Property of the Watertown Historical Society Uovonwatertownhistoricalsociety.org tftmee Vol. 53 No. 33 August 14, 1997 PUBLISHED BY PRIME PUBLISHERS, INC. 36 Pages Price 75 cents Serving Watertown and Oakville Since 1947 Acting troupe Attorney says historic brings Hollywood to Oakville street group's request legal by Susan Faber With ihe words "Quiet on the by Susan Faber "It is my opinion that the His- set!" a peaceful Oakville street was In the latest in a series of skir- toric District Study Committee is transformed two Mondays ago as a mishes between opponents and still currently in existence," replied troupe of young actors worked to supporters of a town historic dis- Town Attorney Randall McHugh create scenesfor "Laughing River," trict, a Town Council member has in a July 29 letter to Mrs. Loughran. a Him written and directed by criticized efforts to include the The committee would cease to Oakville native John Zibell. proposed district in the National exist only after a historic district is Mr. Zibell, his eye swollen from Register of Historic Places. established, according to state stat- a recent bee sting, was working at Hobart Van Deusen, chairman utes, when the committee's func- breakneck speed to make up for of Ihe Watertown Historic District tions would be taken over by a time lost due to a thunderstorm the Study Committee, asked the State historic district commission. day before. As the actors and crew Historic Preservation Office to Although the Town Council members shot indoor scenes in a Actors from New York City and Los Angeles take a long-awaited break evaluate the proposed district for voted to establish the historic dis- comfortable, all-American style from filming in the back yard of an Oakville house August 4. "Laughing National Register Study. But trict injanuary 1997, petitions were house, their efforts played out River," written and directed by Oakville native John Zibelt, tells the story Democratic Town Councilman filed soon afterwards calling for the against the backdrop of the reality Robert LeB lane claimed the request repeal of the Historic District Ordi- ofmembers ofan Italian-Americanfamily who reunite to bury their father could be illegal since the study ofasultryAugust day in the neigh- and save theirfarm from a proposed natural gas pipeline. Pictured left to nance. Under the town charter, when borhood. committee was "defunct." right are actors Canedy Knowles, David Pretel Ross Mclntyre, Jessica petitions are filed to repeal an ordi- Mr. LcBlanc's criticism nance enacted by the council, the A barking dog across the street Rider, Jennifer Wagman and Joe Roland. Mr. Mclntyre is also the was captured on the sound tape, prompted the council to ask for a ordinance does not become effec- producer of the low-budget feature film that might be headed for several legal opinion on the current status tive until a referendum decides that (Continued on page 9) film festivals. — Times Photo, Faber of the study committee, said coun- it should not be repealed. cil Chairwoman Rosalie Loughran. However, before the referendum went to a vote in March, an injunc- INSIDE Pending Sealy demolition arouses concern for Green tion was filed by several residents of Ihe proposed district forbidding Peter by Susan Faber among representatives from Sealy A demolition permit won't be the town from holding the referen- Spink The process of demolishing the and the town two weeks ago. issued until Ihe ages of different dum, attorney McHugh said. "As a Sealy Co. building in Oakville is "Intent to demolish" signs were portions of Ihe building are deter- result the ordinance has not be- makes moving forward amid a flurry of posted on the rear of the building mined, Mr. Fusco said. Some were debut at permits and a growing concern that come effective and therefore the last week. "We started the proc- built in the 1940s, while others were historic district has not been estab- Sunset the razing might damage the re- ess," said the town's building in- constructed before 1922. cently completed Oakville Green. lished. Thus the historic district page 26 spector, Richie Fusco, on Monday. The posting of the intent no- study committee is still in exis- Town officials and residents "There are questions that have to be tices "starts the clock ticking on 60 tence," he wrote. were heartened in recent weeks by resolved." days," according 10 Interim Town In response to Mr. Van Deusen's the news that Sealy soon planned to Because the rear wooden build- Manager Chuck Frigon, who said request for a National Register demolish the abandoned structure ing in the Sealy complex is sus- Next week: no explosives will be used to raze study, the slate historic preserva- used most recently by Winchester pected to be more than 75-years- Two teens pedal the structure. 'The intention is to tion officer has approved a histori- Electronics. The vacant building, old, the demolition project falls go in there with bucket loaders and cal investigation and preparation of across the country located alongside the Green on Main under the local historic buildings acrane and pull pieces (of the build- an inventory/nomination form for Street and up Hillside Avenue, was ordinance that requires a 60-day ing) apart," Mr. Frigon said. the district. The approval signifies considered an eyesore. A demoli- waiting period for demolition fol- tion planning meeting was held It will be "pulled away" from lowing the notice of intent. (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 9) Second Sunday in August means... They rosin up the bows in Morris by Tommy Valuekas MORRIS — Eschewing any fanfare. Hank Haley of Derby climbs the steps to the stage and takes his place generally toward either end, providing guitar accompaniment to bluegrass fiddlers young and old. It's a ritual he does year in and year out. "You did good! You did good!" he'll say encouragingly to an aspiring youngster when he or she has finished playing the selection of choice— regardless of how that fiddler or judges may have critiqued it If it's an accomplished old timer Hank strums for, he'll also geta smile of approval. Then there are the instances at the Morris Bluegrass Festival when Hank gets his turn in the sun, center stage, and lets loose on guitar or fiddle. When his last note resonates through the park, he'll thank the audience quietly and inconspicuously depart the platform and disappear into the backdrop of musicians clustered around picnic tables. At Ihe 17th annual festival Sunday, however, Hank was called back one more time — to accept ihe James "Rick" Rickard Memorial Award for "best exemplifying the spirit of bluegrass musicians." The honor is in memory of the late Mr. Rickard, a former longtime bluegrass judge, player, and Ovation patent maker who was a fixture at Ihe Morris event through 1995. "I just like playing" Hank was heard saying after he modestly accepted The "New England Fiddle Band," comprising all ranges of talents and spanning several age groups, was his $100 prize. a rousing crowd pleaser at the 17th annual Morris Bluegrass Festival this past Sunday. — Times Photo, That all the musicians were there to give a rousing performance with Valuekas (Continued on page 5) 2 — TownProperty Times, August 14,1997 of the Watertown Historical Society watertownhistoricalsociety.orgUSDA CHOICE STEAK >Watertown MeatCenter PORTERHOUSE or m T-BONE STEAK$ HEMINWAY Shoulder 485 Main Street, Watertown, Ct. • 274-2714 $ PRICES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 13 -'AUGUST 19 LONDON BROIL § 1.47 WED THURS FBI SAT SUN MON TUES Boneless NEW YORK $ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 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 to 2:00 pm STRIP STEAK ! 4.77 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm For your convenience, we now accept VISA, MASTER CARD Thin Sliced g $ & most major credit cards. 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