Daily Five: Patch Files FOI Request; Tax Free Week

1. Today should be sunny with a high around 77, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight should stay clear with a low around 58, according to the service.

2. Tonight, the school building committee meets to continue to flesh out the “” of the building project, meaning adding additional work and bringing the school to the level the committee it expected in the first place.

The biggest single addition on the table tonight is $65,000 to add a netting system behind the lacrosse goals. The idea is to protect runners on the track from errant lacrosse shots.

Also, the committee will discuss on relocating a manhole. The track is being expanded and moved, and the construction manager said a manhole would now be located in the middle of the running lanes. The question is whose fault it is that the manhole was not found, the architects or the town, and therefore who has to pay to fix it.

3. continues until Friday and local retailers remain optimistic. Most are having sales, and because the sales tax was recently expanded to include clothing and footwear, this tax-free week (giving an exemption for most clothing and footwear under $300) could be especially beneficial, Crystal Mall Marketing Director Chris Bastien said.

“I think that because of the recent change in Connecticut tax law it will be a more successful tax week,” he said.

Tax-free week is the biggest shopping week of the year outside of the Christmas season, he said, and the mall is having several deals, along with its retailers. On Saturday, the mall is having a sidewalk sale and giveaways along with other promotions, Bastien said.

Additionally, Bob's Stores, Walmart and Target are all having sales.

4. Patch has filed an Freedom of Information Request for the settlement agreement between . First Selectman Dan Steward has said the agreement is confidential. Patch contends it is public information because it affects public policy, the amount of the settlement has an effect on the insurance rates and therefore the tax rates, and because it is in the best interest for the public to know the final actions of its elected officials.

The town has four days to respond to an FOI request. We will keep you posted.

5. On this date in 1996, Osama bin Laden issues a declaration of war against America for “occupying the land of the two holy places.” And on this date in 1305, the English execute Scottish hero William Wallace for high treason (Wallace would later be immortalized in “Braveheart.”)

Quote of the Day

“Every man dies; not every man really lives.”

-Mel Gibson

Trivia of the Day

Which one of these movies did not win best picture: “A Beautiful Mind,” “Traffic,” “Million Dollar Baby” or “The Departed”?

Yesterday’s Answer: Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and General George Patton were all dyslexic.