STORM KILLS TWO
Two people were killed during yesterday’s storms that left a path of destruction and damage, especially in Brookfield, that was described as a”war zone!” One person was killed in New Fairfield after a tree fell on a car, and a man has died after a tree fell on his truck near Candlewood Lake. A Danbury teen suffered serious injuries on a baseball field after the roof to a dugout flew off and hit him. Norwich police advised residents last night to drive slow and to stay home due to dangers on the roadways. The strong storm knocked down multiple trees and wires in the city. As of ten last night, Norwich Public Utilities said approximately 260 customers were without power. They were expected to be restored around midnight. Montville was one of the hardest hit with 600 customers without power. They’re pretty much back this morning. Utility Crews worked throughout the night restoring power.
OCEAN BEACH PARK’S ICONIC CLOCK MAY RISE AGAIN
The 140-foot clock tower that overlooked Ocean Beach Park for nearly 50 years crashed through the boardwalk in 1988 when workers were attempting to refurbish the steel structure. Now there’s talk of replacing it. Retired City Clerk Clark van der Lyke and New London business owner Jeff Suntup want to raise enough funds to erect a replica of the old clock and install it where it once stood. Suntup said initial estimates put the cost of replacement at $300,000. He said he thinks enough people care about the tower that individuals and businesses will “step up” to donate toward the cause and expects nostalgia will play a role in the campaign. Corporate sponsors also will be welcomed. In addition to people who already have shown interest, the public is invited to attend a meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the New
London City Hall Council Chambers.
CANTERBURY MAN CHARGED WITH FRAUD
A Canterbury man has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Peter Kelly, a former executive for Competitive Power Ventures, is accused of bribing a top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help the company’s plans for a $900 million dollar Orange County power plant. CPV paid former Cuomo aide Joe Percoco’s wife, a total of $287,000 in a little over three years to give occasional lessons about power generation to fourth-graders in New Jersey, in exchange for favorable treatment for his energy company. Kelly faces up to five years in prison and fines.
FUNDS RAIDED, STATE SUED
Connecticut is facing a lawsuit for what’s being called an unconstitutional seizure of $155 million in ratepayer funds to plug last year’s budget gap. The lawsuit contends the October sweep of ratepayer funding has killed jobs and hurt the state’s efforts to boost renewables and reduce carbon emissions. The lawsuit notes the energy programs, funded through portions of ratepayers’ electricity bills, reduces the state’s electricity demand, stabilizes the energy grid and helps residents finance home improvements, including solar installations. Customers of municipal utilities, including Groton Utilities and Norwich Public Utilities, were not affected by the sweep because they don’t pay into those funds.
PROUD POOCH
The Norwich city clerk’s office says all dog license applications received through 10 a.m. May 30th will be entered into the drawing for the top dog tag. Applications for the 18th annual contest to select the dog to wear the No. 1 dog tag for the coming year can be mailed or dropped off in person at the city clerk’s office, second floor, City Hall, at 100 Broadway. For more information, call the city clerk’s office at (860) 823-3732.
