FROM THE NEWSROOM: As of last night, officials in Putnam were pleased to find out that residents of Scotland voted in their Annual Town Meeting to become Putnam’s first partner in the Quinebaug Regional Tech Park. Putnam Selectmen Scott Pempek and Owen Tarr attended the town meeting, and were able to answer questions and concerns from residents who had been unable to attend the last meeting where the partnership was discussed. After an hour of discussion, voters took to the polls. The result? 45 voted aye while 12 voted nay, making Scotland the first official investor in the Tech Park. Although Putnam gave potential partners the option of paying over time and financing their payment with a USDA loan, according to Pempek “Scotland had quite a large sum of money in undesignated funds,” so they decided to invest the whole $80,000 up front. Pempek spoke positively about having Scotland on board, and mentioned that there are still 4, and possibly 5 more towns that could potentially become partners in the joint venture. Regardless, the Tech Park will now receive 75% reimbursement from the state, as previously reported. Without a partner, a 50% reimbursement would have been expected. Pempek paid respects to the previous town administrations of Mayor Rovero, Mayor Viens, and Mayor Place, who he said “made this all possible.”
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 10:17:56 +0000