. She praised those who have worked hard planning the re- opening, including teachers, support staff, central office employ- ees and local boards of educa- tion. “It’s been challenging to create a nurturing and caring environment,” Carter said. “It’s been hard and we’ve done the best job we can. Given where we are, we’re in a good place. Fortunately, our classes are small. And teach- ers are anxious to see the kids.” There will be few- er students riding buses — only 40% to 45% — and social dis- tancing and masks are required, she not- ed. In classrooms, dis- tancing protocols will be ob- served, with students seated in rows 6 feet apart. Rugs, bean-bag chairs and cozy cor- ners have been eliminated. Mask breaks will be part of the schedule and several tents have been ordered to allow for outdoor instruction when possible. Middle school sports have been canceled for now and the high school is awaiting CIAC rulings. Art and music teachers will come to the students’ class- rooms to reduce traffic in the hallways. They will teach in three-week sessions. “We hate to constrain the arts because we know how important they are in Region 1, but we must protect the safety of the kids and teach- ers,” Carter said. Cafeterias will be used where possible. They will be outfitted with Plexiglass and the 6-foot rule will be in place. At Housatonic, there will be three lunch periods rather than two to keep numbers lower. Schools will be sanitized every day and bathrooms cleaned twice daily. The same school day times wi