By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It might be easy to miss, but work on the manufactured buildings, the Putnam EMS’s new home, is started.
Elaine Sistare, town administrator, said the prep work on the area between the old EMS building and the Putnam Fire Department building has started — in the form of markings on the pavement. In addition, some utilities work will be done shortly while the two manufactured buildings are on order.
She hopes that the project will be finished by Christmas.
The HUD-certified contractor is Nutt Construction. The site work will include some minor demolition and then excavation will begin. Home Nation will supply the two modular units and Sistare had said earlier that they need five to 10 weeks of lead time so she’s hoping they “will be in before the harsh winter.” Lead time is also needed for furniture and fixtures.
The concrete foundation and building supports will need 28 days of curing time. Nutt Construction said they’d prefer to have the units delivered and put into place when the concrete is ready. They do not want the units delivered to the site and then moved later onto the foundation. The two buildings would be craned into place and then joined together.
The 1,200 square foot combined building would contain three bedrooms, a kitchen area and a shower area. It would measure 27 feet wide and 44 feet long.
She said one of the bedrooms would be turned into an office. There would be nice clean modern space for sleeping, showers, cooking, a conference space and bathrooms.
Parking and access will be reworked.
The ad hoc committee OK’d using $88,000 in ARPA funds for furniture, fixtures and a new generator. Also available is $260,000 in Local Capital Improvement Program funding.
The emergency vehicles would stay in the current building. That building was built in 1960 and saw a modest upgrade in 2000. But it does not meet regulation. The crews do not have a good place to “decontaminate” after returning from a call. The shower in the current building is being used for storage, Sistare said.
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From Music to Momentum: Accelerating Hope
Particle Accelerator honors lives lost to suicide, builds awareness through music and community
PUTNAM — Every year, the Young family gathers the community to celebrate the life of their son, Jack Young, Jr., through the Particle Accelerator Music Fest. Jack was a gifted musician who played in numerous bands, was a storyteller and artist. After losing him to suicide, his family and friends chose to honor his memory in a way that reflects both his love of music and their commitment to helping others.
Sept. 13 was one of those beautiful days.
The name Particle Accelerator carries a powerful meaning. In science, a particle accelerator propels tiny particles to extraordinary speeds, unleashing energy that reveals hidden truths about the universe. What begins small becomes a force of discovery and light.
That is exactly what the Particle Accelerator Music Fest represents. Everyone who attends—whether to listen, play music, volunteer, or simply be present—is like a particle. Alone, each of us may feel small, but when we come together, our collective energy accelerates into something transformative:
- Raising awareness about suicide and mental health.
- Building connections that replace isolation with community.
- Creating hope that fuels healing and resilience.
This is why the festival has become more than a concert. It is a movement—a living tribute that transforms loss into light and silence into conversation.
As the festival’s message declares: “From Music to Momentum: Accelerating Hope.” Through music, remembrance, and unity, the Particle Accelerator Music Fest shines brightly—not only as a memorial to Jack’s life, but as an accelerator of awareness, compassion, and hope for all.
Thank You to Our Sponsors: We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our sponsors, who make the Particle Accelerator Music Fest possible:
- Showcase Sponsor: United Lens Company
- Premier Sponsor: United Lens Company
- Gold Sponsors: bankHometown; Deary’s Gymnastic Supply; Charter Oak, Federal Credit Union; Byrnes Agency, Inc.; Jewett City Savings Bank; Unitarian Universalist Society; NAMI Windham County; Daniel R. Santos, CPA,
- Silver Sponsor: Quest Martial Arts
- Bronze Sponsors: Mohegan Sun; Sarantopoulos & Sarantopoulos, LLC; Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory; SPIROL International; Bill’s Bedding and Furniture; Rawson Materials; 85 Main; Baker’s Dozen; Gerardi Insurance Services, Inc.; The Courthouse Bar and Grille; Knights of Columbus, Cargill Council No. 64; Deary’s Stand; Sawdust Coffee House.
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Woodstock Public Schools
Every day: Fruit. Monday: Hamburgers or cheeseburgers, baked beans. Tuesday: Pancakes, sausage, hash browns. Wednesday - elementary: Chicken nuggets, brown rice, broccoli. Wednesday - Middle: General Tso's chicken brown rice, broccoli. Thursday: Meatsauce, penne, carrots. Friday: Pizza, wax beans.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Every day: Fruit. Monday: Spaghetti, meatballs, roasted vegetable medley. Tuesday: Orange popcorn chicken rice bowls, broccoli. Wednesday: Chicken sandwich. Thursday: Locally sourced beef, pasta/meatsauce, carrots. Friday: Pizza tomato and cucumbers salad.
Putnam High
Monday: Waffle bar or spicy chicken sandwich. Tuesday: Chicken Parm sandwich or bacon cheeseburger. Wednesday: Texas-style grilled cheese or chicken Caesar wraps. Thursday: Locally sourced beef Nachos Grande or "Wild Mike's" cheese bites. Friday: Pizza or chicken tender fry basket.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans. Tuesday: Buffalo ranch drummies, celery and baby carrots. Wednesday: French toast stix, turkey sausage, hash browns. Thursday: Italian grinders, tomato with cucumber wheels. Friday; Cheese or roni pizza, romaine salad.
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Town of Putnam
Zoning Board of Appeals
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid meeting on October 21, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. in Room 201 on the second floor at the Putnam Municipal Complex, located at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT. A public hearing will take place on the following:
Appeal # 2025-003 Sam’s Food Store, c/o Arsalan Altaf Director of Real Estate request for a modification to an existing fueling station in accordance with Section 210 of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations the proposed replacement of existing underground tanks which have expired along with the installation of new pumps to optimize traffic flow through the site. The property is located at 303 Kennedy Drive, Town Assessors Map 11, Lot 138, Zoned GC.
Appeal # 2025-004 Thomas Thurlow and Wendy Van Kirk request for a variance of 15’ from the required 25’ rear yard setback down to 10’ to remove an existing garage/stable and construct a workshop with a small 1-bedroom apartment consisting of 300 S.F. Property located at 18 Chapman Street, Town Assessors Map 19, Lot 4, Zoned R-7.
Joseph Nash, Chairperson
Oct. 9, 2025
Oct. 16, 2025
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