Darien Patch: Latest Articles

'Extreme Weather' Leaves Thousands Without Power

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:18:52 -0500

3675 residents spend Saturday night by candlelight.

By Cecelia Smith

March 13, 2010

Heavy rains and gusty winds, the result of a slow-moving storm system that meteorologists say will linger through the overnight, have downed over 50 trees in Darien, leaving dozens of roads closed and over 3,500 residents without power.

Police urge residents to remain indoors and to stay away from windows.

"Do not leave the safety of your residence unless it is an emergency and do not drive over power lines," said Sgt. Jeremiah Marron in a release.

Bands of rain may bring up to four inches of floodwaters to Darien by morning, and wind gusts of up to 60 mph will make driving increasingly difficult.

Meteorologists warn of local flooding; they say small creeks, streams and other areas prone to flooding will do so quickly, and that tidal departures of nearly four feet above normal may result in high-tide flooding along the coast.

Police say they have been "inundated" with calls of downed trees and branches: Mansfield Avenue, Tokeneke Road, Hollow Tree Ridge Road, "you name it."

Driving is ill advised. Motorists are urged to drive slowly and with caution to avoid hydroplaning.

At this time, there is no information with regards to when power will return.

Police ask that residents call the police department for emergencies only.

If you have storm photos or tips, you can upload them right to this article. Alternatively, send your news along to cecelia@patch.com.

'A Month in the Country' Spends a Month in Darien

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0500

Darien Players Deliver a Memorable, Must-See Russian Classic

By Nancy Burton

March 13, 2010

"A Month in the Country," the classic 1850 Russian play, is spending the month of March in Darien.

The play opened Friday evening and will play at the Darien Art Center's Weatherstone Studio, 2 Renshaw Road (back of Town Hall), Fridays and Saturdays in March at 8 p.m. and Sundays, March 14 and 21 only, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available online, $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.

This production by the versatile Darien Players is a memorable must-see. Originally written by Ivan Turgenev in five acts, the play is compressed to three acts in the current version.

Romantic Complications, Psychological Games

The story is set on a country estate presided over by a wealthy landowner's wife, the beautiful, bored and conniving Natalya Petrovna.

Love-struck Vera, her 17-year-old ward, and Aleksy, her son's 21-year-old tutor, played by the hugely talented Holly Aladin and Jeffrey F. Wright, II, are perfectly paired and give the production its energy and lift.

Their gay and playful interactions, precise and riveting, counter-balance the psychological torture games devised by Natalya Petrovna, a figure of chaotically changing moods and a mean streak reminiscent of Cruella de Vil.

Natalya (Nancy Anderson) sets her sights on Aleksy, whose manly good looks, youthful exuberance and natural manner excite her suppressed spirit. When she discovers that Vera and Aleksy have bonded romantically, she commands them to stop their "laughing games" and meeting in the meadow.

Natalia intends to substitute herself for Vera in those meanderings with Aleksy to the summer meadows, and Aleksy plays along with her, to a point. Ultimately he flees the estate, leaving Vera heartsick and Natalya ambivalent in the face of the emotional wreckage she has created.

The appeal of the play is in its intricate nuancing of moods and attitude, which are constantly changing: No sooner does Natalya send a dagger to Vera's heart than she hastens to admit her cruelty and beg forgiveness.

Versatile and Charming Cast

The doe-eyed Aladin weathers these lightning bolts with a charming presence and lightness. Wright, with his dashing good looks, athletic bounce and air of innocence, convinces as the French and English tutor, born into poverty and degradation, who is both awed and horrified by life among the landed gentry of 19th-century Russia.

Anderson brings an imperious demeanor to the role of Natalya, but her dazzling performance is colored with a fearsome range of emotions. Natalia's rages are unpredictable and of gale force, yet she can be tender and genuinely compassionate and apologetic.

The play was initially censored by Russian authorities, who made Natalya a widow because they deemed it inappropriate to depict a married woman desiring a younger man. The work was rescued from oblivion by Russian actress Maria Savina, who played the part of Vera at St. Petersburg in 1870 to a storm of praise, after which Turgenev, 30 years her senior, fell in love with her.

Subplots Abound and Amuse

"A Month in the Country" has numerous subplots acted zestfully by a cast of 12.

Katya (Rachel Rothman-Cohen) is fun to watch as a servant-girl fending off and flirting with potential suitors.

Glenn Packman plays the role of Natalya's husband Arkady winsomely. A simple-minded soul who is utterly clueless about his wife's complicated passions, Arkady endears with his rapid speech and flustered air.

Larry Greeley plays the role of Bolshintsov, the wealthy 60-year-old bachelor who aspires to marry Vera. His ridiculousness heightened by the uneven drape of his corduroy overcoat, Bolshintsov is aided by the scheming country doctor Shpigelsky, played with unerring theatrical instincts by Raymond G. Michaud.

Christopher Luongo as Michel, Natalya's love interest before Aleksy arrives on the scene, is somewhat wooden in this role, which calls for a passion equal to Natalya's to be convincing.

The stage set is the interior of a well-appointed drawing room with windows facing a forested meadow; a green trellis moved center stage takes the action outside.

In program notes, director Jeanine DeFalco, who has wide experience as an actress as well as director, reveals the source of her interest in the play.

"Natalya, like so many of us, does not see the forest for the trees until we are through the thick of the woods, and often that time comes just a little too late.

"Life is savage, and our destiny is ultimately not completely within our power," notes Falco.

Beyond Sushi: The Raw Truth

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:37:00 -0500

Cooked dishes at Matsuri Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar deliver mixed results.

By Linda Kavanagh

March 12, 2010

I eat quite a lot of sushi. It's a guilty pleasure of mine.

I've been to Matsuri several times and always found their sushi to be quite good. The simplicity and freshness of the tuna sashimi, the creativity of the large combination rolls that combine everything from yellowtail to mango, and the variety of choices on the menu makes this a great local spot for my spicy scallop and avocado and eel indulgence.

Not everybody has acquired a taste for sushi. My dinner companion is one such person.

No problem, I thought. This will be a good opportunity to taste what else is on the menu.

Lively Atmosphere

It's a Tuesday night and the restaurant is hopping. The sushi bar is full (always a good sign) and there's a splattering of deuces (date night?) in the main dining room.

The décor is minimal, with bright yellow light fixtures behind the sushi masters and a sparkling tile wall on the far side of the dining room. A lively bar crowd ensues.

Promising Starters

Our non-sushi excursion began with a fragrant Lemongrass Coconut Chicken Soup. The tangy, milky broth was warm and soothing, with a hint of lime to it. Bits of chicken and corn kernel swam about in the bowl. It was a great way to get our taste buds going and was plenty for two people to share.

Chicken Maki sounded intriguing with carrots, scallion, cheese and crab wrapped in pounded, breaded chicken breast and deep-fried.

The combination of sweet blanched carrot matchsticks and cheese, teamed with the crunch of the chicken, was surprisingly tasty. Alas, the "crab" was the fake stuff, which just made the filling sweeter than it needed to be. Why skimp?

We continued our "cooked food" tour with King Crab Rice Tempura Pizza.

A soft rice cake is deep-fried in tempura batter to create the crust for the pizza. It is then topped with a good amount of crab meat, guacamole, spicy mayonnaise and dollops of tobiko. The rice cake acts like a sponge and holds much of the oil, but it's an extremely tasty dish. The texture contrasts are great and we enjoyed nibbling on this with our hot sake.

Cooked "Sushi" Rolls

Feeling almost guilty for not ordering sushi, we agreed upon some pseudo sushi rolls made with cooked ingredients.

The Spicy Lobster Roll seemed straightforward enough, and who doesn't love lobster? In this particular case, we didn't. The rolls were premade, refrigerated and sliced upon order. Unfortunately the lack of freshness and ice cold temperature left the rice hard on the outside and the lobster salad inside flavorless and congealed.

Not ones to give up, we went for the Crispy Calamari Roll topped with mango. Tender pieces of calamari are flash-fried, rolled in sushi rice, then topped with paper-thin slices of mango and spicy jalapeno relish. The texture is fun, although the calamari itself is bland. However, the mango was not ripe enough, lacking a sweet, creamy flavor. Again, it had the makings of a fun combination roll, but it fell short.

Chocolate Beef Has Potential

Another cooked option that caught our eye was the Chocolate Beef. The owner and chefs are young at Matsuri Sushi and the restaurant is tagged as "Japanese Fusion," leading me to believe that these guys could pull off such a unique preparation.

Slices of beef tenderloin are marinated with garlic and tarragon and quickly seared, leaving the meat mostly raw, which in itself is not a bad thing. The bad thing was serving these tender, flavorful slices of high quality meat ice cold with pieces of fat hanging off, hardened like pieces of wax. The only chocolate component was a dusting of cocoa powder. I would order this again and ask for the beef to be served room temperature, as it has huge potential.

Our "non-sushi" sushi experience was met with a few hits and misses.

I should know better though. I would never go to a steakhouse and order the pasta.

Darien Health Regs Revamped

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:15:00 -0500

The Health Department proposes modifications to outdated health regulations.

By Cecelia Smith

March 12, 2010

With the Representative Town Meeting's vote this coming Monday, an update to some forty-year old health regulations and ordinances may well come to pass. Health Director David Knauf presented those proposed changes to the Public Health & Safety Committee last Monday.

Knauf began combing through the town's health ordinances and regulations when he joined the town's Health Department back in 2008.

"Many of these have been on the books since 1969," said Knauf.

The health ordinances and regulations under scrutiny were first published in Town Code in 1963; some were amended in 1972, and a few more in 2005.

Knauf said where the proposed amendments do not represent any significant changes in the way the town operates, certain policies—as written—are out of sync with current practices. Edits, said PH&S Clerk Mary Guimond, are necessary to help "simplify" the Health Department's role.

"It helps codify what we're doing and enables us to move and have greater flexibility if we have further updates," said Guimond.

Changes fall broadly into two categories: clarifying clunky ordinances, and removing those ordinances too complicated to simplify, designating them regulations which tend to be broader in scope.

Food Establishments

One clarification to a food establishments ordinance will write into law the department's recent requirement that food service providers post health inspection ratings within public view. Knauf says while approved last year, Town Counsel found "a couple of passages that need cleaning up."

Garbage and Rubbish

A second tweak proposes to repeal portions of the existing garbage and rubbish regulations that relate to the department's inspection and licensing of garbage and septic trucks.

"We shouldn't be in the business of licensing vehicles," said Knauf. "It exposes us to a number of liability issues."

Sewers, Wells, Water Supply

Some ordinances pertaining to private sewage, sanitary sewers, well water and water supply are simply out of date, Knauf said. Standards have changed in the thirty-odd years since publication.

"An awful lot of policy has come about, and what we're doing is updating them to be equal to what the code is at present," he said.

One amendment requires homeowners planning for reconstruction to obtain the Health Department's approval that the septic system can sustain the proposed addition.

Public Pools, Barbershops & Beauty Parlors

The Health Department proposes removing complex regulations pertaining to public pools, barbershops, hairdressing and cosmetology from the health ordinance section of the Town Code.

"The way they are written is so detailed and cumbersome," said Knauf. "In our estimation these things were misplaced."

Lead

A new regulation will enable the Health Department to direct a third party to carry out lead poisoning investigations.

Lead laws in Connecticut require local health departments to investigate incidents among children with elevated blood lead levels; recent changes to those laws significantly lower levels that require local intervention.

"We have about one a year, and the cases take an extraordinary amount of time. Quite frankly, we don't have the manpower or experience," said Knauf.

Parking?

Parking regulations that somehow ended up with health ordinances also call for a cut and paste.

"For some reason they got mixed up when the Town Code was assembled," said Knauf.

Clamming

Clamming regulations have yet to see Knauf's red pen. He said that he is looking at the ordinance with Town Counsel and that requisite updates are related to the commercial aspect of shell fishing.

"I feel I can address recreational clam harvesting, but commercial harvesting is more complicated," said Knauf.

A proposed amendment will come before the RTM at a later date.

The Advisory Board of Health and Town Counsel have reviewed the proposed legislation changes, which subsequently received the Board of Selectmen's stamp of approval for recommendation to the RTM in early February.

The RTM will vote on the Health Department's proposal at its meeting Monday, March 15.

Neighbors Peeved at New Drive-Thru Approval

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:15:00 -0500

Planning & Zoning approves a special permit for a fast-food drive-thru restaurant at the corner of Richmond Drive and the Post Road.

By Cecelia Smith

March 12, 2010

A recent decision of Darien Planning & Zoning will bring a new drive-thru to the Post Road and the possibility for a much-feared increase in traffic to Richmond Drive.

The commission announced Tuesday evening the approval with conditions and stipulations of a special permit request to modify the existing property and parking lot at 205 Post Road (formerly a drycleaners), and establish a healthy fast-food drive-thru restaurant. It's a business model that owners Thomas Toepke and Gertrude Allen Wood say will help end the obesity epidemic and neighbors fear will end in nothing but a big fat traffic disaster.

"We don't want to have the business fail; we just want it to peacefully coexist in the neighborhood, and we don't think it can," said Richmond Drive resident Joe Pizzarelli.

The proposal for the drive-thru, its location at the intersection of the Post Road and Richmond Drive, first came before the commission at a public hearing in late November and once again in late January. The major concern heard from commission members and neighbors alike was with regards to a potential traffic increase, a variable that's hard to predict given the novel business philosophy.

"We have to judge how successful the food establishment is going to be, and that seems an almost impossible task," said member M. Reese Hutchison.

The plan is to widen the driveway entry off of Richmond Drive, allowing for two entry lanes: one for first-timers, and a second for repeat customers or those who have called, faxed or emailed in their orders.

Conditions in the special permit approval also require a simplified menu to speed up the order and pickup process and call for "no queuing on Richmond Drive."

Applicants say the traffic plan is carefully engineered for a "worst case scenario." And if traffic is still a problem, Gleason said the owners would consider someone to direct traffic, work with police on a "no right turn" policy, or even take online-only orders during peak hours.

Neighbors don't buy it.

The intersection at Richmond Drive and Post Road is one of the most dangerous in town, said resident John Price. The applicants' proposed solution of managing traffic through pre-orders is unrealistic, he said.

"I really don't think that you're going to email your order to McDonald's," said Price.

Other neighbors spoke to the already increased volume of traffic due to the recent addition of the Darien Diner to the end of the street. Moreover, the neighborhood is home to many young children.

"Sure, we live near the Post Road, but when many of us moved here, those properties were the home to very different businesses," said Pizzarelli.

The traffic concerns weren't enough to deny the application, but they did not go unheard. Chairman Fred Conze urged Director Jeremy Ginsberg to contact the state Department of Transportation to look at the Richmond Ave. and Post Road intersection.

"That whole area is an absolute disaster," Conze said.

Pizzarelli said that where he appreciates the owners' attempt at opening a healthy fast-food restaurant, he doubts it will succeed.

"I just don't think there's the demand for that kind of food in Darien, especially with that new burger place," he said.

His lasting concern is that the special permit approval sets precedent for any future business.

"If it succeeds, it will bring an increase in traffic, and if it fails and we're left with the zoning," he said.

As a condition of the approval, any future use of the site is subject to Planning & Zoning review.

Spring Cleaning, Darien Style

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:47:00 -0500

Town's spring pick-up of junk starts March 15 north of railroad tracks.

By Jim Cameron

March 11, 2010

Forget robins. Darien's sign that spring has arrived is the annual ritual of hauling our junk to the curb for pick-up by the town.

Pick-ups start March 15 north of the railroad tracks and March 22 on south side of town.

"We'll probably collect 150 tons this year," says Department of Public Works Director Bob Steeger.

According to Steeger, the cost averages out to 73.5 man-days and involves a loader and five trucks. The town then pays almost $75 a ton to have the trash removed from the transfer station (fondly called "the dump.")

Do the math and you'll realize this spring ritual doesn't come cheap.

What You Can Junk at the Curb

Cast-offs include bulky appliances, heavy furniture and metal (which should be piled separately). But people also kick to the curb portable household items like toys, housewares and even books.

Almost anything goes, but there are a few no-no's:

No paint cans, hazardous waste, propane tanks, chemicals or batteries
No sheetrock, yard waste, batteries or TV's
Refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers require a $15 sticker to cover the cost of capturing the refrigerant chemicals

For the full list of what's allowed and what isn't, click here.

Trash Picking

Darien's known for having some pretty classy trash. Once it's curbside, folks from far and wide descend on town looking for freebies.

Trash picking is entirely legal.

"We get a few more suspicious vehicle complaints (during trash time)," says Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello. "But we also get residents complaining about each other, piling one person's trash on another's lawn."

Lovello warned residents to be careful about what they throw out, regular garbage as well as spring pick-up. Once trash is curbside, it's deemed abandoned.

"People can steal your garbage and find all kinds of documents for identity theft," said the chief.

He advises shredding all documents that might contain personal information.

Visual Pollution?

Some oppose the spring pick-up, feeling the piled up junk creates a trashy appearance just the as trees are flowering.

Others wonder if it's worth the expense. Darien doesn't pay for removal of leaves in the fall, as Stamford does, so why pick up junk?

Not everyone is young or strong enough to do it themselves, according to former Selectman Linda Santarella, now serving on the Police Commission.

"I have always supported the spring trash collection, especially for the elderly. It's a real town service," she said.

Swap versus Trash

This year there's a new alternative to the curbside ritual that may reduce the town's trash load, save tax money and improve recycling: the Swap Shop.

Opened at the dump just before Christmas, the Swap Shop is like a never-ending tag sale where everything's free. On an average day you'll find old TV sets, kitchen appliances, books, furniture and more.

Trading items at the Swap Shop also saves the town a lot of money.

"I would estimate we're saving eight to 10 tons of garbage a week thanks to the Swap Shop," says DPW's Pat D'Arinzo.

D'Arinzo often devotes his lunch hour to tidying the Swap Shop, arranging the donations and sending unwanted items to their final resting place in the dump.

"Books go quickly. The Smith College Book Sale carried away a few boxes full last week." said D'Arinzo.

Also helping to reduce the waste stream is a new trailer for recycling e-waste (except televisions), located at the top of the dump. Used clothing goes into Goodwill bins after a day or so at the Swap Shop.

As you do your spring cleaning this year, think beyond dumping your unwanted stuff curbside. Your junk could be a neighbor's treasure.

New Burger Joint Coming to Downtown

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0500

The Planning & Zoning Commission is likely to approve a resolution for Burgers, Shakes & Fries to begin revamping its restaurant on the Post Road, at the site of the former Bruegger's.

By Cecelia Smith

March 11, 2010

There are few places in Darien to grab a burger, but before the year's close, residents may well see Burgers, Shakes & Fries open its doors on the Post Road. The restaurant, its current location in Greenwich, specializes in fresh beef patties, hot fries; and yes—diners can get a shake with that too.

Owner of the Greenwich restaurant, Kory Wollins, came before the Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday evening. His current location is too cramped to meet his customers' cravings, he said. He's planning to move in to 800 Post Rd, the site of the former Bruegger's, which closed just months after its opening last July.

"What we lose in our present location is the ability to eat in. We want to keep the industrial feel but to also meet and exceed our customers' needs," said Wollins.

Described by Wollins as "great food, great prices and a fun, funky atmosphere," Burgers, Shakes & Fries should be up and running for take-out and eat-in business, in about seven to eight months, he said.

But before any burgers are flipped, Wollins first needs P&Z to sign off on a permit that will allow him to grill on an open flame and install a 1.5' by 5' vent to suck out smells. The Health Department and the Fire Marshal will also have a say in the resolution.

That approval may well come in two weeks, said P&Z Chair Fred Conze. The commission just needs to amend Bruegger's resolution to include the ventilation system. Wollins is to come back at the end of the month for a predicted "go ahead" to start work on the interior, said Conze.

"Two weeks," Conze said. "I think you'll be pretty happy."

Plans for outdoor dining are also in the works, and at the commission's suggestion, some "beefed up the signage." A restaurant at the base of an office-like building can go amiss, said Conze.

"Come back in April with the outdoor details to make sure it fits in," said P&Z Director Jeremy Ginsberg.

Wollins said details shouldn't be a problem. He's working with Glazer Construction & Development, who built the restaurant at Rowayton Seafood among others.

"He's got a great eye for detail and knows how to really make these things come alive," said Wollins. "This is going to be about comfort, but we also want to keep a certain rough appeal."

Wollins will return to the Planning & Zoning Commission at the end of the month, where he seeks approval to begin with Burgers, Shakes & Fries interior fit-up.

New Affordable Housing Proposal, New Task Force

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:50:00 -0500

First Selectman Dave Campbell hands over his latest senior affordable housing plan to a three man group.

By Cecelia Smith

March 11, 2010

First Selectman Dave Campbell has handed over his recent proposal for senior affordable housing at Edgerton Street to three Darien residents. The project will ultimately run a a nonprofit, a move that severs Campbell's ties from the project, and all but removes town government from the equation.

"That's how it should be," said Campbell. "Government just shouldn't be involved in these things. This is no longer my thing."

Born of the proposed Senior Center shuffle that involves knocking down the building and moving the program to the Town Hall or 35 Leroy Ave., is Campbell's late idea for an affordable housing development at Edgerton Street.

The plan, still subject to debate and alteration, calls for 20 units of senior affordable housing on the Senior Center site. Campbell said the development would operate similar to Clock Hill Homes, where the town leases the land; but unlike Clock Hill Homes, the Edgerton project would be privately funded and deed restricted. It's a plan that caters solely to Darien seniors and answers the "biggest" of the town's affordable housing needs, said Campbell.

Shovel won't meet the ground for a long time yet, said Campbell, and a finalized plan will ultimately come before the Representative Town Meeting. In the meantime, Campbell has passed his vision over to Darien natives he considers best suited for the task at hand: Jenny Streeter, Carolyn Murray and Bob Calve.

"The basic idea is: what's the best affordable housing option at this site and how can we best go about taking the idea to the next step?" said Streeter, who is leading the project.

The three volunteers have yet to meet, and as such, have yet to discuss how the process will unfold. Still, Streeter says whatever the process it will involve a lot of discussion and a lot of listening.

"We want to have as much community input as possible," said Streeter. "It's an absolutely critical component to understand the neighbors' concerns."

And Streeter speaks from first-hand experience. She worked with Campbell on both the Darien High School and Darien Library developments.

Where Streeter admits she has little experience with affordable housing projects, she says Murray brings a wealth of knowledge.

"Carolyn has been very involved with Person to Person and with affordable housing in both Darien and Stamford," said Streeter. "And Bob owns Fox Hill Builders; he's bringing the construction expertise."

Streeter said the group may well expand in the future, but little has been decided.

"Dave's plans are great, but they're not finalized," said Streeter. "He handed me his rough drawing, and here we are, starting from scratch—really and truly."

No. 16 Seed Darien Upsets No. 1 Seed West Haven

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:03:55 -0500

Two Richard Gregory goals in the final few minutes bring first round win in CIAC State Tournament.

By Bob Goldsholl

March 10, 2010

Blue Wave Coach Larry Vieira said his big concern heading into Wednesday night's first round CIAC State Tournament game against the No. 1 seed, the West Haven Blue Devils, was "not letting them score in the first five minutes."

They didn't.

It was Darien who scored the first goal, on their way to a 4-3 win on the Blue Devils home ice. Darien also scored the final goal with five seconds remaining, and as the lowest seed, knocked off the highest seed.

This was no fluke win for the Wave. They did it the old-fashioned way; they earned it.

"Our kids worked harder than ever. I told them between the second and third period that this was our game and that this is not where a No. 1 seed wants to be." said Vieira.

Trailing 3-2 after two periods, Richard Gregory scored the final two goals, both in the final three and a half minutes.

The Blue Devils, tied with New Canaan for the best-of-state record (17-3-0), have a lot of speed and some good puck-handlers. They rarely dump and chase, preferring instead to skate it in. But the Wave back checked well, and when West Haven had good scoring opportunities, William Love turned them away.

Love's performance was equally strong Monday night in the preliminary round game against New Fairfield-Immaculate. It was Monday's 5-1 win that qualified the team for the main draw.

Darien opened the scoring midway in the first period when Nick Bruno, with a helper from Nick Luongo, scored off a rebound. West Haven evened the score four minutes later, when a rebound came off Love's pads onto the stick of Tim Baylis who fired it past Love.

Love was turning away some good scoring chances, and the period ended even at 1-all. West Haven had 15 shots-on-goal in the period to Darien's 10.

The Blue Devils broke the tie on a power play goal early in the second period when Baylis scored again. The lefty, one of nine southpaws on West Haven who sees a lot of ice time, has some nifty moves. He's the team's leading goal scorer with 27.

Darien tied the game midway through the period. John Baker scored unassisted from the top of the right circle, through a screen that goalie J.P. Withington didn't see until it was past him.

The Blue Devils took the lead for a second time when Ryan Bruneau scored on a power play with a long slapper.

It appeared that West Haven was playing the third period not to lose rather than to win. Their tempo slowed, Darien was "out chancing" them and coming up with most of the "50-50's" as they continued to out-work West Haven. It was still 3-2 when Darien struck. Richard Gregory, with 3:32 remaining, tied the game for a third time when he converted on a long rebound.

It was 3-3 with overtime just five-seconds away when Gregory got the "gamer" on a power play with an assist from Brendan Hathaway.

"It's a play we practice: our winger (Hathaway) drives the net, and I position myself for the rebound out front. It was just sitting there for me," said Gregory.

Darien upsets West Haven, 4—3.

"We had to work hard and outplay them, and that's what we did," said Love.

The Blue Wave moves into a second round game on Saturday against the Tri-Town (No. 8)-South Windsor (No. 9) winner, at a site and time to be determined.

SCORING:

1st Period

Darien: Bruno from Luongo at 6:01
West Haven: Baylis from Warner and Leyerzapf at 10:02

2nd Period

West Haven: Baylis (pp) from Brereton at 2:22
Darien: Baker (unassisted) at 6:48
West Haven: Bruneau (pp) from Brereton and Esposito at 11:52

3rd Period

Darien: R. Gregory from Luongo at 11:48
Darien: R. Gregory (pp) from Hathaway at 14:55

GOALIES:

Darien: Love 29/32
West Haven: Withington 25/29

Superintendent Search Firm Selected

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:18:05 -0500

The Board of Education chooses School Leadership, LLC to guide the search for Darien’s next Superintendent of Schools.

By Cecelia Smith

March 10, 2010

The Board of Education's search for a replacement Superintendent of Schools continues with Secretary Clara Sartori as committee chair and New York firm School Leadership, LLC leading the way.

Superintendent Donald Fiftal announced in early January his plans to retire at the end of the academic year, and on Jan. 12 the board subsequently voted to work ensemble in the search for a replacement.

"We spent some time in January and February looking at search consultancy firms and narrowed it down," said Sartori.

Of the three firms interviewed, the board chose School Leadership, LLC for its "depth of experience in finding successful superintendent candidates for school districts similar in demographics." And the firm's work begins with the development of a Superintendent Profile.

School Leadership LLC President Dr. Charles Fowler and assistant Dr. Carol B. Choye will lead the profile project, looping in the broader Darien community for necessary input. The profile will draw on data culled from focus groups, interviews and a survey questionnaire, and will ultimately be presented to the Board of Education on April 7.

"We certainly expect it to be a process that involves all segments of the community, and we are looking forward to continuing on in finding a person who, unfortunately, will have to replace Mr. Fiftal," said Sartori.

Fiftal informed the Board of Education of his plans to retire during executive session in late December. He said the board received the news with "grace, understanding, and a bit of disappointment."

His retirement comes after 42 years of service as a Connecticut educator, nine of which he spent in Darien. It was 2005 when Fiftal began his career as Superintendent of Schools, after having served as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools for four years.

"In my life, work and family have always been top priorities," said Fiftal.

So Fiftal will leave work for family, one love for another. With four young grandchildren, and perhaps more on the way, Fiftal said his responsibility now lies with his immediate family based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The board says Fiftal's are "large shoes to fill," but Sartori says the search continues with confidence in School Leadership, LLC as guide.

"It will be difficult, but we're looking forward to the process."