Home Care In Clinton, CT

The annual ranking released by U.S. News and World Report evaluates schools based on graduation rates, academic performance and more.

CLINTON, CT — The Morgan School in Clinton ranks No. 78 in the state and No. 3,769 nationally, according to the 2023-2024 Best High Schools rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

Families can use the annual rankings to compare schools at the national, state and local levels on factors such as academic performance, graduation rates and college readiness, according to a news release. U.S. News reviewed 25,000 schools and ranked 17,680 of them, including 206 in Connecticut.

No Connecticut school cracked U.S. News' Top 100, but Darien High School made it to No. 191 nationally. Local rivals in Ridgefield, Westport, New Canaan and Greenwich also placed in the top 10 statewide rankings.

Families can use the annual rankings to compare schools at the national, state and local levels on factors such as academic performance, graduation rates and college readiness, according to a news release.

In general, the highest-ranked schools had students who performed well on state assessment for math, reading and science, U.S. News said. They also performed strongly in meeting the needs of underserved students, including those who are Black, Hispanic or from low-income households. The schools had a breadth of curriculum offerings and high graduation rates, and their students performed well on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams.

Find out what's happening in Clintonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

U.S. News said eleven of the top 20 ranked schools were charter or magnet schools.

In national rankings, the top five schools are, respectively: The Early College at Guilford, Greensboro, North Carolina; Signature School at Evansville, Indiana; The School for Advanced Studies in Miami; The Davidson Academy of Nevada at Reno; and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology at Alexandria, Virginia.

See related: U.S. News Best High Schools: Where Did Connecticut Schools Rank?

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CLINTON — The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously denied a proposed zone change to allow a 40-unit apartment complex at the site of the aging Victorian Village Inn, a short-term rental facility, Oct. 16.

A day after the PZC decision, attorney Timothy Hollister, who represents the applicant, said in an email, there is “no decision yet on next steps.” Westbrook-based Dattilo Group, owner of the Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, is the owner of Victorian Village.

“We are digesting the decision and the commissioners comments from Monday night,” Hollister said.

Some people, however, were pleased with the decision.

“I couldn’t be happier," said Pamela Chase, who shares a “tiny” apartment at Victorian Village with her sister, Diana Chase. "I think a lot of these other tenants will feel the same way,” she said.

While the motel is considered a short-term lease facility, Chase said she has lived there for 14 years. Other long-term tenants include four families that have lived there for 10 years and others who have been there for five years or more, she said.

Chase said she would be hard pressed to find a rental as affordable as her current unit.

“My apartment is very tiny, not very much room,” she said. Chase declined to say how much she is paying but said, “It’s very low, which I probably would never find anyplace else. And the larger buildings, the A-frames, are between $900 and $1,200 a month, which is still low compared to other areas.”

No one had reached out to her about the proposed development, she said.

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At the Oct. 16 meeting, while some PZC members agreed that the proposed apartment complex would be a physical improvement, many did not like the idea of a floating zone, or expanding the nonconforming use on the property, located in an industrial zone.

Others cited environmental issues and concerns about the number of units that would be classified as affordable housing.

The decades-old inn is a nonconforming use that predates the industrial zone there, which does not allow for housing.

The applicant wanted to create a Multifamily Adaptive Reuse Zone [MARZ], an overlay zone to allow apartments. The zone change would have been a pathway to overcome the residential restriction.

Commission member Ellen Dahlgren said she believes floating zones “are a mistake in the first place.”

“They could be planning to build the Taj Mahal there … it has nothing to do with the specific proposal that is in front of us,” Dahlgren said.

“Frankly, the proposal sounds like an improvement of what’s there,” she added.

Floating zones, Dahlgren said, “undermine people’s ability to rely upon the predictability of the zoning map that exists,” adding that people make decisions to buy and sell property, develop and improve property “based upon the existing map.”

Commission member Beau Clark worried about the density of the proposed 40 units on 1.8 acres, noting developers would actually be allowed 54 under the proposed MARZ zone. He also worried it would harm “environmentally sensitive areas.”

Commission member Martin Jaffe pointed out that the developers had proposed 15 percent affordable housing, while the state guideline is 30 percent.

“It’s half of the state policy,” Jaffe said about the number of affordable units at the proposed 15 percent. Clinton needs affordable housing, he said, and the development would decrease the number of affordable units there now.

“There are currently 16 units of affordable housing on the property now within the motel,” Jaffe said. “What they are going to do is replace 16 units with six units of affordable housing, which is not a benefit or gain.”

He also noted that within the state’s affordable housing statutes, namely the 8-30g law, affordable housing is not allowed in industrial zones.

The 8-30g statute allows developers to bypass zoning so long as they offer 30 percent of the units as deed-restricted, affordable. The law applies to towns like Clinton with less than 10 percent affordable housing, under 8-30g rules.

“They don’t want to expose people to risks associated with industrial uses,” Jaffe said about the state law.

“And here we have tens of thousands of gallons of explosive propane gas” next door to the proposed complex, he said.

CLINTON, CT — Independence Day is quickly approaching, which means it's time to fire up that barbecue and find out what Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are going on in and around Clinton for 2023.

We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades, and festivals happening in and around Clinton so you can start planning now.

Here's what's in store this July 4 in and around Clinton:

Clinton Summerfest and Fireworks

What: Food, fun, beer garden, music, and fireworks.

Where: Andrews Memorial Town Hall and Clinton Town Beach

When: Saturday, Aug. 26, starting at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

More information: Go to Clinton Summerfest and Fireworks' Facebook page.

Norwich Harbor Fireworks

What: The 2023 Norwich Harbor Fireworks will be cap off Rose Arts Weekend with a night of celebrating our country’s independence.

Where: Howard T. Brown Park, 100 Chelsea Harbor Drive, Norwich

When: Sunday, July 2, from 5 to 10 p.m.

More information: Go to Norwich Harbor Fireworks' Facebook page.

Groton Fourth of July Parade

What: This hometown event to celebrate America's independence brings together dozens of local businesses, civic, youth sports and other organizations for an old-fashioned parade with fire engines, marching bands and antique cars.

Where: Poquonnock Plains Park in Groton

When: Tuesday, July 4, at 10 a.m.

More information: Go to the Town of Groton's website.

Independence Day at Mystic Seaport Museum

What: Reenactors from several Connecticut and British Regiments will take over our quaint seaport town at Mystic Seaport Museum for a day. The museum invites you to witness what it was like to be a member of a Continental Regiment or British Regiment during these tumultuous times in American history.

Where: Village Green

When: Saturday, July 1, parade kicks off at noon

More information: Go to Mystic Seaport Museum's website.

Celebrate East Lyme 2023

What: Niantic’s Main Street will transform for this celebration by the sea, filled with food, fun, and activities. More than 200 vendors, live music, and a Dominion fireworks display over Niantic Bay.

Where: Main Street in Niantic

When: Saturday, July 15

More information: Go to Celebrate East Lyme's Facebook page.

Sailfest New London

What: Sailfest is Southeastern Connecticut’s premiere summertime event, complete with a major fireworks display, amusement rides, free entertainment, ships, and over 200 vendors lining the streets.

When: Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9

Where: Downtown New London

More information: Go to Sailfest New London's website.

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SHORELINE — T.J. Maxx is moving out of its location in Clinton on Main Street in the fall, says a Clinton town official. The store is expected to relocate to Guilford, according to town officials there.

Guilford officials are hoping that T.J. Maxx will occupy the closed Walmart in the Shoreline Plaza.

According to Chris Aniskovich, chairman of Clinton’s Town Council, “October is their closing date here in Clinton.”

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However, T.J. Maxx spokespersons are staying mum and would not comment on the Clinton store closing or opening a Guilford store.

In Guilford, an application for a sign permit on behalf of T.J. Maxx was filed Friday, March 3 with the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The application, filed by American Sign Inc., names the property owner as J.R. Daly & Sons, 900 Boston Post Road, Guilford, the site of the former Walmart, which closed its doors in May 2022.

Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey does not have any more information regarding the move by T.J. Maxx, except the filing of the sign permit, he said.

“I’m excited about the opportunity for that space to be occupied by a major retailer,” he said.

“The loss of Walmart was a significant loss for many members of our community and we are concerned about the financial health of the Shoreline Plaza,” he said. “It’s been vacant for quite some time, so to have it rented would be a good thing for the community, as well as the property owners.”

The application includes designs for two signs, both LED, lit internally. One design is for a red, aluminum/acrylic sign, applied to a wall, 4 feet, 7 inches by 21 feet, 6 ½ inches and would display T.J. Maxx’s custom logo. The other is for an under-canopy sign, red and white aluminum/acrylic with the company logo, 1 foot by 30 inches.

The sign permit will be reviewed by the Guilford Planning & Zoning office and the Design Review Committee.

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Aniskovich said while Clinton town officials have not been officially notified that T.J. Maxx was closing, the town council had confirmed it by talking to store employees.

“They don’t have to notify the town,” he said about the corporate owners of T.J. Maxx, TJX Companies Inc. There is “no obligation on their behalf. ”

“T.J. Maxx has not announced any store changes in Clinton at this time,” Sabrina Stewart, public relations specialist for TJX/T.J. Maxx, said in an email.

About plans to open a store in Guilford, she wrote, “Typically, it is our practice not to announce store openings until closer to an intended opening date.”

Meanwhile, the landlord at the Guilford location did some preliminary work with the town for T.J. Maxx several months ago.

At a special meeting of the Guilford Design Review Committee, June 22, Nick Daly, one of the property owners, said T.J. Maxx/Homegoods was interested in occupying some 45,000 square feet of the 78,000-square-foot building, according to minutes of the meeting.

Then, Daly said that the additional 33,000 square feet, on the west end of the building, could be occupied by “a medical user or perhaps a gym.”

When contacted last week, Daly declined to comment.

Aniskovich said the upcoming vacancy at the Clinton Town Center plaza does not reflect a retail downturn in Clinton.

Clinton remains a shopping destination with Clinton Premium Outlets and the new Indian River Landing complex, where the new Big Y is one of its anchor stores, Aniskovich said.

“We’re doing well,” he said.

John Allen, who heads Clinton’s Economic Development Commission, echoed this.

“We get 4 million people that visit Clinton Crossing (now Clinton Premium Outlets) throughout the year — that’s a lot of people that come to visit.”

As far as Indian River Landing, he noted that another anchor store, Madison Furniture Barn, “a large volume furniture store,” is soon to be completed.

The new Starbucks also does a brisk trade there and he added that restaurants, which are slated to go in, will only boost business for all nearby retailers.

“It’s nice to be able to have lunch and go back shopping,” he said.

And, even after two years, Big Y remains a big draw there.

“It’s not just the initial blush” of when they first opened, he said. “You go there all the time now, it’s humming.”

Editor Susan Braden contributed to this story.

OLD SAYBROOK— Facing declining numbers of football players, the Board of Education voted last week to approve merging the high school team with the team at The Morgan School in Clinton to form a new tri-school football co-op the will include Clinton, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.

Brendan Saunders, the athletic director for Old Saybrook, said he had discussed the possibility of forming a football co-op with The Morgan School last year, but that the idea “was met with a lot of resistance.” Saunders said that originally, the district expected to have 40 students for football last year, but that number eventually dropped down to 27.

The district graduated 11 seniors last year, leaving the team with 17 students for the coming year. Saunders said the ideal number for a football team is about 40 students.

“The feeder program in Old Saybrook has been devastated after COVID. We used to support three youth teams, now we have one that is made up of many towns,” said Saunders.

Saunders said that last year, the district had formed a junior varsity co-op with The Morgan School, which he said was critical for students who wanted to play in high school. He said that because of the complexity of the game, it was very difficult to step into football as a high school freshman.

Saunders said he believed that the co-op would make the team more competitive.

“In three years we haven’t won a game, unfortunately,” said Saunders. “These kids really, really work, and to not have them see any success for three years is really difficult.”

From a health and safety perspective, Saunders added, it’s also important to have around 40 players so that freshmen are not trying to compete against seniors and so players with differing weights aren’t matched up in games.

Old Saybrook and Westbrook have had a co-op program since 1988. With Clinton added in, the co-op would be expected to include about 17 players from Old Saybrook, one from Westbrook and 23 from The Morgan School. Saunders said that nearly all the schools in the Pequot Conference participate in co-ops with other schools.

“We have a really open relationship with all of the Morgan staff, with all of the Morgan coaches. They are all for this. Our coaching staff is all for this,” said Saunders.

Saunders said that since Morgan has more players, they would be considered the host school, but that there would be at least one or two games played on the Old Saybrook field. He said the school’s turf field would be an asset to the teams.

Board member Steve Beeler said he did want to see the football field at Old Saybrook be used.

“We do have a beautiful facility. We have spent a ton of money. We have improved it significantly since we started. To me, one game doesn’t feel very cooperative,” said Beeler.

Board members also asked about what would happen with the mascot and the team names — the Old Saybrook/Westbrook team are the Rams, and The Morgan School are the Huskies.

Maryann O’Donnell, superintendent for Clinton Public Schools, said in an email that the Clinton Board of Education plans to discuss the partnership at its February 6 meeting. She said the schools had success combining their junior varsity rosters this year, and noted that all three schools had declining enrollments.

Kristina Martineau, superintendent for Westbrook Public Schools, said the district was in full support of the co-op, adding that their partnership with Old Saybrook had been successful for years.

“It allows our students interested in playing football the continued opportunity to do so,” Martineau wrote in an email.

Saunders said that, without the move, the team would not survive.

“This pains me, but if it keeps Saybrook kids playing football, I am all for it.”

—This story has been updated with additional comments O’Donnell and Martineau

Emilia Otte covers health and education for the Connecticut Examiner. In 2022 Otte was awarded "Rookie of the Year," by the New England Newspaper & Press Association.

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