Daily Five: Waterford Goes Patriotic

1. Today should be mostly cloudy, with a high near 77, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 63, according to the service.

2. For those wondering why there are now American Flags hanging on the telephone poles in front of Waterford High School, it's from the Waterford Republican Town Committee.

The group secured donations from Metrocast, along with other funds, to put up American Flags along the “municipal corridor” on Rope Ferry Road, RTC Chairwoman Kathleen McCarty said. The group hopes to have the flags up for the Waterford Week parade, to make the street a little more patriotic, according to McCarty.  

3. State Senator Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, recently reminded constituents that several new state laws went into effect on July 1, including an updated bill regarding boat inspections.

The bill stipulates that no boater should transport a vessel or trailer in the state without first inspecting them for any vegetation and aquatic invasive species visible without optical magnification. Boaters should safely dispose of any vegetation they find. The bill also requires that safe boating courses approved by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection should have instructions on how to identify and dispose of invasive species.

State law formerly required boaters to conduct these inspections, but the new law expands their responsibility by requiring boaters to inspect vessels and trailers before they are transported. Boaters are subject to a $100 fine per violation, and the revised law has this apply to any individual who commits a violation rather than anyone who knowingly violates the law.

"The law is meant to mitigate the proliferation of these pests in Connecticut waterways and the threat and inconvenience they present," said Stillman.

More information on invasive species is available at the DEEP website.

4. Tonight, has a special meeting at 5:30 in front of the high school. The group will discuss and possibly decide on one of three options to meet egress requirements put forth by the fire marshal regarding the auditorium and the field house in the high school. The group will also discuss a $21,069 change order to install new pendent lights over the balcony of the auditorium.

5. On this date in 1790, the first United States patent was issued to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process. And on this date in 1932, the Nazi Party won more than 38 percent of the vote in the German elections.

Quote of the Day

“Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.”

-Quintilian

Trivia of the Day

On this date in 1948, New York International Airport was dedicated. The airport has since been renamed. What’s the name?

Yesterday’s Answer: George Steinbrenner was forced to resign as a principal partner of the New York Yankees in 1990 after he hired somebody to “get dirt” on Dave Winfield.