IN YOUR TOWN
What’s going on in your neighborhood
WESTPORT 1 Stubborn mold lingers at Coleytown School
Mold remains at Coleytown Middle School, according to Elio Longo, Chief Financial Officer for the Westport Public Schools.
“There are certain areas of the school that we’ve identified have a surface mold issue from ( recent) testing ... It is ongoing at this time,” Longo told the Board of Finance at its meeting on Aug. 1, in response to BOF Commissioner Lee Caney’s question of whether there is still mold at the middle school.
The remaining mold will be resolved before Coleytown students return to school on Aug. 28, Longo said. The Board of Education has expended approximately $ 710,000 on mold remediation at Coleytown over the last 18 months and expects to receive at least a $ 562,000 settlement from claims filed with the school’s insurance companies over the mold issue, Longo said.
Mold remediation began at Coleytown in August 2016, and school officials originally estimated the work would be complete by the end of that year. As work progressed, more mold- infested areas were found and the scope and cost increased quickly. In total, mold was found and remediated in 28 classrooms and two major hallways at Coleytown.
— svaughan@ hearstmediact. com
ANSONIA 1 Firefighters feel heat of illegal burn amid swelter
Ansonia firefighters quickly extinguished an illegal burn on Beechwood Drive in the sweltering heat Wednesday afternoon. Two fire engines and an additional fire unit responded to the scene.
While firefighters worked to put out the fire — while ensuring they stayed hydrated in the heat — two Ansonia Fire Police units provided traffic support in the area.
Residents looking to do any kind of open burning have to have a valid, signed permit from the local open burning official.
Cities or towns looking to burn brush have to bring it to their Department of Energy and Environmental Protection- permitted landfill, transfer station or recycling center. Municipalities have to have a valid and signed open- burning permit from DEEP.
“Open burning in not allowed to clear land prior to construction activities,” DEEP said. “In addition, open burning cannot be used as a means to dispose of construction debris, household trash or leaves.”
No matter if the resident or municipality has a valid permit, open burning is not permitted if the Air Quality Index is expected to be 75 or higher anywhere in the entire state; the Forest Fire Danger Index is ranked at high, very high or extreme; national or state ambient air quality standards may be exceeded; a hazardous health condition might occur; or there is a advisory from DEEP.
For information about open burning, visit https:// bit. ly/ 2vQQqFH.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
FAIRFIELD 1 Nursing school receives national recognition
Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies was one of 16 nursing programs selected nationwide and named as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence. The Egan School will be formally inducted during the Honors Convocation at the 2018 NLN Education Summit in Chicago.
“The Egan School faculty have a long- standing rep- utation for clinical nursing excellence, deep commitment to student learning, and innovative teaching and learning practices,” dean Meredith Wallace Kazer said. “Our designation as a NLN Center of Excellence provides the well- deserved recognition of these stellar qualities. I am honored to be the dean of this wonderful faculty whose teaching excellence will continue to improve nursing care for years to come.”
In order to become a Center for Excellence, selection is based on the school’s sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, and student learning and professional development.
DERBY 1 City says it saves on scripts through CCM
The city has saved more than $ 60,000 in prescription drug costs since becoming a member of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and is en- couraging residents to get in on the savings.
According to Andrew Baklik, the city’s chief of staff, Derby recently rejoined CCM as a municipal member.
CCM, according to its website, is “the state’s largest, nonpartisan organization of municipal leaders, representing towns and cities of all sizes from all corners of the state, with 168 member municipalities… with one common mission to improve everyday life for every resident of Connecticut.”
Baklik said the discount cards are widely accepted at all national chain pharmacies and most local independent pharmacies. Cards can be used by all residents regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. There are no enrollment forms, membership fees, restrictions or limits on frequency of use for residents.
Derby residents can print out a card by visiting www. CTRxDiscountCard. com, and selecting the City of Derby from the dropdown menu.
— jean. sos@ snet. net.