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Then
This is the former SNET building in downtown Putnam just after the Flood of 1955. Putnam Town Crier file photos.

& Now
This is the same building today, with an added second floor and housing Frontier.

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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Some tweaking is on the horizon for the downtown area.
Highway Superintendent Travis Sirrine said the newly redone downtown roads and municipal parking lot will get some finishing touches. A couple months ago the town reorganized the municipal lot between the Post Office and the Congregational Church of Putnam, gaining three or four more parking spaces and it was paved and lined. In addition, the streets in downtown area, including Main, Lee, Bundy and Canal were ground down and repaved with improvements made to drainage.
Since Putnam has a fresh budget, Sirrine said the town can now move forward with some tweaking. He, Police Chief Christopher Ferace and Mayor Barney Seney have had preliminary walks considering changes in parking.
The trio are reevaluating the parking time limits in the municipal parking lot. Sirrine said that Chief Ferace is the town's Traffic Control Authority. Any changes must meet state and federal requirements.
Sirrine said that parts of the lot may not necessarily be time constrained.  "It may be adjusted in certain places," he said. The trio will be taking another walk to determine what would be best.
Sirrine said that the town would be restriping the hill near Putnam Bank, on both sides, to add spaces that way. Signs would be changed. The town would be adding lines to Canal Street.
Sirrine said signs will be replaced. Many signs and poles are defaced with graffiti and stickers and some are redundant. He said that the area in front of the Courthouse Bar and Grille would get some striping on the outside curb and the multiple "no parking" signs there would be replaced with one sign that says "no parking here to corner." It will be more aesthetically pleasing," he said.
Once decisions on new signs are made it will take only a couple weeks for the signs to come in.
The next road project, before the end of the month, will be Park Road between Danco and just past the Black Dog Bar and Grille. It will involve repaving and replacement of a guard rail. The project was delayed somewhat by all the rain lately. "It's a heavily traveled road. It needs it," Sirrine said.
He added that the town is looking at Smith Street and a couple roads in the north end of town. He said drainage work on Aspinock Road is continuing.

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PUTNAM — Two Putnam High School awards ceremonies with 31 athletes winning awards and 59 scholarships awarded.
At the annual Award and Scholarship night 59 scholarships totaling over $119,900 were awarded to 38 students.
William Hull, Putnam Superintendent said, “These events are a highlight of the year, where we get to highlight our terrific students. What makes these evenings extra special is the number of alumni that come back to the high school community and contribute.  Both evenings could not take place without these wonderful alumni.  Our alumni are constantly giving back to the district and helping our students. I would also like to thank all the organizations and families for their generosity and support for our students. On behalf of the entire Putnam community and Putnam Public Schools, I would also like to congratulate all the recipients. ”
Awards/Scholarships:
Valedictorian Award: Tyler Eddy; Salutatorian Award: Madison Toutant
The Putnam Police Union Howard T. Babbitt/Donald Morrison Memorial Scholarship:  Aidan Bernier
American Legion Post 13 Scholarships:  Cole Davagian, Tyler Eddy
American Legion District 4 Scholarship:  Cole Davagian
The Walter “Sarge” Amprimo Scholarship:  Maggie McKeon
Aspinock Historical Award in Honor of Gertrude Warner: Tyler Eddy
The Leo A. and Rita Bernier Memorial Scholarship:  Devin McCaughey
Steve Bousquet Memorial Scholarships in association with The Congregational Church of Putnam:  Chelsea Minaya-Torres, Adriana Santos Bravo
The Community Service Scholarship: Katy Maryanov
The Francis Curran ’24 Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Blackmar
E. Catherine Deary Memorial Scholarship:  Chelsea Minaya-Torres
The Gov. John N. Dempsey Memorial Scholarship: Adriana Santos Bravo
The Susan McNally Everson Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Eddy
Lucy M. Farrows Memorial Scholarship:  Sebastian Ramos
John W. Gahan and Beatrice Delaney Scholarships: Morgan Blackmar, Cole Davagian, Maggie McKeon, Adriana Santos Bravo, Mariah Travisano
Gasiorek Family Scholarships: Jordan Alexander, Jewelia England, Adriana Santos Bravo, Madison Toutant
Jeffrey Greene Memorial Scholarship:  Mariah Travisano
Coach James Greenhalgh Memorial Scholarship:  Sebastian Ramos
The Bill Hildebrandt Memorial Scholarship:  Mya Meadows
Irish American Club of Putnam Scholarships: Maggie McKeon, Mya Meadows
Italian American Society Scholarship:  Michael DiColella
Connie Johnson Scholarship:  Dorian Frias
Abbie Keith English Essay Award in Remembrance of D. Allen Hall, PHS 1940 Graduate:  Madison Toutant
The Dr. Rudolph E. Klare Memorial Scholarships: Tyler Eddy, Cole Davagian
The Knights of Columbus Dr. Robert. R. Johnston Memorial Scholarship: Katy Maryanov
Nathan Lavine Awards:  Sebastian Ramos, Lauren Blackmar
The Luke Leaders Scholarship: Jane Vongvirath
Gilbert E. Morse Memorial Scholarship:  Sebastian Ramos
Moving Forward Scholarship: Michael DiColella
National Honor Society Scholarship: Tyler Eddy
The Bonnie L. Perron Memorial Scholarships:  Lauren Deery, Cole Davagian
Dr. Brenda L. Picard Memorial Scholarships: Violet Khoshtariya, Katy Maryanov
The Casimir Pulaski Memorial Scholarship: Katy Maryanov
Putnam Administration Association Scholarship: Violet Khoshtariya
PHS Athletic Alumni Association Scholarship in Memory of Steve Bousquet: Maggie McKeon PHS Athletic Alumni Association Scholarship in Memory of Gerry Vaillant:  Lauren Blackmar PHS Athletic Alumni Association Scholarship in Memory of Wayne Correa: Michael DiColella PHS Class of ’91 Annual Scholarship:  Eryka Kittrell
PHS Class of 2013 Scholarship:  Michael DiColella
Putnam Education Association Scholarships: Kira Fontaine, Kaitlin Slivkoff-Zamora, Mariah Travisano
Putnam Fire Department Scholarships: Kobie Bates, Megan Shippee, Mackenzie Blackwell Putnam Lions Club Memorial Scholarships: Chelsea Minaya-Torres, Adriana Santos Bravo Putnam Music Association Academic Scholarships:  Kira Fontaine, Troy Davis
PHS Student Council Scholarships:  Maggie McKeon, Adriana Santos Bravo
QRS Compassion Scholarship: Lauren Deery
QVR Rotaract Club Scholarships:  Chelsea Minaya-Torres, Adriana Santos Bravo
Susan T. Rogers Memorial Poetry Award: Jenna Tatro
Ray and Vi Brousseau Putnam Rotary Scholarships:  Parker Sessums, Madison Toutant, Michael DiColella, Morgan Blackmar, Lauren Blackmar
Putnam Rotary Scholarships:  Angelina Gould, Kaitlin Slivkoff-Zamora, Jane Vongvirath, Kayla Anderson
Dr. Paula Scraba - Sports, Leisure and Exercise Sciences Award: Tyler Eddy
Scraba Family Memorial Award: Violet Khoshtariya
James Sylvia Baseball Scholarship:  Cole Davagian
The Ella Jane Thayer Memorial Scholarships: Kylye-Annmarie Kupiec, Alexa Steinbrick
Frank H. Thornton Memorial Award: Michael DiColella
The Charles L. Torrey Memorial Scholarship: Hunter Touchette
Steven & Marjolaine ’87, ’88 Townsend Fine Arts Scholarship:  Autumn Grimshaw
Steven & Marjolaine ’87, ’88 Townsend Putnam High School Scholarships: Emily Cournoyer, Megan Shippee
Steven & Marjolaine ’87, ’88 Townsend Scholar’s Full Scholarship: Jeffrey Reed
VFW Post 1523 Auxiliary of Putnam Top Highest Average US History Award: Madison Toutant
VFW Post 1523 Auxiliary of Putnam 2nd Highest Average US History Awards: Katy Maryanov, Mariah Travisano
Kevin Waters Scholarship: Kira Fontaine
At the 65th Annual Putnam High School Alumni Athletic Association Banquet 31 athletes from 15 sports teams received awards. 
The PHSAAA Awards include:
Baseball Outstanding Performer (Paul Fall Award), Colby Livingston; Baseball Unsung Award, Zack Belleville; Basketball cheerleading Outstanding Performer, James Lazarou; Basketball Cheerleading Unsung Hero Award, Lexie Latendresse; Basketball Male Outstanding Performer (William Simonzi Award), Sebastian Ramos; Basketball Unsung Hero Award, Colby Livingston; Basketball Female Outstanding Performer, Kayleigh Lyons; Basketball Female Unsung Hero Award, Lauren Blackmar; Football Cheerleading Outstanding Performer, Kaylyn Daigneault; Football Cheerleading Unsung Hero Award, Emma Fisk; Football Outstanding Back (Peter Caplette Award), Sebastian Ramos; Football Outstanding Lineman Award (Frank Wallen Award), Anthony Navedo; Football Unsung Hero Award (Omer Valade Award), Sam Williams; Football MVP Award, Jeff Reed; Golf Outstanding Performer (Jeffrey P. Jankot Award), Mike DiCollela; Soccer Male Outstanding Performer, Hunter Touchette; Soccer Male Unsung Hero, Kobie Bates; Soccer Female Outstanding Performer, Laylah Chavez; Softball Outstanding Performer, Jillian Gray; Softball Unsung Hero Award, Lauren Blackmar; Unified Sports Team Award, Christian Yorz; Volleyball Outstanding Performer, Kaitlin Zamora Slitkoff; Volleyball Unsung Hero Award, Adrian Santos Bravo; Cross Country Male MVP, Ethan Gardner; Track Male Outstanding Performer (Paul J. Bourgeois Award), Michael Ionkin; field Male Outstanding Performer (George St. Marie Award), Connor Vassar; Track and field Male Unsung Hero Award, Hunter Roberts; Track Female Outstanding Performer, Emma Rudman; Field Female Outstanding Performer, Mariah Travisano; Track and Field Female Unsung Hero, Alexa Steinbrick; Gymnastics Outstanding Performer, Maggie McKeon; Male Athlete of the Year, Sebastian Ramos; Female Athlete of the Year, Kayleigh Lyons.

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caption:

Flying High
Candice Storley, aerialist, entertained at the First Fridays event downtown Putnam July 5. The theme was Made in America: Parks and Animation. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.



caption on page 6:

Clockwise from top left: Gianna Liccardi, 4, of Putnam; Alexander Phaneuf, 7, of Putnam; Elaine Turner painting; art in chalk; Roger Convery and his acoustic guitar.

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Huge
turnout
for 1st
Fridays
PUTNAM — The First Fridays Made in America series, Parks and Animation on July 5, saw a huge turnout, according to Sheila Frost, coordinator for the Putnam Business Association.
She said: “I am very pleased with the turnout of July’s First Friday. There was no shortage of entertainment starting with National Anthem Singer Linda St. Laurent, performances from Quest Martial Arts and The Complex. Character Meet and Greets were an exciting addition to showcase American Theme Parks and Animation. Shrek and the cast from Shrek the Musical had a street performance and delighted children by posing for photos.
“Candice Storley was our first ever aerialist and she was a huge hit! Folks crowded around before each of her five performances so they could view her show.”
Frost said she believes there were more than 2,000 people in attendance and said: “I’m very pleased to see so many families and children enjoying our free community event. It takes hours of planning from a generous committee of volunteers to organize these events. We are pleased to see businesses busy during these events and hope that spectators will return to support them and all of our wonderful sponsors.”
She added that plans are already underway for Aug. 2 First Friday: Happy 50th Anniversary Woodstock Music Festival! We hope to see folks dressed as their favorite singers from the ‘60s and welcome the “Hippie Vibe”. Peace!

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