🌱 Haddam Electrical Line Upgrades + Route 9 Traffic Light Solutions

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Haddams-Killingworth Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 78 Low: 45.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 71 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories in The Haddams-Killingworth today:

1. Eversource will be upgrading the electrical lines in Haddam starting this week. The upgrade of the existing ground wire to a new and better Optical Ground Wire will help improve the electric company's reliability. The new wire will run from the Oxbow Junction to Haddam 11C Substation which will allow for better communication between the two substations. Eversource says that the line will be put in without disturbing or shutting off anyone's power. Technicians will also be using a helicopter to install the line, so residents in the area may hear the chopper flying around while work is being done on the power line. (HK-Now)
2. A Madison man was found dead in nearby East New Haven after crashing into a pole. Authorities responded to a crash at 1:33 a.m. on Foxon Road in the Circle Drive area where Nathan Santos, heading westbound, crossed lanes and collided with a utility pole. Santos was given medical treatment at the site, and then transported to Yale New Haven Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators are still looking into what may have caused the crash and are asking anyone who may have witnessed it to contact Detective Jon Trinh. (WTNH)
3. Drivers in the Haddams and Killingworth, take note: the long journey to fix a small stretch of Route 9 in nearby Middletown may have an end in sight. Since 2016, Connecticut DOT and the town of Middletown have been trying to figure out how to get rid of two sets of traffic lights at the river that connects I-91, I-84, and I-95; the lights have caused traffic backups and hundreds of accidents due to the busy intersections. While the DOT doesn't have a complete solution yet, officials plan to have a conceptual design in June 2024, a construction drawing in November 2025 with contractor bids shortly after, and then construction starting in June of 2026. (The Connecticut Mirror)

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Today and tomorrow in The Haddams-Killingworth:

Monday, May 29

• Annual HVFC Auxiliary Clam Chowder Sale at The Town Green (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, May 30

• Teen Book To Movie Night at Brainerd Memorial Library (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• East Haddam Firefighters Michelle Forbes and Eric Walker successfully passed Firefighter One. They worked extremely hard not only to pass firefighter one but also to respond to an extreme amount of emergency calls. The fire chief would like to congratulate them on all their efforts to continue to help and serve the community. (East Haddam Fire Department via Facebook)
• The I-Park Foundation in East Haddam held its first open studio event this Sunday, May 28. Artist Rocio von Jungenfeld was the first artist for the 2023 season and presented an installation featuring a waterbed, ceiling-mounted projector, and a suspended screen to visitors. If you missed this event keep an eye out for other open studio events that will take place through the summer; you can also pop on into the studios to talk to artists and watch them practice art. (I-Park Foundation, Inc. via Facebook)
• The 5th Annual Agricultural Day at the Brainerd Memorial Library is Jun. 3. There will be tons of activities for the whole family, including arts and crafts, a stuffed animal vet, a puppet show, and even live chicks that the library will be hatching this year. Come join in on the fun from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Town of Haddam via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.