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If you want to see some nifty holiday lights and spread some seasonal cheer, drop by the house of Trumbull resident John Terwilliger. A local fast-food executive, Terwilliger has fashioned a 95,000-light display synchronized with Christmas music on his limited-frequency radio station, 97.3-FM, at his house at 20 Macdonald Road.
Besides entrancing spectators, Terwilliger is also trying to collect 400 toys for Toys for Tots. He’ll be collecting until Dec. 23 and there’s a toy drop at the garage.
Gary Bean wasn’t off the Trumbull Planning and Zoning Commission long. Nine days after his term ended, the formerly unaffiliated commissioner signed on as a Republican, and was promptly appointed by First Selectman Timothy M. Herbst to fill out the one year remaining on his own unexpired term.
The former commission vice chairman also was elected unanimously to the chairmanship role Herbst held.
Although unaffiliated, Bean had originally sought reelection this year on the Republican line but had to abandon it after Democrats complained the GOP would control more seats than allowed under minority representation rules.
Though one of its newest member, former Trumbull High School Principal Ted Lovely has jumped right to the top of the Board of Education ladder with his selection as Chairman. Lovely, also the district’s former assistant superintendent, was chosen earlier this week after Deborah Herbst declined nomination, noting that her son Tim is now the town’s first selectman. Herbst will take the less conspicuous role of vice chairman, with another new member, Tom Kelly, serving as secretary.
It seems Republican Timothy M. Herbst is already on the job as first selectman, even though he didn’t exactly broadcast it.
With the charter calling for the transition in town officials to take place at a non-specific time on Dec. 7, Herbst said he was sworn in promptly at 12:01 this morning by one of his law colleagues, Dennis Kokenos, and swore in his Town Clerk, Suzanne Burr Monaco, shortly after.
“It was just so I could sign appointment letters,” said Herbst, who wasn’t in Town Hall and added the main swearing-in event was still scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight in Madison Middle School. He said Monaco wanted to make sure items from her new office today were legal.
Still, it seemed an awkward beginning, as outgoing Democratic officials were a bit stunned.
“This is the first I’m hearing of it,” said Herbst’s Democratic predecessor, Raymond G. Baldwin Jr. “It would have been nice if he let me know.”
Outgoing Town Clerk Rose Lodice was already at work when Monaco came in shortly before 9 a.m. “I wish someone would have told me,” she said. “I wouldn’t have come in today.”
Indeed, new officers have traditionally taken their oaths at night. Baldwin’s secretary, Joan Plouffe, a mainstay in the office since the 1970s, said such an early takeover may have taken place once before, but she couldn’t immediately recall who was involved.
We at the Connecticut Post are keeping tabs on whether your elected officials are keeping their campaign promises…so we want to let you know that the three paid Trumbull officials taking office Monday will be making 3 percent less money than their predecessors in what First Selectman-elect Timothy Herbst called “an example of fiscal discipline.”
Rather than $101,754, Herbst will be taking $98,700.99, Town Clerk Suzanne Burr Monaco will receive $55,141 rather than $56,846, and Town Treasurer John Ponzio will receive $21,124 rather than $21,778, according to personnel and financial officials processing their paychecks. Herbst said the plan will be in effect for the next two years.
Note to builders: a small office building does not have to be ugly. Because it fits in with the town’s semi rural character, Monroe’s Architectural Review Board has decided to honor Nancy and Steven Symski, owners of a small office building at 238 Monroe Turnpike with its annual award for new construction. First Selectman Steve Vavrek will head the award presentation Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
That’s what the Red Cross Club at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull hopes to provide by collecting old and unwanted cell phones that can be converted for free 911 emergency-use and distributed to those who need them most.
Among those who will benefit are battered women, the elderly, and neighborhood watch groups. Handsets only — no chargers or accessories — may be dropped off at the school at 2320 Huntington Turnpike, or sent to Secure The Call at 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 400, Takoma Park, MD 20912.
For more information, including a tax dedeuction form, visit http://www.securethecall.org or the school’s Web site at www.sjcadets.org
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