UPDATE: Cleanup of heating oil spill into Monroe river is completed, with estimated 90% of the oil recovered

Written by Brad Durrell
Friday, 10 February 2012 15:20

The cleanup of the heating oil spill in the Halfway River in Monroe, on Old Zoar Road near Bagburn Hill Road, has been completed.

State environmental officials estimated Friday that about 90% of the approximately 100 gallons of oil that spilled late Thursday has been recovered. “The rest dissipated or was unrecoverable,” said a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) spokesman. “No oil appeared to make it to any other water body.”

Environmental cleanup crews remove heating oil from river near Old Zoar Road; Leaked from vacant home on Bagburn Hill Road after metal piping stolen from heating system

Thursday, 09 February 2012 17:38

Environmental cleanup crews were expected to work through the night Thursday to clean up heating oil from the Halfway River on Old Zoar Road, near Bagburn Hill Road. The heating oil came from a tank inside the basement of a vacant house at 90 Bagburn Hill Road, which is only a few hundred feet away.

PHOTOS FROM CLEANUP SCENE: Workers using absorbent pads and coils to clean up the oil spill

Friday, 10 February 2012 00:17

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM OIL CLEANUP SCENE

Friday, 10 February 2012 00:47

New fund-raisers planned to assist A.J. Rogers, the Monroe volunteer firefighter battling leukemia; Get a haircut, buy cupcakes and tires to assist the cause

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 04:08

New fund-raising events are being planned to assist Andrew Rogers, the 2010 Masuk High School graduate and Stevenson volunteer firefighter who is battling leukemia.

Rogers, known as A.J. to friends and family, now is receiving medical treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

PHOTOS: Two vehicles collide on Route 111, near Town Hall

Written by Brad Durrell
Friday, 10 February 2012 01:42

Special needs therapeutic programs being offered by Monroe Parks & Rec at Chalk Hill

Friday, 10 February 2012 12:11

Two therapeutic recreation programs for children with special needs will be offered by Monroe Parks and Recreation at the Chalk Hill Building on Fan Hill Road.

PHOTOS: Woodchipper hits and snaps utility pole on Turkey Roost Road, closing off street

Written by Brad Durrell
Thursday, 09 February 2012 14:03

Turkey Roost Road is closed between Fan Hill Road and Lynn Drive due to an accident involving a truck with a woodchipper.

SPCA of Connecticut faces April 30 deadline to downsize its Monroe facility to 29 dogs

Written by Brad Durrell
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 06:09

SPCA of Connecticut has until the end of April to reduce the number of dogs on its Spring Hill Road property to 29, based on a court agreement reached with the town.

Vavrek budget calls for almost 4% tax hike; Wants to focus on upgrading infrastructure

Written by Brad Durrell
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 20:48

First Selectman Stephen J. Vavrek has proposed an 8.05% spending increase in the town side of the budget, saying it is time “to reinvest in Monroe.” The suggested spending increase for upcoming fiscal year 2012-13, when combined with a proposed 1.79% spending increase in the school budget, would lead to an almost 4% increase in the tax rate.