Police officer killed in Hebron car crash

The accident occurred at about 1 a.m. near the intersection of Routes 94 and 85 in Hebron, CT. State Police say Marvin’s car left the road and hit an embankment, that he was not wearing his seatbelt and that he died from the impact of the crash.

Connecticut State Police say a 28-year-old, Hartford Police officer, John Marvin, was killed in a one-car crash that occurred in the early hours of Friday, Jan. 27.

Marvin was off-duty at the time and no one else was in the car.

The accident occurred at about 1 a.m. near the intersection of Routes 94 and 85 in Hebron, CT.

State Police say Marvin’s car left the road and hit an embankment, that he was not wearing his seatbelt and that he died from the impact of the crash.

State police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Marvin was a member of the Connecticut National Guard, was a decorated Iraq war veteran, and had been with the Hartford Police department for two years.

Posted Jan. 31, 2012

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Congressman Courtney introduces bill to curb student loan costs

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act lowered subsidized Stafford student loan rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over a four-year period, to ease the burden on thousands of students and their families. However, without Congressional action, this act expires; loan rates will double later this year and cost students and families thousands of dollars, over time.

Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney today (Jan. 25) introduced H.R. 3826, legislation that would ensure that interest rates on certain student loans do not dramatically increase this year.

In 2007, Congress made an historic investment in higher education when it passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

The legislation includes a provision that reduced the fixed rate on Stafford student loans for undergraduate students.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act lowered subsidized Stafford student loan rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over a four-year period, to ease the burden on thousands of students and their families.

However, without Congressional action, this act expires; loan rates will double later this year and cost students and families thousands of dollars, over time.

Courtney’s bill would eliminate the existing “sunset” and ensure that rates remain at 3.4 percent.

“A college education is key to success in today’s economy, but for many students, the spiraling costs of higher education are creating an immense barrier,” said Congressman Courtney.

U.S. Rep Joe Courtney, Connecticut 2nd Congressional District. File photo by Frank Funk

“President Obama’s message was spot on last night when he said: ‘When kids do graduate (from high school), the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July.’

“This legislation will defuse that ticking time bomb, and help young people repay the student loans that have weighed them down too heavily for too long,” Courtney said.

According to the non-partisan U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), if Congress does nothing, borrowers who will take out the maximum $23,000 in subsidized student loans will see their interest balloon to an additional $5,200 over a 10-year repayment period and $11,300 over a 20-year repayment period.

Posted Jan. 25, 2012, as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Firefighter’s mission is to aid Sept. 11 responders now struggling with cancer

South Windham, CT firefighter Jim Preston (third from left), Northeast Director of the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, is working to provide air purifiers for the homes of sick responders of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. With him are (L-R) Willimantic firefighter Natalie Siebecker, fundraiser David Wollner from the Willimantic Brewing Co. and Willimantic firefighter Ron Miles Jr. Photo by Al Malpa

Currently, the Northeast Director of the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, Jim Preston, 52, has been a volunteer firefighter at the South Windham Fire Department for more than 16 years.

He’s also a supervisor at Home Depot.

And he’s a man on a “mission” – to help those who rose to the occasion on one of the darkest days in U. S. history – the firefighters, 9/11 responders, Ground Zero workers and family members who have been stricken with cancer.

While the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks immediately killed thousands at the World Trade Center in New York, as well as more in Washington, D.C. and those aboard Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, more of those who came to their rescue are dying as well, mainly due to cancer and other diseases associated with the environment of Ground Zero.

The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, which has grown internationally to Australia and England, is working now to provide air purifiers for the homes of sick 9/ 11 responders and others involved.

Preston, has worked at the foundation for more than eight months. “We are losing, sometimes, up to three (responders) a week,” said Preston.

More than 1,000 Sept. 11 responders have died since the cleanup ended, he said.

Preston joined the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation when its President Cindy Ell asked him if he’d be interested, at a press conference in Boston. “I couldn’t say no. How can you?” Preston recalled.

Preston lost his first wife to cancer when she was only 27, and then his mother three weeks later to the same disease.

Now he is joined by Cheryl Preston, his wife of 20 years, in this different kind of rescue effort. “We try to find these people and find out exactly what they need,” Preston said.

The foundation will help with anything from legal advice to finding them cheaper, better medications, Preston said.

Preston admits to feeling guilty, even today, for not going to Ground Zero right away. At the time, he was working for American Ambulance Services and couldn’t leave Connecticut immediately.

Many of his coworkers left right away, but Preston waited for his days off to go.

When Preston arrived, it was already the first weekend after the attacks. With his wife by his side, Preston went to as many firehouses as he could.

“I was freelancing and doing whatever I could to help,” said Preston. “You could see it in their eyes. It was a heartbreaking thing.”

To each firehouse he went to, Preston left a letter titled “Heavens Fire Department” in which he tries to make sense of the horrible events.

“In heaven of course there is a grand department,” says one of the letters. “This department is staffed with our Brothers and Sisters from all over the world. God, the ultimate Chief, knew this would be a tough transition so he needed the very best, and he called the FDNY.”

500 purifiers needed

The foundation has a list of 500 responders who need purifiers. Each costs $500. Made by the MagneGrip Group, they are hospital grade. They can even sense toxic chemical fumes in the air and break them down.

“What we are doing is all worthwhile,” Preston said. “This may extend someone’s life.”

Preston has another goal, and that is to get the Zadroga Act amended. The controversial federal bill was supposed to improve services and protection for 9/11 responders, but lacks coverage for cancer.

“We need to get these people the help that they need,” said Preston. He noted the bill covers carpal tunnel syndrome, but not cancer.

“We never hear about that bill or the responders anymore,” Preston said. “We are only 145 miles from Manhattan. This is terribly frustrating.”

His message to those responders in the Northeast whom he hasn’t found yet is to just sit tight – Preston will find you. “To the people out there, we love you and we aren’t going to leave any of you behind,” he said.

However, for all the foundation’s work, they are losing men and women on a weekly basis. Purifiers won’t save their lives, but they may add more time.

Preston said he and his wife attend the funerals of those who lose their battle with cancer.

“She’s incredible,” said Preston. At the last funeral they went to, he said, Cheryl Preston pulled her husband aside and told him that she loved him.

“She said, ‘I’m so glad you didn’t go (that day),’” Preston said, tears in his eyes. “‘I know you feel guilty.’”

The next step for Preston is to keep spreading the word. He has a couple of conferences lined up in New Hampshire and Massachusettsto get more people involved.

For more information about the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, visit www.ffcancer.org

Also, donations can be mailed to Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2830, Wilmington, Del. 19805.

Questions? Call Jim Preston at (860) 617-7450.

Posted Jan. 24, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Upcoming events for the week of Jan 23 2012

The Willimantic Public Library, Main Street, Willimantic, will host a Chinese New Year celebration from 6 to 7 p.m. in the children's department. Families are invited to attend a fun-filled hour that will include traditional Chinese stories, arts and crafts, games and sample Chinese food. To register, stop by the library or call (860) 465-3082. Image source: www.chinesenewyearcardsblogspot.com

Tuesday Jan. 24, 2012

FOOT-CARE APPOINTMENTS – Mansfield

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs, will offer foot­care appointments with a podiatrist beginning at 9 a.m. Call Kathy for an appointment at (860) 429-0262.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION – Willimantic

The Willimantic Public Library, Main Street, Willimantic, will host a Chinese New Year celebration from 6 to 7 p.m. in the children’s department. Families are invited to attend a fun-filled hour that will include traditional Chinese stories, arts and crafts, games and sample Chinese food. To register, stop by the library or call (860) 465-3082.

LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING – Lebanon

All local mothers and pregnant women are invited to a mother­to-mother breastfeeding support and advocacy group at 6:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Community Center, 872 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon. Children welcome. Info. (860) 642-6638 or (860) 423-2170. No cost.

Wednesday Jan. 25

ADULT HEALTH SCREENINGS – Mansfield

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs, will offer adult health screenings from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. with VNA East Nurse Mary Hess. Info: (860) 429-0262, ext. 4.

INTERFAITH SEWING AND SERVICE GROUP – Willimantic

First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., Willimantic, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Projects: CWS – school bags and layettes, Nursing Homes – lap robes. Snow date: Jan. 26. Info: (860) 228-9658.

HOSPICE HOSPITALITY LUNCHEON – Chaplin

Hospice of Eastern Connecticut will hold its hospitality luncheon at the Pine Acres Restaurant, Route 6, Chaplin from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a social gathering of people who are successfully moving on with their lives after a loss. Group is open to the community. Info: (860) 456-7288, ext. 293.

Thursday Jan. 26

LIBRARY FUNDRAISER – Willington

The Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road, Willington, will host “Demarle at Home” library fundraiser at 6 p.m. Info: (860) 429-3854.

ROSS MILLER ON PHILIP ROTH, UPDATED – UConn

Ross Miller, who is writing the official biography of Philip Roth (with Roth’s cooperation), will update those who are interested on the progress of this project to be published by Houghton Harcourt. Roth’s talk at the University of Connecticut Co-op, 2975 Hillside Road, Storrs, is at 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://generalbooks.bookstore.uconn.edu/event/ross-miller-philip-roth-updated-0 or call (860) 486-5027.

NIGHTSONGS OPEN MIKE/SONGSHARE – Coventry

The Nightsongs Open Mike/Songshare will be held at the Song-­a-Day Music Center, 2809 Boston Turnpike (Route 44) in Coventry. Music begins at 7 p.m.; sign-up is at 6:30 p.m. Songwriters, music and spoken-word performers and the musically curious are invited to share music and discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Come and share songs, swap stories and enjoy the company of musicians. For more information, call (860) 742-6878 or e-mail inquiries@songaday­music.com

Friday Jan. 27

LEGENDARY PIANIST/COMPOSER AT JORGENSEN – UConn

Chucho Valdés, pianist and composer will perform at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs, on the University of Connecticut campus at 8 p.m. Tickets/info: (860) 486-4226 or online at jorgensen.uconn.edu

Saturday Jan. 28

ICE FISHING CLASS AND DERBY – Coventry

Members of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program will conduct a Family Ice Fishing Derby at Patriot’s Park on Coventry Lake in Coventry from noon to 3 p.m. (weather permitting). A Family Ice Fishing Class is planned prior to the derby at the Patriot’s Park Community Center. The class will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (with or without ice) and registration is required. The derby is free of charge and will be conducted by certified DEEP Fisheries CARE instructors. The DEEP Derby is sponsored by the Coventry Parks and Recreation Department. For registration and more information, call (860) 742-4068.

MOVIE – ‘DOLPHIN’S TALE’ – Willington

The Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road, Willington, will host the movie “Dolphin’s Tale” in the Community Room at 12:30 p.m. This movie is rated PG and runs for 113 minutes. Participants can also bring their own snacks.

MUSIC WORKSHOPS – Coventry

The Song-a-Day Music Center, 2809 Boston Turnpike, Route 44, Coventry, will present two music workshops, “Mountain Dulcimer Potpourri” and “The Songs of the Carter Family” from 2 to 4 p.m. Space for the workshops is limited. Call for reservations. Fee for each work­shop is $30. Info: (860) 742-6878 or go to www.songadaymusic.com

ARMY BAND CONCERT – Chaplin

The 102nd Army Band will perform a free concert at Parish Hill High School, Parish Hill Road, Chaplin, at 7 p.m. The band consists of several ensembles including a concert band, big band and a jazz combo. Info: (860) 455-9584.

LEGENDARY PIANIST/COMPOSER AT JORGENSEN – UConn

Chucho Valdés, pianist and composer will perform at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs, on the University of Connecticut campus at 8 p.m. Tickets/info: (860) 486-4226 or online at jorgensen.uconn.edu

Sunday Jan. 29

WINTER TREK AT ALLANACH-WOLF WOODLANDS – Windham

Join naturalist Ken Metzler for a tour of the winter world at 1 p.m. Walkers will snowshoe if there is snow. EMS will provide snowshoes at half the regular rental price ($10) as available.  Instruction will be pro­vided at 12:30 p.m. Space is limited, registration is required. Contact Richard Bunce at (860) 647-1455 by Jan. 22. Find information about Joshua’s Trust at www.joshuaslandtrust.org

LOOKING AHEAD…

Monday Jan. 30

WILLIMANTIC WHITEWATER PARTNERSHIP DRIVE

The annual meeting, fundraiser and membership drive of the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Willimantic Brewing Co./Main St. Café, 967 Main St., Willimantic.

VOICEMAIL, THE OPEN MIKE FOR STORYTELLING – Storrs/Mansfield

VoiceMail, the open mike for storytelling, will be held at The Mansfield General Store, Route 195/Storrs Road, Mansfield Center, at 7 p.m. Come for the soup and chili bar and stories. Proceeds of free will donation benefit the Connecticut Storytelling Center. For more information, visit www.connstorycenter.org And visit Mansfield General Store on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldGeneralStore

Tuesday Jan. 31

SOCIAL SECURITY SEMINAR – Willington

Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road, Willington, will host a free Social Security seminar in the Community Room at 7 p.m. Come and get all the latest information and answers to all those important questions. Info: (860) 429-3854.

Wednesday Feb. 1

INTERFAITH SEWING AND SERVICE GROUP – Willimantic

First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., Willimantic, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Projects: Hospital – red flag blankets, CWS – schools bags, hospice – quilted prayer shawl. Snow date: Feb. 2. Info: (860) 228-9658.

Friday Feb. 3

‘THE CITY DARK’ – E.O. SMITH – Storrs/Mansfield

E. O. Smith High School’s auditorium, Storrs Road, Storrs, is the location of a film screening of “The City Dark” at 7 p.m. Free. Info: (860) 208-7273.

Posted Jan. 23, 2012

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AHM in search of program mentors

The Andover Hebron Marlborough (AHM) Youth Service Bureau needs volunteers for its Lanterns Mentoring Program.

Volunteers are first trained and then scheduled to meet with a local youth once a week.

For more information, call the mentoring coordinator at (860) 228-0871.

Posted Jan. 23, 2012

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In Hebron – Puppet Day coming up

Image source: www.playsational.com

Enjoy Puppet Day at Christ Lutheran Early Childhood Center beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.

The event begins at 11 a.m. with a marionette show by Dan Butterworth followed by a marionette-making workshop by Butterworth at noon.

Next, it’s a shadow puppet show at 1 p.m. by Nappy’s Puppets at 1 p. m.

The program is free, but space is limited. For more information, call (860) 228-5134.

Posted Jan. 22, 2012

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Applications now available for state's annual firewood lottery

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1 2012. The Firewood Lottery will be determined using a random-number-generating process. “Winners” will be posted on the DEEP Forestry Website by March 14. Firewood lots are generally offered during the warm months when forest roads are accessible. Connecticut residents may apply for one Forest Products Harvesting Permit per household per year.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces that applications for the annual state forest firewood lottery are now available.

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1 2012. The Firewood Lottery will be determined using a random-number-generating process. “Winners” will be posted on the DEEP Forestry Website by March 14.

Firewood lots are generally offered during the warm months when forest roads are accessible.

Connecticut residents may apply for one Forest Products Harvesting Permit per household per year.

Firewood Program in State Forests

The annual firewood lottery provides Connecticut homeowners with a renewable, affordable, locally grown fuel source.

Firewood harvesting from State land helps achieve sustainable forest management goals, improve forest health, and offers fun physical activity for family and friends. (Henry David Thoreau is often credited with the saying that firewood warms you twice, once through the exercise of splitting and once in the fireplace.)

DEEP reminds all visitors that removal of any firewood from a state forest requires a permit.

Standing trees and downed wood will be sold to the lottery winners in designated two-cord lots for $60 by DEEP Foresters, as forest road conditions allow.

Most all permits will be issued before October 2012.

In addition, personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn while cutting wood. The minimum requirements of PPE include: hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, and cut-resistant chaps or pants.

Chainsaws have to be equipped with properly functioning safety devices, including a chain brake.

Cutters without PPE may have their Forest Product Agreement revoked and not be offered a woodlot the following year.

To submit an application

Applications may be downloaded and more information may be found at the State Lands Firewood Program Web site at http://ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2697&q=429464&depNav_GID=1631 or by calling 1-860-424-3630.

Applicants who do not receive a permit by lottery selection will be placed on an alternate list. Alternates may be offered permits at the discretion of DEEP Forestry based on supply.

Posted Jan. 21, 2012

Editor’s note: The cost for pre-cut firewood in Connecticut at this time appears to range from $160 to $225 a cord.

Related links: What is a cord of wood? http://www.snowservicesllc.net/

Listing of some CT businesses selling firewood http://www.firewoods.net/ne/CT.aspx

CT DEEP/Forestry listing of certified wood product sellers – look to right column for link to info about certification and the list (in PDF format). http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2697&q=322792&depNav_GID=1631

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Hebron drinking water advisory lifted

Connecticut Water indicated in a press release that the cause of the copper elevation leading to the advisory was and is still unknown.

After almost two weeks, a “do-not-drink” advisory for 181 Amston Lake Water System customers in Hebron, Lebanon and Colchester, has been canceled.

Elevated copper levels in the drinking water was the cause for the advisory, according to Connecticut Water Co., which Jan. 6 advised customers not to use the water for any consumable purpose.

Connecticut Water spokesman Dan Meaney said this morning (Jan. 19) the “do-not-drink” advisory was lifted at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Connecticut Water indicated in a press release that the cause of the copper elevation leading to the advisory was and is still unknown.

It said the decision to cancel the advisory was made in consultation with the CT Department of Public Health after morning samples came back below the “action level” – 1.3 milligrams per liter – of copper.

Copper levels collected Wednesday morning reportedly ranged from less than 0.02 to 0.46 milligrams per liter.

Meaney said customer reaction to the advisory was good.

“I think our customers were very patient and very cooperative as we worked through the issue to resolve the copper,” he said. “They saw us on a daily basis working to resolve the problem.”

Meaney said a tanker of water was provided for Amston Lake customers and that all water usage in January will be credited.

“We felt we were doing our best,” he said. “We have great field people.”

Meaney said someone was available last week at the lake neighborhood’s clubhouse to respond to any resident’s questions and the reverse 911 system had been used to keep customers up to date.

The spokesman said elevated copper levels resulting in the advisory weren’t the norm and such an occasion “hasn’t happened at CT Water in recent memory.”

Prior to canceling the advisory on Wednesday, Lebanon First Selectman Joyce R. Okonuk wrote in an e-mail that she was very pleased with the actions taken by CT Water.

She said they were “bringing in all the technical and scientific experts to provide analysis and guidance as they continue to determine the cause and repair to the water quality being delivered.”

“I am also very pleased with their communication to people in their service district regarding the problem, daily status, and any other information beneficial to the consumer,” Okonuk wrote. “They have also been providing and delivering bottled water to all affected residents.”

Customers were to receive door-to-­door notices today regarding the cancellation of the advisory.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to call (800) 286-5700 or to e-mail info@ctwater.com Information will be posted on the company’s web site – www.ctwater.com – and on Facebook and Twitter pages. However, CT Water stated it will no longer be utilizing the reverse 911 system to provide information regarding elevated copper levels.

Posted Jan. 19, 20112

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Hebron’s finance chief to leave job

A second town official has announced her departure from Hebron within a two- week period.

Lisa Hancock, the director of finance, will leave the position Jan. 27.

Her resignation follows that of former Town Manager Bonnie Therrien, who left Dec. 30, 2011 as part of a mutual decision with the Board of Selectmen.

Hancock could not be reached for comment, but Board of Selectmen Chair Jeffrey Watt said Hancock was leaving to take a better paying position with the Town of Tolland.

In her resignation letter, Hancock said she would continue to offer her expertise to the Town of Hebron even after her departure.

“I realize that selecting and introducing a new finance director may be difficult, and I will do whatever I can to make this transition a smooth one,” Hancock’s letter reads. “I have developed some very strong relationships with several people in Hebron and that has made this decision very difficult for me to make.”

Hancock, who worked with Therrien in the Town of Wethersfield before they both came to Hebron, also said in her correspondence she did not know Therrien was leaving at the time she made her decision to leave as well.

“She had talked to Bonnie about it, but we found out after Bonnie left,” Watt said of Hancock’s plans.

In addition to being the director of finance for the Town of Wethersfield for six years, Hancock had also been the chief financial officer for the Town of Colchester, the comptroller for the Town of Glastonbury, and the accountant for the Town of Pinellas Park, Fla.

In 2011, Hancock received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association, an award the town received for the six previous years as well.

Hancock earned $85,000 in her position with Hebron.

Before she leaves, Watt said she will have completed most, if not all, of the preliminary work on the 2012- 13 budget draft.

Town staff Elaine Griffin and Donna Lanza, the finance administrator and the town manager’s executive assistant, respectively, will serve jointly as interim finance directors after Hancock leaves.

Griffin served as interim finance director before Hancock was hired in the summer of 2010.

Lanza, who works in the town manager’s office, also has filled in as one of the team of interim town managers before Therrien was hired in the spring of 2010.

“Elaine and Donna have come to the table before and done a very good job,” Watt said, adding he had every confidence operations in the finance office would continue to run smoothly after Hancock departs.

Watt said selectmen would work on getting the budget completed and approved by townspeople before turning attention to finding a new town manager.

Currently, Andrew Tierney, the director of public works who was also part of the interim town management team before Therrien was hired, is serving as interim town manager again.

After selectmen find a permanent town manager, they will work with that official to find a new director of finance, Watt said.

Posted Jan. 17, 2012

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Starting to look like winter – finally

Annie Cronin shovels the walkway on North Street in Willimantic the morning of Jan. 17. A few inches of snow fell in the area and caused some delayed openings for schools and a number of accidents. Photo by Roxanne Pandolfi

Most of the state awakened this morning to a wet blanket of snow, accompanied by drizzle and slippery conditions.

It was technically the first snow of the winter season, which began Dec. 21, and it was met by the usual exaggerated aggravation that stems from being unprepared.

CT Weather Center meteorologist Bill Jacquemin said people very easily become acclimated to near- past weather patterns and so, are frustrated when the weather suddenly changes.

“People should – being in New England – be able to handle something like last night,” said Jacquemin, of what is considered a relatively insignificant snow event.

Last night’s flurry paled in comparison to the record­breaking October storm that dropped as much as two feet of snow in some parts of the state, and left hundreds of thousands without power, some for up to two weeks.

Today’s coating of snow, though, was enough to cause a few problems on the roadways.

The approximate 2 inches of snow resulted in school delays, some closures and 146 motor vehicle accidents by early morning throughout the state.

Morning commutes were most affected on the highways near Middletown, Newtown, New Haven and Danbury, according to CT State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance, who said there were no serious injuries reported.

Unplowed roads in some rural areas were also troublesome for commuters.

No matter how the roads look, Vance said there’s a common-sense approach that should be used when driving during and after any kind of precipitation.

“Slow down and be prepared to stop,” said Vance, who described this as a proactive approach that includes allowing a little extra time to get to one’s destination and maintaining a little extra distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Winter is finally here, he said.

“This is New England,” said Vance. “Here we go.”

Jacquemin also noted that there’s a weather pattern shift underway that is resulting in colder temperatures at the start of the winter season than in the recent years.

Because of the recent low temperatures, the ground is frozen and last night’s precipitation — which was the result of what’s called an Alberta Clipper — was able to accumulate, said Jacquemin.

Alberta clippers are fast moving, weak areas of low pressure, which form in Alberta, Canada. They travel northwest to southeast and deliver snow showers and cold air.

More of the same is expected Thursday night and again on Saturday, when a little more moisture in the air could result in what Jacquemin dubbed more “bothersome storm (weather).”

Last winter snow began on Dec. 26, 2010 and basically, snowed every third day, said Jacquemin. “It was relentless,” he said.

“That’s what made last year so historic and so unusual,” said Jacquemin. The odds of that happening again this year, however, are zero, he said.

Posted Jan. 17, 2012

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