WOODSTOCK VILLAGER Mailed free to requesting homes in Eastford, Pomfret & Woodstock Vol. XI, No. 29 Complimentary to homes by request (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] Friday, May 19, 2017 Honest Guys talk comics in Putnam of their show, which they Ya?” already involved in com- hope will help educate Tom — “It’s a podcast ics or are just starting to the community about that D-Man [Darryl] get into it.” comic books and geek cul- originated and brought Darryl — “Troy ture. They also hope their Dunnzilla and I into. [William Troy Potter, antics and constant jok- We are all friends and Wonderland’s owner] ing will entertain their we wanted to talk about wanted to branch out and viewers. Wonderland comics. We figured, why I gave him the idea of Comic’s weekly pod- not put it on Youtube the show. I just thought, cast, can be found on and Facebook to help ‘Let’s give it a shot.’ We Wonderland’s Youtube Wonderland Comics?” figured we’d have like page and website, as well Darryl — “We thought one or two views but we as on Facebook. we could get people more have almost 85 people fol- I sat down with the interested in comics and lowing us already.” three friends to discuss let people know there’s OR — “What made you their show, how they got more to it than just the agree to join the show?” into comic books and movies. It’s something Matt — “I don’t know, I why they believe people we have fun with and was asked to.” Olivia Richman photo should check out “I Gotta we’re passionate about.” Tom – “Love that.” Be Honest With Ya.” Matt — “We wanted Matt — “It’s an honest The Honest Guys talk about comics every week for Wonderland Comic’s weekly podcast. OR — “So what is “I to hand out information Gotta Be Honest With to people that are either Turn To COMICS page A11 BY OLIVIA RICHMAN NEWS STAFF WRITER PUTNAM — It’s A GIFT Sunday afternoon and Darryl Davidson, Matt FOR MOM Dunne and Tom Smith just spent the entire morning talking about Guardians Of the Galaxy Volume 2, Alien Vs. Predator and zombies. It’s a typical Sunday for the self-proclaimed Honest Guys, who call themselves D-Man, Dunnzilla and just Tom on their weekly podcast “I Gotta Be Honest With Ya,” which is filmed in Olivia Richman photo Wonderland Comics, Tom Smith and Matt Dunne, from Dudley, Mass., and Darryl a comic book store in Davidson, from Southbridge, Mass., outside of Wonderland downtown Putnam. Olivia Richman photo Comics, in Putnam, where they film their weekly podcast “I Each Sunday, the three Gotta Be Honest With Ya.” friends film new episodes WOODSTOCK — Greg Hesler and his son, Bryce, picked up gift for Bryce’s mother at the Quiet Corner Garden Club’s annual plant sale at the Woodstock Fairgrounds last Saturday, May 13. STEALING SECOND Killingly artist walks the walk BY OLIVIA RICHMAN NEWS STAFF WRITER POMFRET — Stunning close ups of owls and hum- mingbirds, geese travel- ing together through the water — these are some of the subjects of nature photographer Nancy Barrett’s photography, which is on display at the Audubon Center at Pomfret through July. And, according to Barrett, there’s no better place for Olivia Richman photo Charlie Lentz photo her work, since she often Killingly resident Nancy Barrett’s nature photography is on comes to the Audubon display at the Audubon Center at Pomfret Center to take nature WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Academy’s Haley Armstrong steals second base walks and hikes, bringing said. “I immediately took I’m sitting out in a field as Killingly High shortstop Lexi Brunet covers the bag in the second inning at along her camera. a liking to the place. Being or out in the woods or Roseland Park Field on Monday, May 15. Armstrong was safe. Villager sports “I’ve been coming here in nature is very peaceful. along the edge of a river... coverage begins on page B-1. for walks weekly,” she It’s very relaxing when Turn To BARRETT page A9 A2 • Friday, May 19, 2017 VILLAGER NEWSPAPERS Putnam approves budget PUTNAM — More than 140 The $5,519,177 general gov- get was approved by a vote of 1 mill of the tax increase is the is responsible for 1.8 mills of residents approved the budgets ernment budget includes 107 to 36. The $17,755,007 has actual operating expenses for the projected tax increase. The that call for an almost 3-mill $580,000 in capital improve- an anticipated special educa- the town, library and Board budget proposal uses $600,000 tax increase. Residents voted ments. Another $613,969 in tion grant reimbursement of of Education. Together, those in surplus to reduce the tax at town meeting on May 10 debt payments and the $556,174 $1,804,811, bringing the cost to three budgets require a 0.83 impact of the budget by 1.01 at Putnam Middle School via library budget was also taxpayers to $15,950,196. mill increase. Debt payments mills. The budget also funds paper ballot as required by approved by a vote of 76 to 66. The Board of Finance met require a 0.25 mill increase. all capital expenses, which town charter. The Board of Education bud- immediately after the vote and Another 0.2 mills of the includes funding for a dump set the tax rate at 20 mills, a increase is from a reduction in truck, sidewalks and roads. 2.96 mill increase. According the town’s grand list. Those expenses require 0.98 to budget documents, less than The state’s funding formula mills. Affordable and Dependable Garage Door Professionals Thompson to vote on budget on May 23 BY OLIVIA RICHMAN “All of the towns are at a disad- cation. According to Beausoleil, Per NEW STAFF WRITER vantage because of the fact that there will be a $3 million cut to THOMPSON — First we don’t know what the revenue education funding in 2018, which $50 OFF Door Selectman Ken Beausoleil is from the state is because there’s will leave the education fund- encouraging Thompson resi- no budget in place. We hope the ing inadequate. Residents are Any Steel Overlay dents to come out for the bud- state will have a budget in place encouraged to go to Thompson’s FREE get referendum on May 23. The when it comes time to do tax website to find out more about ESTIMATES Carriage House Door budget is $25,922,696, a little over bills so we know what to set the budget or visit Thompson $600,000 increase from last fiscal the bill rate at. Right now, all Town Hall with any questions or Sales • Service • Installation year’s (a 1.01 mill increase). But the problems lie with the state,” concerns. 800-605-9030 508-987-8600 the real focus, said Beausoleil, Beausoleil said. Olivia Richman man be is not the town’s budget, but It is expected that Thompson reached at (860) 928-1818, ext. www.countrysidedoors.com e: [email protected] the state’s. Or rather, the state’s and the other 169 cities and towns 112 or by e-mail at olivia@stone- lack of a in Connecticut are going to be bridgepress.com budget. experiencing cuts to a variety of revenue streams, including edu- Woodstock voters OK budget referendum WOODSTOCK — Woodstock voters approved the referendum vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 16. The Town of Woodstock’s referendum passed with a final tally of 424 yes votes and 113 no votes. On May 9 the proposed budget was recommended by the Board of Finance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 in the amount of $22,674,814, to appropriate said sum to meet the recommended expenditures; to adopt a Capital Improvement Plan for a five-year period ending 2021-2022 as has been recommended by the Board of Finance. Woodstock’s local capital improvement projects of $7,430,202 and capital improvement plan as defined in Section 7-535 through 7-538, a copy of the plan was on file in the Office of the Town Clerk and available for public inspection during normal business hours, was ratified and approved and passed on to the voters for the May 16 vote. It was resolved on May 9, that the Town of Woodstock approve the expenditure of $98,715.32 as recommended by the Board of Finance from the Reserve for Capital and Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund to be used for Woodstock Public School capi- tal projects. It was resolved that the Town of Woodstock approve the expenditure of $15,000 as recommended by the Board of Finance from the Reserve for Capital and Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund to be used for Quasset School building repairs. Also resolved: To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for the State and Federal Grants. Killingly residents approve budget KILLINGLY — Killingly residents the hiring of an assistant town manager approved a combined $53.3 million and to bump a part-time office assis- general government and Board of tant’s hours to full time. The budget Education spending plan on May 9 that eliminates funding for one of the town’s does not require a mill rate increase. four resident state troopers as the town The referendum drew 823 voters, or 8 transitions to a largely constable-based percent, of the town’s 10,160 registered form of policing. The spending plan voters. includes $11.2 million for town opera- The $15.7 million general government tions, $3.1 million in debt service and a budget is a $1.1 million jump from the $255,191 solid waste subsidy.