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Congrats

State Senator Donald E. Williams Jr. congratulates Betty Hale of the Newell D. Hale Foundation on the milestone last week --- Putnam transferring 15 acres to the Regional Community YMCA project. In addition, he gave her a state citation for her work on the state's arts council. Courtesy photo.

 

Transfer

Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano, center, and Greater Hartford YMCA CEO and President James O'S Morton, sign the document transferring 15 acres to the Regional Community YMCA project as selectman Alma Mowry looks on. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

Next Y

milestone

is done

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM ---  Northeastern Connecticut "witnessed another step" in the Regional Community YMCA movement last week with an early Christmas gift: The town transferred 15 acres of property to the project.

While James O'S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford said he's hoping for a groundbreaking for the 46,000-square foot facility Jan. 22, the contractor selected to build the bridge from Kennedy Drive into the property, is still waiting for one last permit from the state.

Morton,  Mayor Tony Falzarano, the selectmen and members of the local Board of Advisers for the project all signed the document.

Campaign Counsel Ronald P. Coderre likened the grassroots effort for the YMCA to the effort made by Mrs. Marcus Kimball in 1894 to get a local hospital.

Falzarano is one of four mayors who have been a part of the ongoing effort. Former mayors Daniel S. Rovero (now a state representative) and Pete Place attended. Only former mayor Bob Viens was absent. "We finally have a merry Christmas," Falzarano said.

Morton told those attending that he's thankful for the Board of Advisers who "asked the hard questions"  He added "Thank you for your effort to give the community what it deserves ." He called working with them a positive and amazing experience and "everyone should be very proud."

"Plain and simple," he said, "thank you to all of you."

Outgoing State Senator Donald E. Williams Jr. said it was a privilege to work with all those involved who are making the community better. He called the YMCA project a legacy. "It's important not just to the town, but to the entire region," he said.  "This will put northeast Connecticut on the map," he added, raising the quality of life. 

Laurence Hale, of the Newell D. Hale Foundation and the advisers, called it a "huge milestone for us."

The facility will contain a warm pool, a whirlpool and a lap pool, plus a multipurpose room, a multipurpose room - aerobics, mens' and women's lockers and special needs family lockers, offices, a gym, a wellness center, a child watch, Amazing Kids room and a teen center.

The total project cost is $14.6 million and $13.3 million has been collected to date including: $3 million from the Hale Foundation, $3.745 million from a state grant secured by Williams, $4 million anticipated from the YMCA organization and $2.6 million in pledges from community fund-raising (goal is $2.85 million).