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More Smiles
Elisabeth Fortin got to keep the bow after she was chosen to cut the ribbon on Putnam's Playscape at the Municipal Complex. Linda Lemmon photos.


By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It took a while but the playscape behind the library at the Municipal Complex, finally became “official” with a ribbon-cutting welcome to town last week.
Karen Osbrey, chair of the Municipal Complex building committee, said the playscape was always on the committee’s wish list. When late projects and punch-list projects were done, there was enough money to move the playscape project from the wish list to the done list. “If there was extra money, we’d put in a playscape."
Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said the playscape cost about $180,000. It was ordered last June and it took six months to come in. Assembly had to wait for the spring. “We had to wait for the construction season,” Sistare said. She added that they had also talked about additional landscaping but it wasn’t needed.
Mayor Barney Seney, credited “three strong ladies,” Library Director Priscilla Colwell, Osbrey and Sistare with making it possible.
Osbrey thanked the building committee. “They had a vision for the town and made it happen,” she said, adding that it went beyond the committee, with all the townspeople support. “It really does take a village.”
Colwell said they whole project started in 2012. She credited the townspeople “I’m so glad you voted for this. This is so good for our future.”
Each child had their name in a basket to be the one to cut the “Putnam Blue” ribbon. Osbrey drew the name. Elisabeth Fortin, 8, of Sterling, was the lucky winner.

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Honors
Top photo: Putnam Rotarian Woody Durst, second from right, won a Paul Harris Fellowship award. From left: Nominator Rotarian Doug Porter; Paul Pikora, chair of the Paul Harris Committee; Durst; and Rotarian and MC Joe Adiletta. Below: Jeff Bousquet also was awarded a Paul Harris. He stands next to Rotarian Gary Osbrey who nominated him. Linda Lemmon photos.


Putnam Rotary Officers and Board
From left: Past President Missy Meyers, Directors Kristen Willis and Woody Durst; Secretary Martha Paquette; Treasurer Fred Chmura; Vice President Kathy Kirk and President Amanda Kelly.



By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — What is this “no” you speak of?
For the Putnam Rotary Club — for the last 100 years — the answer has always been “yes.” Yes to seemingly impossible projects. Yes to always doing more for communities … and worldwide.
Right from the beginning, when the Putnam Rotary Club was founded in 1923 by John Reardon, the Putnam club has been driven, according to Joe Adiletta. At the club’s recent awards ceremony and induction of officers, Adiletta gave a brief synopsis of the club’s 100 years of service. From local projects, to helping out nationally to lending a hand worldwide, the answer was always yes.
In this 100th year it was always “yes” and projects tumbled into the “done” column.
The club received a citation in honor of its 100th anniversary from Governor Ned Lamont.
And even the Paul Harris Fellowship Awards, Rotary’s highest, echoed the resounding “yes”. Jeff Bousquet, of Bousquet’s Appliances, was always there, always saying yes, according to Rotarian Gary Osbrey who nominated him for the award.  He embraces and gives back to the community, “all without fanfare,” Osbrey said.
“Woody” Durst also received a Paul Harris award. Rotarian Doug Porter, who nominated Durst, said although Durst is a relatively new member he’s always there, serving. He’s heavily involved in Rotary projects and always says “yes.”
New president Amanda Kelly spoke about her goals for the coming year, in line with Rotary International’s theme this year, “Creating Hope in the World”. She gave each club member a stone engraved with the word “hope.” Important for her year, she said, is diversity and inclusion.
The club’s new officers were inducted and include: Amanda Kelly, president; Elizabeth Williams, president-elect; Kathy Kirk, vice president; Fred Chmura, treasurer; Martha Paquette, secretary; Missy Meyers, past president. Sergeants-at-arms include: Jonathan Sturdevant, Jonathan Tremblay and Barry Shead. Directors include the officers and: Durst, Kristen Willis, Jennifer Ricci and Pam Brown.

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PUTNAM — The fire that destroyed a shed and caused heat damage to two Dufault Street homes has been ruled accidental, according to Putnam Fire Marshal Scott Belleville.
The fire originated in a metal bucket where rags for cleaning painting tools were stored.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 14,000 fires occur annually from spontaneous combustion.  To prevent self-heating, it is important to soak rags in water or dry them in a well-ventilated area after use with certain solvents, paints, or oils before storing or disposing them.  Please read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use and methods of safe disposal, said Belleville.
An origin and cause investigation conducted by the Putnam Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire originated on the exterior of the 10’X10’ shed at 23 Dufault St.  Through interviews and fire pattern analysis it was concluded that the fire originated in a metal bucket used for the storage of rags which were used to clean painting tools. The bucket was then placed against the rear portion of the shed in an area of reduced ventilation.  The solvent used by the homeowner to clean the paint has been documented to have the ability to self-heat to the temperature of autoignition.    
Firefighters were called to Putnam’s “North End” June 22 for a shed fire at 31 Dufault St. Fire personnel encountered a well involved shed that had spread to a nearby fence, multiple pieces of gas-powered equipment, and a group of large cedar trees  between 23 and 31 Dufault streets.
Both of the homes sustained damage from the intense heat.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within minutes of arrival and no injuries were reported. If anyone has any further information concerning this incident, they’re asked to contact Putnam Fire Marshal Scott Belleville at (860) 963-6800 X112.

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