Some things are as predictable as the rising and setting of the sun. And one of those things, at least when it came to Cheshire's school budgets, was Republican Board Member Alan Sobol's opposition to what he considered wasteful spending on education.

But when the Cheshire board convenes in December, Sobol won't be on it. After serving on the board for 12 years, he did not seek re-election this fall and attended his last meeting earlier this month.

Sobol's opposition to wasteful spending on education didn't mean that he rejected everything. He frequently championed the cause of the district's program for gifted and talented students during budget deliberations.

But as enrollments in Cheshire's schools shrunk over the last, Sobol frequently railed against the number of teachers in the district, saying it didn't reflect the realities of providing a solid education in financially trying times.

Board Chairman Gerry Brittingham praised Sobol's efforts on behalf of the town's children.

"Alan has given freely of himself and his time," Brittingham said. "He deserves residents' heartfelt thanks for his efforts."

Almost 24 hours after the race for Cheshire's 4th District Town Council seat between Peter Talbot (shown at left) and Steve Carroll (right) ended in a dead heat, it's still not clear when we will have a definitive answer on who the winner is.

Talbot, who is a Democrat, said Wednesday night he has been told that a review of the calculations done by election workers found two votes cast for him at the Norton School polling place that were not counted Tuesday night.

But Talbot said he's still waiting to find out when a full-fledged recount will take place. All of the ballots cast in the race will be rescanned through a voting machine when that happens.

"This is a real roller coaster ride," Talbot said.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Ernie DiPietro said he hasn't heard when and recount would take place. DiPietro said he expects that decision will be made Thursday.

Further complicating scheduling a recount is the fact that all municipal government offices will be closed on Friday in honor of Veteran's Day, he said.

Neither Carroll nor Republican Town Committee Adam Grippo were available for comment on the recount Wednesday evening.

Some sections of Cheshire are still without power. As of 9:30 a.m., just under 2,500 Connecticut Light & Power customers in town remained in the dark.

But for the first time since last weekend's snow storm hit, Cheshire public schools are open.

Fire Chief Jack Casner, the town's emergency management director (shown at left), said Thursday night that schools are opening this morning with a 90-minute delay. Casner said the town's emergency shelter will continue at the high school through Saturday morning.

Residents looking to dispose of storm debris will have to wait a little while longer, though.

Casner said officials are planning a curbside pick of the debris, but can't set a date until the Town Council approves the expenditure need to fund it. That's scheduled to occur sometime next week, he said.

Jack Casner, the town's Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director, said that power has been restored to 43 percent of the 11,236 customers that Connecticut Light & Power has in Cheshire.

But because Town Hall is without power tonight, all community meetings scheduled for there are canceled.

Casner said Cheshire High School (shown at left) will be open once again Tuesday night for people whose homes are still without power. In addition to a place to sleep and stay warm, the emergency shelter has limited shower facilities and is providing light meals.

The school also has a station set up where residents can recharge cell phones, laptop computers and other communication devices, according to Lt. Jim Fasano, a Cheshire Police spokesman.

Fasano said three CL&P work crews were removing fallen trees and other debris from three major roads in town on Tuesday:

- Route 42 as it makes its way up Bethany Mountain.

- Jinny Hill Road.

- Wallingford Road, where a fallen tree took down an electrical wire.

Casner said CL&P has not yet provided estimates concerning when service will be restored across the remainder of town.

The town's Public Library has no power and will remain closed through at least Wednesday, Casner said. A decision will be announced on Wednesday on whether the high school will remain closed after then to accommodate resident whose homes are without power.