Farmers' Market Coming, Health Director Named, White Farm Update

Durham Farmers' Market

This year's Farmers' Market on the Durham town green will be open every Thursday starting May 3 until Sept. 6. Organizers have added a half-hour to the schedule, so vendors will be open from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. More details to follow.

New Health Director

Selectman appointed Amiee Eberly as the town's new Health Director. The position is paid on a stipened-based fee of $5,200 per year. Eberly is a registered sanitarian, has a Masters Degree in Public Health and has served as an acting Health Director in Connecticut. Her other credentials include certified food inspector, accredidation for pool inspections, lead inspector and subsurface sewage dispose design. The appointment requires approval of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

White Farm Update

Work could begin as early as August to rechannel Allyn Brook to prevent further flooding to White Farm, according to First Selectman Laura Francis. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will perform the work which will require rechanneling the brook from Maple Avenue to Route 68. The initial work, which will cost between $60-$80,000 according to Francis, is contingent on funding and the approval of a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. Francis said her upcoming 2012-2013 budget proposal will include $215,000 for the entire project.

Middletown Water Supply

The water main extension project, which would bring clean drinking water from the City of Middletown to Durham, is one step closer to reality. Francis said the city is expected to receive approval soon from the state Department of Health to for a water supply plan which would allow the project to move forward. "This is very exciting news," she said. According to officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there is funding for the project available, Francis said. No timetable was given for the project.

Tropical Storm Irene

The town has received $66,989.65 from FEMA for reimbursement from the storm in August 2011.