Connecticut gets $6 Million from settlement with drug company

Abbott Laboratories allegedly offered and paid illegal remuneration to health care professionals and long-term care pharmacy providers to encourage them to promote and/or prescribe Depakote

Connecticut Atty. General George Jepsen said Monday (May 7) the state will receive approximately $6 million from settlements with Abbott Laboratories in relation to charges the pharmaceutical company marketed the prescription drug Depakote for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Depakote is approved by the FDA for treatment of seizure disorders, “mania” associated with bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.

According to complaints, Abbott also marketed the drug for behavioral disturbances in dementia patients, anxiety, conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug withdrawal, attention deficit disorder, autism and other psychiatric conditions – uses the FDA has not deemed to be effective.

According to the allegations in the complaint, Abbott Laboratories promoted Depakote for unapproved uses by:

• making false and misleading statements about the safety, efficacy, dosing and cost-effectiveness of Depakote for some of these uses;

• improperly marketing the product for use in nursing homes;

• and by offering and paying illegal remuneration to health care professionals and long-term care pharmacy providers to encourage them to promote and/or prescribe Depakote.

Abbott Laboratories’ marketing for non-FDA approved uses allegedly resulted in false claims to Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.

Jepsen said these settlements “will serve as a deterrent to other companies who seek to benefit unfairly from government healthcare programs.”

“Most importantly, they will help to protect consumers who were prescribed an expensive drug with little evidence the drug could help their condition,” Jepsen said.

In the settlements, Abbott has agreed to pay the involved states and the federal government $800 million in civil damages and penalties.

Connecticut’s share of Medicaid claims is more than $3.9 million.

Connecticut will also receive $499,000 for state-funded benefit programs administered by the state Department of Social services.

Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby said, “Our claims data indicated a significant and inappropriate impact on Medicaid expenditures, a factor that will now be mitigated by this major settlement.”

The company has also agreed to a $700 million criminal fine and forfeiture for violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Another $100 million settlement with 45 states and the District of Columbia, resolves civil consumer protection claims that the company engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by illegal off-label marketing of Depakote.

Connecticut’s share of the consumer protection settlement is more than $1.5 million, including $150,000 for the state Department of Consumer Protection’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said, “The funding that the settlement provides for Connecticut’s Prescription Monitoring Program will directly benefit patient health by assisting pharmacists and physicians to better monitor potentially dangerous drug interactions and prescription errors.”

Abbott also agreed to enter into a corporate integrity agreement with the federal government.

For a period of five years, Abbott must also limit:

• the creation and use of responses to requests by physicians for non-promotional information about off-label uses of Depakote;

• dissemination of reprints of clinical studies relating to off-label uses of Depakote;

• and use of grants and continuing medical education.

It must also disclose payments to physicians and register and disclose clinical trials.

The healthcare fraud settlement was based on four qui tam cases, filed under federal and state false claim statutes that were consolidated and are pending in U.S. District Court in Virginia.

Assistant Atty. General Thomas Saadi handled the consumer protection settlement for the Attorney General with Assistant Atty. General Phillip Rosario, head of the Consumer Protection department.

Consumers can make inquiries of the Attorney General’s office by calling 860-808-5318 during office hours or sending email to attorney.general@ct.gov You can also follow the office on Facebook at Attorney General George Jepsen and on Twitter @AGJepsen

Posted May 8, 2012, based on a press release

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Local enterprises qualify for new Small Business Express grants

Connecticut Casket Company, based in Willimantic, CT is one of five small businesses to recently qualify for state EXP grants aimed specifically at companies with fewer than 50 employees. Besides caskets and urns, the company also makes keepsake necklaces with glass beads that are infused with the ashes of your loved one (including your four-footed family members). Each one is unique and can be made in any color. Photo source: Connecticut Casket Company web site

Five small businesses have qualified for grants through the state’s Small Business Express Program (EXP) to expand their businesses and create jobs.

EXP is part of the bi-partisan jobs bill passed during the October 2011 special legislative session. Administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the program offers loans and matching grants to Connecticut companies with fewer than 50 employees.

In total, EXP will provide $100 million to help qualified small businesses hire more employees and fund capital investments.

According to DECD Commissioner Catherine Smitt, “This program is about getting working capital out the door quickly and efficiently so that our smaller companies can put it to work for them immediately and start putting more of Connecticut’s residents to work… This program is building momentum; we’re constantly getting new submissions from interested business owners and we’re approving new applications every day.”

The five small businesses that most recently qualified for the program are:

Connecticut Casket Company started designing, making and selling custom, environmentally-friendly caskets in Willimantic in 2010.

The company, which will retain three employees and hire three more within a year, will receive a $100,000 grant to buy equipment, improve the shop, train workers and expand its inventory. Connecticut Casket also will receive a Job Creation Incentive loan of $250,000.

“This investment will be a big help to the Connecticut Casket Company. It will allow this Windham business to hire more workers and grow our local economy,” said State Rep. Susan Johnson (D-Windham). “Governor Malloy is clearly focused on the needs of small businesses in eastern Connecticut and I want to thank him for his strong support.”

Said Sen. Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), “Bill Covey and his employees represent the small business success story that is critical to Connecticut’s economy… The programs we passed last year are making a difference at a time when our businesses need it the most.”

Wooden-it-be-Nice, Inc., a consignment furniture company based in Marlborough with a facility in Glastonbury, provides a retail solution for selling second-hand furniture and accessories.

The company will use its $11,500 grant in working capital for inventory and processing, marketing and job creation/retention efforts, including training.

State Rep. Pam Sawyer (R-Andover, Bolton, Hebron, Marlborough) said, “This new approach, giving grants to small businesses in a short time frame, often in small amounts, can have a big impact on a company. Wooden-it-be-Nice is a perfect example. It is what was envisioned when the jobs bill passed last October.”

State Sen. Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who represents Glastonbury, Manchester, Bolton and Marlborough said, “Our October investment in growing Connecticut jobs and its economy is paying off, and paying off handsomely. And it doesn’t make a difference if you’re a high-tech medical device manufacturer or a furniture consignment shop – if you’re a small business looking to expand, if you’re looking to hire, Connecticut is here to help.”

State Rep. Prasad Srinivasan (R-Glastonbury) called Wooden-it-be-Nice “an exemplary member of the Glastonbury business community.”

Norwich Printing Company was founded and incorporated in 1992 as part of the Minuteman Press Franchise and has since grown from a two-person operation to eight full-time employees. The company plans to grow even further by using its $48,357 grant to buy four new pieces of equipment.

“I am so happy that the Norwich Printing Company is getting this funding to expand its production capabilities,” said State Sen. Edith Prague (D-Columbia). “News like this is proof that the Governor’s jobs bill is working, which is why I voted for the measure last October. This is wonderful news for the Norwich community, and the Governor should be commended for his vision for job creation.”

Elka Precision of Plainville designs and manufactures hydrostatic spindles, tables and slides that improve grinding accuracy and reduce grinding times for the overall improvement of machined products.

Elka Precision plans to begin an aggressive campaign to market its products overseas, including European and Asian markets.

The company, which plans to hire eight new employees, will receive a Job Creation Incentive loan of $250,000 to use for equipment, training, travel and other related expenses.

My Three Sons (Petrini Six Enterprises) is an indoor family entertainment center in Norwalk. The company will use a $50,000 grant from DECD to purchase new equipment that will increase customers and revenue.

For more information on EXP or to apply for the program, visit the Small Business Express Program website or contact Michelle Lugo at DECD at 860-270-8052 or Michelle.Lugo@ct.gov

Posted Feb. 21, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Gov. Malloy promises more education funds – and bonus for new Alliance Districts

According to a statement made by Gov. Malloy on Feb. 8, 2012 a total of 130 towns will receive more ECS funding than they did in 2011-2012 and no town will see funding drop from 2011-2012 levels.

New, however, is the plan to make additional dollars available to something he calls Alliance Districts.

Alliance Districts will be groupings of the state’s 30 lowest-performing school districts.

Nearly $40 million will go to Alliance Districts – if they implement Gov. Malloy’s education reform strategies.

According to Gov. Malloy, an additional $4.5 million in competitive funding will be offered to all districts, with preference given to 30 Alliance districts, to fuel “ambitious innovations and deeper reforms.”

Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor commented, “The governor’s proposal acknowledges that resource constraints are one obstacle to many of our low-performing districts’ ability to improve their schools – while recognizing that increased funding alone will not improve student achievement…

“Rather, it is essential that these districts also embrace reforms rooted in best practices. The conditional funding model provides added resources and increased accountability. We look forward to working in alliance with these low-performing districts as they implement their reforms and elevate their achievement levels.”

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman added, “I strongly believe that every child in our state deserves the opportunity to get a quality education, regardless of where they live. That is why one of our first priorities after taking office was to fully fund the ECS for all towns, and that is why we are making this targeted investment – to give that equal chance to children who happen to attend an under-performing school.”

Alliance Districts

Gov. Malloy’s proposal identifies the state’s 30 lowest-performing school districts as participants in a Performance Alliance between these districts and the State, which makes them eligible for significant increases in state funding.

To qualify for these funds, Each Alliance District must submit a reform plan that includes elements of “reform strategies” in the governor’s proposal.

The State Department of Education will review these plans and recommend which ones should be approved.

Alliance Districts can choose from these “reform strategies”:

• “tiered district interventions” for schools based on school-level student performance;
• additional learning time, including extended school day and year;
• career ladders for school personnel;
• a professional development system “informed by educator evaluations”;
• plans to ensure K-3 reading mastery;
• coordination of early childhood education services;
• creating a community schools approach by establishing “wraparound services” for students with links to health and social service providers;
• and other strategies as determined by the Education Commissioner.

Alliance Districts will have new funding phased in at the rate of 2.47 percent of the gap between what they currently receive in ECS funding and the new formula amount – other districts will receive 1.4 percent of the funding amount gap – according to Gov. Malloy’s statement.

Posted Feb. 19, 2012

Related link: More details about Gov. Malloy’s plans for Education Reform http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?A=4010&Q=498746

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In Willington – Towns consider sharing cost of construction equipment

Selected proposals will receive a state grant of 50 percent, if at least one of the towns is a “distressed municipality/targeted investment community/public investment community.” Windham falls under the “distressed municipality” description and Elsesser said he is looking forward to working with Windham.

The nine towns in the Windham Region Council of Governments (WINCOG) have begun talks on a new project that could help save the towns money by sharing public works equipment.

A meeting Tuesday (Jan. 31) brought many of the public works directors and town management staffs together to brainstorm ideas.

WINCOG provides towns with a forum for intermunicipal discussion, coordination and decision­making and includes workshops on timely issues and occasions for such discussion and coordination.

Member towns are Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Hampton, Lebanon, Mansfield, Scotland, Willington and Windham.

The project could have the towns take advantage of the state Office of Policy and Management’s Intertown Capital Equipment Purchasing Incentive (ICE) Program.

Coventry Town Manager John Elsesser said a lot of equipment the towns were thinking of getting is “quite expensive.”

He said some of the equipment discussed Tuesday included a portable pothole patcher, a skid-steer loader, or Bobcat with special attachments, and portable lighting, among other items.

“A lot of ideas were thrown out and haven’t been finalized yet and some ideas may be added or dropped,” Elsesser said.

WINCOG Executive Director Mark Paquette said the grant offers towns a way to get the machines they need without carrying the full burden of the cost.

“Many of these towns would never be able to get these types of equipment on their own,” Paquette said. “This is a great deal with a great incentive.”

Selected proposals will receive a state grant of 50 percent, if at least one of the towns is a “distressed municipality/targeted investment community/public investment community.”

Windham falls under the “distressed municipality” description and Elsesser said he is looking forward to working with Windham.

Municipalities must provide matching funds and the state grant cannot exceed $250,000.

Coventry Director of Public Works David Gofstein said if scheduling the use of equipment is done right, there shouldn’t be any problems with availability among the towns.

“All of the towns would split the cost accordingly,” said Elsesser. He added that each town was asked to put a “placeholder” of $14,000 in their capital budgets.

“For $14,000, we can all get $250,000 of equipment,” he said.

Elsesser added this isn’t a new idea for Coventry; the town has shared a catch basin cleaner with Mansfield for almost 15 years.

Windham Mayor Ernie Eldridge, who wasn’t at Tuesday’s meeting, said he is all for sharing equipment with other towns. “Sharing is a great part of keeping cost down for our towns… Why would one town need $100,000 worth of equipment on their own?” he said.

Paquette said there will be more discussions about the idea.

“There is a strong incentive to get this significant savings,” he said, but they “still need to do some research on the whole idea.”

A decision should be made within the next couple of months. Final proposals must be received by the state Office of Policy and Management on or before May 1, 2012.

Posted Feb. 2, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Congressman Courtney introduces bill to curb student loan costs

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act lowered subsidized Stafford student loan rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over a four-year period, to ease the burden on thousands of students and their families. However, without Congressional action, this act expires; loan rates will double later this year and cost students and families thousands of dollars, over time.

Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney today (Jan. 25) introduced H.R. 3826, legislation that would ensure that interest rates on certain student loans do not dramatically increase this year.

In 2007, Congress made an historic investment in higher education when it passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

The legislation includes a provision that reduced the fixed rate on Stafford student loans for undergraduate students.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act lowered subsidized Stafford student loan rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over a four-year period, to ease the burden on thousands of students and their families.

However, without Congressional action, this act expires; loan rates will double later this year and cost students and families thousands of dollars, over time.

Courtney’s bill would eliminate the existing “sunset” and ensure that rates remain at 3.4 percent.

“A college education is key to success in today’s economy, but for many students, the spiraling costs of higher education are creating an immense barrier,” said Congressman Courtney.

U.S. Rep Joe Courtney, Connecticut 2nd Congressional District. File photo by Frank Funk

“President Obama’s message was spot on last night when he said: ‘When kids do graduate (from high school), the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July.’

“This legislation will defuse that ticking time bomb, and help young people repay the student loans that have weighed them down too heavily for too long,” Courtney said.

According to the non-partisan U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), if Congress does nothing, borrowers who will take out the maximum $23,000 in subsidized student loans will see their interest balloon to an additional $5,200 over a 10-year repayment period and $11,300 over a 20-year repayment period.

Posted Jan. 25, 2012, as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Generations Family Health Center celebrates new home

State Rep Susan Johnson cuts the ribbon at the ceremonial opening Jan. 19, 2012 of Generations Family Health Center in Willimantic CT with Arvind Shaw, CEO of Generations, left and Sen. Donald E. Williams, Jr., right. Photo by Al Malpa

What began more than two decades ago as a part-time health services office in a small “white house” off Mansfield Avenue in Willimantic, has bloomed into a 32,000- square-foot geo­thermal facility.

And, it will allow Generations Family Health Center to improve both the quality and the quantity of the services it provides to local residents.

The new space will allow the health center to increase the number of unduplicated patients from 7,800 to 9,300.

Plus, it’s all theirs.

Administrators, staff, board members, legislators, community members and those otherwise invested in the healthcare facility, which serves under-insured and uninsured residents throughout Windham County, gathered at the new location at 40 Mansfield Ave. (between Main and Valley Streets) Thursday (Jan. 19) for a grand opening ceremony.

Generations actually began servicing patients at the new location Dec. 19, 2010.

For Generations Executive Director Arvind Shaw, the ribbon-cutting was a special day indeed.

“This is way too emotional for me,” said Shaw, reflecting on the journey during a tour of the facility before the ceremony.

Featuring dual access X-ray machines, centralized treatment areas and lots and lots of windows to let in natural light, the new facility rendered the previous rented location at 1315 Main St. cave-like in comparison.

In designing the new facility, Shaw said, they relied on feedback from the people who would be using it the most. “We listened to our staff and we listened to our patients,” said Shaw. “The patients wanted light.”

The $16 million facility was funded by a variety of sources, including a USDA loan, state dollars under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, New Market Tax Credits, as well as donations from foundations, corporations and individuals.

While the building was closed during Thursday’s event, most staff was on hand to share in the big day.

Dr. Margaret Ann Smith, chief dental officer, said her expanded workspace was much needed.

“It doubles the number of people we can take,” said Smith. “It’s beautiful, it’s efficient and the patients just love it.”

In addition to increasing the number of operatories from five to 10, the spacious new dental stations are designed to accommodate left-handed dentists and offer X-ray machines efficiently positioned between two adjacent stations for use by each.

Ken Maharan, a medical assistant who joined Generations a year ago, said the new space is much more professional than the old one. “When you get up in the morning and you like coming to work, it’s a lot of fun,” said Maharan.

Rebecca Antonucci, a medical receptionist, who has never worked in a public healthcare facility before, said the comparison is incredible.

“We do about everything we can to help anyone who needs it,” said Antonucci.

Along with this facility, Generations is also building a new 10,000- square-foot facility in Putnam and has offices in Danielson and Norwich. They also have three mobile stations.

In addition to medical and dental services, the facility also has a comprehensive behavioral health unit serving children and adults with individual and group therapy and medication management.

Dr. Irma Ross, chief of behavioral health, who just joined Generations after 32 years at Waterbury Hospital, said it was an opportunity she couldn’t resist.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney helps welcome visitors at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Generationsl Family Health Center on Jan. 19, 2012 in Willimantic, CT. Seated beside the podium is Generations CEO Arvin Shaw. Photo by Al Malpa

Ross said the focus now is on providing comprehensive health care, which means addressing the whole individual and all of the health-related needs, physical and emotional.

“We are working on integrating medical and behavioral health,” said Ross, including an initiative to get young children in to see the dentist.

Some said the beautiful new facility, which gives no impression of a stereotypical “clinic” atmosphere, is exactly what they wanted.

“We are valuing the human being, having nothing to do with where they come from,” said Ross.

Carl Asikainen, who has been on the Generations Board of Directors for eight years, remembers when owning their own facility, where all the services could be consolidated into a one-stop shop for the patients and the staff, was still just a dream.

Even when the money started materializing, Asikainen said it was hard to imagine it would, one day, amount to what it has. “The people that we treat and the people that we serve deserve this as much as anyone else,” Asikainen said.

Legislators participating in Thursday’s groundbreaking included state Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams Jr., D- Brooklyn, state Rep. Susan Johnson, D- Willimantic, and U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-2nd District, while a slew of others joined the festivities, including state Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, making one of her first public appearances since suffering a mild stroke Christmas Day.

After opening at the “white house” on Mansfield Avenue, Generations opened a satellite office at the Windham Heights apartment complex, because that is where many of their patients lived.

Later, it moved to 1315 Main St., where it provided services until now.

“It’s miraculous,” said Dr. Morton Glasser, chief medical officer, who was there at the humble beginning and served patients on a part-time basis at the “white house” – then called the Windham Area Community Action Program (WACAP).

“This whole thing got started because the clientele we were serving were really underserved. Our mission is to serve people who can’t get care otherwise,” Glasser said.

“It’s really heartening to see that we’ve come this far,” he added. “It’s something our patients have deserved all along.”

Generations provides primary health, oral, and behavioral health care, case management and support services for people of all ages. It accepts Medicaid, Medicare, General Assistance, HUSKY, many managed-care programs and most insurance plans. It also offers a sliding fee scale and flexible payment arrangements for those who are eligible. It never turns anyone away for inability to pay.

To learn more, visit www.genhealth.org or call (860) 450-7471.

Posted Jan. 20, 2012

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Reinvent Connecticut – still time to register for business workshops

"These sessions provide an opportunity for citizens to sit down at a table with a professional, ask questions and have them answered immediately, and fill out applications on the spot. Small businesses are critical to the state’s economic recovery, and these types of personal gatherings are giving a face to a state agency that is critical to the growth of small businesses.” - Gov. Malloy

There is still time to register for the last three workshops in the Reinvent Connecticut series, sponsored by the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

The workshops are designed to give small businesses a firsthand look at how the state can help them create jobs and expand their operations.

Participants will learn about the recent jobs legislation, as well as existing programs to assist Connecticut businesses.

Key provisions of the recently passed Jobs Bill include:

Small Business Express Program (EXP) – provides $100 million to help Connecticut’s small businesses access much-needed capital.

Job Expansion Tax Credit (JET) program – provides a tax credit $500 per month for each new employee or $900 per month for certain employees if they are disabled, unemployed or a veteran.

First Five program – was expanded so DECD can provide state assistance to five additional business development projects, for a total of 10, in 2012.

The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) – can establish additional airport development zones, similar to the zone near Bradley International Airport, around the state’s smaller airports. Businesses within these zones can be eligible for property tax exemptions and corporation business tax credits.

Manufacturing Reinvestment Account (MRA) program – was expanded to help even more small manufacturers in Connecticut invest more in their businesses.

Subsidized Training & Employment Program (STEP) – will provide funding to small businesses and small manufacturers for a portion of a worker’s employment costs, including training.

Increases by a total of up to $340 million in bonding for the state’s Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA).

Business entity tax – now collected every other year, rather than annually. This lowers the cost of doing business in Connecticut.

DECD has scheduled two webinars for those that cannot attend the final workshops. They will be held Jan. 18, 2012 from 9-10 a.m. and Jan. 19, 2012 from 1-2 p.m. (call 1-800-392-2122 for more information.)

DECD business specialists will be at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport on Jan. 5; the Four Points Sheraton in Meriden on Jan. 9; the Matrix Corporate Center in Danbury on Jan. 12; and the Branford Community House on Jan. 19.

Those interested in attending the remaining sessions should register in advance at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22DQSU2K9BX or call 800-392-2122 for more information.

“Since I took office, one of my primary goals has been to reconnect state government and the business community. One of the concerns I heard most was the feeling that government wasn’t listening – that it was disengaged from those it was supposed to be serving,” said Gov. Malloy. “That’s why these informational sessions are so important. It’s a way for business owners and other entrepreneurial-minded people to get the assistance they need and forge relationships with our business development team.

“These sessions provide an opportunity for citizens to sit down at a table with a professional, ask questions and have them answered immediately, and fill out applications on the spot. Small businesses are critical to the state’s economic recovery, and these types of personal gatherings are giving a face to a state agency that is critical to the growth of small businesses.”

Initiated Nov. 9, 2011 these sessions have been attended by about 800 people and have resulted in more than 144 applications for the state’s newest program called the Small Business Express Program (EXP).

Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Deputy Commissioner Ron Angelo have led more than 12 sessions across the state.

Posted Jan. 5, 2012

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Want to know more about beekeeping? Learn from the experts

The Eastern CT Beekeeping Association classes, held at UConn, will be a lecture and interactive series, focusing on honeybees and beekeeping, with emphasis on management for pollination and honey production. Photo source: cals.vt.edu

The Eastern Connecticut Beekeeping Association will lead an introductory beekeeping course for anyone with an interest in bees/beekeeping beginning Jan. 26, 2012 at the University of Connecticut Storrs campus. People who already have colonies are also invited to attend.

Classes will be held in the W.B. Young Building on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with registration held at 6 p.m. at the first class.

Class dates are Jan. 26, and Feb. 2, 9, 16 – and Feb. 23 is reserved as a snow date, in the event a class is cancelled. (If UConn is closed due to weather, class will not be held.)

The class will be a lecture and interactive series, focusing on honeybees and beekeeping, with emphasis on management for pollination and honey production.

The classes will be conducted by experienced beekeepers Adam Fuller from Hampton CT, Alex Nishball from Mansfield CT and Tim Grilley from Salem CT.

There is a $75 registration fee. The fee includes the class book, “The Backyard Beekeeper,” the class and a one-year membership in the Eastern Connecticut Beekeepers Association.

To register, click on this link (form is in PDF format) http://webpages.charter.net/nectar/ECBA/Bee_School_Reg_2012.pdf, complete the registration form and return it ASAP with a $75 check to: ECBA, P.O. Box 487, Tolland, CT 06084.

If you register by mail, the deadline is Jan. 15, 2012. You may also register in person at the first class if space is still available.

Posted Jan. 3, 2012

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