Category: community

On Wednesday morning, February 21, First Selectman Eric Couture held his first coffee chat with Beechwood residents.

Twenty-five residents attended as Couture gave a synopsis of current issues before the Board of Selectmen and the town. His presentation was followed by questions from his audience. Many of those questions centered around septic clean outs, rent increases and taxes.

Couture discussed in detail how the budget process works. He explained how the school budget fits into the picture and the role of both the Board of Finance and the Board of Education. Road safety, a major concern for his audience, was also discussed.

Couture said he recognizes the frustration and pain of increasing costs. He described the balancing act of keeping the town in good shape, its people safe, and its children well educated, with the need to keep costs and taxes as reasonable as possible.

The First Selectman then introduced Joan Gay and Brandon Geraghty representing River Valley Transit. Gay wearing two hats, also represented the Committee on Aging. She thanked the Beechwood Community for their response to the recent Senior Citizens Survey and distributed printed copies of the Survey Report. Gay went over the prioritized areas of concern which, to no one’s surprise, included housing costs and taxes.

Brandon Geraghty addressed the services provided to Killingworth by River Valley Transit which is the new organization formed from combining Nine Town Transit with Middletown Transit. Brochures, “Ride Guide,” were distributed and Geraghty explained the different services provided by the bus line and Dial- a- Ride. Both Gay and Geraghty were happy to announce that a regularly scheduled bus stop would soon be available at the Beechwood Clubhouse so that no one must wait for a bus on Route 81.

(Submitted by KDTC member Kathy Amoia)

With the death of Elizabeth “Betty” Dennis this past week, the town of Killingworth and the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee have lost a devoted supporter, volunteer,  organizer, and friend. A longtime member of the KDTC, Betty served as Democratic Registrar of Voters from 2005 to 2017, continuing to serve at the polls after her retirement from that elected position. The Democratic Town Committee’s annual May Bake Sale fundraiser was organized well in advance by Betty. She would be the first there and the last to leave, rain, shine, and occasionally freezing temperatures. Her creamy homemade fudge was a much sought after item at the table. 

Betty also served on the Killingworth Public Health Agency from 2013 to the present and was a member of the Killingworth Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  In this position she helped staff our emergency shelters when they were opened and was part of the team that went to Middletown to help after the 2010 power plant explosion. 

Active at St. Lawrence Church, she was a proud member of their Columbiettes, and always a busy presence during church fairs, rummage sales, and the renowned Strawberry Festival. She also helped organize and run the Shawl Ministry at the church, a group of women who knit shawls for the sick. 

Betty leaves behind four sons and their families, including two much loved grandchildren. Calling hours at Swan Funeral Home in Clinton will be Wednesday, August 3 from 5 until 8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday morning, August 4^th at 10 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church.   

Elizabeth “Betty” Dennis will be remembered fondly by all of us who worked beside her in one cause or another over decades. She will be missed. Our condolences to her family.