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In preparation of the Sixth Taxing District’s annual budget to be voted on at the annual meeting, March 6, 2013, the Commissioners have arranged for two budget meetings. The last budget meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23. The meetings will be at 7:30 p.m. upstairs in the Rowayton Community Center. All meetings are open to the public. For more information, please contact Andrea Woodworth, District Clerk at (203) 854-5066.
On Tuesday, January 22, at noon, the Rowayton Library with be holding this year’s Annual Fund campaign drawing for a handmade quilt or a handmade rug. If you would like to be entered into the drawing for this beautiful quilt or rug, no donation is required – the Annual Fund Campaign envelope mailed to Rowaytonites can be your entry form or entry forms are available at the Rowayton Library.
The winning names (one for the quilt and one for the rug) will be drawn by the Goodwives Quilters. For more information, please contact the Library at 203.838.5038. Light refreshments will be served. Please support your Rowayton Library this year with a gift during the Annual Fund Campaign.
Norwalk Fire Department Encourages residents to “Resolve To Be Ready in 2013”
Your Norwalk Fire Department – Office of Emergency Management is encouraging residents to “Resolve to Be Ready in 2013”. A resolution to be better prepared for emergencies is both important and easy to keep. This New Year’s Eve, Americans who make New Year’s resolutions are eleven times more likely to report continued success than people who have not made a resolution, according to the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Whether it is a winter storm, heat wave, hurricane or power outage, being prepared to handle any emergency can lower some of the stress these events bring.
The Fire Department encourages residents to visit www.ready.gov for tools and resources to make a New Year’s resolution that will keep you and your loved ones safe. Best wishes for a Safe and Happy New Year.
Michele DeLuca
Norwalk Fire Department
Deputy Director, Emergency Management
141 East Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854
Office: 203-854-0238
The Kelly Family in Rowayton.
On Friday, December 14 @ 3pm at the Fairfield County Bank in Rowayton, Bob Ready drew the winning raffle ticket for the handcrafted custom-made dollhouse he built to raise funds for the Rowayton Library. Thank you, Fairfield County Bank (Rowayton) for making the raffle FREE to the Rowayton community while benefiting the Rowayton Library’s Annual Fund.
Nancy S. Romberg, Vice President of Fairfield County Bank, along with Tracy King, President of the Rowayton Library was on hand when Robert Ready drew with winning entry.
“We are so excited about winning the doll house. It is exquisite! I was, and am, a doll house fanatic. I spent endless hours playing with my doll house as a child and I look forward to Hope having the same fun with hers… ” Leslie Kelly
Keep Your Holidays From Going Up in Flames!
Norwalk Fire Department (and Rowayton) Offers Fire Prevention Tips for a Safe and Festive Holiday Season
For most of us, the holiday season represents a time for family festivities and good cheer. What few of us consider is that the holiday season is a time when there is an increased risk of home fires. According to the Norwalk Fire Department, many households engage in holiday activities that serve as some of the leading causes of U.S. home fires, including cooking. Christmas trees, candle usage and holiday decorations also significantly contribute to the seasonal causes of home fires. Add to that the hectic nature of the holidays, when people are trying to accomplish multiple tasks at one time, and the chance for home fires grows even further.
“As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired,” says Fire Chief Denis McCarthy of the Norwalk Fire Department. “That’s when home fires are more likely to occur.”
Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody. “By taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented,” says McCarthy
With unattended cooking as the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, Norwalk Fire Marshal Glen Iannaccone says to stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food. Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it, and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time. If you’re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking. The Norwalk Fire Department also suggests creating a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.
Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays, and December is the peak month for home candle fires. The nonprofit National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) statistics show almost half of all home decoration fires are started by candles. The Norwalk Fire Department encourages residents to consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. However, if you do use traditional candles, keep them at least 12” away from anything that can burn, and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed. Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over and are placed on uncluttered surfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom where one-third of U.S. candle fires begin or other areas where people may fall asleep. Lastly, never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
According to NFPA, U.S. fire departments respond to 230 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees each year. One of every three of them is caused by electrical problems, and one in five resulted from a heat source that’s too close to the tree. The Norwalk Fire Department offers the following advice for picking, placing and lighting the tree:
By following these fire prevention tips and measure, the Norwalk Fire Department says you can greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home, and enjoy a safe holiday season.
“The holidays can quickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs,” says McCarthy “By taking simple precautions, people can avoid potential fire hazards, and make this time of year a healthy and happy one.”
Visit www.nfpa.org/holiday for more information and safety tips.
Michele DeLuca
Norwalk Fire Department
Deputy Director, Emergency Management
141 East Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854
Office: 203-854-0238
Norwalk Police Chief Thomas E. Kulhawik announced this morning that additional Norwalk Police Officers are being assigned to each school at the opening and closing of the school day as well as an increased presence throughout the day. This increased presence will continue this week. Police officers will also be present for the holiday concerts at Brien McMahon High School and Norwalk High School. The added security is in addition to Resource Officers assigned to each high school as a normal course of business.
Mayor Richard A. Moccia will be visiting schools today.
A Note from your local Fire Department:
Application Deadline is December 31st.
Hurricane Sandy was one of the worst storms in Connecticut’s history. As we continue recovering from this devastating storm, Norwalk residents are reminded that the deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Monday, December 31, 2012. If you incurred any damage as a result of the storm, you may be eligible for assistance from FEMA or the SBA. Assistance is available for both individuals and small businesses:
Individuals
FEMA can help you cover the costs of post-Sandy repairs if your damaged property is not covered, or under-covered, by insurance. Types of assistance include temporary housing, home repair or replacement, permanent and semi-permanent housing construction, and other needs such as medical, dental, funeral, and transportation expenses. In order to receive assistance, you must apply directly to FEMA by phone, via mobile device, or online:
Please note that even if you have already reported your damages to 2-1-1, you must still apply directly to FEMA to receive assistance. The deadline for applying for Individual Assistance is December 31, 2012. Click hereto learn more about how to apply for Individual Assistance.
Small Businesses
Small businesses are also eligible for FEMA assistance for property damage. The deadline to apply for assistance for physical damages is December 31, 2012.
Additionally, small businesses are also eligible for assistance under the Small Business Administration (SBA). If you own a small business, you can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), which are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. EIDLs can help you meet any financial obligations that cannot be met because of the storm. The deadline for applying for an EIDL is July 31, 2013. Click hereto learn more about how to apply for a SBA loan, or call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
For more information on physical disaster loans EIDLs, click here.
Small business owners who would like in-person assistance navigating this process may get help at Fairfield County SCORE:
SBA Business Assistance for Fairfield County
Fairfield County SCORE
111 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
Hours: Monday- Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Michele DeLuca
Norwalk Fire Department
Deputy Director, Emergency Management
141 East Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854
Office: 203-854-0238
But in the aftermath of the horrific Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting this morning, images of terrified children and adults will be ubiquitous in every form of media for days to come. Parents might be dealing with sad and scared kids, children who will ask about what happened in Newtown, whether it can happen to them. Then there is the unanswerable: “how could this happen?”
If you are struggling with the right thing to say, these tips from Dr. Paul Coleman, may help provide some solace. Goldman is a psychologist and author of How to Say It to Your Child When Bad Things Happen and has extensive experience specializing in anxiety disorders and marriage and family concerns. We are only too sad to be sharing his advice today – and are counting the minutes until we can race home to hug our own kids.
Be a soothing example. If you are personally traumatized in any way by the events in Newton, do your best to model calm. “Kids pay close attention to their parent’s mood, so you should show this is all temporary,” says Dr. Coleman. If you and your family are all safe and sound, “you can convey, yes, it’s stressful, but eventually things will get back to normal.” Emphasize the things that are already back to normal or that stayed the same throughout, like their family or favorite toys.
Ask questions before explaining. “Don’t rush in with an explanation without first trying to understand what your kids are worried about,” says Dr. Coleman. “Don’t be too quick to tell them not worry about it. Explore it a little.” Once you know their specific concerns-are they worried about something similar happening to them or you-you can address them specifically and then reassure them.
Don’t label feelings as wrong. Let them know that their feelings make sense, and that it’s ok to feel whatever they’re feeling. Never make them feel bad about being scared or worried.
Use your judgment about watching the news. “You have to know your child,” says Dr. Coleman. “If they are young and impressionable, you might want to shield them. If your child is older, it can be a teaching moment.”
Wait until they’re older. Until around age 7, Dr. Coleman suggests only addressing the tough stuff if kids bring it up first. “They might see it on TV or hear about it at school (or heaven forbid even witness it), and then you have to deal with it. But younger children might not be able to handle it well,” says Dr. Coleman.
Keep it black and white. Yes, the world can be a cruel place, but little kids, well, can’t handle the truth.”Younger kids need to be reassured that this isn’t happening to them and won’t happen to them,” says Dr. Coleman. Parents may feel like they’re lying, since no one can ever be 100% sure of what the future holds, but probability estimates are not something small kids can grasp, and won’t comfort them.
Michele DeLuca
Norwalk Fire Department
Deputy Director, Emergency Management
141 East Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854
Office: 203-854-0238
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