Pomfret’s ‘Season of the Bridges’
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
POMFRET — It might be spring elsewhere but for Pomfret it’s the season of the bridges.
First Selectman Maureen Nicholson said her goal is to get the town’s infrastructure handled to offer as “much longevity as possible.”
Needle Eye Road
The small bridge on Needle Eye Road is closed again. Victim of unseen water problems - again. A sink hole - again. The pavement collapsed - again. Déjà vu.
In July of 2024 that bridge was closed after “renegade” water flow washed away the material under the bridge deck. A sink hole developed and then the pavement collapsed. Experts did everything they could, she said, based on what they could see, to come up with the reconstruction plan then. Now, off the downstream side of the bridge, fill material has washed into the intermittent brook.
From July to October 2024 Nicholson said crews lined the culvert under the bridge, shored up the dam wall and a cutout in the concrete wall that was poured redirected water to the fixed culvert. The stone bridge walls were made higher and were stabilized with concrete. She said they had to explore what was needed between the road surface and what’s below, toward the culvert. They had to see how much erosion had taken place and replace the material. Back then Nicholson said they believe, years ago, a crack developed in the culvert and the sand between the culvert and the road surface flowed through the crack and into the formerly flowing water, leaving a void that resulted in the sinkhole in the road’s surface in July. The bridge was reopened in late October.
Water is a mysterious, ever changing thing. Construction affects water. A pond upstream is gone; Algonquin Gas moved its pipe. Water goes wherever it wants. “We’re still exploring drainage issues,” she said. The problem is “somewhere we can’t see. We can’t see where the water is coming in or out.”
Day Road Bridge
A virtual meeting on the upcoming Day Road Bridge replacement was held recently, she said, and residents, mostly neighbors on that road, voiced their opinions, she said.
Some feared that putting a slightly larger bridge there would encourage more speed and noise in the neighborhood. However Nicholson said Day Road is not a major road to anywhere in particular and she doesn’t see that worry coming to fruition. “It’s still the same passage. I do not think it will look or feel any different,” she said.
Plans call for eliminating the weight restriction and the scour critical condition, widening the roadway. The bridge crosses the Wappoquia Brook. There will be a 2.6-mile detour. Construction is expected to start in the spring 2028 and the cost is estimated at $3.2 million.
Taft Pond Bridge
April 1 Taft Pond Road was closed and a 6-mile detour was set.
The state Department of Transportation declared that bridge “in poor condition” and ordered it replaced. Scour is a critical problem around the bridge abutments. Scour results when vicious storm water washes away some of the soil at the base of the bridge supports.
Prep work has involved the removal of dozens of trees on both sides of Taft Pond Road. The clearing is required because the road and the bridge are being raised slightly and the bridge will be slightly wider and longer. This will allow solid abutments to be tied into bedrock — no longer victim to scour.
“Major storms had eroded the support behind the abutments,” Nicholson said.
According to the contract, NJR Construction LLC of Torrington has 244 days to complete the work. If they hit that number, Nicholson said the bridge will be finished before winter.
Looking Ahead
Nicholson said all the bridge projects are 100 percent covered, 80 percent by federal funds and 20 percent in state funds. Originally the total grant coverage was 80 percent, she said, but towns could not afford the 20 percent so the grant formula was changed. It makes sense to get them done while there’s 100 percent funding.
.
Aspinock Memories
The hard-fought history of Putnam's recreation park
ByTerri Pearsall, AHS Curator
In the early part of the century, the Little River and adjacent land was a popular place where people enjoyed themselves fishing and swimming during the summer months. Four areas along the river were favored spots. One was Stony Bottom located above the park. Another was Tourtellotte’s area (the land surrounding and around the old armory) where the pool used to be located. Good Gill was located below the park and City Point was the area where Rt. 44 crosses over a small bridge over the river on the road to Day Kimball Hospital.
As early as 1901, it was suggested that the land in the Tourtellotte area, that was used to graze the cattle, be purchased by the town to be used for public recreation and as a playground for the children of Putnam. It would take another 35 years before it became a reality.
In September of 1935 a meeting was held at which time Francis H. Murphy, the mayor of Putnam, announced that a campaign to raise funds for a city Recreation Field was in the planning stage. A grant by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), an agency of the government to promote jobs, would provide the funds needed for supplies and workers. The town would be responsible for raising the money to purchase the property from Henry A. Keach for $6,000. Despite an organized effort to raise funds, it only netted $2,000. This matter was again brought up at the annual Town Budget Meeting on March 3, 1936. A discussion ensued regarding the appropriation of the balance by the town.
Headlines in the local paper on March 4, 1936: Packed City Meeting Completely Routs Opposition to Recreation Field Fund.
Attorney William Perry Barber and John Hogan led the attack and questioned the wisdom of obtaining a grant. Attorneys Jean Bachand, Archibald Macdonald and Jack Cronin laid down a barrage of oratory in favor of the project completely silencing objectors.
Thanks to the voters of Putnam who crowded the hall to the aisles and backed up the mayor’s proposal, the project moved on towards completion. The people of Putnam took an interest in the project as large numbers visited the site under construction to note the progress being made.
There were three projects going on at once. A new street from Woodstock Avenue by Delisle’s Garage, where the Putnam Candy Company used to be (Woodstock Building Associates is now in that location), around the base of the hill in the park to Vandale Street. Another street was built from Sabin Street through the park to connect Keech Street; however, we know it today as Recreation Park Road. A new cement bridge was constructed from Sabin Street over the Little River.
The skating rink was built in the early winter and the people of the city enjoyed fine skating. Remnants of the small dam can still be seen behind the old armory.
The plans called for a playground, baseball and football fields and a swimming pool which was formed by building another dam across the river. If you walk around the park today, you can see that they accomplished what they set out to do. Adding new things such as the soccer field and removing others, such as the skating rink.
Back in 1936, when the project was completed, it filled a gap that had been needed since the city limits were incorporated in 1894/95. The people at that time gave this park to their children and the children of generations to come.
Aspinock Memories graces the pages of the Putnam Town Crier to keep Putnam’s history alive.
caption:
It was Tourtellotte park in the beginning. Photo donated to the Aspinock Historical Society by Violet Trudeau.
..
Espinosa makes PHS history with All-State Honors
PUTNAM --- In a season filled with remarkable achievements, Putnam High School freshman basketball player TJ Espinosa has etched his name into the record books, becoming the first freshman boys’ basketball player in school history to earn All-State honors.
Espinosa, a standout point guard for the Clippers, delivered a sensational debut season, showcasing skill, leadership, and maturity beyond his years. He averaged an impressive 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals per game, leading the team in scoring, assists, three-point field goals made, three-point percentage, and free-throw percentage.
One of the most unforgettable moments of Espinosa’s season came on Jan. 20 against Lyman, when he recorded the first quadruple-double in Putnam High history. His stat line was nothing short of extraordinary: 21 points, 18 assists, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals. His 18 assists also tied a school record that had stood for nearly 50 years, previously set by Bob Chenail.
Espinosa continued to rewrite the record books throughout the season. He shot an outstanding 85 percent from the free-throw line, converting 91 of 107 attempts, and set a new single-season record for three-point field goals made with 57, surpassing the previous mark of 56 held by Peter Vitale. He also posted a season-high 36 points in a January matchup.
Basketball excellence runs in the Espinosa family. TJ’s father, Tom Espinosa, was a two-time
All-State selection for Putnam High in 1996 and 1997, making TJ’s accomplishment even more special.
Head coach Shawn Deary had high praise for his young star. “TJ arguably had the greatest freshman season in Putnam High history,” Deary said. “He brought the Clippers to another level with his work ethic—not just in games, but in practice. I’m really
excited to see what the future holds for TJ and the Clippers in the coming years.”
In addition to his All-State recognition, Espinosa was also named First Team All-League in the ECC.
Espinosa and the rest of Connecticut’s All-State selections will be honored April 21,
capping off a historic season for one of the state’s brightest young talents.
.
The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.
March 23
David George Mossy, 38, Lowell Davis Road, Thompson; use of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance, 2nd offense.
March 25
Sara Bernier, 26, Powhattan Street, Putnam; failure to respond to infraction.
March 26
Ryan Patrick Hurley, 34, Griswold Lane, Amston; failure to appear first degree pending charges.
March 27
Santos Sanchez, 31, Grove Street, Putnam; false statement, second-degree conspiracy to commit false incident report.
March 28
Gage Wilson Hitchew, 21, Van den Noort Street; traveling unreasonably fast, illegal operation motor vehicle under influence alcohol/drug.
.