Property of the Watertown Historical Society watertownhistoricalsociety.org • tlimee u Vol. 49 No. 36 PUBLISHED BY PRIME PUBLISHERS, INC. September 9,1993 40 Pages Price 65 cents Serving Watertown and Oakville Since 1947 Shoppers Lured to Plaza by Edwards' Low Prices WATERTOWN by Susan Faber citizens on a set income." Workers from Agnoli Sign Co. in Springfield, "I think the prices have gone down," commented Mass, spent a hot day last week at Watertown Plaza Watertown resident Alice Kitchin, who had already carefully hoisting new letters onto the facade of what made her purchases. "I think they're real good." REFERENDUM used to be Finast supermarket. The Watertown store is one of 46 Finast But the Edwards name is not the only change for supermarkets in New York, Connecticut, the store, as promises of substantially lower prices Massachusetts and New Hampshire to be convened September 14 brought customers to make their own cost to an Edwards Super Food Store, according to a comparisons. statement from the parent company, First National "We're taking a shot at it," said Leon Boucher of Supermarkets. Oakville Tuesday (August 31), whose wife was The conversion also affected 12 Edwards stores, shopping while he waited on the bench outside. with 15 Finast stores unaffected. SHALL THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $4,853,000 FOR ACQUISITION OF The Bouchers are regular customers at Stop & The size of the Watertown store and the number of 680 AND 686 MAIN STREET IN WATERTOWN AND THE CONVERSION Shop but they made a special trip last Tuesday to specialty items offered figured in the decision to OF SAID PROPERTY TO A NEW TOWN HALL TO HOUSE OFFICES Edwards Super Food Store to see just how low the FOR ALL TOWN DEPARTMENTS (EXCEPT FOR POLICE AND FIRE) convert, according to Richard T. Johnson, vice AND FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE prices actually were. presidentof advertising and public relations for First ISSUE OF BONDS OR NOTES AND TEMPORARY NOTES IN THE SAME "She wants to compare and sec how il is," Mr. National. AMOUNT TO DEFRAY SAID APPROPRIATION? Boucher said. "She knows prices. Alot of people are giving it a try. It makes a lot of difference for senior (Continued on page 11) Key Public Vote Looms Tuesday on Town Hall by Tommy Valuckas The purchase and renovation of ihc Waicrtown Professional Cenler at 680 Main Street will go to a townwide referendum vote next Tuesday. Polls for the September 14 balloting on the$4.85 million bonding issue will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at Heminway Park (68-01), Judson (68-02), Swift Junior High (68-03) and Polk (68-04) schools. About 12,800 residents and property owners arc eligible to cast votes. "I hope the people get out and support it," said Town Manager John Salomonc as the controversial proposal headed into its final days. "A lot of people think il is a cost-effective approach." The town administration wants to buy the professional center for S1.5 million, and use the remaining funding to renovate thestructure Town Manager John Salomone, second from left, has the undivided attention of Tony Recchia, Clara to house municipal offices and the Board of Education. Buitrago, Paul Rinaldi and Scott Musselman (left to right) at an orientation for Town Council The frontbuilding at 686 Main would be lorn down to make room candidates last Thursday. — Times Photo, Faber for parking. Unlike the proposed Watertown Industrial Park, however, the Learning Begins for Council Hopefuls Town Hall concept has not drawn across-the-board support. The Republican leadership and GOP majority on the Town Council have by Susan Faber Salomone told those attending. they would like every road paved come out in favor of the project, while the Democratic Town Although municipal elections "Some people are new to Ihe in town every five years, the Committee and Watertown-Oakvillc Taxpayers Association are two months away. Town process. Thequickcr a new coun- administration oflheplan is up to (WOTA) are clamoring for a "No" vote Tuesday. Council candidates got an in- cil gets educated, the belter for the lown manager." The Water-Oak Chamber of Commerce recently voted to support dcpih introduction to the work- the town. Although he is appointed by the project ings of town government by "There is a real partnership ihc council, Mr. Salomone said Both political parties have taken to the cable television airwaves Town Manager John Salomonc between ihe town manager and he tries to remain politically to slate their respective positions on the issue. The six Republican last Thursday. the council," Mr Salomonc said, neutral and treat members of all council candidates, moderated by council Chairman Paul Jesscll, The introductory meeting is as he went on to describe his role. parties equally. already have been running their "Focus on Waicrtown" program designed for all candidates, in- "My job is lo carry out the "I'm non-political," he de- over Laurel Cablevision's Cable 5 urging a "Yes" vote. cludingincumbenls.bulonlyfour policy set forth by the council." clared, and said whenever one The Democratic Town Committee earlier this week still was of the eight newcomers — For example, Mr. Salomone Democrats Paul Rinaldi, Clara continued, "if the council says (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 8) Builrago and Tony Recchia and Republican Scott Musselman — Oakville Resident Wants Speeding showed up at the Police Head- quarters conference room. Curtailed in Sylvan Lake Area "The session helps give ev- by Tommy Valuckas functions are held there through- eryone an equal footing," Mr. A Sylvan Lake Road resident out the year. Furthermore, con- Public Meeting Set has hailed the improvements struction on the mammoth new being made to Sylvan Lake and banquet hall is heading toward on Town Projects the area, but fears too much of a completion. A public informational meet- good thing could have some Mr. Rybak said with "quite a ing on the Oakville Green and unforeseen consequences. numberof children" in the neigh- Skilton Road Bridge projects will Ted Rybak told the Parks and borhood who use the park now, be hold Thursday, September 23 Recreation Commission last and more anticipated when play- at 7 p.m. in the Polk School li- Thursday he was pleased to see ground equipment is set up, he brary, according toPublic Works money being spent on the park, fears traffic could become a seri- Director Philip Delcppo. "but we now have a speedway ous problem. Both the meeting and a com- because of the Cercemaggiore He told Ihe commissioners mitment from the town to fund Club." there should be speed limit signs The Watertown Professional Center at 680 Main Street is the 20 percent of each project are The community club entrance posted warning motorists chil- building the town administration is looking at to become the new necessary in order to apply for a is just past the lake at the end of dren are at play. Commissioner Town Hall. The proposition will go to a $4.85 million referendum the paved road, and gets frequent vote next Tuesday. — Times Photo, Valuckas (Continued on page 12) use as many social and private (Continued on page 10) 2-TownTimesProperty, September9, 1993 of the Watertown Historical Society watertownhistoricalsociety.org ^Waterto wn" MeatCenter BONELESS HEMINWAY PLACE 485 Main Street, Watertown, Ct. * 274-2714 SIRLOIN 1ICES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 8 - SEPTEMBER 14 WED THURS FRI SAT SUN MON TUES STEAK 8 10 11 12 13 14 $ 8:00 am to 8:00 am to 8:00 am to 8:00 am to 8:00 am to 8:00 am to 8:00 am Ec 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 2:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 2.79. Top Round BUTCHER'S CHOICE $ LONDON BROIL. 2.49 » Tender Round $ CUBE STEAK 2.39 lb Thin Sliced SANDWICH $ ib STEAK 2.79 lb BONELESS PORK SALE $ Boneless Center Cut PORK CHOPS ......... 2.99 $ Boneless Center Cut COUNTRY STYLE RIBS. 2.89 $ Boneless Center Cut PORK ROAST.... 2.79 POULTRY $ RUMP ROAST.... Grade A 1.89 CHICKEN BREAST. 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Calendar 8 At Sacred Heart High Churches 15-17 page 19 School, Tom was among a Classifieds 35-40 group of wrestlers that compet- Crossword Puzzle 26 Why Not Find Some ed in Moscow, Bejing, Shang- Legals Personal Possibilities? haigh and Inner Mongolia. 35 page 20 Now, as a private and side Letters 5-7 door gunner in the Uniicd States Obituaries 14-15 Army, Tom is representing Real Estate 32-33 15 Years of Watertown, Connecticut in Restaurants 29 Gymnastics Mogadishu, Somalia.