Business leaders discuss issues in session's last days

HARTFORD - With a little more than a week to go in the legislative session, business leaders from the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and eight of the state's chambers of commerce are urging legislators to be fiscally responsible and not pass any new laws that would harm our economy and force tax increases on Connecticut residents in the near future.

The event is Tuesday, April 29 at 4 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building, Hartford Room 1B.
Business leaders from CBIA, the Business Council of Fairfield County, the MetroHartford Alliance, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will attend the news conference.

Speakers include: John R. Rathgeber, president and CEO, CBIA; Christopher P. Bruhl, president and CEO, Business Council of Fairfield County; Oz Griebel, president and CEO, MetroHartford Alliance; Larry McHugh, president, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce; Tony Rescigno, president, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

For more information contact Nancy Andrews, CBIA media relations manager, at 860-244-1957 or andrewsn@cbia.com.

NU to Webcast discussion of first quarter results

BERLIN – Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) will Webcast a conference call with financial analysts on Thursday, May 1, 2008, beginning at 4 p.m. Senior management for the utility company, which serves most Connecticut residents, will discuss the company's financial performance through the first quarter of 2008.

The discussion will be led by Charles W. Shivery, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will include David R. McHale, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Lee Olivier, Executive Vice President of Operations.

The listen-only, live audio Webcast will be available on Windows Media Player in the Investors section of the NU Web site at http://www.nu.com/investors/presentations.asp. After the Webcast is completed, a recording of the call will be archived on the site.

Woodbury antique business sold

WOODBURY - Mill House, a time honored and world-reknowned antiques business, has been sold for a record-setting real estate price in Woodbury. Carolyn Klemm and Maria Taylor of Klemm Real Estate handled the listing, and Maria Taylor of Klemm handled the sale.
The seller, David Vesesky, (one of the founding owners) stated how pleased he is that the purchasers are a young Connecticut couple who are avid antique collectors.Mill House property consist of a series on antique barns, greenhouses and widely photographed gardens viewed in national magazines, and featured for social and charitable events. Mill House os renouned gfor Chippendale, Sheraton, Queen Anne, and Hepplewhite furniture collections, as well as paintings, lamps, period china, chandeliers, and rare collections.
"The sale of Mill House is immensely important to Woodbury and to other dealers in the area as the new owners will carry on the tradition of stylish leadership which attracts shoppers from all over the country," Taylor said.

Stop & Shop helps sponsor Little League

WATERTOWN - The Watertown Stop and Shop, located at 763 Straits Turnpike, donated $300 to the Watertown-Oakville Little League to sponsor their 2008 baseball season.

The support reduces registration fees, maintains the playing field, and helps purchases equipment and uniforms. The players are provides with a safe, positive environment that develops their qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being.

BBB holding identity theft clinic Saturday

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau will give free identity theft protection advice Saturday, May 3 at the Wal-Mart parking lot, Middletown Avenue, Route 80 in New Haven.
The event will help individuals and small businesses to take the first step in identity protection: if you don't need it, dispose of it responsibly. Document shredding will be available on site Saturday.
BBB is partnering nationally with Equifax and the National Association of Information Destruction and locally with Shredding Force of Guilford to offer the free event to help protect personal information from identity thieves.
"Shredding paper documents is an important first step, but it doesn't end there," Paulette Hotton, president of BBB Connecticut said in a statment. "That's why BB experts will also be distributing important advice and simple steps everyone can take to prevent ID theft in their daily lives, both online and off."
Last year, 8.1 million Americans became victims of identity theft, resulting in the loss of $45 billion, according to a 2008 report from Javelin Strategy and Research. The report notes that 56 percent of identity theft occurs when the theif had direct contact with the victim's personal information, through a stolen wallet, rifling through a personal mailbox or trashcan, or even lifting documents from inside a home or business.
The Wal-Mart parking lot is at exit 8 off of I-91.

United Construction & Engineering gets award

United Construction & Engineering of Torrington was recognized for achieving $250,000 in annual sales at the recent Ceco 2008 National Sales Meeting at the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Ariz.

The Torrington business is a local authorized Ceco Building Systems builder.
Jack Baer represented United Construction in receiveing the award. Morris Wilder, vice president and general manager for the Ceco Eastern Region and Tim Schrock, vice president of sales, Ceco Eastern Region presented.

With a meeting theme of “Leading the Way,” Ceco Builders from across the nation met to learn how to professionally expand their sales and marketing efforts and grow their construction business.
Ceco Building Systems, a division of NCI Building Systems, designs and fabricates energy efficient, “function-oriented” metal buildings.

NCI Building Systems, Inc., is one of the largest integrated manufacturers and marketers of metal building components and custom-engineered metal building systems in North America.

Torrington PD host Tip-A-Cop for Special Olympics

TORRINGTON - The Torrington Police Department will be hosting a Tip-A-Cop evening at the Ninety Nine Restaurant in Torrington Plaza on April 25.
The goal of the Tip-a-Cop program is to collect as many donations as possible for Special Olympics Southern California through “tips.” Tip-A-Cop is a Law Enforcement Torch Run® fundraising event in which police officers assist with waiting tables at a restaurant and collect “tip” donations for Special Olympics.
The Tip-A-Cop will benefit the Connecticut Special Olympics and will run from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Special Olympics merchandise will be available for sale and donations can also be made by going to SOCT.org, clicking on Law Enforcement Torch Run button, and selecting Torrington Police Department.
The Ninety-Nine Restaurant in Torrington Plaza is at 1 Main St., Torrington.

Litchfield County Board of Realtors donates gift cards for kids

LITCHFIELD - The Litchfield County Board of Realtors presented Wal-Mart, Kmart and Stop & Shop gift cards in the amount of $2,115.00 to representatives of the Torrington Department of Children and Families. The gift cards were donated as part of the board's "REALTORS® Have A Heart For Kids" program on March 7.

These gift cards will be used to support children, by allowing social workers to purchase clothes, health care products, formula, diapers, school supplies, toys, or perhaps a stuffed animal to keep the child company in their new surroundings. The Board said the initiative is important in order to ensure that despite finding themselves uprooted children taken into DCF custody have, at the very least, some familiar possessions to take with them and to ensure their immediate needs are met.

Another way DCF uses the cards to support these children is by creating various age appropriate placement packs, to have on hand for immediate use, consisting of clothing, health and beauty aid products, toys, personal items, etc and a "few" goodies to comfort an abused/neglected child through the trauma of entering a strange, new environment.

Pictured from left are Kim D’Andrea and Linda Hull.

CL&P, Yankee Gas offer programs to reduce bills

The Winter Protection Program for 2007-2008, which helps Yankee Gas and Connecticut Light and Power customers to pay for heat and energy is scheduled to end on May 1.

There are many ways the companies can help customers reduce what they still owe for te winter and those with an outstanding balance should call as soon as possible to make payment arrangements.CL&P and Yankee Gas can work with customers who are having financial difficulties to avoid shutting off utilities. In order to speak with someone regarding bills, call CL&P's Credit & Collections Center at 1-800-286-2828 to make payment arrangements. YankeeGas customers can call 1-800-438-2278 to request payment arrangements for their gas bill.

The Winter Protection Program is one of several programs CL&P and YankeeGas offer individuals and families with financial challenges. Connecticut EnergyAssistance Program provides financial assistance to help Connecticut residents pay their heating bills. As an example, a householdwith an income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines($30,975 for a family of four) would qualify for CEAP. Households with elderly or disabled members qualify for CEAP with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($41,300 for a family of four).

Another energy assistance program, the Contingency Heating AssistanceProgram, provides energy assistance to moderate-income households whose income is at or below 60 percent of the state median income level($55,323 for a family of four). The deadline to apply for energy assistance is May 1. Customers should call 2-1-1 immediately for local agency information regarding where they can apply for energy assistance.“We encourage customers with financial challenges to apply for energy assistance which can reduce what they need to pay toward their energy bills,” said John Ferrantino, director of customer solutions for CL&P and Yankee Gas. “CL&P and Yankee Gas also provide other customer programs, such as matching payment plans and weatherization programs, that can help further reduce customers’ energy burdens,” added Ferrantino.

The Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership, also known as"WRAP," is one of the many programs offered through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, CL&P and Yankee Gas. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, low-income customers use a greater percentage oftheir income to pay for energy - 14 percent - as compared to 3.5 percent for other households. WRAP provides low-income customers with a comprehensive range of weatherization, energy conservation and educational services in order to reduce their energy usage. For information regarding CL&P’s or Yankee Gas’ weatherization programs, please call 1-800-388-WRAP(9727). Additional information on Connecticut's energy-efficiency programs can be found atwww.ctenergyinfo.com.

Woodbury antique store to get new home

Tillies Antiques, 1153 Main St. South, Woodbury, will be moving a mile north in May.The shop will open in its new location at 766 Main St. South - across from the Carmen Anthony Fishhouse - on June 1.The store, an antique co-op named after one of the store owners' mothers, is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 263-2115.

Woodbury antique store to get new location

Tillies Antiques, 1153 Main St. South, Woodbury, will be moving a mile north in May.

The shop will open in its new location at 766 Main St. South - across from the Carmen Anthony Fishhouse - on June 1.

The store, an antique co-op named after one of the store owners' mothers, is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 263-2115.

City gets computerized records system

By KAITLIN MCCALLUM
Register Citizen Staff
TORRINGTON — Finding information about the goings- on in Torrington just got a lot easier thanks to a computerized system implemented Thursday at City Hall.
The new system, which allows users to search by keyword, name and transaction type, catalogues land and vital record indexes and images of original documents on seven terminals in the city clerk’s office.
"It’s much less cumbersome than the old system," Town Manager Joseph Quartiero said. "All the images come up on the screen. It’s much easier to use."
The system was created by InfoQuick Solutions Inc. of Liverpool, N.Y., which specializes in municipal records management, and was funded through a $50,000 land preservation grant Quartiero applied for and received.
"We are the first town in the state of Connecticut to have this company as a vendor," Quartiero said. "We picked them because of their system and their expertise and their service and because of the cost."
In addition to vital and land records, sports and dog licenses will be available on the system in the near future.
Info Quick Solutions is looking into how to make the system available through the Internet.
"Anyone searching in our vault will now be using a new system," Quartiero said. "There will be seven terminals we can search and four we can input records through simultaneously, which will speed up our work."

Unemployment claims down in Torrington

TORRINGTON - Unemployment claims for Torrington were down with the rest of the state for the two-week period ending April 5, State Labor Commissioner Patricia Mayfield said.
Torrington claims were down 7.8 percent for a total of 1,579 claims. Only 92 claims were for first-time filers. Women made up 29 percent of the total number.
Claims around the state were also down for the past two weeks. Mayfield said the state average was down three percent. Initial claims were up from 3,087 to 3,461.

Bantam campground reopens

By KAITLIN McCALLUM
BANTAM – After many years, the Cozy Hill Campground will reopen under the management of a former camper.
When Dwayne Caldwell approached his wife, Monica, with a dream of running a campground, the two searched from the Adirondacks to North Carolina before settling on the former Looking Glass Hill property at 1311 Bantam Road, Monica Caldwell said.
“He had been thinking about it and he approached me and he said, ‘I just really want to buy a campground,’” she said. “And I was like, ‘OK,’ and we looked for campgrounds.”
When the couple viewed the property, they weren’t sure about buying it since it did not already have an established client base. But nostalgia won them over, they said.
“This one was actually where my husband, from age 2 to 14, camped every summer with his family,” Monica Caldwell said. “The day he got out of school, they would come up and they would stay until it closed.”
The property had been called Cozy Hill Campground when Dwayne Caldwell camped there with his family, and so when they bought the property in late November, the Caldwells decided to change the name.
They also decided on some updates. The couple, along with their 20-year-old son, has had to contend with the brush that has repossessed the facility in the five years since it was last used. In addition to cleanup, the Caldwells had to renovate the house on the property before they could move into it with their 4-year-old son.
“The pool had caved in and actually had trees growing out of it,” Monica Caldwell said of the in-ground pool they are redoing. “We wanted to update the recreation hall and do it a little different than what they had.”
The couple is also looking forward to putting up a basketball court and a pavilion and will also widen the roads. The site includes a full arcade, toilets and showers, a propane fill station and a fully stocked camp store.
There are RV, tent and pop-up camper sites with or without hookups for electricity. The couple is looking into cable television, Monica Caldwell said. The campground is on the edge of a 10-acre lake and boating is available nearby.
Already a few people have made reservations for the season, which opens May 1 and ends Oct. 15, they said. Reservations can be made for a day, a week or more by calling 567-2119 or visiting www.cozyhills.com.
Kaitlin McCallum is available by email at kmccallum@registercitizen.com.

St. Francis Health Center holds grand opening

Jeanine Thibault, site manager for the St. Francis Occupational Health Center, and Mayor Ryan Bingham cut the ribbon at a grand opening ceremony and open house in Torrington Thursday.

The new facility, at 1598 East Main St., will provide expert treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses, drug and alcohol screening services, preventive health services, and physical examinations. The center will also have x-ray and laboratory equipment and will offer physical therapy.

Evangeline Specht, MD and Claudia Hix, DO, MPH will provide medical coverage at the center.

The St. Francis Occupational Health Center is part of the Connecticut Occupational Medicine Partners network consisting of six centers.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Housing seminar for tenants and landlords

TORRINGTON - Tenants and landlords will have the opportunity to hear presentations and have questions answered regarding their rights and responsibilities at an Equal Opportunity in Housing Program on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. at Cornucopia Banquet Hall located on 371 Pinewoods Rd., Torrington.

Three speakers will be giving presentations on topics relevant to Equal Opportunity in Housing in Connecticut, such as "Housing Discrimination Based on Race-Is It a Dead Issue?", "Highlights in Recent Fair Housing Cases". The evening's speakers will be Joe Wincze, Director, Fair Housing Association of Connecticut; Greg Kirschner, Esquire, Connecticut Fair Housing Center; Natasha Saxton - FHEO Director, HUD. Each presentation will be followed by a short question and answer period.

This public service program is designed to educate Connecticut tenants and landlords regarding their rights and responsibilities. Assorted desserts, coffee and tea will be available during this program.

The program is presented by the Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. without charge and is open to the public. Limited seating available; reservations are required.
To register visit http://litchfieldboard.com/board/EOHP.htm or contact 860-482-9816.

Litchfield County housing prices up, but sales down

By By CARA BARUZZI
Special to The Register Citizen
The median sale price of single-family homes in Litchfield County rose more than 17 percent, despite drops throughout the rest of the state. The median price of Connecticut homes fell in February, dropping 5.5 percent in the biggest decline since 1995, The Warren Group reported Monday.
The statewide median sale price in February was $260,000, down from $275,000 in February 2007. The drop was the biggest decline since April 1995, according to The Warren Group, a Boston firm that tracks residential real estate. In Litchfield County, prices rose more than 17 percent, from $233,000 to $273,750.
In February, the steepest drop in prices was in Tolland County, where homes sold for a median price of $226,500, down almost 11 percent from $254,000 a year ago. In New Haven County, prices slid about 4 percent, from a median of $245,000 a year ago to $235,000 in February.
Two Connecticut counties managed price gains, however. In addition to Litchfield County, Middlesex County had a median price of $295,000, up more than 5 percent from $280,000 a year ago.
Fairfield, Hartford, New London and Windham counties all saw prices fall.
Statewide, home sales continued their downward trend in February. In all, 1,401 homes sold, down 23 percent from 1,819 a year earlier. Every county experienced a double-digit percentage drop in sales, ranging from 16 percent in Tolland and Middlesex counties to 28 percent plunges in Fairfield and Hartford counties.
The Warren Group also reported February sales and pricing data for condominiums Monday. Condo sales sank 29 percent statewide in February, compared with a year ago, to 559 from 784. But the median sale price grew about 1.5 percent from $190,000 to $192,900.
Cara Baruzzi can be reached at cbaruzzi@nhregister.com or 789-5748.

Area People's branches to remain open

TORRINGTON — Area banks will be spared as People’s United Financial closes 20 branches in New England this summer.
“Torrington and Winsted banks will remain open,” said People’s United Financial Spokesman Valerie Carlson on Monday.The banking giant announced last week it was eliminating 420 jobs, about 8 percent of its work force, to save $57 million a year. As part of the cost cutting measures, the bank announced it would be closing branches in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire this summer.After reviewing three local branches, the company decided against the closing.
There will be banks in Connecticut closing their doors, Carlson said, although, at this time, she would not comment on their locations.“When making the decision we looked at the flow of customer traffic and the distance between other branches,” Carlson said. “Our customers with accounts in Torrington and Winsted can rest assured they will continue to receive the great service they are accustomed to.”
Peoples Bank has two branches in Torrington, one inside Stop & Shop on High Street the other at 1625 East Main St. The Winsted branch is at 200 New Hartford Road.Officials reached at area branches Monday declined to comment on the reported closings, referring questions to company headquarters in Bridgeport.Peoples reported a profit of $151 million in 2007, up nearly 23 percent over 2006.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Walt Gogolya can be reached by e-mail at winsted@registercitizen.com.

Torrington Allstate rep wins award

TORRINGTON - Al Pignatello, a Torrington Allstate Representative, has been awarded the Regional Champion Award by the insurance company. Pignatello, according to Allstate, is now one of the top Allstate financial representatives in the nation for customer satisfaction, retention and financial service sales.
Pignatello earned the designation of Regional Champion for Allstate's six-state Northeast Region. The award is a symbol of dedication to assisting customers, Allstate said.
"It's a tremendous honor to earn Regional Champion," Pignatello said. "My committment is to serve customers and I'm pleased the company has acknowledged my efforts."
Al Pignatello's office is at 1425 East Main St., Torrington

Litchfield food co-op looking for members

By KAITLIN McCALLUM
Register Citizen Staff
LITCHFIELD –The Amazing Grains Community Food Co-op is looking for members as Amazing Grains store owner Sarah Lapenta lays down the reins and the new co-op board of directors takes them up.
For 25 years, Amazing Grains, 383 Torrington Road, has provided a mix of locally grown, organic and natural foods, Lapenta said.
When Lapenta decided to close its doors, her customers and area farmers decided the commitment to locally-grown food was too important to give up on. Thus was born the idea for the Community Food Co-op, which is expected to open in a few weeks.
“It will be a not-for-profit store, equally owned by the members,” Lapenta said.
“We have a list of about 60 or 70 people who said they were interested,” Lapenta said, “and we’re looking to find 100 members before we open.”
Membership, of course, has its benefits, but, Lapenta said, is not necessary to enjoy the store.
“Members pay membership a fee and then they get a discount off of products in the store,” she said. “But, because we volunteer our time to get the work done, there is a lot less payroll. The whole idea is to get food at lower prices.”Lapenta said the co-op will also benefit local farmers and the local economy.
“With the bigger supermarkets, all of the money goes out of the area, (the co-op) maintains a local business structure, owned by local people,” she said.
The co-op is committed to getting as much local produce in the store as possible, Lapenta said, and it is also mindful of what the community needs and does not.
“We’re working actively to support other local stores and not be competitive,” Lapenta said. That means not stocking a particular item another business specializes in down the road, she said.
“We wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t sure it was going to be fabulous,” she added.
The price of membership is $225 for life, of $50 a year for five years. To sign up, visit the store or email Sarah Lapenta at amazinggrains@optonline.net.
Kaitlin McCallum can be reached by e-mail at kmccallum@registercitizen.com.

City gym reopens

By DAVID HUTTER
Register Citizen Staff
TORRINGTON — Bruce Kasenetz is confident the newly expanded Nautilus Plus Fitness & Tanning Center will yield a return on its investment.
A co-owner of the gym, Kasenetz showed off the gym’s recently completed 2,000-square-foot expansion. The company opened the new workout space Thursday, which features $34,000 in new exercise equipment, he said.
"We wanted to expand our operation. We have state-of-the-art equipment," he said. "All we’re doing is trying to keep with the current trend."
Kasenetz and fellow co-owners Fran DuCotey and Kurt Werner operate the gym at 789 Winsted Road in Torrington. The owners bought the building about four years ago and started expanding the building in late December 2007, Kasenetz said. He declined to disclose the cost of the expansion.
The gym is seeing an increase in members. "We’ve been very busy," he said.
He said he absorbed ideas about the expansion of his fitness center while he took his son Thomas, a high school senior, on visits to universities and colleges. At those schools, the father and son checked out the gyms and observed their features and designs, Kasenetz said.
He said people who belong to this Nautilus Plus Fitness & Tanning Center receive personal attention.
"When you’re a Nautilus client, you’re cared for," Kasenetz said.
Rose Ponte, the city economic development director, welcomed the expansion of the gym Thursday afternoon. She said her husband and son have exercised at the gym and enjoyed their experience.
"We’re so lucky to have this happen here in Torrington," Ponte said Thursday. "Although we have many gyms here in town, this one is special because of the personal attention you receive."
The gym is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new section has power-lifting machines and Olympic-style equipment, Kasenetz said. The company also upgraded its existing equipment, he said. The gym has been in Torrington for 33 years.
Mayor Ryan Bingham conversed with the gym co-owners Thursday afternoon.
During a break in talking with the co-owners, Bingham praised the company as being part of the fabric of the community.
"Nautilus has been a company in Torrington for a number of years," Bingham said.
"It has an incredible following. ... It’s another great gym for patrons to enjoy."
David Hutter can be reached by e-mail at torrington@registercitizen.com.

Salisbury Bank closing for renovations

SALISBURY - Salisbury Bank will be closed starting Wednesday, March 26 until early June while remodeling is done inside the branch.
The Salisbury branch will be replacing formal the teller counter with individual teller stations for enhanced privacy. A seating area will be provided for customers to relax as they catch the news or the fish in a new fish tank.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John F. Perotti commented, "We are very excited about this design, which is a new concept in branch banking. Instead of the all-too-common experience of rushing in and out as quickly as possible, we are creating a bright, warm and welcoming atmosphere that will allow customers to slow down and relax for a few minutes.”
Beyond the new furniture and layout, innovations include modern, energy-efficient lighting and new paint and carpeting. Following renovations the Mortgage Makers offices will be connected to the branch.
In order to make these extensive renovations, the branch, including the Mortgage Makers Office, will close temporarily from Wednesday, March 26, 2008 until early June.
According to Richard J. Cantele, Bank President and COO, “We are looking forward to the new changes that are on the way for our Salisbury Branch office. For our customers’ convenience, the ATM and Night Depository at the Salisbury branch will remain open during construction. We are also opening our Lakeville office on Saturday mornings.”
Mr. Cantele continued, “We also understand that some of our customers may have special banking needs or concerns during this time, and I encourage them to call Alice Kent, our branch manager, for assistance. Alice can be reached at 860-435-9801.”
During renovations, Salisbury branch customers can bank at the Bank’s nearby Lakeville office, at 5 Bissell Street. The Lakeville Branch hours are:
Monday - Friday Drive-Up 8 am - 5 pm
Monday - Friday Lobby 9 am - 4 pm
While the Salisbury branch is temporarily closed, our Lakeville office will be open on Saturday. The hours will be: Saturday Lobby and Drive-Up 9 am - 12 noonSalisbury customers may still bank anytime using the Bank’s Online Banking (www.salisburybank.com) and Bank-by-Phone services (860-824-8262 or toll-free at 1-877-728-1212).

Sawicki Insurance opens in Torrington

TORRINGTON - The Sawicki Agency of Rockville has opened a branch of their third-generation family-owned independent insurance company two blocks from the Warner Theatre. The new agency is under the ownership of principal agent Terry Bascom.
"We see Torrington as a dynamic community that serves as a hub for northeastern Connecticut," Bascom said, "and we are a small-town insurance company with deep Connecticut roots."
According to Bascom, the agency is already growing in its new home because his agency represents over 20 insurance companies.
Bascom first visited downtown Torrington when he and his wife came to see Gordon Lightfoot perform at the Warner Theatre.
"I saw signs of renewal mixed with beautiful old structure," Bascom said of the area. When he decided to move his business into Litchfield County Torrington seemed ideal, he said.
"Opening here lets me do my small part to revitalize a great old part of town," Bascom said.
To learn more about the Sawicki Agency of Torrington, please call (860) 673-4840.

Chamber of Commerce inducts two to Hall of Fame

By DAVID HUTTER
Register Citizen Staff
TORRINGTON — The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce is forming a hall of fame and will induct two business heavyweights into it next month.
Many people have contributed to the organization and deserve to be recognized for volunteering time and effort to strengthen business, chamber President JoAnn Ryan said Tuesday. Formed in 1901, the chamber has nearly 800 area businesses and organizations in membership.
"We are creating the hall of fame to honor chamber members who have volunteered over the years," Ryan said. "Whenever we need assistance, they are there to serve on our boards and committees."
Based at 333 Kennedy Drive in Torrington, the chamber serves 19 towns in northwestern Connecticut. It sponsors job fairs and holds forums in which local merchants share difficulties and successes, Ryan said.
Doreen Roy and Bob Teittinen, two longtime chamber volunteers, will be inducted into the hall of fame at a ceremony in April at The Cornucopia Banqueting Hall, according to a statement from the chamber released Tuesday. Each has volunteered in many capacities since the mid-1990s, Ryan said.
"I am so honored and so thrilled," Roy said.
She began volunteering in 1995 on the board’s Membership Service Committee and became chairman in 1997. Roy, 49, is vice president of the Northwest Hills Credit Union.
"It is a good way to network and to help the chamber," Roy said, describing her volunteer positions with the chamber.
A former resident of Torrington, Roy has lived in Barkhamsted since 1992.Teittinen said he is humbled to be receiving such recognition.
"It is a tremendous honor and it is totally unexpected," Teittinen said Tuesday night. "To be mentioned in the same sentence as Doreen Roy is a pleasure in and of itself."
Teittinen, 58, began volunteering for the chamber in the early 1990s. He said he has many memorable moments during his years giving his time. As the leader of a search committee seeking a new president of the chamber, he announced that the committee had chosen JoAnn Ryan as president about five or six years ago. He is the senior vice president at The First National Bank of Litchfield.
The chamber is the anchor for business people in northwestern Connecticut, Teittinen said.
"It is clearly the voice for business and businesspeople in Northwestern Connecticut," he said.
Roy and Teittinen will be inducted at the chamber’s yearly meeting Friday, April 11, at 11:30 a.m. For more information or tickets, call the chamber at 482-6586.
David Hutter can be reached by e-mail at torrington@registercitizen.com.

Winsted dry cleaner goes green

By WALT GOGOLYA

WINSTED — Wanting to make a difference in the environment, a local cleaning business has switched from a traditional to an organic form of dry cleaning.
For the past six months, Cappy’s Cleaners, 57 Main St., has been using environmentally friendly and healthy solvents, as opposed to the potentially harmful and toxic solvent used in traditional dry cleaning, owner Joon Lim said.Customers have definitely noticed the difference, Lim said.
“The sweaters are softer, the leather is softer and there is no smell at all,” Lim said. “I can advertise all I want, but eventually I have to prove it to the customers, who have said the quality is much better.”
The organic solvents used at Cappy’s Cleaners have been used in cosmetics and as food additives for many years before being adopted as a dry-cleaning solvent, Lim said.
The solvent used is DF-2000 hydrocarbon, which was developed and manufactured by ExxonMobil Corp., according to an organic dry cleaning fact sheet provided by Cappy’s Cleaners.
“Organic solvent alone cannot make organic dry cleaning,” he said. “A true organic dry cleaning must remove all the soils and impurities from your garments and not leave any trace of solvent, germs and other impurities. Ours is the one and only system that guarantees a truly clean and healthy organic dry cleaning. Our solvent is biodegradable and leaves no harmful trace to the environment.”
The cleaning machines used at Cappy’s for organic cleaning cost double the price of a typical dry-cleaning machine, but Lim feels the benefits out-weigh the costs, he said.
“Because of the environmental problems and the health problems, it’s worth it,” Lim said. “Plus, I don’t like the smell of the regular solvents.”
Lim believes organic dry cleaning represents the future of the cleaning business, he said.
“Sooner or later, all dry cleaners will make the switch,” Lim said.
Cappy’s Cleaners is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 379-4489.
Walt Gogolya can be reached by e-mail at winsted@registercitizen.com.

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