The Role of Constables in Connecticut

Santo Galatioto Jr. teaches history at Windsor Locks Public School in Connecticut. In addition, Santo Galatioto Jr. has served as a constable for the town of Orange, Connecticut, for the past 10 years. 

With a history dating back to the Roman Empire, the title of constable is one of the world's oldest law enforcement positions. In the United States, constables emerged during the Colonial era and have played an important role in American society since. Today, Connecticut and 22 other states have constables, but their duties and responsibilities vary throughout the country. 

Constables in Connecticut are either appointed or elected, and each type serves a specific function depending on local ordinances. In most cases, appointed constables handle general law enforcement duties while those elected to the position are responsible for carrying out sheriff-like civil tasks, such as serving court papers and tax warrants. 

Under Connecticut state law, constables are elected to the position during regular municipal elections every two years, and most towns can have up to seven constables at any given time. Once in office, elected constables are only paid when they perform a specific task. 

Appointed constables are less common. Today, they are typically found in Connecticut towns not served by state troopers or an organized police force.

Co-ed Offerings at Boy Scouts of America

Santo Galatioto Jr. has taught seventh- and eighth-grade history at Connecticcut’s Windsor Locks Public School since 2016. Beyond his professional pursuits, Santo Galatioto Jr. maintains membership in Holy Infant Church and supports organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America. 

In 2018, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) began welcoming girls into its Cub Scout program, which serves youth in kindergarten through the fifth grade. Although the decision to include both boys and girls in Cub Scouting is relatively new, the organization has been offering co-ed programming for more than four decades. 

For over 20 years, the BSA's Exploring and Venturing programs have been connecting young males and females with exciting activities that build character as well as leadership and life skills. The two programs give participants the opportunity to explore careers and various interests, including sports, community service, and science.

Alongside its other co=ed offerings, BSA will now give older girls the opportunity to earn the Eagle Scout rank through a program that begins in 2019. While the organization will continue to be known as Boy Scouts of America, the name of the program for older youth will be rebranded Scouts BSA to reflect that it welcomes both male and female Scouts. More information about BSA programming is available at www.scouting.org.

How Justices of the Peace Are Chosen and What They Do

For more than a decade, Santo Galatioto, Jr., has been working in the education industry. A social studies teacher, he has won several awards, including the Hamden High School Teacher of the Year award for the 2016-2017 school year. In addition to his work in academia, Santo Galatioto, Jr., serves as a justice of the peace in Connecticut.

In Connecticut, 169 towns and cities appoint a justice of the peace. Each municipality chooses two-thirds of their justices of the peace based on what major political party they are affiliated with. Because of this, one-third of justices of the peace belong to the Republican party and one-third belong to the Democratic party. 

The remaining third of justices of the peace are appointed based on the state’s gubernatorial results, with 80 percent of justices chosen from the political party associated with candidates for governor who received at least 20 percent of the vote in the previous election. Minor party electors then select the rest of the justices.

Many justices of the peace in Connecticut serve as wedding officiants. They help couples create the weddings they want and are usually willing to travel to whichever wedding venue the couple chooses. They are allowed to officiate weddings anywhere in the state.

Justices of the peace also take depositions and acknowledgements, and administer affirmations and oaths. Further, they are responsible for notarizing signatures.

The Benefits of Joining the Boy Scouts of America

Santo Galatioto Jr. is an education professional with more than a decade of experience. In 2016 he joined Windsor Locks Public School in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, as a teacher of seventh grade world history and eighth grade US history. Outside of his work as a teacher, Santo Galatioto Jr. supports local organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, where in his youth he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

There are a number of reasons for families to consider signing a child up for the Boy Scouts of America. To begin, scouting has been designed as an enjoyable experience for children. Boy Scout meetings and events provide youth with opportunities to overcome engaging challenges, make new friends, and develop an array of useful skills.

Joining Boy Scouts is also an effective method for developing strong character in a child. The organization strives to instill scouts with a number of positive values and ideals, from self respect to a desire to improve one’s community. Among these ideals is an understanding of the importance of family, regardless of the form it might take.

Last, the skills learned during a child’s time with the Boy Scouts can inspire a profession or lifelong passion. Badge requirements and special events address virtually all aspects of modern life, including academics, athletics, community engagement, outdoor survival and safety, and many other areas. More information about joining a local Boy Scouts of America chapter can be found online at www.scouting.org.