Pool Committee Narrows Down Options

by Josh Morgan
With two meetings under its belt, the Cheshire Community Pool Evaluation Committee is beginning to make strides in determining what the future could hold for the oft-troubled facility.
The Committee was formed earlier this month and the group has obtained a significant amount of information in a short period of time. The Committee, chaired by John Purtill, who is also chairman of the Public Building Commission, has been given a short time frame to submit recommendations to the Cheshire Town Council, so the group is moving quickly.

Doc’s Generosity Puts Wheels In Motion For Grammy-Nominated Album

by John Rook
Cheshire’s Dr, Jonathan Schneider is a well-respected physician who has worked at Yale-New Haven Hospital at its Saint Raphael campus since 1979.
In that capacity he has helped countless patients and immersed himself in the ever-changing field of medicine.
Yet, Schneider half-jokingly refers to his career as his “day gig.” That’s because the doctor, even before he entered medicine, had another passion in his life: music.
At a young age, Schneider began playing with different musical groups and, even while attending medical school, would sporadically “jam” with different bands to get his music fix.

Town Files Lien Against Prison

by John Rook
The Town of Cheshire and the state Department of Correction has been locked in a long and, at times, tense battle over costs associated with the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant for the last several years.
To try and recoup the money local officials claim is owed by the DOC, the Town has filed a lien against Cheshire Correctional Institution (CCI) for $1.6 million.
According to Town Manager Michael Milone, filing the lien is the standard practice of the Town when dealing with a delinquent bill.

Bubble Pays Off, Sort Of: Town Accepts Offer From Insurance Company

by Josh Morgan
The Cheshire Town Council earlier this week accepted a portion of insurance proceeds related to the damage sustained by the pool last year and earlier this winter.
On Tuesday night, the Council accepted nearly $175,000 in insurance monies. The claims are related to damage sustained by the bubble in September 2012 and the collapse in February 2013. Town Council Budget Committee Chairman David Schrumm noted that most of the money will be held in a reserve fund to help offset costs with the pool in the future.
“This is just going into a reserve,” he said. “We’ll talk about spending the money later.”

SPORTS

CHS V-Ball Holds Off Gaels In Five

by Greg Lederer
Cheshire High School boys’ volleyball has become a force within the Southern Connecticut Conference, winning five straight regular season titles.
On Tuesday, CHS had to battle for the right to compete for a third consecutive tournament title. The Rams outlasted fourth-seeded Shelton, a rival they’ve already beaten twice, in five games (25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 18-25, 20-18).
“We didn’t want to give up this one,” senior middle hitter Lucas Yasuda said.

AROUND TOWN

Cheshire Academy Does Some Heavy Lifting For Cancer Fund

by Greg Lederer
Bench Press For Breast Cancer has become an annual event at Cheshire Academy, raising over $16,000 in the last four years for Susan G. Komen For The Cure. While not lifting in this year’s event on May 13, junior Emma Gawronski found another way to contribute to the cause.
Gawronski won a contest to design the logo for the pink shirts sold in conjunction with the fundraiser. According to Athletic Director Brett Torrey, CA raised around $3,000 this year.
“It definitely felt good. Even though I didn’t contribute physically, I was able to raise awareness of breast cancer,” Gawronski said.

SCHOOLS

Dodd Marching Towards Memorial Day Parade

by John Rook
Playing a musical instrument is a difficult task.
Adding movement is even more demanding.
Then, when you require a group of musicians to move in unison … that takes something special.
The Cheshire High School Marching Ram Band has perfected the art of playing while moving together, establishing itself as the best such high school group in Connecticut each year. But the musicians who keep that tradition of excellence alive mostly get their initial training with the Dodd Middle School band, and they are about to embark on what is usually their biggest test of the year.