Details

Category: Current Issue

Spring 'Fireworks'
This is a pussy willow starting to bloom at Sprucedale Gardens in Woodstock. Linda Lemmon photo.

Details

Category: Current Issue

88 Main
rehab
begins
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- As the scaffolding rises around the front of 88 Main, so does the anticipation for a kickstart to the revitalization of Putnam.
Languishing more than a decade in the center of downtown Putnam, with broken windows and a beat-down facade, the building has experienced fits and starts to its renaissance.  Dexter Properties LLC purchased the building in October 2009.  Bruce Dexter II is looking forward to putting in a restaurant, retail space and, on the top two floors, a boutique hotel.
Rose Construction of Pomfret, which does residential and commercial construction, was the lowest qualified bidder for the facade/construction project, according to Delpha Very , Economic and Community Development director. That bid was $359,000.
The town got permission from the Special Service District, she said, to put safety fencing on the outer edge of the sidewalk. That went up April 18 and the scaffolding has followed. Very said that the project should take four or five months.
The project will include removing the brick veneer and windows. As layers are removed, she said, the structural soundness of any underlying layer will be checked and corrected/replaced if needed. All the trim will be brought back, using composite. The plans call for dark green vinyl-clad trim. In addition the roof will be replaced.
A state Urban Action grant of $400,000 will go toward the Rose Construction renovation costs. Some of that funding was already used for civil and structural engineering for the project.  The grant money must be used in the next year.
Once the renovations are finished by Rose Construction, Very said, Dexter will then be responsible for doing the buildout.
"With the blight ordinance passing unanimously recently," she said, the town and the town leadership is "sending a clear message that we'd like to get buildings back to use. We're going toward growth," she added.
Very said, "This project is one of the most anticipated for decades in downtown Putnam. It aligns magnificently with our mission of continued revitalization of the community."

Details

Category: Current Issue

Boston Marathon
Rev. David Choquette, left, with his friend Connecticut State Police Maj. Rick Fox in the family reception area of the Boston Marathon just prior to the bombings that sent the city of Boston into panic for almost a week. Courtesy photo.

Priest
avoids
finish line
By Ron P. Coderre
“I keep thinking, ‘What if we’d gone to the finish line?’”  Those words spoken by Father David Choquette were uttered on Wednesday morning two days after the tragic Boston Marathon bombing.
 Almost every day Father David Choquette’s routine begins the same way.  He celebrates early morning Mass for his parishioners, alternating days between St. Mary Church in Putnam and Most Holy Trinity in Pomfret.
Monday, April 15 started much the same as every other day with one exception.  On this day he was joining the family of a long time friend for a day in Boston.  The occasion was to watch Connecticut State Police Maj. Rick Fox, a resident of Willington, run in the Boston Marathon.
Shortly after celebrating Mass, Father Choquette, who is a Connecticut State Police Chaplain, met Lynne Fox and her two children for the ride into Boston, with plans to park at Riverside Station and take the T into the city.  Those plans were altered when they discovered the parking lot was full.  Calling on past connections Father David contacted St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, where he studied for the priesthood, and was granted permission to park there during the marathon.
Maj. Fox, like his friend Father David, is an avid runner, who had qualified for Boston.  Father David, a dedicated runner who has competed locally in the O’Putnam and Deary Memorial road races was anxious to see his friend complete the 26-mile 385-yard run.
From Brighton, approximately 5 miles from downtown Boston, the quartet proceeded to “Heart Break Hill,” where they settled in comfortably to watch the more than 23,000 entrants come through.  “Heart Break Hill” is the part of the course that is usually the breaking point in the race for most runners.  Maj. Fox came through the area to the cheers of his family and his buddy Father David.
By the time Father David and the Fox family boarded the T to the Arlington Station and the finish line, Maj. Fox in an amazing time of 3-hours – 7-minutes had already completed the race.  Rather than going to the finish line, they met him in the ‘family reunion area’ on Stewart St. where photos and congratulations were in order.  After gathering his belongings, Maj. Fox and his entourage moved on to the Prudential Center food court for post-race nourishment.
“At this point in time we were all experiencing the joy of Rick’s great run.  We were taking photos and looking forward to a relaxing meal,” said Father David.
While waiting for Mrs. Fox and her children to get food and holding a table in the crowded food court, they heard a muffled sound and witnessed people running and screaming in panic in every direction.   
“We could see and smell the smoke from what was actually the second blast, which was not far from where we were located.  We heard people talking about an explosion and as we went outside, police were directing everyone away from the finish line toward the Fenway Park area.  Initially we didn’t have a clue as to what had occurred,” said Father David.
The group at this point decided to go to St. Clements Church off Massachusetts Ave. to regroup.  Suddenly cell phones became useless from overloaded circuits.  After some time Maj. Fox finally discovered what had happened by checking his Blackberry.
Attempting to get away from danger they were stifled as all Mass Transit was closed.  Heading toward Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center they were hoping to catch a cab, which they soon realized was virtually impossible.
“By this time nearly four hours had elapsed.  Everyone was hungry from lack of food and drink and we had one person who had just run 26 miles.  At that point I got creative and texted Charlene (Durand) at my office and she was able to give me the number of St. John’s Seminary,” said Father David.
Eventually contact was made with the seminary.  Someone drove to BIDMC, picked them up and they made their way back to Brighton.  Thanks to the good people at the seminary they were able to eat and get much needed water.  After profusely thanking the folks at St. John’s, they were able to begin what was originally planned as a joyous journey home.  Little did they realize that the day that started with great anticipation would take the turn it did.
“The trip home was very quiet.  Suddenly our cell phones began ringing as people who knew we were in Boston were checking on us.  I even received a call from Bishop Cote, who was concerned for my safety.  I still can’t stop thinking about all the horrible events of the day,” he concluded.
The next morning at Mass, Father David apologized to his congregation for the lack of a homily at Mass.  He told of his day in Boston on Monday and asked that everyone pray for the dead and injured victims of the bombings.  The surprising announcement was met with support by the parishioners in attendance.
“I still ask, ‘Why would someone do this?’ and I pray that whoever is responsible is caught and brought to justice,” said Father David.
With all that transpired in the days following the tragic events of the Boston Marathon, it appears his prayers have been answered.  Reflectively he exhaled and said, “It’s great to be home.”  And being home is possible because of a decision to avoid the finish line.

Details

Category: Current Issue

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 963-0000.
April 12
Ashley Acquaviva, 27, Sunnyside Avenue, Putnam; failure to respond.
Eugene Blouin, 36, Sabin Street, Putnam; first-degree criminal mischief, violation of protective order.
Lynwood Pipkin, 54, Dyer Street, Danielson; second-degree breach of peace, third-degree assault.
Bobby Westbrook, 56, Powhattan Street, Putnam; second-degree threatening, breach of peace, disorderly conduct.
Adrion Negron, 21, Valley View Road, Sterling; first-degree larceny, third-degree criminal mischief.
April 14
Philip Benzie, 35, Bemis Road, Fitchburg, Mass.; operating under the influence, failure to drive right.
Jose Rivera, 41, Fountain Street, Norwich, second-degree failure to appear.
Jason Heath, 27, Church Street, Putnam; driving without license.
Matthew Heath, 31, Church Street, Putnam; operating without a license.
April 15
James Ballou, 34, Walnut Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct, criminal mischief.