Simsbury News Archives

The tour features nine private gardens. Tickets cost $25 per person and may be purchased at Fitzgerald's Foods, 710 Hopmeadow St.; Bosco's Garden Mart, 1376 Hopmeadow St.; and at Talbot's in The Shoppes at ... via Hartford Courant

“The fact that you had more than 500 people come out to a public hearing and comment on a land-use application is a strong message that the residents of Simsbury want to be involved in a public process to plan the development of Simsbury's future”

As "big box" stores and large developments build up in suburbia, local groups in the Farmington Valley are fed up with a land-use approval process that involves the public mostly in the final stages. via Connecticut's WB 20

“It's one more example of our intense focus on offering life insurance products that small business owners can use to help secure their future and reduce their risk.”

Source: Wordcount: 878 Business Editors/Insurance Writers SIMSBURY, Conn.-- --April 22, 2008--These are challenging times for America's small business owners. via Insurance News Net

“It makes you think about everything you do”

A service station in Darien was selling regular gasoline Thursday for $4.19 a gallon. via Hartford Courant

“The ability to use radiation in a more concentrated manner has substantially improved the effectiveness of the procedure and has given older men a very appealing alternative to surgery. ”

SIMSBURY, Conn. - Almost 186,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. via Earth Times

Eligible recipients may pick up the available food at 10:30 a.m. Items offered are grapes, onions and oranges. via Hartford Courant

“This commission has clearly indicated that they're not ready to join the other forward-thinking communities in Connecticut.”

After three years of debate involving a developer, town officials and residents about an idea for a mixed-use project and zone change, the zoning commission gave its final answer Monday: no.

The commission unanimously rejected an application for a proposed planned development district, also called a 'PDD,' which would have created a 'floating' zone to allow mixed-use development - a combination of retail, office and residential buildings in a pedestrian-friendly environment.

The proposed PDD named five specific areas of town where such zones could be allowed, including the town center and the southern gateway. Read more

“Unless you have pictures, when some of these buildings go there is nothing left”

Town historian Robert Grigg said a miniature version of the forge, which was built in 1771 and is undergoing an archaeological dig, could be next in a series of seven building reproductions sold by the ... via Connecticut's WB 20

“Nearly all of our trout waters have been stocked, the fish are in excellent condition, and anglers have a wide range of options for fishing. This is also an excellent time for families to get back outdoors after the winter.”

Opening Day of the Trout Fishing Season is Saturday, April 19th, and the Department of Environmental Protection has the state's rivers, streams, lakes and ponds stocked and ready. via CT.gov

It won't be open to the public until Monday, but the newly renovated and expanded Simsbury Public Library was humming with activity Friday.

As an earthmover dumped loads of topsoil on the front lawn, a painter balanced atop a ladder dabbing white paint on roof soffits. Inside, library staff and volunteers tended to everything from shelving books to running tests on newly installed public computers in the adult and children's areas.

'I feel like a yo-yo,' mused Harald Bender, a volunteer assisting with computer setup, but who also helped when the library moved to temporary quarters last March to make way for construction. 'I feel like I just did this.' Read more

You've heard this old line: Inside every fat woman is a thin one screaming to get out. via Hartford Courant

State Rep. Linda Schofield, D- Simsbury , organized the event, which starts at 1 p.m., and she expects more than 150 people to volunteer, she said this week in a press release. via Hartford Courant

The referendum is scheduled for May 20. The proposed budget represents an increase over current spending of 3.78 percent, or $3.1 million. via Hartford Courant

“It's going to affect the whole 10 and 202 corridor”

Hundreds of Simsbury residents filled a Thursday night public hearing to discuss a proposed development. via WFSB-TV Hartford

What's the first thing inquiring minds wanted to know upon learning that about 30 University of Connecticut students became ill after attending a party March 29 at a Manchester restaurant? You guessed it - the ... via Hartford Courant

- The fire marshal shut down a public hearing Monday 20 minutes after it started because the 240 people who attended made the auditorium and foyer at Eno Memorial Hall overcrowded.

The public hearing was 'apparently the hottest ticket in town, too hot for the fire marshal,' said Austin Barney II, chairman of the zoning commission.

The zoning commission will resume the hearing Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Simsbury High School auditorium, which seats more than 900 people, Fire Marshal Kevin Kowalski said. Read more

“This is a unique house on a unique street, and I wouldn't have been surprised if they were off by ten to twenty thousand. But $100,000 is a big difference.”

The home is in historic downtown Farmington, a 10,000-square-foot mansion built in 1917, with a 2,000-square-foot pool house overlooking the Farmington River.

It was listed for sale in 2005 with a $9.8 million price tag.

Then it was reduced to $8.8 million.

Then reduced again.

And again. And again.

Now, almost three years later and still on the market, the home has an asking price of $5.695 million - a more than 40 percent reduction.

How do you overprice a house by millions? Read more

John Doyle, of Hartford Road, is accused of having numerous Internet conversations with the girl since September 2007, according to a statement issued by the U.S. attorney's office in New Haven. via Connecticut's WB 20

“It was really stupid. I know it's never going to happen again.”

A 19-year-old Bloomfield man was given a suspended sentence and probation Thursday for his role in a March 2007 pizza store robbery in Simsbury.

Pradeep Lichtenberger pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery and third-degree larceny in Superior Court in Enfield. Judge Howard Scheinblum sentenced Lichtenberger to a three-year suspended term and three years' probation. Lichtenberger must also perform 200 hours of community service.

Lichtenberger said he had sought to help a friend and made a mistake. Read more

“I am so excited that the town has embraced this initiative”

The town has officially joined a growing list of communities going green.

At a meeting in late March, the board of selectmen voted unanimously to take part in a program providing incentives to towns pledging to get 20 percent of their electricity for public buildings from clean power sources, such as wind, water and solar power, by the year 2010.

Simsbury is the 71st municipality in the state to sign on to the initiative aptly dubbed '20 percent by 2010.' It is a partnership involving the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, a publicly endowed fund the legislature created in 2000 to promote and underwrite the use of clean energy; SmartPower, a nationwide nonprofit marketing campaign promoting clean energy; the Department of Public Utility Control; and clean energy providers Community Energy and Sterling Planet. Read more

Sunday brunches are very popular in the Avon and Simsbury, Connecticut area. While some people enjoy preparing Sunday brunch at home, many other hungry consumers enjoy frequenting local restaurants which offer ... via Associated Content