Daily Five: Catherine Kolnaski Becomes Groton’s First Councilor Emeritus

1.  Today is Wednesday, March 21.  The National Weather Service predicts fog before 9 a.m., partly sunny skies and a high temperature of 65 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low of 49.

2.  The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to name former Councilor Catherine Kolnaski a councilor emeritus in Groton, the first time the town has ever given such an honor. Kolnaski served on the town council from 1977 to 1981 and as mayor of Groton City from 1981 until 1995. She then returned to the town council, where she remained until last year. An evening to celebrate her service will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday at .

3.  The Council also voted unanimously Tuesday appoint . William Everett, who is retired from the legal department at Electric Boat, served on Groton's Zoning Board of Appeals from 1972 until 1981. James Kimenker, a partner in a real estate development and management firm, is past president of the Mystic River Historic Society and remains on the society’s board of trustees.

4.  The was among 24 to receive a grant from Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas to help with the team’s work in the 2012 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional Robotics competition. Teams applied for the money in January, and were judged in areas such as diversity, mentoring and community service. More than 1,500 students will compete in the event from March 29 to 31 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  

5.   The Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton and the Octagon at the Mystic Marriott recently received the 2012 AAA Four Diamond Award for lodging and restaurants. The Hotel and Spa is the area’s longest recipient and has achieved the award 11 years in a row. The rating program approves and rates about 32,000 hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, according to the AAA website. Properties are awarded diamonds on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being best, based on service, amenities and décor.