Commuter lot changes underway

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Work began on the Kennedy Drive commuter lot revamp last week with Advance Resources putting in catch basins, piping and more to handle storm water. Currently the entrance closest to the former Eversource property is closed.
According to the plans approved by the town’s Inland-Wetlands Commission in August 2023:
The commission approved a plan to improve storm water quality. Currently the lot is curbed and the runoff is directed to a 1,250-gallon oil/water separator tank that, until recently, the town was unaware of. It had not been pumped or cleaned since it was installed more than 20 years ago, sending the water into the Quinebaug River, according to J&D Civil Engineers of Thompson. 
The 2-acre lot is about 65 percent impervious, according to J&D.
The commission approved J&D’s plan to remove the curbing in the redesign which will allow parking lot runoff to “sheet flow” into a crushed stone infiltration swale and trench parallel to Kennedy Drive. J&D said: “In addition a new catch basin will be installed at the end of the existing River Trail municipal lot north of the infiltration basin. It will intercept runoff and direct it to the infiltration basin instead of the runoff flowing into Kennedy Drive. Therefore, this runoff will also be fully treated prior to entering the (Quinebaug” river.”
The improvement of storm water quality going into the river will meet the requirements of the 2004 CT DEEP Storm water Quality Manual, J&D said.
J&D’s report said: “Also, in warm weather when water levels in the river are low, the temperature of the runoff will be cooler than the existing condition which sends water straight from the hot asphalt to the river. This is better for the fish and river ecosystem.”
The old storm water tank has been removed and now work is continuing on building the new storm water system.
The lot was constructed after the Flood of 1955, Mayor Barney Seney said last year. The town bought the land from the American Legion.
Currently the lot has 112 spaces and plans call for, with all phases completed, 191 and that will include 15 electric vehicle charging stations. Seney said he hoped that two of those could be fast-charging stations, he said. 
“I think this lot will address any parking needs for now and in the future,” Seney added.
The lot will be redesigned with the entrance nearest the busy Rt. 44/Kennedy Drive intersection being closed. The official entrance will go in further down Kennedy Drive, near the commuter lot/Eversource parcel “border.” Plans call for landscaping, EV charging stations and more.

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Espinosa hitshis 500th career win

Over the weekend, Putnam Science Academy went 3-0, capping off their appearance at the IMG Sunshine Prep Showcase in style as Head coach Tom Espinosa achieved his 500th career win.
For Espinosa, winning is nothing new. Over nearly two decades, he has methodically built the PSA program into a perennial powerhouse, a team known for its dominance on the national prep basketball stage. 
Since 2018 alone, Espinosa’s Mustangs have claimed four National Prep Championships (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023). This past year, they made the championship game as well.  Espinosa has won 13 league Championships during his tenure and in 2022 Espinosa was named National Coach of the Year.  
Under Espinosa’s guidance, Putnam Science has become a factory for elite basketball talent, producing a steady stream of high-major recruits and future professional players. 
Names like Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), Baye Ndongo (Georgia Tech), Oswin Erhunmwunse (Providence) and current Miami commit Ben Ahmed only scratch the surface of the program’s recent developmental successes. Numerous players have matriculated to the Division I level after playing with the program.
What makes Espinosa’s journey even more remarkable is the foundation upon which it was built. The Putnam Science Academy basketball program didn’t even exist until 2006. 
Espinosa was handed the reins as the first head coach and tasked with building something from nothing. It’s safe to say he exceeded expectations.
For Espinosa, the road to 500 wins is deeply personal. A Putnam native through and through, he grew up in this quiet Connecticut town and made his mark as a player at the local Putnam High School. 
Over four years, Espinosa tallied 1,282 points, finishing as the school’s third all-time leading scorer at the time.
From Putnam, Espinosa took his talents to Worcester State University, where he became a three-year starter and continued to showcase the grit and leadership that would later define his coaching career.
After graduating, Espinosa served as an assistant coach at Marianapolis Prep and his alma mater, Putnam High School for four years. Those years of mentorship and learning proved to be the perfect practice for the next chapter of his coaching career.
This milestone is more than a personal achievement for Espinosa; it’s a reflection of the program’s sustained success and growth.
Every year, he’s been able to instill the culture he’s built onto a large majority of new players from all around, and get them to buy in on winning, but most importantly, putting the team first.
Putnam is known for having an extremely deep roster of high-level talent, which gives them an edge over a lot of opposing programs, as they can roll out a fresh five throughout the game.
Under Espinosa’s leadership, PSA has become a destination for aspiring collegiate and professional basketball players, helping a large number of players reach their desired goals of playing at the next level.
As the Mustangs look to chase another national title this season, Espinosa’s milestone win serves as a reminder of how far the program has come.
While 500 wins is a remarkable accomplishment, anyone who knows coach Espinosa knows that he and his program are focused on one thing this year, winning the National Prep Championship.
For now, though, Putnam Science—and the town that raised him—can take a moment to celebrate its coach and his unparalleled legacy.

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Wed.  Dec. 18
Art Show
POMFRET --- The Abington Social Library is hosting its first annual Community Art Show during library hours: 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

'History on Sale'
PUTNAM --- The Aspinock Historical Society is holding a holiday sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Putnam Municipal Complex. Sale ends Dec. 19.

Holiday Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center is running its Holiday Nature Store through Dec. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays.

Fri.  Dec. 20
Donations
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter is holding a holiday cat food drive from 7 to 11 a.m. at the WINY radio station. Donations of dry and canned cat food are needed and monetary donations and gift cards are always welcome. In addition, food donations may also be dropped off at Petco in Dayville, Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital in Danielson, Foster Veterinary Hospital in Foster, Chaplin Public Library and Agway in Plainfield. Food, gift cards and cash donations can be dropped off at Paws Cat Shelter at 74 School St. in Putnam from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays or from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 22. 

Sat.  Dec. 21
Lessons and Carols
BROOKLYN --- The public is invited to a Lessons and Carols service at 4 p.m. at Old Trinity Church at 60 Church St. Dress warmly and come to sing! See other services/info at:  https://www.facebook.com/trinitychurchbrooklyn.

Sun.  Dec. 22
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK ---  The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays through December. Check for updates: 860-928-1035.

Pageant
POMFRET --- The Christ Church will present its annual Christmas Pageant, at 10 a.m. 

Sat.  Dec. 28
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. www.4hcampct.org

Mon.  Dec. 30
Game Day
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold a Camper Game Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids ages 6-12. Games, food and fun. Outdoor gear required. $25 per child. All welcome. Preregistration requested by 12/22. 860-974-1122.

Wed.  Jan. 1, 2025
Happy New Year!

Tues.  Jan. 21
Film
POMFRET --- Pomfret Green Team Community Film Series will present "Saving the Dark" at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Center on Day Road. Also: Tues. Jan. 28 “Humans and the Night Sky: Our Lost Heritage” will be presented at 6:30; and Tues. Feb. 25 “Light Pollution and Its Impacts on Our Green Spaces” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Free admission and popcorn.  https://www.ctaudubon.org/pomfret-home/

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