Putnam - Southbridge Evening News
Putnam - Southbridge Evening News
Putnam - Southbridge Evening News
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
A2 • Friday, September 03, 2010<br />
PUTNAM VILLAGER<br />
AG wins court injunction against Pomfret man<br />
FORCED TO CEASE ALL TIMBER HARVESTING ACTIVITY<br />
BY RICH HOSFORD<br />
VILLAGER STAFF WRITER<br />
POMFRET — A Pomfret man<br />
accused of illegally harvesting timber<br />
has been told by the state courts to<br />
put down his chainsaw.<br />
Connecticut Attorney General<br />
Richard Blumenthal won a court<br />
injunction Monday, Aug. 30, that stops<br />
illegal logging in multiple<br />
Connecticut towns where extensive<br />
un-permitted tree harvesting —<br />
enough timber to build about 75 houses<br />
— has already caused significant<br />
environmental damage.<br />
Blumenthal pursued the temporary<br />
injunction in coordination with the<br />
Department of Environmental<br />
Protection (DEP) against Scott Lee of<br />
Pomfret. Blumenthal first announced<br />
that he was seeking the injunction<br />
against Lee on Monday, July 26.<br />
“This court order temporarily stops<br />
uncertified logging that has already<br />
destroyed trees, soil and stream channels<br />
on nearly 100 acres of land,”<br />
Blumenthal said. “Uncertified and<br />
untrained individuals engaging in<br />
commercial logging can cause significant<br />
damage.”<br />
Blumenthal added that such work<br />
could harm not only the property<br />
where it occurs, but can disrupt the<br />
land and water systems of neighboring<br />
properties.<br />
“Improper logging threatens to<br />
harm not only the properties where<br />
logging occurs — but surrounding<br />
streams and land,” Blumenthal said.<br />
According to the release from the<br />
Attorney General’s office, sometime<br />
in early January, Lee contracted with<br />
Genesis Properties LLC, owner of 142<br />
Park Road in Bethel, to perform a timber<br />
harvest on about 65 acres of land.<br />
Lee began the work later that month.<br />
Then, in April of this year, Lee<br />
entered into a contract with the<br />
owner of 585 Mashmoquet Road in<br />
Pomfret to harvest more timber on 30<br />
acres of land.<br />
In April, Lee also contracted with<br />
the property owner of 106 Rhode<br />
Island Line Road of <strong>Putnam</strong> to illegally<br />
harvest more trees. Logging on<br />
that property has not yet begun.<br />
According to the attorney general,<br />
Lee is required to have a DEP Forest<br />
Practitioner Certification to contract<br />
for and harvest 25,000 board feet in<br />
any 12-month period on another’s<br />
property. Lee has already harvested<br />
an estimated 750,000 board feet of<br />
trees in only five months at the properties<br />
in Bethel and Pomfret combined.<br />
Blumenthal said in the release that<br />
along with the illegal harvesting,<br />
there was also significant environmental<br />
damage left by the work at the<br />
sites.<br />
Connecticut DEP Foresters visited<br />
both properties and discovered significant<br />
damage to inland wetlands and<br />
watercourses, including un-permitted<br />
filling of a watercourse with silt<br />
and woody debris, filling of wetlands<br />
with sediment, erosion of hillsides,<br />
and diversion of stream channels, the<br />
release states. The harvests have also<br />
caused deep and extensive rutting of<br />
the soils, disrupting soil hydrology.<br />
Blumenthal said he try to make the<br />
injunction permanent, now that the<br />
temporary injunction has been<br />
approved.<br />
“My office will continue to fight for<br />
a permanent injunction to protect<br />
against un-permitted logging and<br />
needless destruction of Connecticut<br />
land,” he said.<br />
According to the DEP, the Forest<br />
Practices Act, passed in the 1990s,<br />
includes a permit requirement to<br />
UConn offers look at invasive species<br />
STORRS — The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working<br />
Group will present “Challenges and Successes: Working<br />
Cooperatively to Manage Invasive Plants”, a one-day symposium<br />
at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, on<br />
Thursday, October 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.<br />
The symposium will address the importance of native<br />
habitats, how invasive species harm these habitats, and<br />
why cooperative efforts are vital to understanding and<br />
managing our natural landscapes.<br />
All who are interested in invasive plant issues are<br />
invited to attend. This symposium seeks to draw together<br />
municipal staff (parks and recreation, public works,<br />
inland wetlands/conservation commissions), nursery, tree<br />
and landscape professionals, educators, students, landscape<br />
architects, gardening enthusiasts, state and federal<br />
employees, members of conservation organizations and<br />
the public into a discussion of the challenges presented by<br />
invasive plants and how we can promote native plants by<br />
managing invasives.<br />
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Bernd Blossey of<br />
Cornell University. Dr. Blossey’s presentation is titled<br />
“The Power of Choice: New Frontiers in Invasive Plant<br />
Management and Conservation.” Concurrent afternoon<br />
ensure only qualified people are<br />
removing substantial amounts of<br />
timber from the forest.<br />
“Essentially, anyone who wants to<br />
practice forestry or cut trees in<br />
Connecticut has to pass a competency<br />
exam, like an electrician or a<br />
plumber,” said Chris Martin, DEP<br />
director of the Forestry Division. “It’s<br />
done wonders.”<br />
Martin added there are 500 to 600<br />
annually certified forest practitioners<br />
in the state. The names of certified<br />
practitioners can be found on the DEP<br />
website, and Martin said he encourages<br />
everyone to do some homework<br />
before hiring anyone to cut.<br />
“For private forest owners, timber<br />
can be good, but when you have property<br />
on your land, get some references,”<br />
he said. “Homework on their<br />
side is very beneficial because there<br />
are folks out there who can swindle<br />
people. We want people to feel confident.”<br />
DEP Commissioner Amey Marrella<br />
said the agency tries to educate and<br />
inform landowners and forest practitioners<br />
of the rules of forestry activities<br />
and the requirements need to be<br />
in accordance with the state. The<br />
goal, she said, is to reduce the possibility<br />
of such violations.<br />
“But,” she said, “When violations<br />
do occur, we have a responsibility to<br />
uphold the law and to enforce the<br />
Forest Practices Act. We take this and<br />
our other stewardship responsibilities<br />
very seriously.”<br />
Lee could not be reached before<br />
press time.<br />
Rich Hosford can be reached by<br />
phone at (860) 928-1818 or by e-mail at<br />
rich@villagernewspapers.com.<br />
sessions will include the industry perspective – what’s<br />
working, early detection & rapid response; invasives management<br />
research; invaded forests; Cooperative Weed<br />
Management Areas and local success stories. Research<br />
posters and other educational exhibits will be featured<br />
throughout the day.<br />
Pesticide recertification credits and a variety of other<br />
continuing education credits will be offered.<br />
Early registration (postmarked by Sept. 18) is $40. The<br />
fee is $55 if postmarked after September 18 or for walk-in<br />
registrations. Student fee, with ID, is $25. Walk-in registrations<br />
only if space is available. The symposium program,<br />
registration form, and other information are available<br />
on the CIPWG website: www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg<br />
Please send registration and checks (payable to The<br />
University of Connecticut) to: Donna Ellis, University of<br />
Connecticut, Department of Plant Science & Landscape<br />
Architecture, 1390 Storrs Road, Unit 4163, Storrs, CT 06269-<br />
4163. Included in the cost of admission are an information<br />
packet, parking, lunch, snacks and beverages.<br />
For more information, contact Donna Ellis at (860) 486-<br />
6448; email donna.ellis@uconn.edu.<br />
VILLAGER ALMANAC<br />
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK<br />
“You’ve probably never seen it full …<br />
With most parking lots, they tend to<br />
‘over-park.’ There’s a lot of blacktop<br />
that’s not necessary.”<br />
- John Filchak, executive director for the Northeast Connecticut<br />
Council of Governments commenting on the parking lots of<br />
Sears and Stop & Shop on Route 44, and how their parking lots<br />
are overly spacious.<br />
OPEN TO CLOSE<br />
PUTNAM TOWN HALL (963-6800)<br />
Monday through Friday.................................8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<br />
Town Clerk (963-6807):<br />
Monday through Friday.................................8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.<br />
Recordings accepted until 4 p.m.; office occasionally closed<br />
between noon and 1 p.m.<br />
Water Pollution Control Authority (963-6819):<br />
Monday through Friday .....................................8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<br />
Veterans Services.................................................9 to 11 a.m. Friday<br />
PUTNAM PUBLIC LIBRARY (963-6826)<br />
Monday through Thursday ..............................10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.<br />
Friday..............................................................10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.<br />
Saturday...................................................................10 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Story Time: 4 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays<br />
PUTNAM POST OFFICE (928-4051)<br />
Window:<br />
Monday through Friday .....................................8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Saturday .................................................................8:30 a.m. to noon<br />
Lobby/Post Office Boxes:<br />
Monday through Friday ..........................................6 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Saturday.....................................................................6 a.m. to 3 p.m.<br />
TOP TEN BOOKS<br />
Children’s Picture Book<br />
1. “LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary,” Beecroft,<br />
Simon.<br />
2. “Star Wars: 11 Iconic Scenes from a Galaxy Far, Far<br />
Away…” Rufus Butler Seder.<br />
3. “Ooh La La! It’s Beauty Day,” by Jane O’Connor, illus. by<br />
Robin Preiss Glasser.<br />
4. “How Rocket Learned to Read,” by Tad Hills.<br />
5. “City Dog, Country Frog,” by Mo Willems, illus. by Jon J.<br />
Muth.<br />
6. “Ladybug Girl at the Beach,” by David Soman and Jacky<br />
Davis.<br />
7. “The Very Fairy Princess,” by Julie Andrews, Emma<br />
Walton Hamilton, illus. by Christine Davenier.<br />
8. “Pinkalicious and the Pink Drink,” by Victoria Kann.<br />
9. “The Lion & the Mouse,” by Jerry Pinkney.<br />
10. “The Night Before Kindergarten,” Natasha Wing, illus.<br />
by Julie Durrell.<br />
THE FIVE QUESTIONS<br />
1. What problem did Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill,<br />
Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and General George Patton<br />
have in common?<br />
2. What did All Nippon Airways do in an effort to prevent its<br />
planes from sucking birds into their engines?<br />
3. How much hay was eaten daily by Jumbo, showman P.T.<br />
Barnum’s famous 6-1/2 ton elephant?<br />
4. What did Lizzie Borden, Napoleon, and Titian have in common?<br />
5. What trade was Greek philosopher Socrates trained for?<br />
Answers on page 3<br />
AT THE AUDUBON<br />
Week of Aug. 23:<br />
Bird sightings at CT Audubon in Pomfret and Wyndham<br />
Land Trust properties in the northeast corner of Connecticut:<br />
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Killdeer,<br />
Hermit Thrush, Robins, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Redtailed<br />
Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Osprey, Great Egret and<br />
Great Blue Heron.<br />
TRIVIA AND QUOTE<br />
This week’s front page quote is attributed to:<br />
Mark Twain<br />
VILLAGER STAFF DIRECTORY<br />
NEWS STAFF<br />
EDITOR<br />
ADAM MINOR<br />
(860) 928-1818, EXT. 109<br />
aminor@stonebridgepress.com<br />
ADVERTISING STAFF<br />
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE<br />
TARA OGLE<br />
(860) 928-1818, EXT. 105<br />
tara@villagernewspapers.com<br />
TO PLACE A BUSINESS AD:<br />
RETAIL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE<br />
TARA OGLE<br />
(860) 928-1818, EXT. 105<br />
tara@villagernewspapers.com<br />
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES:<br />
CIRCULATION REPRESENTATIVE<br />
GEORGIA LEAMING<br />
(800) 367-9898, EXT. 139<br />
georgia@stonebridgepress.com<br />
TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD:<br />
CLASSIFIED REPRESENTATIVE<br />
NATHAN SEMONIK<br />
(800) 536-5836<br />
nathan@stonebridgepress.com<br />
TO PRINT AN OBITUARY:<br />
E-MAIL<br />
sjarvis@villagernewspapers.com OR<br />
send to Villager, P.O. Box 196,<br />
Woodstock, CT 06281<br />
TO SUBMIT A LETTER<br />
TO THE EDITOR:<br />
E-MAIL:<br />
aminor@villagernewspapers.com OR<br />
send to Villager, P.O. Box 196,<br />
Woodstock, CT 06281<br />
TO SUBMIT<br />
CALENDAR ITEMS:<br />
E-MAIL:<br />
aminor@villagernewspapers.com OR<br />
send to Villager, P.O. Box 196,<br />
Woodstock, CT 06281<br />
TO SOUND OFF:<br />
CALL (860) 928-1818, EXT. 150<br />
VISIT US ONLINE:<br />
www.villagernewspapers.com<br />
TO FAX THE VILLAGER:<br />
DIAL (860) 928-5946<br />
The <strong>Putnam</strong> Villager (025-154) is published weekly by Villager<br />
<strong>News</strong>papers, 283 Rte 169, Woodstock, CT 06281. Periodical postage<br />
paid at Woodstock, CT and additional mailing office(s).<br />
POSTMASTER: send address changes to the <strong>Putnam</strong> Villager,<br />
P.O. Box 90, <strong>Southbridge</strong>, MA 01550.<br />
REPORTER<br />
MATT SANDERSON<br />
(860) 928-1818, ext. 110<br />
matt@villagernewspapers.com<br />
REPORTER<br />
RICH HOSFORD<br />
(860) 928-1818, ext. 112<br />
rich@villagernewspapers.com<br />
ADVERTISING MANAGER<br />
JEAN ASHTON<br />
(800) 367-9898, EXT. 104<br />
jashton@stonebridgepress.com<br />
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER<br />
RON TREMBLAY<br />
(800) 367-9898, EXT. 102<br />
rtremblay@stonebridgepress.com<br />
FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT<br />
RACHAEL GLENN<br />
((860) 928-1818<br />
rachael@villagernewspapers.com<br />
Stonebridge Press, Inc.<br />
VILLAGER NEWSPAPERS<br />
ARE PUBLISHED BY STONEBRIDGE PRESS<br />
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER<br />
FRANK G. CHILINSKI<br />
(800) 367-9898 EXT. 101<br />
frank@villagernewspapers.com<br />
PRODUCTION MANAGER<br />
JULIE CLARKE<br />
(800) 367-9898, EXT. 105<br />
production@stonebridgepress.com<br />
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR<br />
JIM DINICOLA<br />
(508) 764-6102<br />
jdinicola@stonebridgepress.com