The Town of Putnam is seeking a Deputy Fire Marshal with a preferred certification by the Connecticut State Fire Marshal Certification per Connecticut General Statutes 29-298. If not certified, certification will be required within 1 year of hire. This position will report to the Fire Marshal and will coordinate with the Town Administrator, Mayor and various Town Committees including the Board of Selectmen. Performs a variety of complex administrative, supervisory, technical, and professional work related to fire inspection, fire prevention, and the investigation of fires for origin and cause. Responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and implementing fire prevention and enforcement of the Connecticut Fire Safety Code to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire. Applicant is preferred to reside within a 20-mile radius of the Putnam Municipal Complex to assist in timely arrivals of emergency calls.
This part-time position is a stipend position, based on an expected 95 hours per month including on-call hours of nights, weekends, and holidays. The expected compensation range is approximately $20,000 - $30,000 per year, with possible negotiation depending on experience and certification status. There is no health, dental, pension or other benefits with this position.
Full Job Posting, including requirements, and submittal details, can be found on the Town of Putnam’s website here: https://www.putnamct.us/departments/human-resources/job-postings. Deadline November 18, 2022.
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The History of the CT National Guard in Putnam
Throughout the post-civil War era the Putnam, Danielson and Killingly area supported at least one infantry company that was a part of the Third Regiment New London. The original Danielson Armory was built around 1896 and burned in 1931. The builder James Paine was an officer of Company F and built it on Commerce Street behind the train depot.
The 1931-1932 replacement incorporated the parts of the old building that survived the fire. In 1930, the Armory Board declared several facilities to be obsolete, including Danielson. The legislature was not keen on spending money to update, repair or build armories given the Great Depression, but the fire damage leaving the Special Troops Headquarters unit of the 43rd Division, a medical detachment, Service Battery and the 192nd Field Artillery Regiment without a building increased the urgency for funding for a replacement.
The Danielson Armory was ultimately declared excess and turned over to the town in 1995.
The original Putnam Armory was built in 1957 and vacated in 2007 when it was declared excess and eventually turned over to the town. Originally the Armory was home to Company D 169th Infantry until 1959. It then became home to the engineers having first belonged to the 249th Engineer Company Construction then Company C 101st Engineer BN until 1975 when the unit was reorganized into Company B242 Engineer BN. In 1988 the 250th Engineer Company moved in and remained in Putnam until 2007 when the Armory was closed.
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Major General Francis Evon Jr. and local officials breaking ground for the new CT Army National Guard Readiness Center. Linda Lemmon photo.
From federal to local — persistence yields center
Guard breaks ground for new Readiness Center
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Connecticut Army National Guard had been gone from Putnam for 15 years.
In that time, the state had slid into regionalization mode.
But Major General Francis Evon Jr., the adjutant general and commander of the CT National Guard, was remembering something an NCO had told him once: “Physical presence is a mission.”
With the groundbreaking Oct. 28 of the State of Connecticut Military Department Connecticut Army National Guard Putnam Readiness Center on the former Dempsey Center property, the physical presence is returning.
Evon said when the 39,000 square foot readiness center is complete, the Guard will have a physical presence is seven out of the eight counties in Connecticut. At the ready and an integral part of the community. The Center will support the 163 soldiers of the 643rd Military Police Company. Evon said he looks forward to coming back for a ribbon cutting in two falls.
The hardest part to make that all happen, Evon said, was the “biggest obstacle” — getting the property. Without having an “excess property” piece of property, the Guard wouldn’t get the opportunity to put in for funding. Without the state’s excess property surrounding the Dempsey Center he said they could try for the money, but the score would be too low to qualify. Getting the property “gave us one and a half feet” into the process, he said. The town of Putnam had first option on the property and declined, opening the door for the Guard.
“Owning the property was the defining criteria,” he said.
Efforts started with the state committing some funding first. When that happened, the effort moved national. A total of $19 million was committed.
A representative of the design firm, Ames & Whitaker, said construction may start in perhaps a month, depending on supplies. The construction contractor is the Morganti Group Inc. and the anticipated date is the fall of 2025.
Looking around at all the veterans and veterans plates at the groundbreaking, Evon said “We made the right decision.” He added the Guard will be active in the community. “We will lower the walls — the community can see who we are.”
Second District Congressman Joe Courtney gave Evon and the host of others kudos for getting through years of hoops. “This is not for the faint of heart,” he said.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal hailed the coming center saying “military readiness is more important than ever.”
Governor Ned Lamont was scheduled to speak but did not attend because of a scheduling change.
State Senator Mae Flexer noted that the Guard serves in many ways: natural disasters, weather disasters, during the pandemic and much more.
State Representative Pat Boyd called the Guard “the home team”. “Having them back here is huge. Having the support of the community is huge,” he said. State Representative Rick Hayes said when he arrived at the state Capitol four years ago, he got right onto the issue, saying his effort was “just short of stalking.”
Mayor Barney Seney, a veteran, said it was great to have the Guard back in Putnam.
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5 alums
honored
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Accomplishments were heralded Oct. 29 at Putnam High School as five alumni were named to the Wall of Honor.
Peter Deary, Class of 1973: 42-year career at Sunnyside Farms, Inc. culminated in ownership of the company; under his leadership at Day Kimball Healthcare he launched a fund-raising campaign for an extensive renovation and expansion of the emergency department; received the George Racine Humanitarian Award; major supporter behind local efforts to provide medical care and supplies to residents of Haiti.
Jonathan Gradie, Class of 1969: Space-related scientist, educator and entrepreneur who founded three high-tech start-up companies to develop methods for spectral imaging for use in military and medical applications; Asteroid number 3253 gradie was named in his honor for contributions to astronomical research; holds patents for holographic imaging spectrometer and video search and rescue device; named Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 Award finalist.
Laura Phipps, Class of 1976: Named county forensic medical examiner for adolescent & adult sexual assault and abuse in Seminole, Fla.; as medical trauma program director she collaborated to establish Kid’s House Children Advocacy Center in Florida; Rotary Club of Altamonte Springs created the Laura Phipps Legacy Award.
Robert Miller, Class of 1938: Putnam’s first municipal historian, he received the Community Volunteer Award from the state; the Putnam River Trail was dedicated in his honor; lifelong commitment to Boy Scouting led to receiving the silver Beaver Award; served as first selectman and chair of the Economic Development Commission and on the Governor’s Committee for historical restoration. (Posthumously)
Shawn Johnston, Class of 1977: Served as state representative of District 51 from 1995 to 2011; considered independent voice of reason and never compromised values while service his district; named Connecticut State Legislator of the Year by the Council of Small Towns; untiring efforts as president of Interfaith Human Services; founding member of the annual Turkey Day Plunge that raised funds for Muscular Dystrophy.
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