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Pomfret library
project resets
its course
The building project at Pomfret Public Library is still in the works, but construction is postponed until spring 2024.
Pomfret Public Library was awarded a CT State Public Library Construction Grant of $421,800 in 2018. They raised matching funds, the State Bond Commission approved the funding, and they signed a grant contract in February 2022.
Then architectural firm Silver, Petrucelli + Associates was hired and, after spending many months working with them to fine tune the design and work out the details, they came back with an updated cost estimate.
Unfortunately, with post-pandemic construction cost increases and unexpected work that the engineers felt was necessary in the original building, the current estimate is more than twice what was originally planned for. The available funds were insufficient.
The Pomfret Public Library Board of Trustees and Building Committee made the reluctant but necessary decision to forfeit the 2018 grant, reapply for a 2023 Public Library Construction Grant with the revised cost estimate, and raise additional matching funds as needed. The delay in construction is disappointing, the committee said, “But we are confident that we will be able to bring our building plans to fruition in 2024.”
The committee added: “We are very grateful for the widespread support for this project and look forward to increasing our library services to the community in the near future.
Public libraries now provide services, resources and technology that didn’t exist when Pomfret Public Library was built! Lending books is still our stock-in-trade, but there is a new emphasis on group learning experiences, creativity, and community events that necessitates meeting room spaces, technology, equipment and furnishings.”
The planned addition to Pomfret Public Library includes about 2000 sq. ft. of meeting room space for groups of eight to 60 people.  This space will be available for programs and events sponsored by the library and by other community organizations.
Interior Rendering
Improvements include:
Lounge & café: space to relax or have a quiet conversation
Conference Room & Archives: business and board meetings, research the archives of the Pomfret Historical Society
Great Room: meetings, concerts, classes, movies, lectures, poetry, workshops.
Activity Space: a Story Time/group play/Maker Space equipped for art, crafts, games, STEAM
Restrooms: two private, accessible, unisex family restrooms
Art gallery: current and retrospective exhibits of local talent
Patio: extending the Great Room outside to the existing deck, gardens, and walking trail
Rooms available for booking after-hours: meeting space for local organizations, boards and clubs
Technology: all rooms fully equipped with computers, fiber internet, wifi, projection and sound

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Category: Current Issue

caption, page 1:

Super Fun
Top: Olive Macpherson, 2+, gets her face painted. Left: Everyone scrambles at the end of the Superhero Dash when the super soakers come out. More photos on page 4. Expanded photo page Wed. night on FB: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.

captions, page 4:

Two 'Branches' of Superhero
Nate Lowell, left, of the Putnam Fire Department, and Earl Rosebrooks (aka Superman), at the Superhero Dance Party.

Mayor Barney Seney dancing with Crystal Simonson (aka Batwoman)

The multitude of winners in the Superhero Costume Contest.


By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM … and Beyond — It started with a seed of an idea from Willie Bousquet, Putnam’s Parks and Recreation Department director.
And before you knew it downtown Putnam was inundated Aug. 5 with Superheroes of every stripe and size.
Earl Rosebrooks, co-chair of the Superhero Saturday committee, said about 2,500 people came downtown to enjoy the event. The event included a Superhero Dance Party, a Superhero Dash up Canal Street, vendors, demonstrations, music and more.
Rosebrooks said the real hero portion of the event was a “huge hit. Kids got to interact with our local heroes — teachers, doctors, nurses, veterans, EMTs, fire personnel, police and our mayor, Barney Seney (aka Captain Putnam).”
Good sport that he is, Seney visited the Super Soaker corner and was soaked within 30 seconds.
Gary Osbrey and WINY Radio MC’d the entire event which started with words from Captain Putnam and Putnam Business Association President Thomas Borner.
Co-chair Crystal Simonson said: “The Superhero Dash and Superhero Dance Party brought out the biggest and brightest smiles from all the children participating that I have ever seen! Everyone seemed to be truly happy, having fun, and extremely present in those moments, and it’s something I will never forget!“
Rosebrooks was impressed with the number of people — kids and adults — who came dressed up in costumes. “The amount of people who came dressed up in costumes was amazing as well — I’d like to think the adults had just as much fun as the kids did reliving and pretending to be heroes for a day!”
The winners of the costume contest included: Venom, Police Officer, DeLorean, Baby Wonder Woman, Spider Girl, Girl Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Harley Quinn.
“As always, everyone in this community certainly comes together to make events such as this one ‘super’ successful and memorable! From our real heroes, superheroes, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, local businesses/organizations/restaurants, to the Putnam Business Association, committee members, the Town of Putnam/Recreation Department and all that supported this event in some way or another – we thank each and every one of you for a great Superhero Saturday event,” said Simonson.
Rosebrooks seconded Simonson’s thoughts. “The reasons for the success were the collaboration between the town, the PBA, the participating businesses, our hard-working committee and the perfect weather!”
He anticipates that the Superhero Saturday or a similar type festivity will become an annual event.
He added, “A huge thank you to all who came out —it was a blast!”

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Country Fest
is Aug. 12
PUTNAM — The Town of Putnam is hosting a free Country Fest with three American Country Bands, starting at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Rotary Park Bandstand. After The Midnight Anthem performance ends, River Fire begins and will stay lit for 90 minutes.
Country Fest is sponsored by WIN Waste Innovations and Centreville Bank.  
The Midnight Anthem is a musical trio from New England, made up of Catherine, Sophia & Grace...cousins by birth, but sisters at heart.  The group has an uncanny knack for creating music that is both fun to listen to and touches the soul.
Openers for The Midnight Anthem are local favorites Hillbilly Graham Crackers performing from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and Whiskey Boulevard entertaining from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The Midnight Anthem offers their talent from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is something special.
Music for River Fire will be produced by WINY 1350 am & 97.1 fm while the fires are powered by the Town of Putnam Recreation Department and Department of Public Works (DPW).
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Rotary Park on Kennedy Drive in Putnam for an experience not to be missed.

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Transformation
The flowers of the chive plant, earlier this summer, start out looking like a bare head and then burst out with "teeth". Linda Lemmon photo.

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