Property of the Watertown Historical Society watertownhistoricalsociety.org Timely Coverage Of News In The Fastest Growing Community In Litchfield County Vol. 38 No. 52 SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $12.00 PER YEAR Car. Rt, P.S. PRICE 30 CENTS December 29, 1983 1983 In Review Athletic Complex Dominates Year Of Varied Happenings And Events Trying to pick out the most new fiscal director after the de- memorable event from 1983 in parture of John Salomone, assis- the community is akin to choos- tant town manager, next month ing the best morsel of Christmas will be a priority, candy from a heavy and bountiful That problem, establishing an bag"the selections are numerous approximate $500,000 referen- and colorful. dum vote for a IQ-street sewer The past year saw no lack of project, and grappling with ac- issues grabbing the attention quiring rights of way for French and headlines, each season pro- Street reconstruction this decade ducing its own special items for should be early Council concerns public consumption and com- in J 984, according to Town Man- ment. And any year that has a ager James Troup. municipal election on the docket He also cited moving ahead for its ilth month is bound to be> with Turkey Brook, razing the interesting! Depot Street buildings for re- Waning 1983 certainly is no development, finding a tenant exception! for the Cresibrook Park restau- The continuing advancement rant, and seeking out longtcrm of downtown redevelopment solutions for solid waste disposal plans, a three-party election, the as important issues. closing of the landfill, charter re- Revisions to the charter are vision, movement1 on Turkey pending k'mw the Charter Revi- Brook corrections, and perman- sion Commission still is drafting ent bonding of past capita! pro- its recommendations. jects were major news stories in In no special order or priority, 1983, and should rate near the Mr, Troup said the following top in anybody's poll. were major accomplishments for But if there was one story that the town the past 12 months: endured longer than any other, --Renovation work inside the involved more public officials, Town Hall was completed, in- ONLY THE CHILLY WINDS AND SNOW of winter were in attendance at the fenccd-off, high school evoked substantial pro and con creasing space, efficiency, and athletic complex this week-unless you were John J, Mills, who agreed to come out to the sports facility debate-and reached a climax morale, Architect Stephen Whi- named after the 13-year Board of Education veteran. The football and track and field complex was just a day before a referee's taker's design was "well thought prepared for play in November after the controversial issue commanded top attention the rest of the year. whistle--!! would have to be the out," Mr, Troup said, while the (Valuckas Photo) incredible saga of the high school late Frederick Brazee "did a athletic complex. marvelous job" for his contribu- In fact, although the field was tions to the refurbishing phase, — Adult Education Winter Term — made ready enough for Thanks- •-Permanent bonding for capi- The winter term of the Water, of Jan. 9 except where otherwise day, Jan, 16), giving Day football, improve- tal projects was arranged in two town Education program will run noted. Course instructors are Watertown High-Swimming, ments still will be made next phases, saving the town "mil- for six weeks beginning Monday, listed below. The course sche- 7:30 to 9:15 p.m., Pat Murphy, year to finish off the complex, lions of dollars" over the next 18 Jan, 9, Director Peter Parkinson dule Is as follows: Senior Center--Sewing, 1 to 3 which is heading for u final price years. has announced. Monday p.m., Astrid Lombardo, tag of around $800,000, --Design work on downtown Registration for all classes, will Swift Junior High-Sewing, 7 Tuesday The town, however, is await- redevelopment was accomplish- be at the first class meeting of to 9p.m., with Astrid Lombardo; Swift.-G.E.D, Math, 6:30 to ing the outcome of a lawsuit ed by DeCarlo & Doll, and the each •course. Students will pay a Americanization/Citizenship, 7 9:30 p.m., Gerard M'Sadoques; against the original running five-month stall was eased. The $5 registration fee and non-resi- to 9 p.m., Betty Kovaleski; Eng- Basic Home Computer, 6:30 to 8 track designer and contractor, town received a commitment dents will be charged an addi- lish (L.E.P.S.). 7 to 9 p.m., p.m.; Intermediate Home Com- The issue is by no means over, from a philanthropic foundation tional $5 tuition fee. Fees are James Larimer; Art Workshop, 7 puter, 8 to 9:30 p.m.; Citizen- "That (sports complex) taught for $125,000 for the project. payable at the first class meet- to 9 p.m., Jane Baker; Elemen- ship/Americanization, 7 to 9 me things are a lot harder than •-A demolition ordinance was ing. tary Basic Education, 7 to 9 p.m., p.m., Refty Kovaieski; Elemen- they seem," commented Town drafted and adopted, Course descriptions will be Cheryl Kaiser. tary Basic Education, 7 to 9 p.m., Council Chairwoman Barbara -The athletic track, "starting featured in the Wat«rtown Adult Also at Swift-United States Cheryl Kaiser; Tailoring, 7 to 9 Hymel. The Democrat leader re- out in a very rough way" in 1983, Education advertisement in next Power Squadron Basle Boating, 7 p.m., Astrid Lombardo. called the complex was an agen- was made ready for use. week's Town Times. As of Tues- to 9 p.m., Hal Crepon; G.E.D. Watertown High-Business da item when she was elected to --The landfill was closed, and a day, Jan. 3, u brochure also will English, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Kathy Computer and Office Machines, the board for her first term in bid was awarded to Murtha be available at the town public Culkin (to begin Wednesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Barbara Losee; 1981, Trucking Co., Naugatuck, for libraries. Jan. 4); Slimnastics, 7 to 9 p.m., (Continued on page 2) Voters in 1979 approved a construction and operation of a All classes will begin the week Sandra Skyrme (to begin Mon- $590,000 referendum vote to transfer station there. 9 build the complex, but faulty de- -The Council, town manager, sign problems and unexpected and department heads set goals - Good Citizen Honorees ledge beneath the surface push- for 1983-84, ed the cost well beyond the first -Binak Mulici, owner of the Selected By DAR Chapter estimates. Victorian house that blew up on Watertown High School senior lada, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Mrs, Hymel, who took over the Labor Day, 1982, was arrested Angela Romano has been chosen Gilada, Woodbury. Council chair from Independent for arson, bringing to a conclu- Party member Mary Jo Cicchctti sion a long investigation, by the Sarah Whitman Trumbull Sissel Wivestad, a Dartmouth ('V '•'•' Chapter, Daughters of the Amer- College senior and former DAR A In November, said flooding pro- -A schedule was determined ican Revolution (DAR) as its winner, also received her "long blems with Turkey Brook, public for the reconstruction of the 1983-84 Watertown "Good Citi- overdue" award. She is the works projects, redevelopment French Street bridge, perhaps zen." daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Jan and the budget will be the key around midyear or earlier, t~* i»W*' items of concern for the Council The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wivestad, Dunrobin Lane. Vr Mr. Troup said the resignation in 1984, of Mr, Salomone will be a "loss Pasquale Romano, 305 Beach Students are chosen by the Ave., she was honored with She said the Council will be to the community." classmates and faculty of their unable to draw from the surplus The year was chock full of In- three other recipients in the respective schools for leader- chapter area at the organiza- fund balance to offset expenses, teresting developments and ship, dependability, service, and while the new teachers' contracts events on many fronts. The tion's December meeting at the patriotism. home of Mrs. John Mitchell III, equate to "more than a mill and following is a month-by-month The second of five children, a half" in taxation. recap of the highlights that were The DAR recipient from Tho- Miss Romano has been an ho- maston High is Gail Gianneli, "We have to continue to the talk of the town in 1983: nors student throughout high broaden our tax base as well," Jaauuy daughter of Mr, and Mrs. An- school, and a member of the drew Gianneli, and from Nonne- Mrs, Hymel said, The first election of the new waug High, Woodbury, Louis Gi- (Continued on page 20) Angela Romano She indicated breaking in a (Continued on page 13) Page 2 Town Times (Watertown, Conn.) Dec, 29,1983 T^- _F JANUARY Elementary Servicemen's 1984 School Lunch Property of the Watertown£ Corner Historical Society Menu Navy Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Guy W. Beekley, son of Brought to you through Mr. and Mrs. George W, Beck, thewatertownhistoricalsociety.org courtesy of ley, 340 Middlebury Road, re- eently returned from a seven- month deployment to the Medi- MARCH'S terranean; He is a crew member aboard the amphibious transport dock OAKVILLE USS Austin, homeported in Nor- folk, Va. During the deployment, the PHARMACY ship served as part of the Multi- Francis Kamlnski, Prop, national Peacekeeping Force off Free Delivery 308 Main Street the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Prescription 274-2398 Oakville The Austin is 570 feet long, carries a crew of 473, and can ac- eomodate an additional 930 com- EVEN TEACHER'S AIDES can place their lists of wishes with Santa, MON., JAN.