Pomfret residents OK both budgets
POMFRET — It was standing room only at Pomfret’s 312th Annual Town Meeting. Close to 300 residents approved the 2025-2026 General Government and Board of Education budgets. The mill rate increase on the median home in Pomfret will be $740 per year.
The General Government budget passed by a vote of 210 yes to 72 no. The budget is $3,437,510, an increase of $54,414 or 1.61 percent over the current fiscal year.
The education budget passed by 190 yes to 92 no. The $11,722,872 spending plan is a 3.72 percent increase of $371,633. The ballot had advisory questions and space for comments for the Board of Finance.
Because of the revaluation the mill rate went up to 20.74. The mill rate was reduced by almost a mill by using funds from the Board of Education non-lapsing fund and the Town’s general fund in the amount of $455,000.00.
First Selectman Maureen Nicholson said "This was a difficult budget year and I’m sure future budgets will be challenging. We have to start now to find ways to control future spending. The tax increases are not sustainable.”
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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.
No arrests May 22 through May 28.
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Woodstock girls' tennis team picked up 1 win in tourney
The Woodstock Academy girls’ tennis team not only qualified for the Class L state tournament this spring, it also picked up a victory.
The 14th-seeded Centaurs were able to down No. 19 Torrington on Friday.
Woodstock was supposed to take on No. 3 Middletown on Saturday but has been the case all spring, rain got in the way.
The two teams did get on the court on Sunday afternoon with host Middletown taking the 5-2 victory to advance to the state quarterfinals.
The Centaurs saw their season come to a close with a 9-7 record.
“The highlights of the season had to be getting a state tournament victory and having five players chosen as ECC All-Stars,” said first-year coach Dena Cocozza O’Hara.
The Centaurs took the early lead against Torrington when Wynter Worth posted a straight set 6-2, 6-2 victory over Ainslee Campbell.
Gianna Musumeci followed with a hard fought 7-6 (8-6) , 6-2 win over Torrington’s Ellie Goodwin.
O’Hara said she was also happy with those who stepped up and had to fill the shoes of third singles player Kerrigan Reynolds who was unable to play.
Madilyne Ead got the nod on Friday and even though she did not score a victory, she did force Samra Babic to three sets before falling 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.
Katie Bruce also went the distance, losing in fourth singles in three sets.
But the Centaurs would pick up the victory thanks to their second and third doubles teams.
Delilah Kesselman and Catherine Trudeau came out on top in their match 6-2, 6-1 and the duo of Mariia Oliinyk and Emma Morrison also posted a victory to give the Centaurs the narrow win.
The Centaurs traveled to the middle of the state on Sunday and picked up a victory each in singles and doubles.
Musumeci posted a 6-2, 6-1 victory at second singles and the second doubles team of Kesselman and Trudeau were victorious again with a 6-2, 6-4 decision.
The Centaurs also will be losing only three seniors, Linnea Barlow, Abby Budd and Kate Bruce to graduation.
Worth did pick up a win early in the week at the ECC girls tennis tournament.
Worth, seeded No. 6 in the singles, downed Tori Campisi of Waterford, 8-2, in the first round. Unfortunately, she lost to third-seeded Valentina Schiano of East Lyme, 3-6, 2-6 in the quarterfinals.
Musumeci lost in the first round to Madison Beaulieu of Fitch, 8-3.
In doubles, Budd and Barlow lost their first-round match to Veronica Castro and Nina McKiernan of East Lyme, 8-3, and Trudeau and Kesselman were upended by Stonington’s Addison Fulling and Madelyn McAdams by that same 8-3 score in a first-round contest.
Worth was named an ECC Div. II girls’ tennis All-Star in singles. Barlow, Budd, Trudeau and Kesselman were named All-Stars in doubles. Musumeci was an honorable mention selection.
Kennedy Xeller is the girls' tennis team ECC Scholar-Athlete and Reynolds was the recipient of the team’s ECC Sportsmanship Award.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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Richard E. Tremblay, U.S. Army veteran
POMFRET CENTER — Richard E. Tremblay, 84, of Brook Front Lane, died May 30, 2025, at Westview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. He was the loving and devoted husband of the late Lorraine H. (Tercjak) Tremblay for 57 years. Born in 1940 in N. Grosvenordale, he was the son of the late Ralph E. Tremblay Sr. and Anna (Demers) Tremblay.
Mr. Tremblay worked for National Propane as a truck driver. He was an Army Veteran stationed in Germany for two years. Richard was a life-long fan of all New England sports teams and rarely missed watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots which he enjoyed doing with his son. His knowledge of sports trivia was unmatched. He was a past-president, coach, and umpire of Thompson Minor, Little, and Senior leagues, having been a mentor to many young players throughout his years of dedication. One of his favorite things to do was to take in a Paw Sox game with his wife, family and friends, and nothing gave him greater joy than going out to dinner and sharing a meal with those he loved. Prior to health issues, Richard and Lorraine travelled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. They held these memories dear to their hearts. Richard had an uncanny knack for remembering the names of anyone he met and was interested in learning all about them. As much as he would not want it stated here, that was part of his incredible charm and humor! He made a lasting impression on everyone he met.
He leaves his son Todd Tremblay, and his partner Anne Douglas of Thompson, his daughter, Tracy Tremblay, and her partner Paul Brockett of New London; his sister-in-law, Pauline Laprade (Norman) of Washington, N.H.; and a grandson. He was predeceased by his brothers, Ralph Tremblay Jr. and Ronald Tremblay.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. June 6 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Richard’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kerri Sauer, Dr. Botta, and the devoted staff at Westview Healthcare for their exceptional care and love that they showed him this past year. Many became like family over the years that their mother resided there, and this past year Richard was in their loving care. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, Main Street, N. Grosvenordale.
Lucille A. Herrick
PUTNAM — Lucille A. Herrick, 86, of Putnam, died May 21, 2025 at her home in Putnam. She was born July 21, 1938, in Putnam, daughter of the late Armand and Jeanette (Benac) LaCombe. She was the wife of the late John Herrick; he died March 25, 1995.
Lucille was a very strong woman, independent woman and was still working until about two months ago. She worked for 40 years as the First District Clerk for Putnam’s Special District. Lucille was a big sports fan and cheered for the Red Sox, Patriots and UConn. She was very generous with family and really enjoyed a good restaurant. Lucille loved spending time with her family out at her place on Cape Cod. She enjoyed playing Bingo at Foxwoods.
She leaves her sons Kendall Herrick of Nashua, N.H., and Randy Herrick (Angela) of Putnam; her daughter Cindy Herrick of Eastham, Mass.; her grandchildren Emily Daniels, Jack Herrick and Kaleb Herrick; her sisters Joan Brewer and Barbara Page; her brother Armand LaCombe (Nadine). She was predeceased by a brother Richard LaCombe.
The Mass of Christian Burial was May 30 St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam, with burial in Grove Street Cemetery after the Mass. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, Putnam.
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