From Town Manager Ronald F. Van Winkle:

It was a good night for the Police Department as West Hartford police officers swept the awards at the graduation exercises of the 326th training session of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council Academy on January 19.

Officer Mark Sorel won the Chief Samuel J. Luciano Award for the graduate achieving the highest grade-point average: 96.29. Further, Mark also earned the Range Award for having shot perfect scores in four out of four qualification rounds, despite the inclement weather. Officer Christopher Kalamaras represented the Department by winning the Trooper First Class Allan Tuskowski Award for the best all-around recruit. Chris capped this award by his selection as Class Speaker.

Kyle Christian will join the police department on January 31, bringing the number vacancies down to four. After high school, Kyle enlisted in the USMC and served with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines out of Camp Lejeune, NC. Kyle completed two combat tours in Iraq including assignments in Fallujah and Rahmadi. During his second tour, Kyle was an assistant team leader for his sniper troop. Kyle received many military commendations and was honorably discharged in 2009.

The Traffic Division has acquired a CT Department of Transportation grant as part of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 'Distracted Driving' initiative. The grant will fund overtime for enforcement of cell phone, texting, and similar distractions while driving, starting in April 2010.

The West Hartford Public Library Children's Division received a grant from the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust to present a series of dance programs next fall at the three libraries. The programs will include the Nutcracker ballet and other forms of dance.

Christmas tree collection completed:

A total of 5,338 trees were collected by Public Works during the annual Christmas tree collection that ended on Friday, January 15 after two town- wide sweeps. Any remaining tress may be brought to the Recycling Center, 25 Brixton St.

Two upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinics:

The Health District will hold a free H1N1 vaccination clinic for people ages 18 years and older on February 4 at 10 A.M. to 12 noon at Saint Mark's Parish Center, 467 South Quaker Lane, and another clinic for people ages 4 and up on February 9 at 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. at King Philip Middle School, 100 King Philip Drive. Pre-registration is required.

Public Hearing to be held on Five-Year Consolidated Plan:

The Town will prepare a Five-Year Consolidated Plan to be submitted for approval to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in May, 2010. A public hearing will be held on Thursday, January 28 at 6:00 PM at Town Hall to receive citizen comments on the housing and community development needs of the town. The overall goal is to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment as well as expand economic opportunities especially for low- and moderate- income persons.

On January 31, from 11 AM to 2 PM, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour will make a stop at A Dong Supermarket, 160 Shield St., to educate the public about the 2010 census, inspire interest in the process, see a sample census form and encourage participation. Town officials will make remarks at 12:30 PM and meet and greet shoppers.