Recycling Rates Down, Costs Up; Alcohol-Related Suspension Questioned; Osprey Land New Home; Communities ‘Relay for Life’

HAMDEN – Residents’ reluctance to recycle is beginning to cost the town a hefty sum of cash.

Officials say that residents are putting recyclables into their regular trash and this, in turn, is tipping the scale on disposal fees. The cost concern is compounded by the fact that the town is making less money since it generates revenue from recycling.

To address the situation -- after having to approve an emergency transfer of $40,000 to offset the loss -- the town budgeted $50,000 to acquire the services of Recyclebank, a company that works with organizations around the country to help increase recycling rates.

"They guarantee to increase recycling rates and lower tipping fees," said Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng.

The first year's savings is estimated to top $100,000, he said, for a net savings of $50,000 after taking into account the $50,000 price tag for Recyclebank’s services.

For more on this story, .

NORTH HAVEN – The fathers of two middle school students who were suspended for allegedly consuming alcohol before a baseball practice are calling for an overhaul of the school board’s “Zero Tolerance” policy.

One of the fathers, Richard Rife, said there was no evidence that his son had consumed alcohol and that the five-day suspension was unwarranted. His son reportedly passed around a Lipton Brisk ice tea with his teammates prior to a recent practice, prompting a parent to contact the school and claim that the kids were drinking alcohol.

Rife’s son was one of four students suspended. School administrators are sticking by their investigation and the disciplinary action taken.

Read the full story to decide what you think.

BRANFORD – A pair of Osprey that were displaced when their nest atop a utility pole caught fire now have a new, specially designed home.

This week, Connecticut Light & Power workers erected a utility pole along the Branford River for the Osprey, which they have nicknamed, “Light” and “Power.”

The utility company built the pole to create a safe home for the birds of prey, which tend to pick elevated locations like utility poles for their nest and, in fact, had begun to build one on another pole after their first one caught fire.

Click here to see pictures of the Osprey’s new home and a video about the effort.

ORANGE – The community gathered to “Relay for Life” Saturday and Patch was there every step of the way. Click here to check out the comprehensive coverage.