CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
There is the possibility that Norwich education officials may soon approach the City Council for funding to completely revamp the schools two-year old phone system. Business administrator Athena Nagel says phones in some school buildings, including the Central Office, Mahan, Moriarity and the Kelly Middle Schools have either dropped calls, or not allowed any calls to go through, since school began two weeks ago. This has meant parents can’t get through to school officials, and schools can’t reach bus drivers. Nagel says technicians to fix the problem are either unavailable, or can’t solve the problem, since Toshiba, which built the system, went out of the phone business last year. A completely new phone system would cost some 200-thousand dollars. City and school officials plan to meet today to discuss the situation. School Superintendent Abby Dolliver has set a “drop dead” date of Friday to fix the current system or pursue a new one.
SATTI BACK ON THE BALLOT
New London Voters returned incumbent Councilor John Satti to the November election ballot in yesterday’s primary. Unofficial vote totals show several of the candidates separated by just one vote. Rich Baez, a political newcomer, elementary school teacher and former police officer, secured the fewest number of votes and was knocked off the slate as a result.
TREE FARM APPROVED
The Inland Wetlands Agency in East Lyme rules that Landmark Development’s plans to harvest and plant trees in the Oswegatchie Hills near the Niantic River and repair two roads for a proposed tree farm there are allowed “as of right” on the property. In a 3-2 vote, the Inland Wetlands Agency decided that the proposed activities are directly related to the farming operation. But the agency said that if any activities entail the filling of a wetland or watercourse, Landmark first would need to seek a permit from the agency.
COMMUNITY GARDEN RENEWED
The Groton Town Council votes to continue the use of the former Noank School as a community garden for another four years. The 8-0 vote, taken by the council’s Committee of the Whole, still needs approval by the council at its next regular meeting. Councilors directed the town manager to meet with the town attorney and members of the Noank School Public Gardens Task Force to finalize details of the agreement. An audience of nearly 50 people applauded the council’s decision.
SEALES REJECTS PLEA DEAL
Shaquan Lee-Seales, accused of gunning down Gilberto Olivencia on a New London street two years ago, said Tuesday that he wanted a murder trial, not a plea deal. The 23-year-old Lee-Seales told the court he was rejecting an offer to plead guilty in exchange for a 35-year prison sentence. He assured the judge he was aware he could be sentenced to up to 86 years in prison if convicted. Lee-Seales is being held in lieu of bond at the Northern Correctional Institution in Somers.
THRILLS AT FOXWOODS
Foxwoods Resort Casino continues its transformation from a gaming facility to a full-fledged resort. Foxwoods Vice President of Resort Operations and Development Jason Guyot hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday near the base of the new Thrill Tower. It features Sky Drop, a 120-foot free fall ride, while Sky Launch is a saddle sling that shoots you to the top of the tower and back down again. Guyot says another thrill ride is expected to open at Foxwoods in mid-October. It’s a 330-foot zip line that will extend from the top of the Fox Tower Hotel to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center.
