Pumpkin Delight Elevator Project Goes Up..Up...and Up!

The elevator at Pumpkin Delight Middle School is finally being installed after several years of complaints. Parents of disabled students thought it unfair that their kids could not reach the classrooms on the second floor.

The Americans with Disabilities Act also requires that all public buildings and places be equipped and built to accommodate disabled people. This includes properly sized bathrooms to fit wheel chairs, mirrors and sinks to be at a handicapped friendly height. Braille signs are also required for the visually impaired and of course an elevator and ramps where there are stairs.

The current problem is, that Pumpkin Delight School does not have an elevator, and the Board of education priced out the elevator and got an estimate requiring a $350,000.00 appropriation from Milford's Taxpayers CLICK HERE for original estimate.

Earlier this year the elevator issue became a point of contention, because parents and teachers who wanted to keep their neighborhood school open cited the cost of this elevator as a reason to choose Pumpkin Delight for closing instead of Simon Lake which is 100% ADA compliant. However, the Board of Education disagreed citing more land for expansion at Pumpkin Delight Click HERE.

The decision was made based on budgetary cutbacks to education that required revamping the school system to save money. Money that the Board of Alderman and the Board of Finance would not restore to the Board of Education. The board of Education was forced to redesign the school district at the behest of its interim Superintendent Michael Cummings Click HERE.

Thus far, and finally, the appropriation to make Pumpkin Delight ADA compliant has been made only it appears that the Republicans in charge have made an error of gross proportions. They were not properly quoted the cost of the elevator and are now nonchalantly asking the cash strapped taxpayers of Milford and Board of Education for another $70,000.00 for the "uplifting" elevator project CLICK HERE for new cost.

This additional funding over the original estimate is an outrage and deserves explanation. None has been given and the taxpayers were basically ignored by the media who said nothing about why the price "shot up" another 20 percent. This Elevator was quoted about a year ago, and why the cost is being allowed to be "jacked up" by the contractor is a mystery.

We need to demand answers from our Mayor on why this "Wonkavator" is so out of range from its original estimate. We need to investigate and ask why nothing has been said to the press or the people of Milford. "Forking over" another $70,000.00 of our children's education money to a contractor who can't stick to his original estimate is reprehensible and a disgrace. This is truly frivolous leadership and this article should be forwarded to decision makers in town while demanding answers.

Milford's Charles Buck Jr. Honored With Masons Highest Post

Milford has a rather small quiet lodge on the town green aptly named Ansantawae after the Indian who sold the land. That lodge has a legacy going back over 150 years, and just yesterday one of its beloved leaders Charles A. Buck Jr. was bestowed with Masonry's highest honor.

Buck is this years Grand Master, a post that few masons will even attempt to seek because it brings a commitment to the bretheren that requires lots of free time and great sacrifice. The hours are long, the committments great and there is little to no compensation for all the work that must be achieved.

Some masons stand in line for as long as 20 years to get this post, and only those who exemplify a true love and commitment to Masons and Masonry will ever achieve the post.

Yeterday evening, in Farmington Connecticut, the annual meeting of all Connecticut lodges took place at the Marriott hotel. In attendence were the leaders of almost every lodge in the state of Connecticut, and Masonic leaders from all over New England and as far as Canada. Every chapter of Masonry was also represented from the historic Knights Templar, to the Shriners who are always remembered for their little cars and fancy hats during parades.

The event was marked with a tearful departure of last years leader and was soon ushered in with Charles Buck who was blessed with the support of thirty people from his home lodge in Milford. Bucks family was there to proudly witness his installation and his wife who was ill, was watching electronically with an internet video stream so that she too also take part in her husbands grand honor.

Charlie Buck was enthusiastic about his new post, and his lodge whom were very proud of his accomplishments, took to the stage at the conclusion of the event and all began singing to the amusement of every one there.

The people of Milford ought to be proud of the achievement of one of its own citizens, I and all the members of my lodge Daytime 144, wish him the best of luck in the coming years and sincerely hope he will continue in the great work of helping others, especially children and the elderly.

There will be several public events where one could meet Mr. Buck at Ashlar of Newtown, in Newtown Ct. those events are published at the State website for Masonry http://www.ctfreemasons.net/

Should anyone be interested in joining the Charitable Masonic organization, the process is simple. Find a mason and ask him to join.