Undermanned
Clippers
embark on
baseball
season
By Ron P. Coderre
The Putnam High School baseball team, which seems to have problems recruiting players each spring, embarks on another season in April. Once a baseball powerhouse the Clippers, though possessing talent appear short on numbers again this year.
Last season Putnam finished the season under. 500 at 9-11. The team fared well in the Constitution State Conference – East with a 7-3 record. In addition to losing some veterans to graduation, Putnam lost three key would-be returners when two transferred to Woodstock Academy and one player opted to attend Holy Name High School in Worcester. With a paucity of players each season the loss of the trio contributed to the lack of numbers this season.
Despite the lack of experience the Clippers will rely on four returnees who have plenty of action under their belts. Senior Nicholas Foucault will anchor the Putnam staff. Foucault has seen mound action in all four of his seasons in Putnam. In addition, he’s seen plenty of pitching action for the TriTown American legion Baseball program. When not on the mound, Foucault will anchor the infield at shortstop.
Foucault’s tosses will be handled by another senior Kyle Loomis. When not donning the mask and pads, Loomis will also see action on the hill as well as filling in where needed. Sophomore Scott Davagian, who had a good freshman year, will also get some rotations on the mound when not playing third base.
Anchoring the outfield in center field is junior Zack Cutler. The speedy fly chaser can cover plenty of territory in the outfield. A better-than-adequate hitter, Cutler’s speed will also be an asset on the base paths. Cutler, who also plays for TriTown American Legion, will also see duty as a pitcher.
Two freshmen, Derek Bichard and Cole Davagian are expected to step in despite their youth. Also scheduled to see plenty of action are newcomers junior Adam Saucier and sophomore Mitchell Barylski. They will see action wherever and whenever necessary.
The schedule will include a full complement of games with CSC –East teams as well as a sprinkling of games with teams from the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division.
The Clippers brain trust will be led by sixth year head coach Chris Hehir. He’ll be assisted by John Foucault.
The lack of numbers and the fact that many players will necessarily have to play a variety of positions will hamper team consistency. Players such as Foucault, Cutler, Loomis and Davagian should provide some stability and confidence for the younger members of the team.
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KILLINGLY — State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) recognized the State Bond Commission’s approval of $1,681,451 for improvements at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, and expressed concern over the future of funding for the state’s public colleges and universities.
The nearly $1.7 million in funding will be used to finance the design of new parking and site improvements at the QVCC campus in Danielson.
While Sen. Flexer is pleased that the Governor and State Bond Commission are making investments at QVCC, her priority is ensuring that state’s community college system remains an affordable and accessible option for students in the state. The Board of Regents will vote soon on a proposal to increase tuition next year at community colleges by 3.5 percent, and at regional state universities by 5 percent.
“Parking is sorely needed at QVCC, but if we don’t maintain the resources to support the college and its mission, we may not be making use of those new parking spaces,” said Sen. Flexer. “I am very concerned that in light of looming cuts and rising tuition community college will no longer be an affordable option.”
The state university and college system is facing significant budget shortfalls in the coming fiscal year, despite the millions of dollars in cuts that have already been levied.
A projected $37.3 million deficit in the public college system budget would be reduced to an $18.1 million shortfall, should the Board of Regents approve the tuition hike. The remaining deficit would likely be balanced through stark cuts to the system’s services and programs – leading Flexer to wonder whether the parking investments being made now will be needed in the future.
“I hope there will be as much support for keeping tuition costs down and staff in the classrooms at QVCC in the future as there currently is for infrastructure projects,” said Sen. Flexer.
The money will finance design and construction renovations which include perimeter campus roads, refurbishing curbing, striping and sidewalk improvements, drainage, site lighting replacements and energy efficiency upgrades.
State Representative Danny Rovero (D-Killingly) said “I am pleased these funds are being made available” to QVCC.
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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.
No police logs were available at press time.
Elementary school hosted Emmy
winner Burton for reading
PUTNAM — Putnam Elementary School announced that LeVar Burton, Emmy-award winner and host and executive producer of the PBS series Reading Rainbow, read his first children’s book, “The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm,” at PES. LeVar Burton, honored recipient of a Grammy and five NAACP Awards, is a household name. Known for this work in the landmark 1977 television production of Roots and as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, the actor, director, and author is also a committed reading and literacy advocate. His work on Reading Rainbow has garnered multiple awards, including the LA Times Innovator’s Award. Mathew Daigle, founder of ConnectiCon and former Putnam student, helped make Mr. Burton’s visit possible.