Daily Five: Refunding Debt, The Red Cross And Hospice

1.  Today is Thursday, Nov. 3.  The National Weather Service predicts mostly sunny skies, a high temperature of 58 degrees and a low of 43 tonight.

2.  The Town Council voted this week to authorize $24.5 million in bonds to pay off debt in an effort to obtain new bonds at a lower interest rate. The recommendation goes to Representative Town Meeting next. Finance Director Sal Pandolfo estimated the town could save $864,000 over the lifetime of the bonds by refunding them. The bonds were issued from 2002 to 2008 for school construction, sewers and other public improvements.

3.  The Red Cross is asking for help reaching volunteers during the power outage. The group has asked that any trained and registered volunteers call their local office. If volunteers don’t have power or a phone but can travel, they can stop at the Red Cross offices in Waterford, Farmington or Bethel between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. daily.

4.  The public access television show “Mystic Matters” will talk to guests Carol Maher and Jeff Nelson of Hospice Southeastern Connecticut during the show at 8 p.m. on Monday on Comcast Channel 12 and Thames Valley Communications Channel 12. The guests are expected to talk about ways hospice helps families deal with overwhelming and difficult decisions.

5.  The Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in Groton is among those in the chain that will offer a free meal on Nov. 11 to veterans and active duty military personnel. To get the free entrée, veterans or active duty military must provide proof of their service, such as a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, a retired card, a photograph in uniform, a citation or a commendation.