This Week In Durham-Middlefield: Town Meeting, State Senate Candidates, Hazardous Waste Day And More

DURHAM, CT — Durham voters gather Monday night for the annual town meeting, Middlefield's senior center hosts two state Senate candidates for lunch, and residents can drop off household hazardous waste Saturday in nearby Higganum.

Here are five things to know about life around Durham and Middlefield this week:

1. Durham Annual Town Meeting, Selectmen Meet Monday
When: Monday, Oct. 5; Board of Selectmen at 6 p.m., Annual Town Meeting at 7 p.m.
Where: Durham Community Center, 144 Pickett Lane, Durham
What to know: At the Annual Town Meeting, Durham voters will set the date for the annual budget meeting. They'll also elect members to the Compensation Review/Personnel Policy Board, the Board of Library Directors, the Durham Volunteer Fire Company's Board of Trustees and the Regional School District 13 Finance Committee, according to the call signed by the Board of Selectmen. Voters will also consider a transfer of up to $12,720 from the fire department equipment reserve to buy fire hose. Before that, at 6 p.m., the selectmen will take up a proclamation honoring Sarah Atwell, several board vacancies, a state Homeland Security grant agreement and an amendment to the town's service agreement with Altumint Inc. They'll also discuss the proposed draft of the town's Plan of Conservation and Development. The selectmen's meeting is also on Zoom (meeting ID 815 8239 8049, passcode 463867).
More information here.

2. Middlefield Seniors Host State Senate Candidates For Lunch
When: Wednesday, Oct. 7, noon
Where: Senior Center Café, 405 Main St., Middlefield
What to know: The Middlefield Senior Center's "Lunch + Learn With Your Candidates" features Christine Cohen, a candidate in the 12th State Senate District, and Jack Fazzino, a candidate in the 13th State Senate District. The 12th District includes Durham and Middlefield, and the 13th includes Middlefield, according to the event flyer. The flyer was paid for by the two candidates' campaigns. To register, call 860-349-7121.
More information here.

3. Middlefield Finance Board Takes Up $500K Connectivity Grant
When: Thursday, Oct. 8; workshop at 6 p.m., regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Middlefield Community Center, 405 Main St., Middlefield, and on Zoom
What to know: The Board of Finance's regular meeting agenda lists a $500,000 connectivity grant as new business, along with reports from the chairman and the finance director. Before the meeting, the board will hold a 6 p.m. workshop to discuss a department questionnaire. Both sessions open with public comment. To join remotely, use Zoom meeting ID 873 5894 2152 and passcode 534766.
More information here.

4. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Saturday
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Former Haddam Elementary School, 272 Saybrook Road, Higganum
What to know: This is the last of the season's regional household hazardous waste collections. Residents can bring cleaners, aerosols, pool chemicals, weedkiller, insect spray, rodent poison, gasoline, brake and transmission fluid, oil-based and latex paint, paint thinner, and wood preservatives and strippers. There's no fee to participate, but identification is required. Explosives, ammunition, large propane tanks, fire extinguishers, drugs and electronics are not accepted. Electronics, mattresses, batteries and fluorescent bulbs can go to each town's transfer station instead. Questions can go to 860-581-8554.
More information here.

5. Absentee Ballots Out; Voter Registration Deadline Oct. 16
When: Absentee ballots available now; regular registration deadline Friday, Oct. 16
Where: Middlefield Town Hall, 393 Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield; Durham Town Hall, 30 Town House Road, Durham
What to know: Absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 state election became available Oct. 2. Voters can apply through the state's online portal, return a paper application to the town clerk, or apply in person and get a ballot right away, according to Middlefield's town clerk. Registrars statewide will hold a voter registration session Friday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. That's the last regular deadline for people who have turned 18, become U.S. citizens or moved to Connecticut. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked that day, and online registrations must be done by 11:59 p.m. A final session for those newly eligible after Oct. 16 is Nov. 2. Middlefield's town clerk can be reached at 860-349-7116.
More information here.