*****************ECRWSS**** Local STD Postal Customer US POSTAL PAID HARTFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 5126 EastAN INDEPENDENT Haddam COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER COVERING MOODUS, News LAKE HAYWARD, HADLYME AND EAST HADDAM September 12, 2019 Copyright ©2019 East Haddam News Free weekly Gala celebrates 100th birthday of Gillette Castle By David Holahan TURN TO PAGES EH9–10 The 100th birthday of Gillette Cas- FOR GALA PHOTOS tle was celebrated in style this past The parcel consisted of virgin forest Saturday night with a “Speakeasy Gala” without even a footpath to the sum- that drew 100 revelers to the historic mit, which would make his ambitious East Haddam home of actor William project all the more challenging. The Gillette. Partygoers dressed in period building got underway in 1914, the finery, imbibed vintage beverages and year that the world went to war, and danced the night away—just for the was completed five years later, 100 fun of it and to raise money for the years ago. castle, which is now, of course, a state Gillette’s design was patterned after park. Friends of Gillette Castle State a medieval Rhennish fortress, com- Park, a local nonprofit, hosted the plete with battlements and apertures rip-roaring event. that would allow him, hypothetically, In 1914, the famous thespian Wil- to pour boiling oil down upon invasive liam Hooker Gillette took the adage “A theater and architecture critics. man’s home is his castle” literally and The castle, which is now a popular commenced construction of his layer- state park and East Haddam desti- Revelers came from near and far to toast William Gillette and his 100-year-old castle on cake-like fortress in Hadlyme, atop a nation—with an estimated 90,000 hill overlooking the Connecticut River. Saturday night at the “Speakeasy Gala” hosted by the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park. Photo by Kelly Hunt of Cherish The Moment Photography. visitors annually—has 24 rooms that, The view is unparalleled along the as an official pamphlet from yesteryear entire course of the big river. frontage just north of the Hadlyme Ferry slip, and describes them, are “spread around in bewildering Several years earlier he had bought the property, had began the design and planning for the castle and fashion but all testifying to William Gillette’s inven- 184 acres with nearly three quarters of a mile of river grounds himself. Continued on page EH8 Zaid announces Independent Party run for first selectman By David Holahan need in East Haddam to have a politi- percent of the votes cast. Joseph Zaid, a U.S. Navy veteran and cal organization that focuses more on In a statement to the East Hadd- an alternate member of both the East East Haddam and the residents than am News, which is printed in full on Haddam conservation and planning the politics governing the two major page EH7, Zaid wrote, in part: “One and zoning commissions, has an- parties in town.” reason my family and I moved to East nounced that he is running for East The caucus was advertised in a Haddam was the low mill rate, which Haddam First Selectman as the en- daily newspaper and was attended by has slowly increased over the past few dorsed candidate of the Independent “three or four” people, according to years, state taxes have also been on Party of Connecticut. Mike Telesca, who is state chairman of the rise. If elected to 1st Selectman, I Zaid was endorsed at a caucus of the political organization. He added would use fiscal discipline to keep tax- the Independent Party of Connecticut that the party had about 30,000 mem- es low, and keep your money in your held at Two Wrasslin’ Cats on August bers statewide, but that it didn’t have pocket where it belongs. The town 28 and has filed as a candidate with the funds to support local candidates. The owes it to current and future residents town clerk. Independent Party of Connecticut will to spend tax money wisely and live In an email, Zaid stated: “The Inde- have a line on the ballot in November within our means. It really pains me to pendent Town Committee was formed because in the previous town election, see tax money used without any clear earlier in August, we are actively in 2017, the Independent candidate for benefits to the townspeople.” first selectman received more than one Joe Zaid and his daughter Adelyn recruiting new members as we see a Continued on page EH7 In This Issue: See the swallows, Page EH2 • Theater auditions, Page EH4 • Art Bienniale, Page EH5 TOWN Hearing on town’s two libraries draws a crowd By Danielle Faipler to the town. the East Haddam Public Library system. The library Nearly every seat in meeting rooms 1 and 2 of the The town owns, operates and maintains the Rath- system receives $54,825 from the Rathbun Trust Municipal Office Building Complex was occupied by bun Free Memorial Library located on Main Street endowment and Reading Room Association — ap- a concerned town residents during a recent pub- in East Haddam. According to the East Haddam As- proximately $40,000 from the Rathbun and $14,000 lic hearing concerning the conveyance of the East sessor’s database of town property values, the town from the Reading Room Association. Haddam Free Public Library building to the town of acquired the Rathbun Library in 2013. Both library buildings require renovation to be East Haddam. The database also states the town owns the East brought up to code and compliant with the Ameri- The building, which was built in 1919 and sits on Haddam Free Public Library; however, it does not. cans with Disabilities Act. Plains Road in Moodus, would be gifted to the town. Town officials expect to hold a town meeting or In 2017 the town hired Fellner Associates Archi- Currently the town operates and maintains the referendum on October 1 to approve the transaction. tects to evaluate how much it would cost to install East Haddam Free Public Library, but it does not Before the town meeting or referendum, the East elevators in both buildings, and make the necessary own the building. The town had to go to the Con- Haddam Board of Finance and Planning and Zoning improvements. The cost for both buildings was necticut Supreme Court for a stipulated judgment Commission will review the plan. expected to be $1,044,620. This amount was listed approving the conveyance of the East Haddam Free According to the 2019-2020 municipal budget, incorrectly in a previous story in the East Haddam Public Library from the Reading Room Association the town has budgeted approximately $332,010 for News. NATURE East Haddam Land Trust to hold paddle to watch swallows From the East Haddam Land Trust about 15 minutes later, making for a moonlit paddle flotation devices. Headlamps/flashlights are strongly We will launch from Ferry Landing State Park/ back to the launch site. Ferry Road is a right turn recommended to identify paddlers to after-sunset DEEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme on Fri- off Route 156 approximately one half mile south of river traffic. Drinking water, insect protection, bin- day September 13 at 5:30 p.m. for a leisurely paddle the I-95 Baldwin Bridge in Old Lyme. Ferry Land- oculars and/or a camera are suggested. Heavy rain to Goose Island to see the swallows’ aerial display ing State Park/DEEP Marine Headquarters is at the will cancel; watch our Facebook page for weather prior to dusk. Sunset is at 7:00 p.m. and moonrise is end of Ferry Road. All paddlers must have personal updates. Riebold Sanitation, LLC Septic Tank Pumping Real Estate Inspections Septic Repair and Installation Neighborhood Discounts on Pumping Family owned and operated for 3 generations from Fred to Richie to Eric since 1947 Higganum, CT 860-345-2708 [email protected] rieboldsanitationllc.com Schedule your FREE Consultation FALL INTO SAVINGS today! Buy 1, Get 1 * 60% OFF Our personalized experience, Custom Blinds your piece of mind. OR Shades Call Lori for your FREE consultation today! *Higher price prevails; discount applied to less We bring our showroom to you. expensive item. Offer expires 9/30/19. 860-613-6266 www.budgetblinds.com/middletownct Enchanting lovely custom traditional Cape Cod HIC #0647557 home with extraordinary seasonal panoramic views of the CT River! Enjoy the expansive front Budget Blinds - Style and Service for Every Budget porch while enjoying the picturesque setting nestled high & dry into the natural hillside. We’re your local neighborhood experts and we’re backed by North America’s #1 provider $389,000 of custom window coverings. We do it all for you - design, measure and install - because we think everyone, at every budget, deserves style, service, and the peace-of-mind of the Chairmans Elite Club Buyer & Seller Top 5% of the Company Representation best warranty in the business. Top Producing Realtor Free Update Home Design Consultations Call your neighborhood experts for your FREE in-home consultation! with YOUR best interest as MY top priority! Free Market Analysis 860-613-6266 • www.budgetblinds.com/middletownct Lifelong Area Resident Blinds • Shutters • Shades • Drapes • Home Automation Top Producing Realtor with Home Design Serving the towns of East Haddam, Moodus, Colchester, Salem, Portland, Colbalt, Experience East Hampton, Middletown, Middlefield and Rockfall. List To Sell! Buy With Confidence! LEGAL DISCLAIMER Higher price prevails; discount applied to less expensive item. Not valid with any other offers, discounts or coupons. Valid for a limited time only. Jodi Lisitano Offer good at initial time of estimate only. At participating franchises only. ©2019 Budget Blinds, LLC.