Home Care In Bethany, CT

Memorial Day parades and events are planned across Connecticut. Here is a list of some parades and events in a neighborhood near you.

Saturday, May 27

Redding Memorial Day Parade Time: Ceremony at 12 p.m.; step-off at 12:15 p.m. Location: Starts at Redding Elementary School Memorial Auditorium - proceeds to Redding Green More Info

Sunday, May 28

Bristol Memorial Day Parade Time: 10 a.m. Location: Parade starts at Hope Street, across from City Hall, proceeds down Memorial Boulevard; ends at Gazebo on the Boulevard

Woodbury Memorial Day Parade Time: 1 p.m. Location: Woodbury Middle School, parade will follow down Main Street to Cannon Green. More Info

Monday, May 29

Darien Memorial Day Parade Time: 10 a.m. Location: Goodwives Shopping Center, then march up the Post Road to Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery. More Info

Derby/Shelton Memorial Day Parade Time: 9 a.m. Location: Starts at Howe Avenue and Wharf Street in Shelton; ends at Ends at Cottage Street and Elizabeth Street. More Info

Ridgefield Memorial Day Parade Time: 11:30 a.m. Location/Route: Steps off at from Jesse Lee United Methodist Church, goes up Main Street More Info

Southbury Memorial Day Parade and Picnic Time: Parade at 11 a.m. and picnic at 12 p.m. Location: Main Street South for parade; Ballantine Park (611 Old Field Road) for the picnic. More Info

Wallingford Memorial Day Parade Time: Service starts at 9 a.m. with parade to follow Location: Starts at Dutton Park More Info

Westport Memorial Day Parade Time: 9 a.m. Location: Riverside Avenue, continues east on Post Road East, to Myrtle Avenue, to Main Street, and ending at Parker Harding Plaza.

West Hartford Memorial Day Parade Time: 10 a.m. Location: Farmington Avenue, at the intersection of Woodrow Street More Info

If a parade or town is missing, please click here to email us. Please include a location, date, time and a link to the event.

Hamden, Connecticut is the exact image of the word “quaint.” However, there is one part of the town that isn’t exactly serene and is more, well, eerie. This eerie part of the town is Downs Road. Downs Road in Hamden, CT, particularly an abandoned stretch of it, is rumored to be home to ghosts and monsters, making it one of the most haunted places in Connecticut.

Downs Road originally connected the towns of Bethany and Hamden, but even before this particular stretch of road was discontinued and left to the woods, it left residents with a bad feeling. Maria Case, who lived near the road in 2016, told local station WTNH that she would only walk the road (by all accounts a pretty and peaceful hike) in daylight hours since the area is just so foreboding with its abandoned structures and oppressive feel.

She’s far from alone with that sentiment. Rumor has it that this part of Downs Road is seriously haunted by the spirits of the farmers and Native Americans who used to live there. Many people have reported feeling like someone is staring at them. They’ve also reported feeling unusually scared to the point where they just need to run and get out of there. What’s even worse than ghosts is the rumor of the Downs Road Monster. Over the years, several people have sworn they spotted a Bigfoot-like creature lurking on Downs Road in Hamden. Take a look below to learn all about this stretch of road, which happens to be one of the most haunted abandoned places in Connecticut.

All kinds of ghostly shenanigans are said to occur on Downs Road in Hamden, CT, so you’ll certainly want to be vigilant. However, if you’re looking to have a truly haunting experience in Connecticut, Downs Road is sure to give you the creeps. Just make sure to avoid the Downs Road Monster at all costs.

Have you ever driven along Downs Road in Hamden, Connecticut? If so, did you see a Bigfoot-like creature that is considered the Downs Road monster? Please feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below. And if you’re planning on exploring more intriguing outdoor locations, stay nice and warm with outerwear from The North Face.

More to Explore

What are three of the most haunted places in Connecticut?

The most haunted places in Connecticut include churches, homes, cemeteries, and hotels. You really never know where you'll see a ghost in Connecticut. Listed below are three of Connecticut's most haunted places:

1. Union Cemetery - Easton

Interestingly, Ed and Lorraine Warren wrote a book about this haunted cemetery. They believe it's one of America's most demonic burial grounds. According to several witnesses over the years, the spirit of a woman known as the "White Lady" strolls through Union Cemetery in Easton late at night and stands in the middle of the road to frighten drivers.

2. Sterling Opera House - Derby

The Sterling Opera House in Derby was built in 1889 and has been abandoned for many years. It's also seen a lot of paranormal activity over the years and is believed to be haunted by a boy named Andy. The ghosts of people wearing Victorian clothing have also been spotted.

3. Seaside Sanatorium - Waterford

The Seaside Sanatorium in Waterford is an abandoned medical facility that was founded in the early 1900s to heal sick children. Sadly, it's now in ruins. With that being said, the Seaside Sanatorium also has the reputation of being haunted.

What's one of the spookiest Connecticut ghost stories?

One of the spookiest Connecticut ghost stories is the story of Hannah Cranna.

There are several ghost stories to come out of Connecticut, including the story of Hannah Cranna. Hanna Cranna isn't just a ghost. She's also the “Wicked Witch of Monroe.” While living, Hanna Cranna was known for her cruel actions, which included scaring her neighbors and casting a spell on her husband that eventually caused him to walk off a cliff. If you're brave enough, you can actually visit Hanna Cranna's grave.

MILFORD — Long an eyesore to its North Street neighbors, the dilapidated former Barretta Gardens property will soon be razed by its new owner with plans to keep it operational as a greenhouse.

Bethany Farms and Nursery LLC plans to knock down the building but keep the spacious greenhouse intact to run as a nursery for vegetables and perennial or annual flowers and other typical garden shop plants. It might also sell plants from that location, said Andrew Kanopka, operations manager at the Woodbridge-based wholesale plant nursery. He declined to comment further.

Bethany Farms' permit application to knock down the building was filed on Nov. 1 and is pending additional paperwork, said Joseph Griffith, the city's director of permitting and land use.

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"Some documents are lacking," Griffith said Wednesday.

Bethany Farms' plans are good news to Milford, Griffith said. The 5.4-acre parcel was described in late August by city Chief of Staff Justin Rosen as likely Milford's largest blighted property. The former showroom and other attached buildings at Barretta have started to collapse, although the greenhouse appears relatively intact. The showroom roof has caved in at several points, especially near the center of the building.

Its owner, licensed contractor and builder and lifelong Orange resident Richard A. Barretta Sr., died on Sept. 5, 2020 at the age of 77. His wife, Marie Romano Barretta, died at age 76 on June 23, 2019, after 57 years of marriage. The fate of the former garden center was uncertain and languished as the settling of the Barretta estate dragged on through probate court until the land was sold to Bethany Farms for $950,000 on Sept. 18, according to city land records.

The blighted property "has been an ongoing concern for the people in that area," Griffith said.

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Incoming Mayor Tony Giannattasio, an alderman whose district includes North Street, has described the property as "an eyesore" amid the city's recreational corridor. The parcel was fenced in about a year ago after city officials heard that people were loitering in the building.

It was a sad end to what had been for decades the site of a prosperous business and also something of a landmark in that it was the first business people saw as they drove into Milford from Route 34, Giannattasio said.

As Barretta Gardens and as its predecessor, Frank’s Nursery, the property was a garden shop that carried many of the plants, tools and chemicals found today at a big box store, but with a hometown country feel, residents have said.

City records list the property as having an appraised value of $1.12 million and an assessed value of $781,990.

Oppose Petition NO. 1583 to Keep Bethany Beautiful and Rural

Nancy Sasso Janis, Patch Mayor

ATTENTION Bethany Homeowners:Don’t let a California developer put a commercial solar field in a residential zone.

OPPOSE PETITION NO. 1583 @ 428 Bethmour Rd

https://portal.ct.gov/CSC/3_Petitions/Petition-Nos-1501-1600/PE1583

CONTACT:

EMAIL: [email protected]

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

[email protected] (203) 393-2100 x1100

[email protected] (203) 393-2100 x1115

DON’T BELIEVE THE STORIES - THESE ARE THE FACTS:

Visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ProtectBethanyCT to Sign the Petition and Donate to GoFundMe

OPPOSE PETITION NO. 1583Keep Bethany Beautiful and Rural

In the fall of 2022, the property abutters received certified notices from the Michaud Law Group of an online informational meeting regarding the proposal that TRITEC Americas, a solar company, install a commercial 1.38 megawattt photovoltaic facility on 21 acres at 428 Bethmour Road. Only property abutters were permitted to sign on to this meeting; the Town officials were blocked.

There is a loophole in the law allows solar companies to bypass the jurisdiction of the Town if the proposed solar project would produce more than 1 megawatt of electricity.

The property abutters had many complaints about the proposal with concerns for the impact on this beautiful rural area, the wetlands contained on the property, and risk of contamination of our well water (and ground water) by herbicides that might be used to clear the land. Using those points and others, the group began a letter writing and phone calling campaign to the Connecticut Siting Council to oppose the proposal.

They didn’t hear anything else about the proposal until early this month when all abutters received an email from Lina Frazier in the Zoning Department of Bethany announcing that the TRITEC Corp. had filed PETITION NO. 1583 with the Connecticut Siting Council.

Interestingly, all of the points of opposition that were made in the letters to the Siting Council had been addressed in PETITION NO. 1583. The size of the solar proposal was reduced to a 0.999 megawatt facility and it no longer crosses over wetlands (Please see link below to the PETITION).

In addition, the Petitioner added statements saying that this would be an ‘Agrivoltaic’ facility, and quickly added three vertical beehives on the land behind one house to make environmentalists believe that he cares about the land and its creatures and does not intend to spray herbicide, and had some people come in and 'tap' maple trees so he could say he is making maple syrup.

The neighbors believe that the ‘Agrivoltaic’ term is a smokescreen put in place to appeal to the nature loving property abutters.

One might think that the Town of Bethany could now reject the proposal outright, but there is another twist. TRITEC Corp. is now petitioning the Siting Council to bypass the Town and rule on PETITION NO. 1583 rather than allow the Town to be involved.

The neighbor are trying to raise awareness and ultimately trying to block it.

They believe that a commercial facility does not belong in a residentially zoned area.

The property abutters are receiving no benefit from this. No payment. No electricity.

The group believes that the only person in Bethany to benefit is the property owner, Dean Fiske, who lives in town on Earley Court. He will make thousands, if not millions of dollars, from a 25-year lease of this land to TRITEC.

Fiske is purported to be the principal of a Nevar Company, which the property abutters believe is a shell company.

The group has contacted an attorney to advise them and are in search of an environmentalist to advise them.

On July 26 at 7 p.m. there is a Special Selectmen’s Meeting at the Bethany Town Hall.

First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco her Counsel have put together the agenda.

BOARD OF SELECTMENSPECIAL MEETINGTHIS IS AN IN-PERSON MEETINGJULY 26, 20237:00 P.M.TOWN HALL GYMNASIUMAGENDA1. Call to Order2. Discussion & Possible Action – Resolution/Letter to Connecticut Siting Council RegardingPetition No. 15833. Discussion & Possible Action – on Scheduling a Town Meeting Concerning the Petition filed byLinda Caruso Regarding the Solar Farm Project Application filed by TRITEC Americas, LLC,which is on file with the Connecticut Siting Council. Ruled out of order by Town Attorney as noaction by a Town Meeting is necessary.4. Discussion Regarding Proposed Solar Farm Project at 428 Bethmour Road *5. Adjournment*This item is expected to go into Executive Session (CGS Sec. 1-200). Executive Session will include the Board of Selectmen, Town Attorney, Town Planner, Zoning Enforcement Officer, Chairs of relevant boards and commissions, inhabitants qualified to vote in town meetings, and electors or voters of the Town of Bethany.

Link to website

Link to PETITION NO. 1583 on the Connecticut Siting Council website under Pending Matters https://portal.ct.gov/CSC/3_Petitions/Petition-Nos-1501-1600/PE1583

Sample letter for Bethany residents to use as a template to write the Connecticut Siting Council.

Melanie A. Bachman, DirectorState of CT Siting Council Ten Franklin SquareNew Britain, CT 06051 Email: [email protected]

RE: PETITION NO. 1583

Dear Ms. Bachman-

I am writing to express my strong opposition to PETITION NO. 1583, the TRITEC Commercial Solar Proposal at 428 Bethmour Road in Bethany, CT.

Bethany is a small town with a wonderful rural character. If permitted to move forward in this location the TRITEC Solar Proposal will destroy our community. It will be unsightly, contaminate the soil and ground water, adversely affect local wildlife habitat, and lower property values.

This is a residential-zoned neighborhood. We have wells and septic tanks. Property owners have spent thousands of dollars improving their homes and gardens and do not want to see, hear, smell, or taste the impact of an industrial facility in their backyards.

Ugly chain-link fencing, toxic herbicides, towering electric poles, excessive lighting, megawatt converters, maintenance truck traffic, and chemical cleaning agents will cause irreparable harm to the neighborhood.

Toxic herbicides will be used to spray the vegetation and will build up in the soil year after year rendering this land unfit for anything. The chemicals used to clean/lubricate the solar panels may contaminate the ground water, the drinking water, and the on-site wetlands. The constant sound pollution from DC/AC power inverters, and the high intensity lighting can impair hearing and the ability of animals/birds/insects to migrate, find food, and avoid predation.

I urge you to reject PETITION NO. 1583.

Thank you for your continued service.

Best regards,

Name

Address

Date

Bloomfield Public Schools has turned to a familiar face as its leader after the abrupt departure of the previous superintendent of schools.

Bethany Silver’s appointment as acting superintendent is effective immediately as the Board of Education recently learned that James Thompson had abruptly taken voluntary leave without a fixed return date.

Thompson was named Superintendent of the Year in 2017 by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.

Board of Education Chair Lynette Easmon said in a statement Wednesday that, “The Board only recently became aware that Dr. Thompson has not returned to work since he was informed that termination of his employment contract was under consideration.

“The Board is not certain of the exact reason for Dr. Thompson’s ‘sick leave’ nor does the Board have a firm date of Dr. Thompson’s return to his duties, which is why the Board has appointed Dr. Bethany Silver to assume the duties of Superintendent of Schools in Bloomfield,” Easmon said.

“The students in Bloomfield deserve district leadership that is present and actively involved in the process of their day-to-day learning, and this is precisely what Dr. Silver will provide in her new role as acting superintendent,” Easmon said.

The school board announced the appointment of Silver as acting superintendent in a release released on Wednesday afternoon. The board also said its search for a permanent superintendent will begin soon.

Silver returns to Bloomfield where she worked from 2011-2021, when she served as assistant superintendent for accountability and performance.

“Dr. Silver’s long-term prior service to Bloomfield, her strong background in education, and focus on improving student performance, positions her well to assume this role. Dr. Silver’s philosophy on leadership centers around collaboration, transparency, and service to students. She is committed to maintaining stability in the district while working to foster positive relationships with stakeholders,” the school board’s statement said.

After Silver left Bloomfield, she shifted to Hartford Public Schools, where she was a chief performance officer in the school district.

“Bloomfield is a beautiful community. It’s an honor to serve as acting superintendent,” said Silver. “I look forward to working closely with the Board of Education, administrators, teachers, parents, Town Council and community leaders to continue providing exceptional education to the talented students of Bloomfield.”

The Bloomfield school board officially named Silver to the acting superintendent post at a meeting Tuesday night.

“We are confident that Dr. Silver’s collaborative leadership and expertise will help the district in our continual effort to provide a high-quality education to our students during this transitional period,” said Easmon. “We are excited to have her on board and look forward to working with her to serve our town. Our search for a permanent superintendent will be underway shortly.”

Thompson had spent 17 years at Simpson Waverly School in Hartford and during that time the school received national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School, the Courant has reported.

“I remember being told ‘it’s one thing to fix a school, but it’s another to transform a district,’ ” Thompson said in 2017.

He went on to become an assistant superintendent in Hartford and in 2011 took over leadership of Bloomfield’s schools as superintendent. The Courant reported in 2017 that during his tenure in Bloomfield, the high school graduation rate increased by 17 percentage points and Bloomfield students outgained state averages on standardized test scores.