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Local Y Board
Paul Kelly, Laurence Hale, Tom Borner and Jim Zahansky, all members of the Regional Community YMCA’s newly established Board of Advisors, reviewing plans for the new facility set to be constructed in Putnam. Courtesy photo.
HARTFORD — James O’S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, announced that the newly created Regional Community YMCA Board of Advisors elected Laurence Hale of Pomfret as their chairman. The Board of Advisors will work collaboratively to bring the Regional Community YMCA planned for Putnam to fruition.
“The election of Mr. Hale as chairman of our local Board of Advisors provides the leadership necessary to move forward with the establishment of a Y for the people of Northeastern Connecticut. The Hale family has been part of this project since the onset and has provided the impetus needed for the success of a project of this magnitude. We are pleased Mr. Hale has accepted this very important role,” said Morton.
Hale, a graduate of Pomfret School and Hobart College, is a managing partner in the investment firm of Weiss and Hale Financial of Pomfret. He serves as member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, The Rectory School and is a former trustee of Pomfret School. A Past President of the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation, he currently serves on the Finance Committee of Day Kimball Hospital.
Hale, who is active as a coach in the Pomfret Little League, and his wife, Jane have three children, Helen, 11, Newell, 9 and Peter 7.
“Bringing a full service Y to the people of Northeastern Connecticut was a dream my father had many years ago. Fulfilling his dream and establishing this program will be the culmination of the hard work of many local individuals. I’m pleased to have been selected for this position and pledge to provide the necessary leadership to see this much needed facility completed,” said Hale.
Elected vice chairman was Woodstock resident Paul Kelly, a UConn graduate and co-owner of Kelly’s Tire in Putnam. Kelly also serves on the Board of Trustees of Woodstock Academy and the Board of Directors of Putnam Bank.
James Zahansky of Pomfret, a graduate of Bryant University and vice president of Respiratory Marketing for Sunovion Pharmaceuticals of Massachusetts, was elected to serve as the group’s secretary. Attorney Thomas A. Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank, is the treasurer.
The local Board of Advisors will work with representatives of the YMCA of Greater Hartford in assuring that the Regional Community YMCA will meet the needs of the residents of Northeastern Connecticut. They will also promote the vision of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, which is to put a “caring adult” in the presence of every child; to be “good stewards” of the resources entrusted to them; and to work in “partnership” with others, to eliminate the disparities in health and education.
The proposed Y is a 42,000 to 45,000 square foot facility. The estimated cost of construction is between $13 million to $15 million. A community campaign has realized gifts and pledges in excess of $2.3 million and is planning on completing its effort in the near future.
Other members of the Board of Advisors include Sarah Bentley of Woodstock, Dr. Marc Cerrone of Pomfret, James Dandeneau of Killingly, Dr. Woody and Sylvia Danenhower of Pomfret, Brad Favreau of Woodstock, Betty Hale of Pomfret, Abby LaMarre a student at Woodstock Academy, Maureen Nicholson of Pomfret, Holly Singleton of Woodstock, Evelyn Cole-Smith of Woodstock and Sen. Donald Williams of Brooklyn.