Fundraising For Tercentennial To Begin Soon

By Jan Howard

Fundraising for seed money for tercentennial activities should begin soon, according to John Martocci, chairman of the Tercentennial Commission Steering Committee’s fundraising committee.

Mr Martocci told committee members at their meeting last week that he plans to send out a letter to local businesses asking them for donations for tercentennial activities.

The tercentennial officially starts in January 2005.

“The object is to have money in the till by May,” Mr Martocci said.

 He said he also plans to meet with Finance Director Ben Spragg to see if the town could provide some funds from this year’s budget.

“We need to have money coming in,” Mr Martocci said, and added he would begin fundraising efforts in June to obtain sponsors for the Tercentennial Ball. The formal event planned for January will be the official kickoff to the tercentennial year.

Janet Woycik, co-chairman of major events, and Mike Fitzsimons, chairman of the fireworks committee, will attend a Board of Selectmen’s meeting to request that the ban on fireworks in Newtown be lifted for a fireworks display on a specific day during the tercentennial.

Selectman Bill Brimmer noted that the selectmen would then pass that request on to the Legislative Council. He also noted that he would speak to the Board of Selectmen regarding a suggestion that bumper stickers with the tercentennial logo be placed on all town-owned vehicles.

Finance committee chairman John Trentacosta reported that nonprofit status for the commission would be received soon and that he is also awaiting nonstock corporation papers. Ann Ragusa and Alan Clavette have been helping with these issues.

Volunteer coordinator Gordon Williams said that Al’s Trail would be completed in 2005 with a dedication as part of the tercentennial celebration. When completed the trail will be an 8.5-mile greenway from Reed Intermediate School to Upper Paugussett State Forest.

Mr Williams has also heard from several other organizations interested in participating in some way in the tercentennial event. He has also arranged for members to meet with various town organizations to discuss the tercentennial and to seek contributions. He plans to send another letter to organizations seeking volunteers for the tercentennial celebration.

Members of the Tercentennial Executive Committee are Dan Cruson, chairman; Mae Schmidle, vice chairman; John Trentacosta, treasurer; and Cindy Simon, secretary.

Logo Committee members are Frank Gavel, Margareta Kotch, Sandy Motyka, Ms Schmidle, R. Scudder Smith and Bill Sheluck.

Committee Chairmen are John Martocci and Rep Julia Wasserman, Fundraising; Mr Trentacosta, Finance; Ray Sipherd, Justin Scott, Joanne Rochman, Amber Scott, and Mr Cruson, Publications; Janet Woycik and Barbara Kasbarian, Major Events; Richard Woycik, Commemorative Committee; Brigette Sorenson and Jennifer Johnson, Education Projects; Maryhelen McCarthy, Public Safety; Ms Rochman and Ms Schmidle, Publicity; and Gordon Williams, Communications.

Planned activities in 2005 include the return of the 1705 deed to Newtown from Hartford, a kick-off ball, the issuance of a medallion by Newtown Woman’s Club, a tableau vivant production, a cross country race, an art show, an exhibit of historic photographs, a dedicated web page, a program about historic Newtown families, a townwide picnic, fireworks, a baseball game, an open air cultural event, a tercentennial theme for the traditional Labor Day parade, the publishing of books about Newtown, and a military band concert, among other ideas.

The next meeting of the Tercentennial Steering Committee will be April 7, at 3:45 pm, at Newtown Savings Bank. All are welcome.