Milford Matters

On June 25, 2012 the Milford Hospital foundation presented four scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Funded by the Milford Hospital Employee Giving Campaign, these scholarships are awarded annually to a child, grandchild, niece or nephew of a current Milford Hospital employee. The Milford Hospital Foundation announced that this year’s recipients are Tiffany Arias, Christian Lesage, William Villa, Jr. and Derek Mauriello. Milford Hospital’s President/CEO Joe Pelaccia said, “It was a difficult selection process, this year’s applicants were all very well qualified. The scholarship recipients were chosen for their academic excellence, extracurricular activities and community involvement.” Tiffany Arias, is a graduate of Stratford High School and the niece Cecilia Torres, a Radiology Scheduler at Milford Hospital. Tiffany’s honor roll performance accompanied by her numerous extracurricular activities and community involvement have made her very deserv...

A reporter's biggest frustration is their inability to convey to the reader the full story behind important decisions. That is why I requested under the state's Freedom of Information Act all documents and emails pertaining to why Platt Principal Patricia DeCoster resigned her position. It took awhile to get the information but in the end all that was learned was their were performance issues, according to the principal herself. But in the remaining 25 pages there is no information about what were the performance issues. Honestly, its frustrating to not be able to let you know more. These are the times where I kind of feel as a failure as a reporter because it's my job to present all of the information, and I can't. I am told by the state that both sides including the principal signed a document promising to not say what were the reasons why DeCoster is not seeking a second year at Platt. What do you think? Should the documents be publicized? Please share your co...

MILFORD – Principal Ann Pratson of The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall has announced the Honor Roll for the Fourth Quarter of the 2011 – 2012 school year. High Honors students have achieved an average of at least 92 in all academic courses; Honors students have an average of at least 86 in all academic courses. BETHEL Resident Honors                 Grade 9: Laura Shafer BRANFORD Residents Honors Grade 10: Ali Luchini Grade 9: Cailin Dendas BRIDGEPORT Residents High Honors Grade 12: Katherine Fredericks Grade 11: Maria Flores Grade 9: Jaclyn Brewster, Alexandra Moleski and Yvonne Nguyen Honors Grade 12: Ruthy Blackwell, Mirandy Kim and Carla Paiva Grade 11: Rajane Brown, Linda Fuller, Cameron Gerrity, Nadia Makhraz, Brenda Moreno, Caitlin  Nevins and Alexandra Torres Grade 10: Rashauna Banks, Safirah Fequiere, Samantha Haba, Anna Hempowicz, Rachel Landock and Michae...

The Milford Police Department arrests for Tuesday include two people allegedly taking someone's identity to purchase air conditioners and a flat screen tv, but then they also tried to get a service contract for the items they allegedly fraudulently purchased.

Silver Sands State Park in Milford is closed for swimming until Thursday at the earliest due to poor water quality. Samples will be taken Wednesday. We will update with more information once we get it.

Police are urging Milford residents to be careful and be aware of laws pertaining to fireworks during the July 4 season. Only fireworks that are non-explosive, non-aerial and have less than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture are legal in Connecticut for those ages 16 and up. Items like bottle rockets, fire crackers smoke bombs and “snakes” are illegal to possess and discharge. Police will be stepping up enforcement of state laws and city ordinances for fireworks. About 8,600 patients were treated for firework-related injuries in the U.S. in 2010, according to a Milford police press release.

Whole Foods shoppers in Milford will be improving more than their health on Wednesday. Five percent of every purchase at the Milford store will go to support the Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge. The farm is dedicated to organic farming and building community. “We are hopeful our neighbors and community members will take advantage of stocking up prior to the July 4th holiday,” said Jason Morrill, board president of Massaro Community Farm in a press release. “We’re really grateful for Whole Foods Market’s support, and to all those who come out to take advantage of this opportunity.” Whole Foods around the country each have three Five Percent Days a year where five percent of all purchases go to help a local organization that aligns with Whole Foods commitment to health and community impact. The days can raise $2,500 or more for local organizations, according to a Massaro Community Farm press release. Funds raised on Wednesday will go to expanding the Massaro Community farms certif...

Milford police department arrests someone Monday on a domestic incident.

What do you think about the issue of random testing in Connecticut fire departments? Should the state have a uniform policy for all departments? Comment below or on the main article.  Fire departments across Connecticut have very different dynamics in terms of the department makeup. For example, Ansonia has about 300 active volunteer firefighters and no career firefighters. Milford has all career firefighters and some departments like Branford and Wallingford have both. Applying a uniform statewide policy on random testing would be difficult. Milford Fire Commissioner John Healey said that comparing volunteer and career fire departments is like comparing apples to oranges.  For example, lets say the state decided to model a testing strategy around New Haven's policy, which mandates that at least half of all the department's members in safety-sensitive positions have to be tested. That could potentially amount to about 150 annual tests for Anson...

MILFORD--About 20 people of all ages helped Educational Outreach Coordinator Adam Rudman, of Sacred Heart University's Project Limulus, tag and measure about 10 horseshoe crabs Saturday morning at Milford Point. They also got to see a mature diamondback terrapin, said Rudman, an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart. The project began in 1997 and about 60,000 of the prehistoric animals have been tagged. First-year participant Bob Jones of Milford said, "I'll be  back next years." cutlines: Bob Jones of Milford shows a horseshoe crab Adam Rudman tags a horseshoe crab. A diamondback terrapin is held by a Limulus Project participant. A diamondback terrapin sticks its head out of its shell Saturday at Milford Point. Photos courtesy of Andrea Berman of Milford

Milford police arrests include an intoxicated man allegedly threatening police officers with a paint scraper.

Some Milford fire commissioners are pushing for a random drug and alcohol testing policy for the city's firefighters. Fire chiefs from New Haven, West Haven, Wallingford, Ansonia and Branford talk about their departments policies and what they think about them (most are in favor). Read more on the main site. http://nhregister.com/articles/2012/06/24/news/milford/doc4fe7c1c133dbb789235158.txt

Fire departments warm up to random drug and alcohol testing. Recently, Milford fire commissioners said that the city and union should put a random drug and alcohol testing policy into the collective bargaining contract. Fire chiefs from West Haven, New Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Wallingford share their departments' drug and alcohol policies, which vary. Lois Richards gets re-hired. Lois Richards, an 82-year-old paraprofessional at Orange Avenue Elementary School has been re-contracted for the upcoming school year. Richard's previously claimed that she was being forced out of the system . Her lawyer, Hugh Keefe, previously said he suspected she was being forced out because of her age.  Neighbors oppose Robert's Service Center proposed zoning regulation  amendment Owners of Robert's Service Center proposed a very specific zoning regulation change that may qualify as spot zoning, according to the city attorney's office. The change would allow the servi...

The saying is what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. The same applies to the old New Haven Register Milford bureau on New Haven Avenue.  The bureau, which I began in on Nov. 2000, closed in February 2008. When the 15 of us moved into the cozy confines of the Register’s main building in New Haven we left behind a lot of memories.    The bureau was filled with people of all ages and backgrounds, but the one thing that united us was lunch. At least three times a week we’d go to Dee’s Deli, which was literally next door to us .  I was in love with their chicken cutlet wrap . Back then I shelled out $8 for a monstrosity of a wrap, but it was so good. Yes, I’d get the same thing daily. Why switch when it’s perfect.  My friend Phil Helsel, who is now the online producer at the New York Post, would buy lunch with us once a week. It was always Dee’s famous Reuben. It was so famous because there was so much meat and butter piled high that just a few bi...

New Haven Register Milford reporter Rich Scinto spent four hours in the office late into the evening to produce a high quality Jonathan Law High School video package. So if you care about Law and its graduation please click on the video and see Rich's hard work in action. Here is the link to the Law graduation story and video that Rich worked so hard to produce.

All of the Milford news of the day in one neat and tidy place. Can the local GOP finally send someone to Hartford? Where can I get a pastrami Reuben in Milford now? Though I did drop some serious weight after I stopped eating there. Milford police really don't want teens to purchase alcohol. Hopefully the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Miami Heat tonight, and Milford residents also beat the heat . The Milford police arrest log for today. This sounds like a fun peaceful place to walk in Milford. Anyone have a quarter million dollars I can borrow? Whose going swimming today in Milford?

Milford police arrests include a larceny as someone allegedly stole jewelry, a violation of probation, and an illegal use of credit cards.

Foran High School in Milford will have free public swimming today from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. How do you plan to beat the heat? Search our interactive map below and post your ideas to the map  such as places that have open pools or other fun ways to stay cool in the hot weather. Or, feel free to email me at rscinto@nhregister.com with your ideas. View Beating the Heat in Milford and the Valley in a larger map

Two Joseph A. Foran High School of Milford students named the scholar athlete in May. Foran’s Jaime Kader and Shawn Cariglio were among the 13 students from seven high schools to be named The SportsCenter of Connecticut/Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Athletes of the month for May — the ninth and final month of the academic year.

MILFORD — In response to a Health Advisory for Extreme Heat, issued by the Milford Health Department, the Milford Recreation Department will offer public swimming at the Foran High School Pool. On Thursday, June 21, the pool will be open at no charge to Milford residents from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be lifeguards on duty. Non-swimmers must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should use the Natatorium Entrance located to the left of the old Main Entrance. The Recreation Department would also like to remind all residents to follow these safety tips when it comes to the heat: • Wear appropriate light colored/loose fitting clothing; • Drink plenty of fluids — do not wait until you are thirsty to drink; • Wear a wide brimmed hat and apply sunscreen; • Take frequent rests and take refuge in shaded areas. For more information regarding the public swim, contact the Milford Recreation Department at 203-783-3280.

Milford police arrest respond to two separate shoplifting incidents in the city.

Mark Bender, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, informed the public at the meeting that Cascade Boulevard was pulled from the agenda. The city's health department deferred to the Department of Energy and Environment Protection to analyze a study performed on behalf of Garden Homes Management, the company that is proposing the development. The board left public comment open at the last meeting for concerns related to previous mercury contamination near the proposed housing complex.

Milford police arrests include a couple of people allegedly driving their cars into utility poles and hitting parked cars, and a couple of drug arrests.

In Mayor Ben Blake's state of the city address he touted energy savings including turning off lights in the Parsons Government Center and turning down the thermostat. Well he also spoke about not having ball fields lit when its raining or when not in use, and to that end the mayor announced the following. M ILFORD-- Mayor Benjamin G. Blake announced that Milford has purchased and installed a lighting control system to monitor and manage the recreational lighting at Washington Field.   “ No longer will you see empty softball fields lit-up during a rainstorm,” Blake said.   The reliable, cost-effective system helps control, monitor and manage recreational field lighting.  The system provides flexible control and reliable operation, and it monitors system performance reducing maintenance costs.  But the most unique feature is that the system can be controlled remotely by computer or phone which allows the lights to be operated on more efficient basis resul...