MANSFIELD — Several local residents were honored recently at the Connecticut Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America’s 3rd Annual Evening of Champions Reception.
Craig Gates was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership Award for his dedication to local causes and for his consistent attitude and actions of caring for others. The award was presented by his longtime friend Gene Michael Deary.
Putnam Bank, represented by Thomas Borner, was presented with the Community Service Award for its significant contribution to improving the quality of life in northeastern Connecticut by supporting numerous local charities and youth groups. The award was presented by Charlie Puffer.
The Arc Quinebaug Valley, represented by Susan Desrosiers, received the Community Organization Award for its continued support of numerous youth groups and, in particular, its significant role in providing much needed developmental services in the Quiet Corner. The award was presented by Arc board member Gene Michael Deary.
Anna Murphy, a Senior at Woodstock Academy was presented the Young American Award for her dynamic leadership of the FRESH program. The award was presented by social studies teacher Sara Dziedzic.
As a surprise, Woodstock Academy Headmaster Chris Sandford was presented the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award by State Representative Pat Boyd. The Fretwell Award is presented to teachers, educational support staff, and school administrators who deliver outstanding support to their students by instilling Scouting-like values in their daily life. Dr. Fretwell was a professor of education at Columbia University, and the second Chief Scout Executive of the BSA.
The Master of Ceremonies was Representative Boyd, an Eagle Scout himself.
Thomas Borner said, “I’m very proud of the community support and volunteering Putnam Bank employees do in all the communities they serve. We are honored to be recognized with this award. We routinely see Scouting in our towns and know the value it brings to our youth and the greater community.”
The event was designed as a way for the Boy Scouts of America to recognize those community partners who are impact players in the Quiet Corner. The Scouts seek to instill service, citizenship, and community involvement to its members, and with that in mind, recognizes others who do the same. The BSA presented awards to organizations and individuals from the area.
Jim Calhoun, former UConn basketball coach, was the keynote speaker at the event. He gave an engaging and personal speech about the importance of community and helping others.

caption:

Honored
Eric Whittenburg of ERW, Inc.  holds the Ace in the Hole Award. ERW has been a major sponsor of the tournament for the last 10 years. He is a generous and unassuming person who cares deeply for his community and supports a number of local organizations. Photos courtesy of Doug Porter.

caption, page 9: The Rawson team.

PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ronald P. Coderre golf tournament saw lots of winners AND a hole in one.
Paul Sas had a Hole-in-One on #9.
Gross Score:
1st place - Archie Drobiak, Rob Rovito, Paul Sas and Jeff Burns of the Brynes Insurance Agency Team with a score of 55
2nd place – George Amenabar, Jeff Childs, Steve Keller and Scott Gendreau of Northeast Flooring & Kitchens Team with a 57
3rd place – Dan Gilbert, Doug Woodward and Chris Brook of the Inn at Woodstock Hill team also with a 57
Net Score:
1st Brandon Carita, Eric Livingston, Gary Rudman and Daryl Stevens of the Pacon Team
2nd Greg Kalafus, Steve Kinross, Nicole Fredericks and Bill Miller of the Securitas Security Services team
3rd Brian Orenstein, Guy Henry, John Dolan and Greg Shelter of the Charter Oak FCU team
Closest to the Pin: #7 – 7 feet, 5 inches, Chris Brock and #15 – 9-4 Paul Sas.

I-Park
family
expands
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The town’s Industrial Park will welcome a new tenant.
Magnetic Technologies Ltd, an Oxford, Mass., manufacturer of high-quality magnetic brakes for the wire and cable industry, is moving Putnam.
The $5.26 million project will create 40 jobs over the next five years, according to Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s office.
Delpha M. Very, director of the town’s Economic & Community Development, said negotiations continue on the sale price for the 10-plus acre Lot 5 on Highland Drive.
In the meantime, the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will assist the relocation and expansion through a $1.5 million loan. The company will be eligible for partial forgiveness based on job creation. The DECD office said that the funding will be used for the purchase of machinery and equipment and capital improvements.
Very said that the company will build a 40,000-square foot manufacturing and research facility.  The company is on target to complete the project in 2019, she added.
“We have been courting this business for over a year and are thrilled that they have chosen Putnam. Magnetic Technologies is a sophisticated manufacturing firm with an extensive research component to design quality needs for the future. They are strong, sustainable and growing with an impressive workforce. The longevity of employees within the company speaks volumes to being a great company to work for and to grow with,” Very said.
She added while it is a numbers game, what attracts companies to Putnam is its quality of life.
The state’s manufacturing assistance loan is a powerful job creation tool. Very said “It’s about job creation.” Also helpful for Magnetic Technologies Ltd. winning the loan was that the company is coming from out of state. Very said, “Instead of a company moving out, it’s about a company moving in.”
Another enticement to Magnetic Technologies Ltd. is the Connecticut Enterprise Zone Program.
Very said that the state offers businesses coming into an Enterprise Zone (I-395 Corridor) a five-year, 80 percent abatement of local property and personal property (equipment) taxes. The abatement applies to all qualifying real and personal property taxes that are new to the grand list. The town is not reimbursed for the abatements as it was in the former PILOT program.
Malloy said: “Advanced manufacturing is a key economic driver in our state and is getting stronger by the day. We are thrilled that Magnetic Technologies will soon be calling Connecticut their home.”
Established in 1984, Magnetic Technologies has expanded their offerings from magnetic brakes to magnetic shaft couplings, permanent magnet hysteresis and eddy current devices, magnetic capping headsets and advanced payoff solutions.
“Magnetic Technologies is looking forward to relocating to the Putnam Industrial Park,” said John DeLuca, president of Magnetic Technologies. “The Putnam location and the new facility will provide the foundation for our continued growth.”
Putnam Mayor Norman “Barney” Seney said, “We are honored that Magnetic Technologies has chosen the Putnam Industrial Park as its new home. The Town of Putnam is committed to support and nurture this business to ensure the continued success they have realized for the past three decades.  We are especially appreciative of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for their unwavering support and encouragement in this partnership to make the State of Connecticut a great place to do business.”
State Representative Daniel Rovero said he was grateful that the project received state funding as it is “critical to the expansion and retention of much-needed jobs and economic development in our area.”