Hamden|News|
Hamden Public Works Christmas Tree Pickup Starts Monday
Only real trees will be collected -- artificial trees will be picked up during the bulk trash pickup in April.

kathleen.ramunni@patch.com
Phone
203.654-0466
Hometown
Hamden, Conn.
Birthday
April 15
Bio
Kate Ramunni grew up in Hamden and has lived in the northern section of town since 2002. She attended Alice Peck School, Sleeping Giant Jr. High School and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy.
Kate began her journalism career with Hometown Publications, where she was the founding editor of the Hamden Journal. From there she covered the Naugatuck Valley for the Connecticut Post for 12 years before coming to Patch.
Kate is an animal lover and spends her free time working with rescue groups to help find homes for homeless dogs. She has several dogs of her own, most of whom were adopted from area animal shelters.
Kate can be reached at kathleen.ramunni@patch.com or at (203) 654-0466.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
Since moving back to Hamden in 2002 I have been registered as a Democrat, but only so that I could vote in the Democratic primaries for mayor. I agree with the Republican Party on some issues and with the Democrats on others.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I am Roman Catholic and it is a very important part of my life.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Hamden today is a very different town than it was when I was growing up. The population has grown and in many ways so have the problems. Like most communities, Hamden's greatest challenge is providing services at a cost affordable to taxpayers. The potential for economic growth is mostly limited to what is already in place because there is little open space left available for development. Therefore, town officials have limited options in attracting new revenue.
Only real trees will be collected -- artificial trees will be picked up during the bulk trash pickup in April.

The service is available to low- and middle-income Hamden residents.
Funding proposals solicited from agencies serving older adults or their caregivers.
A look at some of the job listings from the past week in and around the Cheshire area.
A look at some of the job listings from the past week in and around the Hamden area.
She worked for 42 years at the CT Agricultural Experiment Station, 33 of which as secretary to the director.
The dinner is in May, but the deadline for nominations is Feb. 3.
She retired from the town of Hamden after 21 years as secretary to the Hamden Fire Chief.
No one was injured, but a parked car was shot up, according to police.
Snow cancelled last week's meeting, which will be held tonight at Dodd Middle School.
Mr. Pawlow was the Director at Goodwin Technical School in New Britain. He was a former member of C.S.E.A and an avid Dallas Cowboys and Boston Red Sox fan.
Hamden man nabbed in Milford on theft and drug charges.
Easton is known for its scenic beauty, but it is among several towns where the power company wants to cut trees away from power lines to avoid outages.
Hamden Middle School Principal Dan Levy, Hamden Firefighter Kevin Martin and Hamden Police Sgt. Michael Doherty are this year's honorees.
Services are Tuesday at Hamden Memorial Funeral Home.
Fire crews from all over the Valley and beyond responded to the fire that led to several collapses.