Columbia budget hearing set for April 25

With revisions made to the 2012-13 town/school budget, residents will review it during a public hearing at the end of the month.

The hearing will be held Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the “cafetorium” of Horace W. Porter School.

The financial planning and allocation commission will hold a special meeting following the hearing to review the budget.

The proposed 2012-13 school/ town spending plan is $15,182,441, a 1.93 percent decrease from the current fiscal year.

Columbia First Selectmen Carmen Vance said there has been “good discussion” throughout the budget process and said she is pleased with the outcome.

The proposed budget entails an increase of 3.58 mills, from 23.55 to 27.13. This is fueled by a 13.2 percent drop in the 2011 grand list.

“It’s such a difficult year for peo­ple to understand because of the revaluation,” Vance said. “There will be an increase in the mill rate because of that, but we didn’t want the mill rate to increase much more beyond that.”

The general government budget is $3,291,027, a $62,766 increase, or 1.94 percent.

The financial planning and allo­cation commission made minor alterations to the original budget as proposed by Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz, including moving up the timeframe of the capi­tal project for rebuilding the fire truck.

Originally, the town had spread funding for the project over two years.

“We decided to do that in one year,” said Vance.

The total capital budget, as approved by the financial planning and allocation commission, is $2,773,576. This is an increase of $2,181,234, or 368 percent, from last year.

The large increase is due primarily to the $1,881,190 payment for the school roof replacement project, funds that are coming from the town’s fund balance.

Vance said the town decided to refurbish the truck to bring it up code, rather than buy a new one, because it would be the cheaper option.

The board of education bud­get, as adjusted by FIPAC, is $ 11,240,000, a decrease of $92,667, or 0.82 percent, from last year.

FIPAC members recommended the original budget be cut signifi­cantly.

“We looked at a two-year pattern of what was budgeted and what was needed,” said Sharpe. “We found out that we’ve been budgeting more than what was needed.”

Sharpe said there has been some “minor tension” associated with his board’s attempts to get more information from the board of education.

“FIPAC has been trying to get the full picture,” he said.

The town’s failure to meet the minimum budget requirement was addressed as part of budget talks.

The law requires school districts to allocate at least the same amount of funding that was in the budget the previous year.

Columbia’s school board set a budget based on the draft of that law, and after it was set, the state voted on a new MBR law.

Because of this, Columbia failed to meet the requirement this year, with the budget $ 158,723 less than the prior year.

The town has not yet decided how it will address the shortfall. One option is to appeal for a waiver.

Columbia may also decide to allocate more money for the school board.

“There’s no rush to take any action to bring them into compliance,” Sharpe said. FIPAC is trying to avoid allocat­ing more than is necessary and then being forced to sustain a superfluous budget for years to come.

Penalties relate to the amount of funding allocated to towns under the Education Cost Sharing grant program.

If Columbia does not make up for its shortfall by June 31, its 2013-14 Education Cost Sharing grant will be reduced by double the shortfall, or $317,446, next year.

ECS funding for 2012- 13 is already finalized and the penalty would apply to the following year.

This year, the town received approximately $ 2.6 million in ECS funds, with the grant expect­ed to remain level next year.

“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do,” said Sharpe. “It (the law) doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Posted April 18, 2012

Editor’s note: We are currently making security improvements to our Web site, and you may sometimes receive a message that the site is temporarily unavailable. We thank you for being patient.

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Comedy, pasta, and medicinal teas among Friday’s local events

Babcock Library, 25 Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, presents free workshop, Medicinal Teas – Grow Your Own at 7 p.m., Friday, April. 13. Presenter is from Topmost Herb Farm in Coventry, CT. Open to all. Photo courtesy of www.orientspiration.com

Some of the interesting events taking place in our area on Friday, April 13, 2012.

BENJAMIN’S CLOSET RE-OPENING — CHAPLIN

The Chaplin Congregational Church, 43 Chaplin St., will re-open Benjamin’s Closet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

REFLEXOLOGY — MANSFIELD

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs, will offer reflexology appointments with Therese John at 10 a.m. Call Kathy for an appointment at (860) 429-0262.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE — UCONN

The Red Cross will host blood drives at the University of Connecticut — 2358 Alumni Drive and 626 Gilbert Road, Ext. — Storrs, from 11:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Info: (800) REDCROSS or visit www.redcross.org

SMILING SENIORS — MANSFIELD

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs, will host a program called “Smiling Seniors” presented by the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Interactive oral health education program offered for free.

PASTA DINNER AND RAFFLE FUNDRAISER

Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road, Coventry will host a Nathan Hale memorial fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, under 5 are free. Tickets, call the high school at (860) 742-7346, ext. 165 or Captain Nathan Hale Middle School at (860) 742-7334, ext. 325.

SVFD COMEDY NIGHT 11

The Scotland Volunteer Fire Department will host “SVFD Comedy Night 11” at 7 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge, 198 Pleasant St., Willimantic. Tickets are $20 and can purchased online at www.svfd16.com, at J&S Radio Sales, Main Street, Willimantic, or by calling (860) 450-1525, ext. 12.

MEDICINAL TEAS — GROW YOUR OWN

Babcock Library, 25 Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, presents ‘Medicinal Teas – Grow Your Own’ at 7 p.m. Free program and plants will be available for purchase. Presenter is from Topmost Farm in Coventry.

PROGRAM ON SAMUEL AND ELIZABETH COLT

William Hosley will present an illustrated talk, “Sam and Elizabeth: Legend and Legacy of Colt’s Empire” at the Buchanan Auditorium at the Mansfield Public Library at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 16; $3 for non-members. Sponsored by the Mansfield Historical Society.

Posted April 13, 2012

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Columbia boat-mooring lottery is April 17

The town limits motor size on Columbia Lake to 80 horsepower for outboard engines and 150 horsepower for inboard engines.

The town of Columbia will conduct its annual Columbia Lake boat-mooring lottery at the Tuesday, April 17 Board of Selectmen meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the conference room of Town Hall.

The lottery is for residents interested in mooring a boat in the area off the town beach.

Those who are committed to entering the lottery should provide the following information: name, address, e-mail address, phone number, boat type, make length and motor size.

After the lottery, registration for mooring will take place Tuesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the town office conference room.

Individuals must bring proof of residency, boat registration information, a safe boating certificate and a cash or check payment for $100.

The town limits motor size on Columbia Lake to 80 horsepower for outboard engines and 150 horsepower for inboard engines.

Questions? Contact Kim Bona at kbona@columbiact.org or at 860-228-0110.

Posted April 13, 2012

Editor’s note: We are currently making security improvements to our Web site, and you may sometimes receive a message that the site is temporarily unavailable. We thank you for being patient.

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Evelyn F. Cafrella March 13 1925 – April 11 2012

First Congregational Church of Columbia - graphic by Brenda Sullivan

Evelyn (Mathewson) Cafrella, 87, of Columbia, CT wife of the late Harry Cafrella, died Wednesday, April 11, 2012 in Mansfield.

Evelyn was born March 13, 1925 in Newport, RI, the daughter of Clifford and Ida (Graff) Mathewson.

Prior to her retirement, she was employed at the Columbia Post Office for 32 years, and served as Postmaster for the last seven years.

She loved to bow hunt and fish with her husband. In 1968, she was the Connecticut State Archery Champion in the Women’s Division.

Evelyn was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Columbia, and helped in any way she could.

She leaves nephews Donald Scott of Chino Valley, AZ, Arthur Mathewson Jr. of Marietta, GA, nieces, Mary (Mathewson) McCoy of East Windsor, Jean Hayes of Warwick, RI, Joyce Hacket of North Kingstown, RI and other nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Harry Robert Cafrella, her brother Arthur Mathewson Sr., her sister Dorothy (Mathewson) Ferry and her nephew Thomas Mathewson.

Her family wishes to thank all the people at her church and her many friends for all the kindnesses shown their aunt during her life in Columbia. Also their warmest thanks to Mary Evans for her friendship of over 50 years.

Her funeral service will be Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Columbia, 325 Rte. 87, Columbia. Burial will follow in the West Street Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or the First Congregational Church of Columbia.

Posted April 12, 2012

Obituaries and funeral notices may be sent to editor@htnp.com Currently, there is no charge for publishing these notices. Please include a contact name and phone number for verification.  To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Columbia passes on partnering with Bolton on health insurance

With only one person in the audience speaking, residents at a Town Meeting in Columbia Tuesday (April 10) turned down a proposed health insurance collaboration with the Town of Bolton.

The agreement, which would have lasted four years beginning July 1, 2012 was voted down via a 6-5 vote, with some selectmen voting against the plan.

Selectmen who voted “no” – William O’Brien and Richard Szegda – said other options need to be considered.

In particular, they want to know more about a plan launched by the state comptroller’s office, which was raised by resident Jill Zorn, the lone speaker in the audience Tuesday. The plan might offer better savings for the town, Zorn said.

Zorn also said she is concerned about the lengthy commitment of the Bolton/Columbia agreement, which could last up to four years. “That’s a big commitment when the world of health care is changing all around us,” she said.

O’Brien said, “I think it’s important we get that information before we make a decision.”

Szegda agreed. “You always want to know what your options are before you finalize an agreement,” he said.

The Connecticut Partnership Plan opens the state employee benefits plan to local municipalities and school boards. It is administered by United Healthcare and is expected to save municipalities a significant amount of money.

The Columbia-Bolton collaboration

Columbia and Bolton are currently fully insured; both towns purchase health insurance from Anthem.

If the collaboration had been approved, the two towns’ school boards and town governments would have become self-insured, a move expected to save money in the long run.

The towns’ insurance broker, Ovation Benefits, guided Columbia and Bolton through the process of forming the collaborative proposal.

“This is a process that’s been in the works for months now,” said Columbia First Selectmen Carmen Vance.

Health insurance expenses for the town of Columbia and its school board combined would have been lowered by 4.18 percent — or more than $45,000 in the first year of the deal.

The town stands to save $7,366 next year while the school board stands to save $38,059.  The school board would save more money because it is a much larger entity.

Vance noted the agreement would not have changed the benefits the town and school employees receive.

Ronald Theriault of Ovation Benefits, who attended the meeting, said town and school employees in Columbia would not get the same benefits under the state plan and would have to switch health insurance providers.

Columbia decided to look into the possibility of a multi-town agreement after reviewing a three-year history of claims and premiums incurred while using Anthem.

The town received this information because of a new state law requiring municipalities to be provided with a history of recent claims.

Upon review of the information, Columbia discovered the number of claims were well below the premium it was paying, which prompted the town to look at alternatives

Had the agreement with Bolton been approved, a committee would have been formed to govern the agreement, made up of the two town administrators and the two superintendents.

More info needed

Columbia Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz said selectmen initially ruled out the state plan because it never received the information it had requested.  “I never received anything from them in terms of financial figures,” he said.

Luiz also noted that under the comptroller’s plan, there’s a penalty for leaving early.

Under the Bolton/ Columbia collaboration, either can leave without penalty.  They must, however, give one year notice “out of fairness,” said Luiz.

Another problem with switching to the state plan is that with the end of the fiscal year around the corner (July), Columbia would not have much time to review the state plan.

Theriault said,“To put it in place between now and the end of the year would be difficult.”

Posted April 11, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Editor’s note: We are currently making security improvements to our Web site, and you may sometimes receive a message that the site is temporarily unavailable. We thank you for being patient.

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Norman Dennis Schussler Jan 5 1919 – April 5 2012

He moved to Fox Hill Farm in Columbia, CT in 1951, where he farmed, and he later taught woodworking at Manchester High School. He loved the land and he loved walking the farm he carefully preserved.

Norman D. Schussler of Columbia, CT died Thursday, April 5 at the age of 93.

Born in Chase City, Virginia, he was raised in Richmond, Virginia and the Bronx (New York).

After serving with the Thirteenth Air Force in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines during World War II, he was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Major.  That same year he met his future wife, Caroline, at a Passover Seder.

He moved to Fox Hill Farm in Columbia, CT in 1951, where he farmed, and he later taught woodworking at Manchester High School.  He loved the land and he loved walking the farm he carefully preserved.

He was devoted to his wife and children.

After studying pewter smithing with Frances Felton and enameling with Margaret Seeler, he collaborated with them on the Norwich Cross at the Church of the Redeemer, Norwich, CT.

He also served on the Columbia Charter Revision Commission and on the Columbia Wetlands Commission for many years.

He is survived by Caroline, his wife of 65 years, children Susan and Michael of New York City, and sister Ellen Drori of San Francisco, CA.

Arrangements are private and handled by Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic, CT.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send contributions to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 26, Columbia, CT. 06237.

Posted April 12, 2012

Obituaries and funeral notices may be sent to editor@htnp.com Currently, there is no charge for publishing these notices. Please include a contact name and phone number for verification.  To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

CL-P to trim trees in Columbia this week

In an effort to reduce the number of tree-related power outages and improve reliability for its customers, Connecticut Light & Power is in the process of trimming trees around power lines in Columbia and Lebanon.

The work will cost the company $200,000.

Affected streets can be found on the web site www.clpbringspower.com and clicking on the link that says “Vegetation Management.”

Residents with questions can contact Mark Chandler of Lucas Tree Experts at (603) 560-0565 or Steve Child at CL&P at (860) 665-6165.

Posted April 12, 2012

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Columbia building official faces termination

The Board of Selectmen had scheduled a termination hearing Tuesday (April 10) at a special meeting, but it was cancelled at the last minute. When asked why, Columbia First Selectmen Carmen Vance said “there was another incident,” and declined to provide details.

A town employee with a long history of disciplinary issues in Columbia faces possible termination, a decision expected to be made soon by the Board of Selectmen.

Alvan Hill, the town’s building official, started his position in Columbia in June 1999. His disciplinary issues in Columbia date back to at least August 2004, according to town officials.

An April 4, 2012 letter written by Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz to Hill addresses the most recent incident – it accuses Hill of claiming (and receiving) sick time pay from Columbia in February, time Luiz said Hill spent working for the Town of Ellington. Hill currently earns $32.60 per hour, and works 15 hours per week in Columbia.

According to an employee in Ellington’s human resources office,  Hill filled in for the full-­time building official there, Peter Williams. Hill worked there for two days a week for two weeks, she said.

Luiz said Hill’s union representative and Columbia Finance Director Beverly Ciurylo met with Hill on March 21 to discuss this incident.

Luiz states that Hill notified town staff on Feb. 21 that he would be unable to come to work the next morning because he was sick.

Luiz states that Hill later admitted he accepted an offer to work in Ellington that day.

In his April 4 letter, Luiz states:

“You did not acknowledge any wrongdoing for working for the Town of Ellington on a day that you had called in sick to the Town of Columbia… Rather, you said that you would have been better served by claiming a vacation day on February 22, 2012 instead of having put in for a sick day.

“I believe that you falsified your Town of Columbia timecard for the week of February 20, 2012, and that such falsification constitutes an act of theft against the Town of Columbia.”

Hill could not be reached for comment this morning and his administrative assistant, Cindee Hodge, declined to comment.

The Board of Selectmen had scheduled a termination hearing Tuesday (April 10) at a special meeting, but it was cancelled at the last minute. When asked why, Columbia First Selectmen Carmen Vance said “there was another incident,” and declined to provide details.

Vance, who has served as first selectmen since 2009, has been on the board since 2003 and has been involved in many of the disciplinary actions against Hill.

Luiz, who has been working in Columbia since 2008, has also disciplined Hill on numerous occasions.

Luiz said he expects the meeting to be rescheduled for a date in May and that before it is scheduled, Hill will meet with Luiz.

Per state statutes, Hill will have the opportunity to defend himself at that time, whether by himself or through legal counsel.

Selectmen also are expected to consider all other disciplinary issues Hill Luiz said he has had while working in town. Luiz declined to comment on why Hill was not fired for any of those incidents.

On May 5, 2011, Luiz sent Hill a letter claiming he failed to follow state building codes with respect to a building project at 112 Pine St.

According to Luiz, Hill issued a building permit for 112 Pine St. for a beam and closet rebuild.

Luiz states that he later discovered the construction work was much more extensive than what was covered by the permit. He said a full house renovation was done, including interior and exterior work.

Luiz said Hill should have required the applicant to resubmit plans to the town based on the actual level of construction.

At that time, Hill was issued a three-day “working suspension” in May 2011, meaning an employee still reports for work during that period, with pay, but the incident is reflected in the employee’s disciplinary record.

Luiz said this disciplinary action is used when there is no one else to fill in for the employee.

Previously, on Feb 23, 2011, Luiz sent Hill a letter regarding his failure to follow state building codes with respect to activity at 5 Homestead Lane. He was suspended for one day without pay for this incident.

Luiz said Hill issued a building permit to the owner/ applicant without required written approval from the Eastern Highlands Health District indicating the existing sewage system was satisfactory.

Luiz said Hill also approved a certificate of occupancy for construction that was not in compliance with the approved construction documents, and Hill failed to mandate the owner/applicant resubmit for town approval an amended set of construction documents.

Posted April 12, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Editor’s note: We are currently making security improvements to our Web site, and you may sometimes receive a message that the site is temporarily unavailable. We thank you for being patient.

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

A slam dunk for Storrs Center, Geno Auriemma announces new restaurant

University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma speaks at a press conference April 10, 2012 announcing a plan to open a new restaurant in the Storrs Center development. Photo by Roxanne Pandolfi

When the $220 million Storrs Center opens its first businesses this summer, a familiar name will be attached to one of the restaurants.

During a press conference at the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center on the UConn campus Tuesday afternoon, UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma announced he will open an Italian/ American restaurant in the complex, tentatively called Geno’s Grille.

Crediting the work of various individuals and organizations involved with the project, Auriemma said his role is simply to attach his celebrity name to the project.

Auriemma has coached seven championship teams and made it to 13 Final Fours. “I’m kind of like the Queen of England, you know,” he said. “They paraded me out there. I don’t do any of the work.”

The hope is his name will attract people from across the state to Storrs Center, and help make it a hot destination for current students, graduates and other Connecticut residents.

It was an exciting moment for Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, the group overseeing the project.

“We know you (Auriemma) will be successful in this venture,” said Paterson. “This will be the place to be in Storrs Center.”

Construction on the restaurant is expected to begin in May and it is expected to open around Labor Day, as part of the first phase of the development.

It will seat more than 100 people and have a bar and an outside dining area.

The Storrs Center location is the second restaurant opened by Auriemma and his partners, who also own and operate Geno’s Fast Break restaurant at Mohegan Sun casino.

The new restaurant will serve a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts prepared by chef Calvin Silva.

Auriemma said only food he likes to eat, such as pizza, pasta and sandwiches will be served. “Other than my mother’s food, it will be as good as you can get,” he said.

Those who attended the press conference got a taste of the food Geno’s will offer, as a variety of wraps and other foods from Fast Break were served.

Auriemma’s restaurant is the latest of many businesses to sign on to Storrs Center, a development project that will bring a retail, commercial and residential components to the town.

According to Howard Kaufman, managing member of Leyland Alliance, the master developer on the project, approximately 80 percent of the commercial leases have been signed for the first phase of the project. This includes Moe’s Southwest Grill, Husky Pizza, Fro-yo World (frozen yogurt) and Insomnia Cookies. Some existing businesses also have signed letters of intent, including Storrs Automotive.

The UConn Co-op bookstore is expected to sign a lease to set up a second business in Mansfield. And talks are underway with three more businesses, Kaufman said.

“We’re well on our way to becoming fully leased by the time the project opens up,” he said.

Posted April 11, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Editor’s note: We are currently making security improvements to our Web site, and you may sometimes receive a message that the site is temporarily unavailable. We thank you for being patient.

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook

Hebron Maple Festival is this weekend

The chainsaw carving demonstration by the Shack Out Back is one of the more popular events at the Hebron Maple Festival, held this year on March 10-11 2012. Photo source: Hebron Maple Festival

The sweet tastes, smells and sights of the Hebron Maple Festival will return again this weekend.

Now in its 22nd year, the festival truly encompasses the entire town, not just in participation but in layout and the popular event draws thousands of visitors from all over the state – and even out of state – as well.

Those in the know arrive early, especially if you want to buy maple syrup at the sugar houses.

The 2012 Hebron Maple Fest will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11.

Hebron is home to several maple sugar houses, where activities and self-guided tours are planned, but many of Hebron’s businesses and non-profit organizations also take part in the two-day schedule of events.

Some events are held at stores, churches and town facilities, and others are set up at booths along Main Street.

A full listing of events, contests, giveaways, demonstrations, special breakfasts, a downloadable copy of the brochure in PDF format (including a map), and so much more, is available on the Maple Fest web site at www.hebronmaplefest.com

Participating sugarhouses include: Woody Acres, 80 Cone Road; Pierce’s Sugar House, 325 W. Main St.; and Wenzel’s Sugar House, 522 East St. This year also features a new sugar house, Hill’s House on Route 85. All will be open for tours and demonstrations.

As well as tours, exhibits and activities, all things maple will be offered for the public.

These range from the Hebron Historical Society’s sale of maple milk at the Old Town Hall to the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department’s popular sugar on snow and the Hebron Interfaith Human Services’ maple cotton candy at Hebron Fire Company No. 1.

Of course, maple syrup will be offered, well, everywhere.

Ron Wenzel, owner of Wenzel’s Sugar House, said the mild winter hasn’t affected his operation.

“The snow that we had last year was just right,” he said, but, “the sap production for me is about the same as a normal year, 50 to 60 gallons of syrup.”

Making that amount of syrup means Wenzel collected at least 3,300 gallons of sap from the trees he’s tapped around his property.

All the sappy goodness will be available for personal analysis and comparison at the festival.

There also will be all the traditional festival fare – fried dough, hot dogs and hamburgers, kettlecorn and more.

Opening ceremonies on Saturday begin at 9:45 a.m. at Liberty Square Collectibles at 105 Main St.

A variety of events are planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For example, he nonprofit organization Wingmasters will exhibit birds of prey both days at the AHM Youth Services building at 25 Pendleton Drive, to benefit the family programs.

And the Hebron Historical Society will host the annual, very popular Quilt Show at the Old Town Hall on both days. Donations are requested to view the quilt exhibit to benefit historical society programs.

The Farmer’s Cow – a cooperative of six dairy farms from eastern Connecticut producing milk, cream, ice-cream, eggs and other products for local grocery stores – will share a booth at the Maple Fest with the Hebron Historical Society.

Adjacent to Old Town Hall will be a truck from Farmer’s Cow, which will serve ice cream samples and accept donations to benefit the town’s land acquisition fund, which is used to preserve open space.

One of the six farms in the cooperative is Maple Leaf Farm of Hebron, owned by the Ellis family.

This is the second year that representatives from the Farmer’s Cow have sponsored a booth at the Maple Festival.

“The society is pleased to support Farmer’s Cow in honor of Hebron’s long history of dairy farming,” said Hebron Historical Society President Donna McCalla.

She added, “We want to make sure that residents and visitors know that any volunteer donations will directly benefit the Hebron Open Space Land Acquisition Fund.”

Posted March 9, 2012 as edited and added to by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook and follow us ( @HTNP) on Twitter!