Centaurs looking forward to 2nd season in boys' volleyball
The maiden voyage for the Woodstock Academy boys’ volleyball team last spring produced some good results.
A 10-12 record, good enough to make the state tournament and a win in the Connecticut Volleyball League tournament.
“That record was fantastic; I was happy with that,” said coach Adam Bottone.
There is another silver lining to that. Although the Centaurs lost seven players to graduation including Aiden Finch who led the team with 163 kills, the cupboard is far from bare.
That’s because four of those starters who return are just sophomores.
“This year, we have a lot more experience than we did last year,” said Libero Christian Hart. ”We don’t have as much height, but a lot more experience.”
Hart was solid in the back as he accounted for 244 digs and his classmates, outside hitter Brayden Bottone (102 kills), middle hitter Owen Budd (83 kills) and setter Jake Henderson (368 assists) also return in key spots.
The familiarity between the group members is also a plus. “It’s nice to have that friendship and come back into the sport where we can build upon it and learn from each other,” Budd said. The schedule is not as much of a hoot, however. After the Centaurs open with a league game on the road against neighboring rival, Putnam, at 11 a.m. Saturday, they have a very difficult stretch as they travel to Glastonbury and Farmington before hosting South Windsor next Friday in their home opener.
Woodstock has only two seniors this year with Nate Billings and Kevin Yu coming back.
The Centaurs also have a newcomer to the program as Chernik should find a hitter’s role. Weston Mission has moved up from junior varsity and will either relieve Henderson at setter, or one could move up to a hitter’s role or the Centaurs could elect to experiment with two setters.
The coach said the team is working most on its serve/receive. A lot of his players have been working with the jump/attack serve which can be effective but also can be a much easier ball for the defense to pass. He’s been working with the team on trying to keep up the aggression while, at the same time, keeping the ball in play.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
.
caption:
Libero Christian Hart (left) and middle hitter Owen Budd. Photo by Marc Allard.
What's next for Putnam?
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM —Town officials are still seeking opinions on what residents would like their town to look like.
John Guszkowski, principal of Tyche Planning and Policy Group LLC, is helping the town set its future by helping write the town’s next 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development.
State law requires every town to update its 10-year plan. Putnam’s is due in mid-2026. Key to Guszkowski’s work is a survey asking residents what’s important to them — about every aspect of the town.
The survey is online at: https://surveymonkey.com/r/PutnamPoCD
In addition, printed copies of the survey are available in the Building and Land Use office and in the Putnam Public Library in the Municipal Complex.
The survey encompasses everything from economic development, housing, open spaces, trails, transportation, infrastructure, schools, affordable housing, climate change issues and much more.
“It’s basically how the town uses its land for the next 10 years,” he said. Where should the town make its investments? It asks the townspeople to prioritize, make choices. Should the town invest in more trails and parks? Or perhaps believe in not buying more property for uses but enhance what we have? For housing should the town concentrate on single-family housing or move toward town houses or mixed uses like Cargill Falls (without the mold and lead paint)? Expand its commercial zone around downtown? He said that a good bit of commercial property around downtown is unused/underused. Some 300,000 square feet of that type of space could be revitalized. And/or expand the commercial zones in East Putnam? Consolidate the Special Service District and East Putnam? And much more.
Everyone he’s spoken with so far is “united by the idea that Putnam is a special place,” he said. Downtown is more than the heart of Putnam, it is the heart of northeastern Connecticut. It’s a regional downtown, a hub.
He expects the plan will “lean in and build on that.” How can we make downtown Putnam even better, as a regional downtown, he added.
Why take the survey? “There are real choices that the town faces in the next 10 years,” he said.
Participation in the survey portion of the plan is essential, he said. “It’s like what they say about democracy — the most important part of democracy is showing up.” He added that input is a “critical” part of this future.
The plan is a “celebration of the last 10 years and it will be our vision of what we want our future to be,” he said.
.
Job Posting
Town of Pomfret
PART-TIME ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK
The Town of Pomfret seeks to hire a pt (up to 25 hrs/wk) Assistant Town Clerk responsible to assist the Town Clerk in the administration and management of the municipal records of the Town, its minutes, agendas, licenses, and permits as required by CT General Statutes and to perform all duties for elections, primaries and referenda.
Must assist the general public and work in cooperation with municipal officials. Must be able to work independently.
A minimum of a high school diploma required. Efficient knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel and Word. One or two years of office or secretarial experience, or one year of office administration. Bookkeeping experience and previous CCMC certification or experience helpful but not necessary. CCMC certification would be required within 4 years of employment if not currently certified.
Salary commensurate with experience. Full job description available on the Town website: www.pomfretct.gov. Submit letter of interest, application and 3 letters of reference to: Selectman’s office, 5 Haven Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259. Position open until filled.. EOE/AA
.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Every day: Fruit. Monday: Macaroni and cheese, broccoli. Tuesday: Spaghetti, meatball, roasted vegetables. Wednesday: Hot dog or corndogs, baked beans. Thursday: Fiesta beef nachos, corn. Friday: Stuffed-crust pizza, salad.
Putnam High
Monday: Waffle Bar or spicy chicken sandwich. Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo Bake or bacon cheeseburger. Wednesday: Cheesy Beef Tot-Chos or turkey bacon wrap. Thursday: Chicken potato bowl or "Wild Mike's" cheese bites. Friday: Pizza or chicken tender fry basket.
Woodstock Public Schools
Every day: Fruit. Monday: Cheeseburger or hamburger, green beans. Tuesday: French toast sticks, sausage, hash browns. Wednesday - Elementary: Chicken nuggets, brown rice, carrots. Wednesday - Middle: General Tso's chicken, brown rice, carrots. Thursday: Beef and bean nachos, refried beans. Friday: No school - Professional Development.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Bosco sticks with marinara, carrots. Tuesday: Chicken soft taco supreme, refried beans. Wednesday: Chicken tenders and waffles, corn. Thursday: Macaroni and cheese, broccoli. Friday: Stuffed-crust pizza, cucumber wheels with ranch dressing.
.