family pg 1 6-6-24
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Family, land
trust partner
to protect
property
POMFRET CENTER --- A remarkable collaboration concluded in May when the Wyndham Land Trust protected 227-acres of Townshend family land off Ragged Hill Road in Pomfret. The partnership started in 2000 with the family donating 2.6 acres to the Land Trust. The final result, 24 years later, is protection by the Land Trust of 1018 acres of valuable habitat for plants and animals, including extensive wetlands. The property also contains miles of hiking trails for the community to enjoy.
In the late 1950s, Henry “Harry” Townshend was looking for a place where he could enjoy his passion for hunting and fishing, and he and his wife Deb accrued the Pomfret land. The property soon became a cornerstone of their family, where their five children spent many happy hours exploring the woods. The family kept horses and rode on the extensive trail system that was created to support dog field-trials.
“Dad loved the outdoors and his hobbies of hunting, fishing, and field-trials,” said Nancy Townshend-Vess speaking on behalf of the family. “But I think the biggest reason he liked the outdoors was the solitude it brought him. The properties he bought in Pomfret were all places of solitude.
“The Townshend family is very pleased with all of our transactions with the Wyndham Land Trust over the past few years. Land manager Andy Rzeznikiewicz eased us over the process and took the time to thoroughly explain our options. The family feels that their land has passed over into good hands and will be meaningfully sustained for the community for generations.
“I’m glad we were able to fulfill, not only Wyndham’s Land Trust’s goal, but also our family’s wish to memorialize our parents. Our parents loved nature and history, both of which are bountiful on this property. Every person walking along the trails, taking in the beauty and grace of the fern-covered forest and babbling brooks, is paying homage to Harry and Deb Townshend who so loved their land.
Residents of the Town of Pomfret also appreciated the value of the new parcel to the community and voted to provide funding towards its protection.
“The Town of Pomfret is fortunate to partner with the Wyndham Land Trust for the acquisition and preservation of our open space,” said first-selectman Maureen Nicholson. “Together we have, and can continue to make, significant progress in keeping Pomfret green, beautiful, and a great place to live. Maintaining the quality of life and our exceptional dedication to preserving the natural environment for generations to come is best accomplished collaborating with the great stewards at Wyndham Land Trust.”
The Townshend family supported equestrian events on their property, and the Land Trust will continue that tradition. Treasurer Penny Foisey is organizing the second annual Ride for Open Space on July 21, and the seven-mile ride will weave its way along existing trails in the Nightingale Forest.
“The protection of the final piece is a culmination of one of the Land Trust’s long-range plans,” said Foisey. “It’s a great accomplishment we are all very proud of, and we’re extremely grateful to the Townshend family. You’ll find a vast network of trails that will delight those who venture out on foot or horseback.”
The acquisition was made possible by generous donations from Land Trust members and by grants from the State of Connecticut DEEP Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA), the Bafflin Foundation, the Summerhill Foundation, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) and the Town of Pomfret.
(map): The Wyndham Land Trust Nightingale Forest stretches from Pomfret to Woodstock and protects almost 1500 acres, including the former Townshend family property
Open woodlands in the Nightingale Forest provide valuable early successional habitat for threatened breeding birds
Harry and Deb Townshend in 1965
Photos courtesy of the Wyndham Land Trust and the Townshend family.
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Pomfret pg 1 6-6-24
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caption:
Welcome, EV Chargers
The town of Pomfret cut the ribbon on two of its 10 EV chargers last week. From left: Charlie Tracy, chair of the Economic Development Commission; Elle Sherman, executive director of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce; First Selectman Maureen Nicholson; Joe Carlone, president of the chamber; Andi Laemmel and Don Potter from Titan Energy and Mark Scribner, Pomfret resident and EV expert. Linda Lemmon photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
POMFRET — Pomfret cut the ribbon and took a step into the future last week.
Ten EV chargers were recently installed in Pomfret, all along main roads. Last week EV experts, town officials and more cut the ribbon at the two fast-chargers at Town Hall.
First Selectman Maureen Nicholson said it was a “very steep learning curve” for her but she’s glad Pomfret now has a huge EV charging program. Mark Scribner, a Pomfret resident and EV expert who helped the town’s program, said it’s not really complicated — “ a kid goes to put gas in a car and the first time it seems complicated.” This is the same thing — just the first time.
There are two at the Pomfret Community Center and two at the Pomfret Public Library. There are also four at the Pomfret Community School. The two at the town hall are the only fast chargers. Nicholson said she felt lucky — 24 hours after the town was awarded an Eversource grant for the fast chargers, the program was canceled.
Scribner said key to a successful EV charger program are the four “P’s”: People, place, product and price.
The all-important price setting, he said, is a lot like a “Goldilocks” approach. The price can’t be too high nor too low. The prices set at Pomfret’s are just right in his estimation. Apple to apples, he said the equivalent in “gasoline language” would be around $2 per gallon.
Northeastern Chamber of Commerce president Joe Carlone said the chargers will draw people to Pomfret. It will help promote commerce. “This is building commerce.”
Andi Laemmel and Don Potter from Titan Energy New England thanked Pomfret for shepherding EV chargers into the area.
Recalling the old signs at gas stations on the way to the Cape, Nicholson joked that she should put up a sign “Last EV charge before the Cape.”
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Tennis pg 1 6-6-24
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Tennis courts,
plus, will
be redone
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — In late summer or early fall, depending on the Highway Department’s schedule, residents will see the rebirth of the town’s tennis court complex.
Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said the Board of Finance recently approved spending $160,000 on the project.
She said one of the three tennis courts will become a pickle ball court. The basketball court will also be redone.
She said the Highway Department will do the asphalt part of the project. Fencing will be replaced, as will the nets. And there will be painting. The materials and some of the work and the disposal will cost about $160,000.
The pickle ball court will be closest to Church Street.
She believes that the courts have been there for decades. She said some folks remember the courts being flooded for ice skating.
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up pg 1 6-6-24
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Up Close ...
... and personal. The kickoff of the Putnam Saturday Farmers Market June 1 was a success. More photos on page 6. An expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.
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