Local author sets more book signings
Putnam resident Ronald P. Coderre the author of the recently released manuscript – “The Flood of 1955,” announced four more book signing dates.
The upcoming book signings: 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Westview Commons in Dayville; 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Thompson Community Center and Library; a future date at the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam and a future date at the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse at the Putnam Lodge of Elks at a yet to be determined date in January 2026.
All proceeds from the sale of the booklet go directly to the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam. To date the society has received more than $2500. Booklets may be purchased directly at the Aspinock Historical Society on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 2 p.m.; at the Putnam Public Library; The Thompson Historical Society Gift Shop or by calling 860-942-7243 or by email at
“The Flood of 1955” relates Coderre’s experiences as a 14-year-old young man who witnessed firsthand the disastrous event that occurred on Aug. 19, 1955. The booklet, with the foreword written by Society President Miller, takes the reader from the Putnam Centennial celebration in June 1955, through the days of the flood, to present day Putnam. The booklet includes photos of the Centennial celebration and epic photos of the flood and its aftermath.
“I’m overjoyed and awed by the requests we’ve received to purchase the booklet. Sales have already exceeded 150 with more in print. I feel strongly that events such as the flood and other historical occasions should be recorded in print for the generations who’ll follow us. The positive feedback is most gratifying,” said Coderre.
“These books make great Christmas stocking stuffers!” said President John Miller.
“More than a total of 60 people attended the book signings at the Putnam Historical Society and the Arc Emporium in Woodstock. We are very pleased with the response to the booklet. The comments we’ve received from readers have been extremely positive. With the upcoming holiday season, the book is an excellent gift idea and requests for purchases are arriving daily,” said Miller.
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The Putnam Fire Department gave Santa a ride to the Riverfront Commons and job one was to help Mayor Barney Seney light up Putnam. Then he settled in in front of the Jewett City Savings Bank and he and Mrs. Claus listened to all the kids --- young and old. There were treats, too! More photos on our FB page Wed. night.
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Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Public Hearing
December 15, 2025 @ 6:30 PM
The public is hereby notified and warned that a Public Hearing will be held in Room 109 of the Putnam Municipal Complex at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 6:30 in the evening for the purpose of discussing Flock Cameras and License Plate readers in the Special Services District.
Dec. 4, 2025
Town of Putnam
Planning & Zoning Commission
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a hybrid meeting on December 17, 2025, at 7:00 P. M. in Room 201 at the Putnam Municipal Complex, located at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT. Public hearings will take place on each of the following:
Docket # 2025-16 Carlos Bastos request for a Special Permit to build and operate a body shop in accordance with Section 304 “Schedule of Uses and Districts” of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations. Property is located at 70 May Street, Town Assessors Map 011, Lot 208, Zoned General Commercial.
Docket # 2025-17 Krupa Shah request for a Special Permit to operate a vendor’s market during non-business hours in accordance with Section 304 “Schedule of Uses and Districts” of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations. The applicant is requesting a waiver of Section 113 Zoning Permit Application, C. Site Plan Requirements and Section 114 Special Permit, C. Applications 1, a-j, and 2. a-b. Property is located at 50 Providence Pike Unit # 2, Town Assessor’s Map 26, Lot 007/003, Zoned Highway Commercial.
Patricia Hedenberg, Chairperson
Dec. 4, 2025
Dec. 11, 2025
Town of Putnam
Zoning Board of Appeals
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid meeting on December 16, 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. Public hearings will take place on the following:
Continue public hearing on Appeal # 2025-006 Derik Gagnon request for a variance from the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations Section 607 Excavation B. Exemptions 2. Provided that less than 1500 cubic yards is disturbed or removed. The applicant is requesting to vary the exemption of 1500 cubic yards to the removal 5000 cubic yards. Property located at 188 Sabin Street, Town Assessors Map 10, Lot 83, Zoned R-10
Public hearing on Appeal # 2025-008 Sukpaseuth Phongsa and Khamphanh Phongsa request for variances from Section 601 of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations to reduce the 33 required parking spaces down to 22 parking spaces and Section 601(c.) setback of parking access from property line: reduced from the required 5 feet down to approximately 2 feet. The applicant is seeking variances for the construction of a restaurant and a grocery store. Property is located at 611 School Street, Town Assessors Map 26, Lot 67, Zoned Highway Commercial.
Public hearing on Appeal # 2025-009 Krupa Shah request for a variance for the placement of a Bounce X sign next to the Montana Nights Axe Throwing for better visibility of sign & business. Property is located at 50 Providence Pike Unit # 2, Town Assessors Map 26, Lot 007/003, Zoned Highway Commercial.
Public hearing on Appeal # 2025-010 Sixty Providence Street LLC request for a variance from the required front yard setback of 30’ down to 20’ for the construction of a 600 sq. ft. wash bay building. Property located at 60 Providence Street, Town Assessors Map 11, Lot 80, Zoned General Commercial.
Joseph Nash, Chairman
Dec. 4, 2025
Dec. 11, 2025
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Fingers crossed: The best Christmas ever
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — If all goes well, the EMS crews could be settling into their new home for Christmas.
Nutt Construction poured the pads for the two manufactured buildings Nov. 12 and 13, according to Town Administrator Elaine Sistare. The concrete must cure for 30 days before buildings are installed, and so she anticipates that Home Nation will deliver and immediately install the two buildings around Dec. 15.
The construction company said it made more sense to take delivery when the pads are cured and units can be delivered and installed immediately rather than the units being delivered and then the company returning to place them on the pads.
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. Sistare 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.
While the curing is going work continues at the new home’s site between the current building and the Putnam Fire Department on Church Street. The natural gas line for the new buildings will be adjusted. A generator that used propane was removed and a new one will be installed and it will use natural gas. In addition, she said, electric mini splits were installed in the current building providing heat.
Most of the furniture for the new EMS building was ordered a while ago and she believes the majority of that furniture will arrive in time.
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.
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.
caption, page 6:
Curing
The pad for the new EMS building is curing. The pad for the new generator is far back, off the back corner of the large pad. Linda Lemmon photo
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