Research trip
WILLIMANTIC — In May 14 Eastern Connecticut State University Biology students and professors Patricia Szczys and Matthew Graham travelled to Costa Rica to conduct research in the country’s tropical forests.
During six days in the humid lowland rainforest at Selva Verde, Gregory Carlson ’19 of Pascoag, who majors in biology, and fellow classmates completed experiments on leaf-cutter ant foraging strategies; individual recognition cues by the strawberry poison-dart frog; effectiveness of aposematic warning colors and patterns in snakes; population density and sex ratio of the green and black poison-dart frog; and avian predator avoidance behavior by poison frogs. Several of these experiments will be presented at undergraduate research conferences during this coming academic year.

Research
WORCESTER — Andrew Mendizabal of Chepachet,  a member of the class of 2019 majoring in physics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense, hands-on research through the WPI project center in London. The project was titled Enhancing Access at the Tower of London. In their project summary, the students wrote, “The purpose of this project was to enhance access through non-traditional means using digital technologies. We performed background research, distributed a survey, and conducted accompanied tours to help us determine the best technologies to increase access.”

Honored
EASTON, Mass. — A number of local students have been named to the Spring 2018 Dean’s List at Stonehill College: Molly Solitro of Chepachet; Angela Celani of Chepachet; Megan Romprey of Thompson; Jacob LaFiandra of Woodstock; Laura Looby of Woodstock; Matthew Papp of Eastford

 

NORWICH —  Thompson resident Judy Rondeau was promoted to assistant director of the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District.
Rondeau has been with the District since 2010 serving on numerous boards and committees, as well as conducting and implementing many projects and programs. Over the years, she has developed a deep and broad set of skills that will serve the District well as the staff and board move forward to develop and execute a strategic plan.
In addition to serving as assistant director, Rondeau will continue her regular duties managing projects, coordinating the Niantic River Watershed Committee, conducting workshops and advising residents and municipal staff in Eastern Connecticut. She will also be project manager for the development of the Southeast CT Stormwater Collaborative, an initiative to assist District municipalities to understand, implement and collaborate on requirements mandated under the State of CT General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit).

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PUTNAM — As the Putnam revaluation continues, a new member has joined the data collection team, Tom Damseaux. And the remaining streets for inspection have been listed.
Town Assessor Angela Sanchez said team members are moving to the remaining streets to be inspected within the next month: Aldrich Rd, Alpha St, Ash St, Aspinock Rd, Barber St, Bates Ave, Blood Rd, Centennial St, Charles St, Chase Rd, Chassey St, Church St, Cloran St, David St, Dewey St, East Putnam Rd, Elmwood Hill Rd, Elvira Heights, Farrows St, Five Mile River Rd, Flagg St, Fox Rd, Frank St, Furnace St, Genevieve St, Groveland Ave, Hanley St, Heritage Rd, Highland Dr, Hurry Hill Rd, Intervale St, John Bennett Rd, Killingly Ave, Knollwoods Lane, Laconia Ave, Lafayette St, Letters St, Leyden St, Liberty Hgwy, Market St, Mary Crest Dr, Mechanics St, Munyan Rd, Nichols St, Olney St, Park Rd, Paula Rd, Pierce Rd, Pitkin Rd, Providence Pike, Providence St, Rhode Island Line Rd, Ridge Rd, River Junction, Rowe St, Sawles Ave, School St, Shepard Lane, Smithfield St, Thompson Ave, Thurber Rd, Tourtellotte Rd, Tucker Hill Rd, Walnut Rd, Walnut St, Whittemore St, Wilkinson St, Wilson Rd.  In addition to these inspections, they are also conducting a 2nd visit to the properties in which they were unable to verify the information.
All data collectors have identification as well as a letter of introduction on them.
If you have any questions, call: 860-963-6800 ext 171.
The town has contracted with Tyler Technologies to assist with the state-mandated revaluation of all properties for the Grand List of 2019.

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