City Merging More Departments, Watch Out for Tow Trucks!

Editor's Note: Middletown Patch is beginning a new weekday feature that will give you tidbits of information that you need to know about town. Check back daily for news you can use and pass along to your neighbors.

Here is your Daily Five for Middletown. To be considered for future columns, enter your event into our calendar or post it on Middletown Patch's boards here.

• The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award, which is presented to a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces in recognition of his or her distinguished service to the citizens of Connecticut, and selfless commitment to public service. For details on submitting your pick, see here.

• Watch out if you park your car at the Metro Square lot and don't patronize one of the businesses surrounding it. Middletown Police have towed 240 cars there since Jan. 1.

• Sixteen-year deputy town clerk Linda Bettencourt was chosen by Mayor Dan Drew to lead the department, replacing recently retired 30-year Town Clerk Sandra Russo-Driska.

• Last week's Ordinance Study Commission took up the mayor's task force on city reorganization recommendation to merge the parks department with public works, and move the recreation department in with senior services, creating a recreation and community services department. Upon the completion of the Eckersley-Hall Senior Center, the latter would be under one roof.

• Did you know the city arts commission has a website dedicated solely to events, attractions, resources, dining and other arts-related opportunities in Middletown? See arts2go.org for information or to add your own upcoming events.