Commuter
lot revamp
starts down
a long road
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The revamp of the town’s largest commuter lot on Kennedy Drive received unanimous Inland Wetlands Commission approval last week, but there’s a long road ahead.
The commission approved a plan to improve stormwater quality. Currently the lot is curbed and the runoff is directed to 1,250-gallon oil/water separator tank that, until recently, the public works department was unaware of. It had not been pumped or cleaned since it was installed more than 20 years ago, sending the water into the Quinebaug River, according to J&D Civil Engineers of Thompson.
The 2-acre lot is about 65 percent impervious, according to J&D.
The commission approved J&D’s plan to remove the curbing in the redesign which will allow parking lot runoff to “sheet flow” into a crushed stone infiltration swale and trench parallel to Kennedy Drive. J&D said: “In addition a new catch basin will be installed at the end of the existing River Trail municipal lot north of the infiltration basin. It will intercept runoff and direct it to the infiltration basin instead of the runoff flowing into Kennedy Drive. Therefore, this runoff will also be fully treated prior to entering the (Quinebaug” river.”
The improvement of stormwater quality going into the river will meet the requirements of the 2004 CT DEEP Stormwater Quality Manual, J&D said.
J&D’s report said: “Also, in warm weather when water levels in the river are low, the temperature of the runoff will be cooler than the existing condition which sends water straight from the hot asphalt to the river. This is better for the fish and river ecosystem.”
Currently the renovation of the commuter lot project is waiting for completed electrical plans from J&D and for the town’s purchase of the adjacent Eversource lot, said Mayor Barney Seney. He hopes both of those will be completed within the next month. The town has been in negotiations with Eversource for more than a year.
The plans still need Planning approval, plus the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and a town meeting. Then it would go out for bids. Likely, he said, renovations wouldn’t start until the spring.
So much has changed in the last couple years that Seney could not estimate the total cost of the project these days. The purchase of the Eversource lot and what the detailed electrical plans will entail will affect that.
Part of it will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act funding. Town Administrator Elaine Sistare had said last year that the town received $2.7 million in ARPA funds. Seney said the town used $600,000 of that for a new generator at the WPCA plant and $60,000 of that for paraprofessionals in the school system.
The lot was constructed after the Flood of 1955. Seney said the town bought the land from the American Legion.
Currently the lot has 112 spaces and plans call for, with all phases completed, 191 and that will include 15 electric vehicle charging stations. Seney said he hoped that two of those could be fast-charging stations.
“I think this lot will address any parking needs for now and in the future. It also addresses electric car charging needs,” Seney added.

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Legend’s
memorabilia
presented to
historical
society
By Ronald P. Coderre
The Putnam Aspinock Historical Society and Town Historian Bill Pearsall welcomed a special guest to the Society location in the Municipal Complex Aug. 2.
Kevin Crowley of Norwich, a friend of the late William “Bill” Kelleher, stopped by the Society and presented numerous memorabilia articles that Kelleher’s high school sweetheart and widow of 72 years Joy Wilde Kelleher desired remain in Putnam in memory and honor of her husband.
William “Bill” Paul Kelleher was born in Killingly to William and Pauline (Trudeau) Kelleher.  The family moved to Putnam when Bill was very young.  Putnam’s gain was Killingly’s loss as Bill was an outstanding young man, excelling in the classroom as well as on the gridiron and track oval.  He was the co-captain with Walter Golec of the 1948 Clipper football team that finished the season with a sterling record of 6-1, under the leadership of coach Jim Greenhalgh who was assisted by Athletic Director George St. Marie.
In addition to being a feared running back, it was on the track that Kelleher was most prominent.  During his years as a Putnam High School track standout, Kelleher won Gold Medals in the 100-yard dash in 1948 and the 100 and 220-yard dashes in 1949 at the State Class S meets.  He also picked up a silver medal in the All Class Meet 50-yard dash in 1949, where it is believed he was edged by the late great Lindy Remigino, who went on to fame in the 1952 Olympics.
Following his graduation from Putnam High School, Kelleher attended Brown University where he played football and ran track for one year.  While at Brown he was part of the relay team that finished second in the Ivy League Relay sponsored by The Washington Evening Star.  He then moved on to UConn where he excelled in track for three seasons.  He received a master’s degree in education from UConn.
Kelleher then moved on to East Hartford High School, where he taught biology and coached track and field before eventually moving on to a starry coaching career at UConn.  During his 22-year career at UConn he led his teams to numerous championships, one undefeated season and developed a number of athletes who earned All-America honors and one who competed in the Olympics.  Kelleher was selected as the 1980-1981 New England Interscholastic Athletic Association Coach of the Year.
Most of all Kelleher is remembered as a dedicated educator.  He imparted a sense of values that his athletes carried beyond the field of competition into the real world, crafting successful careers in business, education, healthcare and numerous other areas.
After retiring from UConn, Kelleher forged a seven-year second career at Trinity College coaching the track athletes.
“It’s an honor as a close friend of Bill and Joy Kelleher to assist the family in relocating these valuable memorabilia items to Bill’s hometown.  The warm reception we received from the historical society assures us that they will be well cared for and Bill’s memory will live on,” said Crowley.
A resident of Coventry, Kelleher remained active in volunteer capacities primarily as a lifelong member of the Lions Club, the local food bank and the Special Olympics, where he was honored in 1985 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver.  Bill Kelleher died Jan. 2, 2023, at the age of 91.

caption: page 5: Kevin Crowley, left, proudly displays Bill Kelleher’s “1949 Putnam High School letter sweater” while Town Historian Bill Pearsall holds the 1948 Putnam High School football from the team’s 6-1 season.
 

Caption, page 2: Kevin Crowley, left, a close friend of the late Bill Kelleher reviews and explains the many items of Kelleher memorabilia to Putnam Town Historian Bill Pearsall.  The memorabilia was donated to the Historical Society by Kelleher’s widow Joy Wilde Kelleher.

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Saucier making Progress

WOODSTOCK --- During a football game in Enfield Sept. 9, one member of The Woodstock Academy team, experienced a sudden medical emergency on the field and was taken to the hospital.

In a statement from The Woodstock Academy: “As a community, we are extending our love and support to Braiden Saucier and his family and wish to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Braiden is doing well in the hospital, making progress, walking, and still undergoing tests, and we are hopeful that he will make a full recovery. The Saucier family is “overwhelmed by the support from the whole Woodstock Academy community, including Enfield and northeast Connecticut.”

The Enfield community and football team have been in contact with The Academy and continue to show support for Braiden and the Saucier family. “The entire Enfield community’s thoughts are with Braiden, and we are sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery,” said Enfield Superintendent Christopher Drezek.

A senior member of The Woodstock Academy’s football team designed a sticker with the number 10 that the entire team will add to their helmets in support of Braiden.

“The Saucier family is an important and valued part of our school community,” said Head of School Chris Sandford . “As an institution, we are grateful for the support of the entire Woodstock Academy and Enfield communities, and we continue to wish our best for Braiden as he recovers.”