Mailed free to requesting homes in Brooklyn, the borough of Danielson, Killingly & its villages Vol. IV, No. 37 Complimentary home delivery (860) 928-1818/email:[email protected] ‘Man must search for what is right, and let happiness come on its own.’ Friday, July 9, 2010 Ellis Tech $84M project awaits re-bidding Sports BY MATT SANDERSON to get on the July 30 Bond VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Commission agenda to have their DANIELSON — Harvard H. Ellis projects move forward. Technical High School is one of five With surrounding public high saved at state technical high schools with schools in the Quiet Corner — such bids for major renovations that have as Tourtellotte Memorial High been stymied by the recession and School, Plainfield High School and delays at the state level. most recently,nearby Killingly High An $84 million renovation and School — receiving major overhauls schools addition was approved by the State in recent years, Ellis Tech’s project Board of Education in 2002 and by was approved nearly a decade ago the General Assembly in 2003, but and relies entirely upon the climate the state Department of Public of the state and its budget, while NEW BUDGET Works (DPW) cancelled the school’s public school project bonding relies bids, including its lowest bid, in about three-quarters on state reim- GOES INTO early 2009, and the project has been bursement and the remaining tab is picked up by local taxpayers. waiting for reauthorization from File photo the Office of Policy and According to Principal Brian EFFECT Management (OPM) to begin the re- Mignault, Ellis Tech has planned Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School, located at 613 Upper Maple St. in Danielson, bidding process. has been waiting for almost a decade to move forward with an $84 million renova- BY MATT SANDERSON Turn To ELLIS, A10 Many officials are making pitches page tion and addition to its facility. Since the start of the recession, there have been VILLAGER STAFF WRITER numerous delays. KILLINGLY — With the turn of the fiscal year, the $35,676,768 school spending plan for the 2010-’11 fiscal year has gone into effect. The Board of Education met in mid-June to finalize the budget, allowing the dis- trict to preserve certain sports. Happy Fourth, America! The budget was approved by a mere seven votes during the second referendum of the month May 25. There were 802 “yes” votes, 756 votes for “no too high” and 40 votes for “no too low.” This year’s budget represents a 2.63 percent, or $914,464, increase. On Thursday, May 13, the Town Council had unanimously approved cutting the school budget by an additional $500,000 to bring it to that figure. Of the 9,011 registered voters for Turn To BUDGET, page A10 Census count nearly Rich Hosford photo A large red firework explodes over Putnam during the town’s Fourth of July Do I have something on my face? Haley Carr, 11, and Samantha Sheldon, 10, celebration. The fireworks were held Friday, July 2, and hundreds of people both of Woodstock, smile for the camera following the pie eating contest. came out to enjoy the show. More photos on page 12. complete QUALITY CONTROL Two locals vie for District 3 seat CHECKS BEGIN BY RICH HOSFORD BY MATT SADERSON Tuesday night, July 20, in the Town Hall VILLAGER STAFF WRITER VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Meeting Room. If a consensus is KILLINGLY — Two Democrats have reached on a candidate, the council will The mailings have been stepped forward as the next candidates forward the name for consideration at a returned, temporary workers have to fill the District 3 Town Council seat, special meeting the following week. visited homes and people across left vacant by the late Jack LaGarde. Griffiths, a lifelong Killingly resident, the nation have been counted. Adam Griffiths, 29, was endorsed by spent eight years in the U.S. Army The 2010 U.S. Census is nearly the Democratic Town Committee June Reserve, serving in the 44th Civil complete and most people in the 29. He is the son of Probate Judge David Affairs Battalion out of Warwick, R.I. A state have been counted. However, Griffiths, a former town councilor. veteran of the Iraq War, Griffiths’ high- the work is not done and the Patrick McLaughlin, 50, is also vying est rank achieved is sergeant E-5. Norwich Census Bureau would for LaGarde’s seat. He is the current To arrive at his decision, Griffiths like people to know that they may vice chairman of the Water Pollution said he approached Lorraine LaGarde, be contacted a second time for a Control Authority and a former Jack’s wife, and asked her about her quality control program. Killingly town engineer. late husband’s political career and what Census officials say they are LaGarde, who died last November, had to be done. Ultimately,Griffiths said wrapping up their primary field was a Democrat. she gave her blessing for him to run for operations this week, after census Town Council Chairman Robert the District 3 seat. takers visited more than 105,000 Young said the two will be interviewed Matt Sanderson photo Turn To CENSUS, page A5 Courtesy photo by the council during a special meeting Turn To SEAT, A5 Democrat Adam Griffiths, 29 page Democrat Patrick McLaughlin A2 • Friday, July 9, 2010 KILLINGLY VILLAGER Remembering 1970 VILLAGER ALMANAC QUOTATION OF THE WEEK As I was reflecting about my topic honored by the fact that he has been for this column, with the thought in drafted by the reigning world cham- place that I wanted to send it early ILLINGLY pion New York Mets in the annual due to the holiday,I starting thinking K free-agent player draft. Boisclair, who “It’s been incredibly frustrating. At about what Killingly was like in 1970, AT 300 resides with his parents, Mr.and Mrs. times, I feel that the state takes advan- the first full year that I lived in town. Arthur Boisclair, was notified the day There was no Owen Bell Park. after he was selected on June 5.” The tage of the fact that Ellis Tech doesn’t Main Street in Danielson was the article, by Warren Rosenberg, men- have a natural cohesive constituency, so prominent business district. Bugbee MARGARET tioned that Boisclair would be gradu- Library (now the Killingly Historical WEAVER ating from Killingly High School that that a project like this can be delayed, Center) was home to the public same evening. In addition to playing whereas a local town’s Board of library. There was no Killingly baseball at KHS, Boisclair also played Intermediate School, and the present Brooklyn, Fred Benard, owner; City football and was “a standout as a Education school project wouldn’t be recreation facility on Broad Street Garage, Route 6, Brooklyn; McEwen’s tight-end and place kicker; in basket- housed the junior high. There were Jewelry Store, Danielson; White ball he was excellent playing at for- delayed like this.” many restaurants, but there were no Tower Package Store, Academy ward for three years” (“WCT,” June — State Rep. Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) speaking about the reno- fast food restaurants. Street; Goodell Agency, real estate, 11, 1970). vations that were supposed to be completed at Harvard H. Ellis Since I had difficulty remembering North Main Street; Richard’s Real Searches on the Internet and at the Estate, Richard E. Bussiere, Technical High School in 2009, but construction has been specifics about the year, I decided to Killingly Historical Center produced delayed since start the economic downturn and the growth of Danielson; Pearl Agency, realtor, take a look at the 1970 microfilms of some additional information about the state’s budget deficit. The project was approved by the Danielson and Hampton; the “Windham County Transcripts” his career with the Mets. Lynn General Assembly in 2003. to see what significant events were Bonneville’s Pharmacy Inc., Main LaBerge went to school with impacting the community and what Street; Woodward Drug Store, Main Boisclair and knew that the some of the businesses were. Street; Alan Clothes, Main Street; Historical Center had a scrapbook OP HARDCOVER FICTION The year 1970 had barely begun and Danielson Oil Co. were just a few. from several of his years with the T 10 when disaster struck downtown Danielson Cinema was featuring Mets. Boisclair played his first Mets 1. “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest,” Stieg Danielson. “Spontaneous action and Paul Newman, Robert Redford and game Sept. 11, 1974, as a centerfielder Larsson deeds of heroism prevented a disas- Katharine Ross in “Butch Cassidy and his last, Sept. 30, 1979. He spent 2. “The Help, Kathryn Stockett,” Amy Einhorn ter from becoming a tragedy in the and the Sundance Kid.” time on the DL (disabled list) from 3. “Sizzling Sixteen,” Janet Evanovich early morning hours of January 9, Ladies, do you remember what July 9, 1979, to Sept. 9, 1979, with a 4. “The Passage,” Justin Cronin when the Keystone Building on Main fashions were like in 1970? How many fractured right wrist (scrapbook, 5. “Spies of the Balkans,” Alan Furst Street was destroyed by fire, leaving of you went to school or work in “Norwich Bulletin,” Sunday, March 6. “The Lion,” Nelson DeMille twelve persons homeless and several slacks? Jeans? Very few, I’ll guess. 28, 1976, www.ultimatemets.com). 7. “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake,” Aimee business establishments wiped out … Therefore, I had to chuckle at another Brad Magrey (ch so), who was at the Bender The near-zero temperatures turned article in the above-mentioned Historical Center while I was 8.