PUTNAM — The Regional Community YMCA, which is scheduled to begin construction sometime in late 2014, announced the addition of four members to its local Board of Advisors, according to an announcement by James O’S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford.  Joining the Board are Phil Willis, Thomas Espinosa, Susan Breault and Leonel Konicki.

Willis is the owner of P. Willis Construction Inc. of Eastford.  He was an original member of the Regional Community YMCA Steering Committee and has been instrumental as a volunteer on the Capital Campaign Committee.  

Espinosa is a resident of Putnam.  He’s the athletic director and basketball coach at Putnam Science Academy, where he also serves as the school’s physical education teacher.  He’s a graduate of Worcester State University where he was the captain of the basketball team his junior and senior years.

Breault is a resident of Killingly.  She’s a graduate of Bentley College in Waltham, Mass., and earned an MBA from Nichols College in Dudley.  She is employed at Quinebaug Valley Community College as the director of Marketing and Communications and also occupies the position of Interim Director of Enrollment Management.

Konicki, a resident of Putnam, is the deputy chief of the Putnam Police Department.  Konicki has been a member of the police department for 28 years.  During that time  the graduate of Dean Junior College in Massachusetts has served as a patrol officer, sergeant and detective.  He currently serves as the chairman of the Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone (P.R.I.D.E.) in Putnam.

The function of the local Board of Advisors is to serve as advocates for the YMCA, while enhancing the public image, mission and purpose of the organization.  The board will assist in determining, monitoring and strengthening the YMCA’s programs and services, while building collaborative relationships and partnerships with organizations, governmental agencies and individuals in the greater northeastern Connecticut region.

The Regional Community YMCA will be located off Kennedy Drive.  Included in the construction plans of the 45,000-square foot facility are two swimming pools, a lap pool and a warm-water pool, a gymnasium, fitness center, and a teen center.  

Laurence Hale of Pomfret and the Newell D. Hale Foundation and trustee of the Capital Campaign serves as the chairman of the Board of Advisors.  The Board officers are Paul Kelly of Woodstock, vice chairman; James Zahansky of Pomfret, secretary; and Attorney Thomas A. Borner of Pomfret, treasurer.  The remaining  members of the Board of Advisors include Sarah Bentley of Woodstock; Dr. Marc Cerrone of Pomfret; James Dandeneau of Killingly; Dr. Woody Danenhower and Sylvia Danenhower of Pomfret; Brad Favreau of Woodstock; Betty Hale of Pomfret; Abby Lamarre of Woodstock; Maureen Nicholson of Pomfret; Holly Singleton of Woodstock; Evelyn Cole Smith of Woodstock; and Senator Donald Williams of Brooklyn.

 

 

Accepts Plaque

Tom Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank, accepts plaque for the bank’s 2014 sponsorship of the Putnam Little League Softball Team. Left to right: Nick Renshaw, Cooper Livingston, Borner and Colby Livingston. Courtesy photo.

 

Then

This is the original Putnam High School in 1874. It is now the Town Hall. Town Crier file photos.

 

& Now

This is the current Putnam High School building. It will undergo a "renovation as new" this year.