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Derrick Gibbs and Carl Tirella Jr. are friends and business partners that are now just days away from making West Hartford’s first recreational cannabis retailer a reality.

Their store, Budr Cannabis, opens Monday, July 31. It is the first of five they intend to open in Connecticut.

They say they want to change how people look at cannabis, as the legal recreational use of it grows in this state and nationwide.

The shop, located at 1037 Boulevard on the West Hartford – Hartford line, is a joint venture with multistate operator Green Thumb Industries.

It received approval as a social equity applicant because of Gibbs' relatives, who grew up in one of Hartford’s disproportionate impact areas.

Gibbs runs a home healthcare business and says he never thought about getting into the cannabis space, but learned about its benefits through clients and employees. He says he wants the experience at Budr to be high-end in look and feel to challenge those who remain opposed to the adult use recreational industry.

“You run across a lot of these, not in my backyard "NIMBY" folks that don't want it, but they may smoke it, you know, or they don't want it, but they grow it,” said Gibbs.

Tirella says the stigma around cannabis is one they embrace.

"It gives us the opportunity to educate. We're really educating our, our staff and allowing them the knowledge to really be prepared for people that may push back on them because they work at a cannabis retailer," Tirella said.

They say they’ll also be supporting efforts in the community by helping those experiencing homelessness – along with youth groups – to meet state requirements of their social equity status -- and they say changing some perspectives too.

“Ten to 15 years from now, hopefully, we are really mainstream were looked at like any other commodity, and really just in a normal professional operation,” said Tirella.

Budr is holding a grand opening at the West Hartford store on Monday, July 31.

The store is set to employ close to 20 people in full and part-time roles.

By next summer, they say they’ll also have locations open Danbury and Westbrook, with two additional stores in the state after that.

MIDDLETOWN — For the first time since 1973, the West Hartford Post 96 American Legion 19U team is the Connecticut state champion, defeating defending champion Danbury Post 68 with a two-game sweep.

West Hartford took the first game of the three game series on Friday night 6-1, and proceeded to seal the deal with a 10-1 win in Game 2 at Palmer Field on Saturday.

"It is tremendous, especially because I am a Post 96 alum," West Hartford coach John Cotter said. "I played in 1988-91, and I have coached in this program for close to 15 years. I have seen where it has been, where it has come, and where it can go. We have a nice group of talent in West Hartford, and to see them work year round and come here today and get this done is a great feeling."

Starting pitcher Brendan Grady silenced the Danbury bats, throwing a complete game while allowing just one earned run on six hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

Grady, a Conard graduate and Trinity College commit, only needed 87 pitches, throwing 67% for strikes. He was named the MVP of the championship.

"(Grady) had a great spring at Conard and he has kind of been our workhorse," Cotter said. "He is a calm, effective pitcher who moves the ball around a ton. Trinity College is going to be fortunate to have a kid coming in, the way he is dealing, and hopefully he can continue to grow. He is smart, he is a bulldog competitor, and it was a no-brainer having him in this situation today."

West Hartford first baseman Chase Hanawalt was named the best hitter of the tournament, going 3-for-7 with a double two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases in the championship series. On Saturday, outfielder Tristan Baron led the offensive charge, going 1-for-1 with a triple, a sacrifice fly, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Danbury struck first in Game 2 as catcher Tom Pilla hit a two-out RBI single to score second baseman Anthony Hackert in the top of the second inning.

West Hartford responded in the bottom half of the second as Grady helped his own cause with a perfectly executed suicide squeeze, scoring Baron and resulting in a single.

Three of West Hartford's 10 runs came on squeeze bunts.

"We have done a lot of the suicide bunts this year, and we have been successful," Cotter said. "We have guys one through nine who have the ability to play small ball. Our goal coming in here was try to get the first run on the board, and the second was put as much pressure on the defense as possible."

The pressure worked, as Danbury committed six errors in the game.

West Hartford broke out for four runs in each of the following two frames on six hits and two errors, with the biggest blow being a two-run fourth inning triple by Baron, ultimately extending the lead to 9-1. The final run came on a Jacob Morren RBI single in the sixth.

Danbury's repeat hopes were denied, but the program can hang its head on back-to-back state championship appearances. Not only that, but ace Tanner Wall, who earned the win for Brookfield in the Class L state championship game this spring, was named best pitcher of the tournament.

"Tanner (Wall) is a great pitcher," Danbury coach Dave Simone said. "Unfortunately it did not work out with him pitching in the championship, I would have loved to see that, but it just didn't line up that way. He deserves it, he is as good as anybody."

Danbury finished 5-2 in the tournament, having won its first five games before running into West Hartford, which went 7-1 in the tournament.

"It was a great season, I love these guys and we had a lot of fun this summer," Simone said. "I think we played close to 40 games, but we just ran out of gas a little bit at the end. West Hartford is a great team, I think they are going to make a run in regionals, but I couldn't be more proud of my guys for buying in."

Eight teams will begin play at Holy Cross in Massachusetts on Wednesday for the Regional Tournament, and West Hartford will be the only team there that did not play in the tournament last year.

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DANBURY 010 000 – 1 6 6WEST HARTFORD 014 401 – 10 11 1Batteries: W – Brendan Grady (W) and Tyler Tedden. D – Charlie Solimine (L), Thai-ler Sostakas (3), Nick Callari (5) and Tom Pilla, Matt Morehouse (6).

Budr Cannabis is set to open its first of its several Connecticut locations Monday in West Hartford, and is not just committed to providing adult-use marijuana, but is committed to serving the community.

Founded by cannabis industry veteran Carl Tirella, Jr. and home healthcare professional Derrick Gibbs, earlier this year, Budr is an Equity Joint Venture under the state’s new cannabis laws.

Under that designation, Budr has to create a social equity plan and workforce diversity plan.

“We have a baseline to commit to,” Tirella said, “including involvement in DIA (disproportionally impacted area) communities, and giving back to local communities, whether that’s supporting local youth groups, volunteering at homeless shelters, or beautifying certain streets.”

Tirella said the plan is to go beyond that baseline, looking to form connections with many local organizations and serving the community.

“We’re really trying to be involved in the community as much as possible,” he said, “all of Hartford County. That really builds our brand, shows people our core values and who we are.”

While those connections are still being made, Budr has to submit plans to the state, which will then check that they are being adhered to in six months, and then yearly after that.

“It’s something that a company should be doing anyways,” Tirella said. “Running a new business, there isn’t all that much time in a day to concentrate on doing other things, but we are going to make it a top priority, to make sure out involvement is not only short-term, but long-term.”

While Budr is not a medical dispensary, Tirella said that many people use it for a variety of reasons, including to relieve stress, get better sleep, or whatever works for them. Budr staff can advise customers as to which strains of cannabis usually produce what effects.

“Our goal is to educate our staff, from cannabis 101 to products, all the way up to terpene content and strain names,” he said.

“We want them to have all the tools and knowledge to succeed, and to really elevate the customer experience. That’s going to be key to our success. Many people do self-medicate with recreational cannabis,” he said. “When people come in and say they are using it for certain things, we can guide them, but we can’t really make any help claims. We can talk to our experiences and what different products are known to help with.”

“As we prepare to open our doors in West Hartford, we feel a profound sense of anticipation and responsibility,” Gibbs said, in a statement. “Budr is more than just a place to buy cannabis; it’s a space where community, social equity, and education intertwine. We’re not just here to sell a product, but to help usher in a new understanding of cannabis and its potential.”

The grand opening is set to kick off at 8 a.m. Monday, and will feature music from DJ Kareem and Hot 93.7’s Jenny Boom Boom. To celebrate the opening day, Budr is offering a 50% discount to the first 50 customers. Subsequent purchasers will receive a 20% discount through Thursday, Aug. 3.

Additionally, guests can look forward to delectable desserts and the chance to receive exclusive Budr merchandise. As a bonus, Espresso Guys Mobile Espresso Catering Service will be on-site from 8 to11 a.m. serving refreshments.

Budr plans to open stores in Danbury in September and Westbrook in early-to-mid-2024, as well as two other locations by the end of next year.

For more information, visit www.budrcannabis.com.

Anna Landi and husband, Davide, left the hustle bustle of their professional careers in Rome to make pasta from scratch in West Hartford and customers say their products are magnifico.

“We’ve eaten all over the world and this is the best pasta I’ve ever had,” said regular customer Ernie Little, of he and wife, Melissa.

“There’s something about the texture when you bite into it,” he said.

The Landis opened “More Italian Pasta Lab” at 54 LaSalle Road six months ago, hiring a manager to get it started, then then moved here two months ago with their daughter, 7.

In their 900-square-foot space the couple makes from scratch pasta of numerous shapes and two recipes from flour imported from Italy.

They also sell their homemade sauce, both Bolognese and tomato based, as well as from scratch ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, lemon and ricotta, truffle and ricotta and more.

In addition, they sell their store-made lasagna in trays and have a wide variety of imported products from Italy made in specific regions where the products are done best, Anna Landi said, including olive oils, chocolate, cheeses, including one made from the milk of specific types of cows and in another case, sheep.

They also sell aromatic butters and homemade Tiramisu made with Panettone cake.

They have a selection of pesto and delicacies such as onions stuffed with tuna from Italy.

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Theresa Rossi's grandson Sebastian, 5, can't get enough of the truffle ravioli from More Italian Pasta Lab in West Hartford. Photo provided by Theresa Rossi

“The Roman kitchen is one of the healthiest in the world. We have a lot of fresh ingredients,” Landi said. “We wanted to share the culture of the food.”

Born on the Amalfi coast where she kept ties because of her grandparents, Landi grew up in Rome and stayed familiar with and “appreciated the food culture” of both regions, blending them.

Anna Landi was in the financial industry in Rome, a comptroller who commuted 90 minutes to work each day. Davide Landi worked as a biologist.

Landi wanted to work with food, but said they didn’t open in Rome because the taxes are high, the economy poor ever since the COVID-19 pandemic and many people are unemployed.

They chose the United States because of its “culture of the opportunities,” and the principle of, “If you work hard, you can get ahead,” she said.

“It’s one of the best feelings in the world to have satisfied,” she said.

They chose West Hartford — with which they had no prior connection — because it was a town, as opposed to a big city like New York or Boston, and has an excellent school system, she said.

“We wanted a little town with a big quality of life,” Anna Landi said. “West Hartford is a very interesting place because in a couple of hours you can reach other cities and it has a great school system for our daughter.”

Patricia Alquist has become a regular customer, who said the Landis are “super friendly,” and their food is “fresh” and “delicious.”

“It doesn’t feel heavy in your stomach,” Alquist said. “I want them to be a business that stays.”

Alquist said Anna Landi is also always willing to guide her and give tips in making her own food at home, including pasta sauce.

“They’re sweet, knowledgeable, enthusiastic,” she said, noting the lemon/ricotta ravioli is one of her favorites.

Customer Theresa Rossi said Landi uses premium ingredients with no preservatives, artificial flavors, and healthfulness is important to her in feeding the family.

“I think it’s the best fresh pasta I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot,” Rossi said.

She’s never without the truffle ravioli, as it’s the favorite of her five-year-old grandson Sebastian.

“The fillings in the ravioli are so delicious,” Rossi said.

Landi said she misses family and friends in Italy, but doesn’t miss living in the country at all. Here, she has an eight minute walk to work.

“I really like to have a higher quality of life. I don’t like to spend all my life in traffic,” she said.

She said they named the business, “More Italian Pasta Lab,” because it’s like a laboratory for pasta and “more” because they strive to offer more than other stores.

In addition to the products offered in the store, the business caters and even offers a chef at home service where they will cook in a customer’s home for guests.

” Our business is going to be appreciated much more day by day,” Landi said.

A round-up of openings, closings, and other news about West Hartford businesses.

Business Buzz is sponsored by NBT Bank, and we are very thankful for their support!

By Ronni Newton

I’m back from vacation – a wonderful yet very foggy week on Nantucket that included spending lots of time with my mother-in-law and many other family members with whom our trip overlapped. I think we were driving to the ferry terminal almost every day to drop someone off or pick someone up.

Millie of course had a great time in her happy place, but I don’t think she fully dried out until we returned to West Hartford late Friday night to our 93-degree house (before we got the air conditioning cranked up).

It was a pretty busy week with lots of cars, so we avoided the traffic and biked pretty much everywhere other than into town at night. Biking didn’t hurt my injured foot at all, and by the end of the week I was even back to a bit of running and able to walk barefoot on the beach without wincing in pain.

We enjoyed a few dinners out last week at some of Nantucket’s casual restaurants, including The Charlie Noble and Faregrounds.

Calamari and Kimchee at The Charlie Noble. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cold draft IPA beer at The Charlie Noble. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Atlantic Tuna Poke at The Charlie Noble. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Fish and chips at The Charlie Noble. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Bang Bang Shrimp at The Charlie Noble. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Lobster Mac and Cheese at The Charlie Noble. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Fried pickles at Faregrounds Restaurant. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Barbecue chicken pizza at Faregrounds Restaurant. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Ack pizza (scallops, bacon, pesto) at Faregrounds Restaurant. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Buffalo chicken wrap at Faregrounds Restaurant. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

If you’re looking for news about West Hartford in print please note that many stories from We-Ha.com, as well as other local news, is published in the twice-monthly issues of the West Hartford Press.

If you have information to share about local businesses, please provide details in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Mochi donuts. Flavors include (top row, from left): chocolate funnel cake, matcha, ube coconut. Bottom row (from left): black sesame, passionfruit with guava white chocolate, churro. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

A churro mochi donut. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Taiyaki (fish cones) at Cha Papi. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Ube (Japanese ice cream) is swirled into the fish-shaped cone. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Taiyaki filled with ube and topped with a condensed milk drizzle, mochi, and a wafer stick. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Caffe latte at Cha Papi. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cha Papi is located at 150 Shield Street in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dirty ube latte at Cha Papi. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cha Papi is located at 150 Shield Street in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Screenshot of preliminary Oakwood Park plans submitted to TPZ for wetlands consideration. Town of West Hartford website

Perhaps the site of a future Chipotle with a drive-through in Prospect Plaza. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

The TPZ is considering a Special Use Permit for a place of worship on the ground floor of this building. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

BUDR is close to opening at 1037 Boulevard. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The sign is up for BUDR, which is close to opening at 1037 Boulevard. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The sign has been removed from the former Lord & Taylor store at Westfarms. The space is being renovated and will become Jordan’s Furniture. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Galo A. Rodriguez. Courtesy photo

Remember, if you have any business news to share, add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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WEST HARTFORD — In its first year, Connecticut's Small Business Boost Fund has distributed nearly $40 million in low-interest loans to 313 businesses and nonprofits in the state.

The program, which is a public-private partnership initially funded through a $75 million investment by the state, hopes to be able to award $150 million in loans throughout its five-year duration.

"We just wanted to make sure the program is doing what it was set out to do, which is give access to capital to entrepreneurs all across the state, but especially those who have a difficult time getting capital through more traditional methods," said Alexandra Daum, commissioner of the state's Department of Economic and Community Development at New Park Brewing in West Hartford on Friday.

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Daum said that inside the brewery's new Green Room, its second event space double in size of the business' first event space, allowing them to host larger gatherings and attract national touring music acts.

TJ Orscher, the general manager at New Park Brewing, said the business has been growing its footprint since it opened to a line of eager beer-drinkers in 2017. The low-interest loan they received only helped them grow further.

"We're very grateful for the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund," Orscher said. "It not only helps small businesses access low-interest loans...but they also offer assistance and advice throughout that loan process, which was very helpful to us. We received tremendous support from everyone involved. The use of this fund has empowered us to expand our distribution, which has allowed us to bring beer to our customers and other small businesses throughout the state — bars, restaurants, package stores."

New Park Brewing opened its first event space in December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, private events have been a big part of the brewery, known for its New England IPAs and fruited sour beers. The new and bigger space furthers that even more, Orscher said.

"Aside from making great beer, private events have been a main focus of ours for the past couple of years," Orscher said. "We've done weddings, corporate events, baby showers and 80th birthday parties. The Boost fund has allowed us to expand our events into this room we're in now."

Orscher said the growth also allowed the brewery to hire three new full-time employees, giving them 10 full-time employees and 21 part-time employees in total.

The loans are fixed at a 4.5 percent interest rate and range in size from $5,000 to $500,000. The funding is available to small businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut that have fewer than 100 employees and annual revenues of less than $8 million.

Daum said the fund was also intended to help in distressed municipalities, which they've done by awarding 33 percent of loans to businesses in those areas of the state.

"It's harder to do business in those cities for a whole list of economic factors," Daum said. "We're thrilled that a third of our loans have gone to businesses in those communities where it's just that much more difficult to do business. We're giving that extra boost to make it a little bit easier."

Importantly, Daum said, over 50 percent of the loans distributed so far have been given to women or minority-owned businesses.

"That was a big goal of the program," Daum said. "We had it top of mind. Every month we get a report and the first thing we look at is...are we actually reaching diverse groups like we intended to and the answer is yes."

Money is also reaching a wide variety of industries and areas of the state, Daum said, with over 25 different industries receiving loans.

"We've got a great amount of diversity in those businesses," Daum said. "There's a lot of diversity in industries. It's going into a wide array of businesses. We've got great diversity geographically. There's been a loan given out in over 50 percent of Connecticut's municipalities, so we're covering half the state."

Gov. Ned Lamont, who took a tour of the brewing facility beforehand, said boosting small businesses is key to Connecticut's economic future.

"Our future is about economic growth and our economic growth is in and around small businesses just like New Park," Lamont said. "That's what we're trying to do. I want to make sure that everybody gets that opportunity to get up and go like you guys do."

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WEST HARTFORD — When describing how Parkinson's disease impacts his mental health, only one word came to mind for Avon resident Roy Korwin: Sad.

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"Sports were a big part of my life," Korwin, 90, said.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 25 years ago, Korwin now uses a wheelchair because of declining balance. He also "sees double." He used to be an athlete, said his wife, Anne. Now, Korwin usually stays home and plays Wii sports to increase his coordination and practice his skills. But Wednesday is the real deal.

On Wednesday, Korwin joins other Connecticut adults with Parkinson's disease at the Elmwood branch of the West Hartford Senior Center to play pingpong in a new program known as "Parkie Pong." While he said playing pingpong against people who can stand and move around can be frustrating, he looks forward to it each week.

"I don't play well at all," Korwin said. "I don't play fair even. He's hitting it soft. But it gets me out."

Participants in the program have reaped a wide variety of benefits, some social and some physical. Experts say playing pingpong can be beneficial to Parkinson's patients because it targets balance, coordination and socialization.

Kristen Vavrek, a clinical social worker in the Department of Neurology at UConn Health, said she often recommends pingpong to Parkinson's patients in sessions because of its benefits on their quality of life.

"Exercise, pingpong, in particular for Parkinson's disease, has to do with helping a person with their balance and their gait," Vavrek said. "Continuing to have movement and stability while also helping to promote socialization for people. The non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease are apathy and anxiety and depression."

The program was the brainchild of West Hartford resident Laini Weitz, a Parkinson's patient who was experiencing some of these symptoms and looking for outlets to connect with others. Through research, she learned about a similar program in New York.

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"From there, I found all this information where doctors are saying how good pingpong was for Parkinson's because of hand-eye coordination, gait and speech and socialization and cognitive function," Weitz said. "There's so many components that go into pingpong that dovetail so nicely."

Weitz proposed a program at her local senior center, and the directors were receptive.

"We are always asking our members to bring us ideas for new programs, and this is the perfect example of what happens when a resident identifies a need that they have, and they bring it to the center and encourage us to partner," said Rebecca Sears, director of the West Hartford Senior Center.

The Elmwood branch of the West Hartford Senior Center already had pingpong tables and regular players, so starting the program just required purchasing a few paddles and balls and finding some volunteers. But recently, the program has been taking it a step further.

Lisa Hanse, recreation specialist at the West Hartford Senior Center, said the volunteers in the program will be trained to make sure they can support people with Parkinson's so they can participate in the sport safely. They're also involving physical therapists to provide additional support for the players.

Weitz, who also plays pickleball, said she feels the effects of playing the sport after leaving Parkie Pong on Wednesdays.

"After I play for a little while when I am done, my symptoms are less severe," Weitz said.

Parkie Pong can be intense. Three pairs of players volleyed Wednesday, mostly without keeping score, but the balls flew back and forth. At Korwin's table, his wife circled around, picking up the balls he dropped, and his aide, Rod Cormier, tried to encourage a stubborn Korwin to slide his wheelchair closer to the table.

"He and I play all day on Wii," Cormier said. "Well not all day. A lot. But this is the actual event. And when Anne found out about it and talked to him about coming, he said he wanted to do it. The Parkinson's won't cooperate some days. You don't know what the day will bring. But he gets excited by this, which is good."

WEST HARTFORD — State officials plan to overhaul the Bishops Corner intersection at North Main Street and Albany Avenue within the next few years with the intent of making it safer for pedestrians.

More details about the planned reconstruction of a major intersection in town were shared at a public meeting recently.

Currently, all pedestrian signal push buttons are located on small medians that pedestrians have to cross to unprotected from vehicles before they're able to request a crossing signal. The state's plans, which are estimated to cost $5.5 million, would eliminate those medians. Those medians are created by four right turn lanes that would also be eliminated. In turn, all four crosswalks would be shortened.

"The channelized right turn lanes are a big component of this project," said Andrew Esposito, a project engineer with the state Department of Transportation. "Drivers tend to focus on vehicles they need to yield to, which may leave pedestrians waiting to cross to the islands unnoticed. A pedestrian must cross the unprotected channelized right turn lane, push the button and wait on the island. When they get the pedestrian signal, they can then cross to the other island, where they need to cross another unprotected channelized right turn lane."

The intersection reconstruction would shorten the total distance a pedestrian must travel by 45 feet on the east side, 60 feet on the south side, 40 feet on the west side and 45 feet on the north side. The crossings would be concurrent with traffic, meaning pedestrians crossing north or south would receive their crossing signal a few seconds before vehicles traveling north and south would get a green light. Illuminated signs telling drivers who have green lights to yield to pedestrians would also be installed. The state could also install illuminated no turn on red signs.

It's an effort, state officials said, that was spurred on after both the town of West Hartford and the Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association received complaints about the area.

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"They complained that the crossings to the islands are unsignalized and that motorists do not yield to pedestrians crossing the channelized right turn lanes," Esposito said, adding that he and a colleague experienced that behavior from drivers firsthand. "There have been pedestrian-involved crashes recorded over the years, not only at the intersection crosswalks, but also at driveways and between intersections. The aim of our design is to make the intersection operate more efficiently so that pedestrians don't find the need to cross between intersections."

The existing islands, Esposito said, are dangerous to pedestrians for a few reasons.

"Pedestrians must wait in these islands for the signal to cross the roadway," he said. "This leaves them stranded between vehicles, the islands are small and crowded with signs and signal equipment. These islands are subject to vehicle hits when large trucks are turning. Some pedestrian ramps are not ADA compliant."

Some, though, who attended the virtual meeting found an attention to cyclists lacking from the plans, and questioned whether or not more could be done to accommodate those riding bikes through the area.

"We’re fighting for space out there, as it is," Esposito said. "It’s not too far north of the intersection where lanes merge together. What we’ve tried to do with some of the combination of through and right turn lanes is provide wider shoulders. In a lot of areas of this intersection there’s under a foot. We’re trying to increase that wherever we can. It’s difficult. It’s a built up area. There’s not much room to push the edge of road out and we don’t want to reduce the number of lanes either."

Some wondered if a road diet like the one on North Main Street could be utilized in the area to make more room for cyclists on the shoulders and give pedestrians fewer lanes of traffic to cross, though officials seemed to reject the idea, saying the area has too many vehicles for a road diet to work efficiently. Officials said that route 44 averages 22,800 vehicles daily, route 218 averages 17,400 vehicles daily and North Main Street averaged 14,200 vehicles daily.

"I think it really boils down to the number of vehicles we have using this intersection," said Joseph Arsenault, a project manager with the state Department of Transportation. "Any reduction in lanes would just further those traffic backups. We’re just trying to find the best balance we possibly can here to allow pedestrians to cross safely while accommodating that traffic."

The officials handling the project did agree that the area is difficult for cyclists to navigate and said that after hearing comments about bikes that they'd like to work with local groups, like Bike West Hartford, and the town to see what might be done to make the area better for cyclists.

"Our best path forward right now is going to be to reach out to the bike groups in town and discuss any accommodations we can incorporate into this project and have some discussions with West Hartford town engineers," Arsenault said.

More information about the state's plans for the project and the opportunity to give more feedback and ask questions can be found on the state Department of Transportation's website.

Mammoth Security Inc. is a West Hartford-based company providing an array of security system installation services. In a recent post, the company discussed the benefits that property owners could reap from fire system installation.

West Hartford, CT - In an exclusive update, Mammoth Security Inc. shared the perks of fire system installation. The West Hartford fire alarm system installer noted that the devices save lives and are a significant investment for businesses and organizations.

Fire is one of the things that can cause notable damage to property and loss of lives. Luckily, a fire alarm provides early detection, meaning firefighters can be contacted to respond to the threat within the shortest time possible. Companies like Mammoth Security Inc. invest in the most advanced fire alarms with automatic functions, minimizing the time the fire brigade takes to respond.

West Hartford fire system installation gives property owners optimal peace of mind. This is because the device is equipped with features that monitor a property throughout the day and night. It eliminates the risk of intruders vandalizing a home or business.

A high-quality West Hartford fire alarm is a cost-effective investment. Purchasing and installing the equipment might be expensive initially, but the benefits of the investment are worth it. Fire alarms can speed up response time, protecting valuable assets from damage. Besides, routine fire alarm maintenance lowers insurance premiums and protects property owners from hefty fines during inspections.

About Mammoth Security Inc.

Mammoth Security Inc. is a top-rated company providing quality security system solutions for all commercial properties in West Hartford and the surrounding areas. The team has extensive experience and uses the most advanced technology for security cameras, access control, voice & data wiring, fire alarms, and burglar alarms. The company prices its products and services based on various factors, but they are competitive enough to accommodate clients’ needs.

Media Contact Company Name: Mammoth Security Inc. West Hartford Contact Person: Eugene Klimaszewski Email: Send Email Phone: (860) 800-6681 Address:485 New Park Ave City: West Hartford State: CT Country: United States Website: https://mammothsecurity.com/ct/west-hartford