Printer Friendly Version - Guilford: A Year in Review 2022

Guilford Community Fireworks featuring music by the Night Shift Band were on July 9, at the fairgrounds on Lovers Lane. Fireworks light the sky and reflect off of cars parked at the fairground. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Guilford High School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2022 on June 22 on the Town Green. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

The Guilford girls’ ice hockey squad won its conference title with a 4-3 overtime victory against West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy in the SCC Tournament final at Bennett Rink on Feb. 25. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Dan Montgomery dressed as “Super Dan” leads the Kids Fun Run before the Song Strong 5k at the Guilford Fairgrounds June 4. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

Wildlife rehabilitator Eunice DeMond, who unsuccessfully appealed the town’s decision to force her to close her rescue center, sued the town in New Haven Superior Court, stating that the town did not act in good faith when it rendered its decision to close her facility.

Three years after initial fundraising began to construct a Splash Pad at Jacobs Beach, an anonymous donor contributed enough to fully fund the entire project and then some. The donation totaled $325,000, with $311,000 earmarked for the Splash Pad and the remaining $14,000 for the Rick B. Maynard Disc Golf Course at Bittner Park.

The Independent Guilford Party was created by a coalition of residents promoting a platform focusing on local issues and eschewing larger national politics.

The company hired by the town to determine the health of Lake Quonnipaug and recommend the best water plant mitigation plan issued its report. According to the ESS Group of Massachusetts, the main body of the Lake appears quite healthy by most metrics but several natural inlets and small coves, where runoff is concentrated, revealed high values of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic compounds.

State Representative Sean Scanlon (District 98) announced the formation of an exploratory committee for statewide office with a focus on the Office of State Comptroller.

Guilford Social Services recommended the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program for that winter’s heating season.

Members of the Guilford Welcome Sign Committee announced the completion of the signage installations at all of Guilford’s highway exit ramps. According to the group, the signs will inform and direct travelers to the historic districts, visitor kiosk, Town Green, local businesses, and the marina.

Guilford Public Schools rescinded its mandatory mask policy. The policy stated that students, faculty, and staff of Guilford Public Schools would not be required to wear a mask while in school buildings or on school grounds.

The Guilford Foundation announced a grant of more than $19,000 to the Menunkatuck Audubon Society to begin participation in the Save The Sound’s United Water Study Program. The grant allowed the Society to monitor water quality in Guilford Harbor and the East River watersheds.

Controversy over basketball courts started when some residents became incensed that the Town was considering removing the beloved courts on Route 77 at the Emergency Services Complex. After much anxiety and debate, the town approved a plan that would allow the courts to remain, at least temporarily, and also allow for the critically needed expansion of the site.

The war in Ukraine was the impetus for numerous benefits and outpourings of support for the beleaguered nation. Bake sales, benefits, and Ukrainian flags were all part of an effort to show solidarity with the country as it fights to retain its independence.

In what some town officials described as an unusual action, families of several special education students in Guilford Public Schools submitted anonymous complaints to Guilford’s Human Rights Commission, alleging certain Guilford Public school staff have bullied parents and changed educational programs without parental knowledge in violation of district rules. The anonymous nature of the complaints made it impossible for any town entity to pursue further action.

A rash of car enterings, break-ins, and stolen vehicles were reported across the shoreline, including Guilford. Police Chief Butch Hyatt reminded residents to keep their vehicles locked at night and whenever they park, and to not leave valuables in their vehicles.

An 18-hour standoff between police and a Guilford man ended with the 51-year old taking his own life on April 13. There was initially great optimism that the distraught man could be coaxed into ending the stalemate after he fled to a relative’s house after setting fire to a residence on Route 80.

Residents were shocked to hear that Walmart would be closing its doors. The Town announced that a TJ Maxx and an affiliate brand would be taking over the lease, but that deal did not come to fruition.

A section of sidewalk installation was underway and eventually completed on Route 77 from Adams School reaching up to Hubbard Road.

Guilford faced critical staffing shortages for a number of positions that impacted access and availability to several area beaches and parks. The low staffing impacted Quonnipaug and Jacobs Beach most significantly, with shortened hours.

Concerns over legal cannabis and its impact on the Town began to be discussed. Issues such as siting and underage access to cannabis remain at the forefront of resident concerns.

Four people were killed on May 29 in what police described as a “wrong way crash” on I-95 in Guilford between exits 59-60. Three individuals were killed in a car heading southbound on the interstate, the driver who entered the highway heading northbound on the southbound side, was also killed.

The Town partnered with UR Community Cares of Manchester to match volunteers with those in need. The program enrolled Guilford residents in need of help by providing community-based volunteer support to those that are coming out of the hospital, recovering from surgery, or those with mobility issues.

The temporary moratorium on retail cannabis sales was extended by the Board of Selectman (BOS) until December.

The Guilford Fund for Education awarded its largest grant in its history: the Makerspace Grant. Totaling $80,000, the grant was proposed by Calvin Leete School Library Media Specialist Cheryl Monaco on behalf of all four Guilford Elementary Schools.

The Town’s purchase of a small property intended to facilitate critical repair of the Lake Quonnipaug dam turned out to be a potential piece of Guilford’s African-American history. Town Historian Joel Helander submitted an exhaustively researched report on the property and the discovery that it may have once been slave quarters. It also may have been the home of a freeman and former slave Ham Primis.

The Town’s Ethics Board revised Guilford’s Code of Ethics to amplify and expand the “high ethical standards expected of Guilford’s public officials.” The Code applies to all officials of the town, including elected or appointed holders of public office, Town and Board of Education (BOE) employees, as well as members of any board, commission, authority or committee.

The BOS approved a motion to make Aug. 7, Guilford’s Purple Heart Recognition Day to honor the sacrifice of the Town’s veterans. At the urging of local veterans, the Town officially recognized National Purple Heart Day as well.

St. John’s Episcopal Church in North Guilford marked its 275th Anniversary by kicking off a celebration with a bluegrass music festival. The event honored the history and tradition of St. John’s 275 years of service to Guilford with an array of local and regional bluegrass musicians.

A group of Guilford parents hired New Haven attorney Norm Pattis to sue the Town, the BOE, and several school administrators and teachers claiming retaliation against their children and the lack of resolution of alleged incidents of bullying and assault. The plaintiffs said their reason for litigation has the specific intent of forcing the resignation of current School Superintendent Dr. Paul Freeman and an overhaul of the BOE.

First Selectman Matt Hoey was injured in a bike mishap while biking at Meigs Point at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Hoey suffered six broken ribs but credited his bike helmet and kindly bystanders for preventing more grievous injuries. Hoey recovered quickly and was back at Town Hall within days of the accident.

The Planning and Zoning Commission sought input from residents on proposed zoning regulations revisions with the intent of completing a comprehensive re-write of zoning regulations to streamline approvals and bypass some of the more onerous and superfluous regulations.

The controversy over the Police basketball courts was officially resolved as Town officials announced that the two courts would remain at the Emergency Services Complex. Officials warned that the solution may only be temporary as town officials said the courts may eventually have to be removed as the complex expands.

Breakwater Books celebrated its 50th anniversary on the Green. Though there have been several owners in its esteemed history, current owners, Richard Parent and Paul Listro, remain focused on the store’s legacy and commitment to the community.

A purse snatching at the Shoreline Plaza had residents on edge. A Guilford woman was knocked down in broad daylight during a confrontation with a 16-year old juvenile who was later arrested and charged by Guilford Police.

Town officials announced that Guilford would implement a software system to allow residents to quickly submit and receive certain construction permits. The new installation would allow residents to quickly apply and receive permits for basic solar installations.

Election season kicked into high gear as most of the State level office seats were up for grabs. Races included those in the 12th Senate District, General Assembly Representative in the 98th District, and an uncontested race for a section of North Guilford in the 86th Assembly District.

Volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) helped the Town’s Park and Recreation Department with maintenance duties at the Disc Golf course at Bittner Park. Numerous USCG personnel on several different dates, assisted in clearing “fairways,” and repairing tee off spots.

The Town announced a new pilot waste removal program in conjunction with the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) at a symposium hosted by the library.

With the help of In A Heart Beat, Defibtech of Guilford, and Guilford residents Bob and Melissa Shaw, the Town coordinated the installation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Bittner Park.

Guilford’s Fire and the Police Department dive teams initiated training with a new device to allow emergency personnel to enhance their ability to locate missing persons and objects underwater. The new device, called Aqua Eye, is a camera system that allows rescuers to rapidly conduct large field underwater searches from shore or vessel, drastically reducing response times and the risk to personnel.

The Guilford Fire Department rescued four boaters just off Sachem’s Head on a cold blustery day, narrowly averting tragedy. Emergency personnel credited the use of life vests and an extremely quick response time in saving the lives of the four whose boat had capsized after becoming entangled with an object.

Guilford’s connection to the Mother of the American Deaf, Sophia Fowler Gallaudet, was rediscovered due to the efforts of a local couple, Nancy and Jonathan Bishop. The Bishops alerted town officials to a neglected piece of history hidden by brush. The marker, at the intersection of Moose Hill Road and Route 1, was cleared allowing recognition of Fowler Gallaudet, who, along with her husband and family, established Gallaudet College.

A statewide gun buyback program was launched in conjunction with a coalition of nonprofits, area Police Departments, and Guilford residents. Events were held in six different towns including Guilford and provided free gun safes for anyone holding a valid handgun permit.

Voters cast ballots for state level offices on Nov. 8. Christine Cohen retained her 12th Senate district seat. BOE member and first-time candidate for the General Assembly 98th District, Moira Rader, defeated her Republican opponent. Former State Representative Sean Scanlon was elected State Comptroller.

An affordable housing forum was held at the Guilford Free Library highlighting three new affordable housing projects. The projects, though all unique in their design, shared the goal of providing more affordable housing units to a market in critical need.

The mandatory property revaluation had some residents in an uproar as values in Guilford rose dramatically in 2022. Town officials urged all residents to understand that calculating their actual property tax would not be possible until the new mil rate is set during the budgetary process in spring of 2023.