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12/28/2020 11:00 PMSome years will always be defined by an event, a challenge, a cultural reset that shapes millions of lives. 2020 had dozens of these moments, as residents saw loved ones and livelihoods lost to the pandemic and at the same time, banded together like never before to hold each other up during the most difficult of times.
Here is the 2020 year in review.
January
Guilford High School (GHS) senior Ellis Tibere is arrested on Jan. 7 and charged with attempted murder following a random knife attack in Westport.
The town holds a public information session on Jan. 13 for the Woodruff affordable housing development as that project moves toward a town meeting vote.
The Greater New Haven Chinese Community holds its annual New Year celebration at Guilford High School on Jan. 18
On Jan. 2, Democrat State Senator Christine Cohen announces her intention to seek a second term representing District 12. On Jan. 22, Republican newcomer Joe LaPorta announces his campaign to challenge Cohen.
Acclaimed director and writer John Sayles visits the Guilford Free Library to discuss his new book Yellow Earth on Jan. 30
February
Mo Pleasure, a former member member of Earth, Wind, and Fire with deep roots in town, holds a concert on Feb. 1 benefiting the Guilford ABC program, which for decades has allowed young women of color to attend school in Guilford.
On Feb. 4, the town overwhelming approves the transfer of land to New Haven-based developer NeighborWorks New Horizons to build an affordable housing community on the Woodruff Property near the train station.
In early February, Guilford Public Schools responds to significant community pressure by scheduling a community conversation for early March to discuss the GHS Indians mascot controversy along with a bevy of other equity and justice issues.
The Guilford Foundation announces a special fund honoring Janet Poss, one of Guilford’s most respected and accomplished politicians and leaders, who passed away in 2019.
On Feb. 29, acclaimed children’s book illustrator Jane Dyer visits Breakwater Books.
The GHS girls’ hockey team captures its first conference title.
March
Guilford merchants aim to revamp “Restaurant Week” to bring attention and business to local eateries from March 5 through 11.
In early March, the Board of Finance votes to send the budget to voters, up 3.12 percent or $3.14 million, with a proposed mill rate increase of 0.47.
In early March, Guilford Land Trust announces a major acquisition through a donation from the Bartlett family, preserving over 120 acres of land.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) makes its presence felt in Guilford and across the state. (See “Guilford Responds to the COVID Crisis” for complete COVID-19 reporting.) On March 10, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) announces the cancellation of winter sports tournaments, ending the season for those athletes. A week later, the spring sports season is postponed indefinitely.
On March 13, Guilford Public Schools announces it is closing for at least two weeks due to the burgeoning pandemic in a shared regional decision, sending students home with supplemental learning material and plans to reevaluate the closure by the end of the month.
On March 16, Governor Ned Lamont issues the first of many orders regarding the closures of restaurants and bars as Guilford eateries scramble to put together pickup and delivery options.
April
In early April, the town announces it will move forward with approval of the budget without a referendum, citing executive orders by Lamont around the pandemic.
The Guilford Poets Guild celebrates National Poetry Month remotely with a series of virtual events.
In late April, the town approves a tax deferment program for struggling residents to delay payments until July.
The Board of Finance approves a final budget on April 27 with an additional $300,000 in cuts, a $2.8 million or 2.75 percent increase over the previous year.
May
The Board of Finance sets a mill rate increase of 0.87 percent.
In late May, Jacobs Beach opens at reduced capacity as officials monitor social distancing and crowding. Lake Quonnipaug remains closed for the summer.
On May 26, Police Chief Jeff Hutchinson retires after 30 years as a Guilford police officer.
On May 18, State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98) is nominated to serve a fourth term by Democratic Party delegates.
In late May, the long-running water main project to bring potable, safe water to Mulberry Point and Tuttles Cove finishes the bulk of construction.
Dozens of residents gather on the green on May 31 to demand justice for George Floyd, a Black man killed by a police officer in Minnesota.
June
The Women & Family Life Center recognizes local women with the first iteration of the SHERO Awards on June 6.
On June 17, the Guilford High School Class of 2020 graduates in a hybrid drive-in ceremony at the Guilford Fairgrounds.
Guilford High School Principal Rick Misenti retires after 13 years leading the school.
After two hearings in late June, the Board of Education acts on the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Freeman and votes to end all use of the “Indians” mascot or moniker used at Guilford High School since 1949.
July
The town announces a preliminary estimate of a $1.1 million surplus for the previous fiscal year as Guilford appears to weather some of the worst financial effects of the pandemic.
Guilford Public Schools release the first outline for reopening on July 27 as across the state administrators grapple with how to bring students safely back during an ongoing pandemic.
Economic Development Coordinator Brian McGlone retires after almost a decade serving the town’s business community.
August
On Aug. 4, Tropical Storm Isaias rips through Guilford, knocking out power for almost 80 percent of the town. Local and state officials levy harsh criticism on Eversource for the slowness of restoration and cleanup efforts.
Grassroots activists form the Guilford Racial Equity Project and begin various outreach efforts, including movie screenings and fundraising.
On Aug. 27, another severe storm knocks out power for almost 2,000 residents, with a tornado detected in nearby towns.
September
Health Director Dennis Johnson retires on Sept. 4 after 20 years in Town Hall.
The CIAC cancels 11-on-11 football.
The Guilford Art Center reopens on Sept. 14 with help from the Guilford Foundation, with a hybrid offering of both virtual and in-person classes.
On Sept. 16, Guilford students attend class in-person for the first time since March, with the district reopening in a hybrid model while planning for full five day school weeks in October.
In mid-September, the Guilford Fair holds a virtual event with judges awarding prizes in various traditional categories.
The town begins publicly discussing a large-scale restructuring of town properties, including moving Public Works, in response to a report by the Facilities Committee earlier in the year.
On Sept. 26, the Guilford Police Department sees a tremendous response to its second annual gun buyback event held in conjunction with the Song Strong Foundation, collecting almost 200 weapons.
October
In early October, local developer Chris Widmer breaks ground on a new affordable and energy efficient housing complex on State Street.
Schools announce they will not return to full in-person instruction on Oct. 19 as originally planned, citing state and nation-wide surges in virus cases.
Geno Auriemma joins a virtual version of “Men Who Cook,” the Women & Family Life Center’s fall fundraiser, on Oct. 25.
In late October, the Community Center begins offering weekly drive-through lunches to seniors, a program which they plan to continue through January.
November
The Nov. 3 Presidential election sees almost 90 percent turnout with plenty of absentee voting as Guilford residents make their voices heard during the pandemic. Democrats Christine Cohen and Sean Scanlon are both re-elected, with Scanlon running unopposed
On Nov. 4, both boys and girls’ cross country squads take home division titles, with the girls also winning a conference crown.
The Guilford girls’ soccer team wins a division title, beating Branford at home on Nov. 13 to secure it.
Guilford superintendent Dr. Paul Freeman is named Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.
In late November, students vote on a shortlist of new mascot names for the high school.
The Guilford Foundation announces it has paid out almost $140,000 to people in need, after initially aiming to raise just $20,000 for a covid relief fund.
The town discusses a potential costly replacement of the Lake Quonnipaug Dam, which has seen leaks and other structural challenges in recent months.
December
Schools announce in early December that “Grizzlies” has been chosen as the new mascot for Guilford High School, chosen by a student vote.
The Wishing Wheels fundraiser, which gifts new bikes for the holidays, collects and distributes a record number in its fourth year.
The town announces plans to add context to documents displayed in Town Hall that detail a purchase agreement between early colonizers and indigenous people from the 17th century.
Guilford teen Ellis Tibere, on home confinement for a random stabbing attack back in January, is arrested again on Dec. 21 after removing his monitoring bracelet and leaving his house.