Fuel aid is

available

Applications for energy assistance for the 2016-2017 heating season are now being accepted by the Access Community Action Agency.  Program eligibility is determined by total household gross income and is available for all heated households using oil, kerosene, propane, wood, coal, electric, or natural gas heat except motor homes and campers.  

Residents of Windham and Tolland counties can contact Access in Willimantic at 860-450-7400 or in Danielson at 860-412-1600 to make an appointment to determine eligibility and to find out what documentation they will need to bring to their appointments. Appointments are currently available during the agency’s normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Households that have received energy assistance in the past must reapply and bring in updated documentation to be eligible for the new heating season.  Each applicant must bring in copies of their documentation and if there is missing documentation they will be rescheduled. 

Funding for this program is provided by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.  The Energy Assistance program is designed to offset winter heating costs for low-income (below 60 percent of state median income) households in Windham and Tolland counties.  Benefits are determined by total household gross income and liquid assets. Deliverable-heated households may use benefits starting Nov. 15 and ending March 15. Utility-heated households (Eversource Energy, electric and gas) are eligible to participate in the matching payment programs and are protected from utility shut-off from Nov. 15 through April 15.

To apply for assistance, applicants must schedule an appointment and provide copies of the following documents for all household members: Names, birth dates and Social Security cards; Gross income for four consecutive weeks immediately prior to your application (paystubs, self-employment worksheet, unemployment printout) for everyone in the household over 18; self-employment worksheet, 1040 and Schedule C; SS, SSI, SSDI Cash Assistance - statement required from debit card deposits, SNAP, rental income (monthly); Pensions, VA, bank interest (CD, IRA); Child support and/or alimony documents; Lease, rent receipt, mortgage statements, tax bill or lot rent receipt; Eversource Energy, electric and gas bill(s) in adult household member’s name; Landlord’s name, address and phone; All pages from your recent bank accounts statements showing name and account numbers (checking & savings) — Name of bank and account numbers must be on the printed statements; Financial aid forms for everyone in the household.

 

 

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Honored

Ron Coderre, commander of American Legion Post #13 in Putnam, was honored as the Post Commander of the Year by the Department of Connecticut American Legion.  Coderre, left, receives the Louis E. Molinaro Plaque from State Commander Paul Spedaliere. Courtesy photo.

 

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 Commander Ronald P. Coderre of Putnam was honored at the 98th Department of Connecticut American Legion Convention as the 2015-2016 Post Commander of the Year.  Coderre was honored at the State of Connecticut Convention in Trumbull July 9.  He was nominated for the award by former Department Adjutant Everett Shepard of Post #111 in Woodstock.

The commander of the Year Award in presented in honor of the late Thompson resident Louis E. Molinaro.  The former postmaster of the N. Grosvenordale Post Office served as the Department of Connecticut Commander in 1962-1963.

The Louis E. Molinaro Plaque is presented annually to the Post Commander who, according to the Department Awards Committee, is the most outstanding Post Commander of the current year.  The award was presented to Coderre by outgoing State Commander Paul Spedaliere and witnessed by Department Adjutant Harry R. Hansen Jr.

Coderre served in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Control and Warning radar operator from 1959 through 1965.  During his tour he served at the 866th AC&W Station in Tonopah, Nev.; on the Mid-Canada Line at the 919th AC&W Station on Saskatoon Mountain in Alberta, Canada; and at the coastal radar 646th AC&W Station in Atlantic Highlands, N.J.

“It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of Post #13.  This award was made possible thanks to the hard work of the men and women veterans of Post #13 who are dedicated to serving our community.  Our motto this year was ‘Believe, Achieve, Succeed – Together.’  Working as a team we’ve moved our Post in a positive direction,” Coderre told the Legionnaires at the convention.

“This award is extra special because it’s presented in honor of Louis Molinaro, a man I knew personally and admired.  He was a person of character and leadership,” Coderre added.

Most recently Post #13 members Barney Seney, Donald Steinbrick, Alan Joslin and Victor Kratz were responsible for decorating Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pomfret Street with an array of flags, which will fly each year from Memorial Day in May through the Wreaths Across America ceremony in December.

Post #13 members also presented a five-week Americanism program for fifth graders in the Putnam schools, awarded a scholarship to a local high school student who is moving on to college, initiated a scholarship to a veteran attending Quinebaug Valley Community College, supported the TriTown American Legion Baseball Program and provided a special Christmas to the family of a local veteran.

The Post Color Guard unit participates in local parades and special ceremonies involving veterans and will march in the VJ Day Parade in Plainfield in August.  The members are active in the Putnam Business Association.  The Post also honors two veterans annually at its Veterans Day ceremony.  The membership meets the second Monday of each month from September through June in the conference room at Gerardi Insurance on Pomfret Street in Putnam.

“Last year our membership grew from 94 members to 124.  We’re encouraging area veterans who want to learn more about our Post and American Legion to contact us at 860.928.6772 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  American Legion is available to assist veterans through our veterans Services Officer,” Coderre said.

The American Legion will celebrate its 100th anniversary with special centennial celebrations in 2019.

 

Honored

WORCESTER — Several local students were named to the Assumption College dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester: “Rachael Hickey of Woodstock, a member of the Class of 2016; Caroline Kenney of Woodstock, a member of the Class of 2016; Lauren Bretanha of Chepachet, a member of the Class of 2017; David Gazzola of Putnam, a member of the Class of 2017.

 

On dean’s list

NEWTON, Mass. — Lasell College in Newton ecently named Emma Boisvert of Thompson to the Lasell College Dean’s List for the Spring 2016 semester. Boisvert, whose major is marketing, is a member of the class of 2019.