Naugatuck River
Column By Kevin Zak
After the recent blizzard of 2013 the state found itself making an unpleasant decision. They allowed towns and cities in the Naugatuck Valley to dump snow directly into the river to clear the streets.
Before I try to answer the question whether we should be dumping snow in the river, let’s put a few things out on the table. The storm is over. The snow is all but gone, and in the river. This is the literal water under the bridge argument. The Mayors of Waterbury and Naugatuck were reacting to an uncommon weather event, their backs were up against the wall and the state bailed them out. However, it will snow again, and it will pile up to levels that will put the cities and towns back in the same situation in the future.
Now is the time to plan for the next event.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: copper, dumping snow in river, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, inceptors, Kevin Zak, Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Revival Group, Nor'easter Nemo, pollutants, salt, storm drain filters, storm drains, Waterbury Connecticut, Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary
Albert Einstein said, "look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." So look into this tranquil scene along the Naugatuck River in Waterbury, and see if Einstein was correct. Photograph by John Murray
After a two year lull, plans for a 56-mile greenway from Torrington to Derby are starting to accelerate. First, the contract for the greenway project through Waterbury has been approved by the Board of Aldermen, and Mayor Neil O'Leary, and is entering a year-long design phase. While other towns dream of having their own greenway along the Naugatuck River, Waterbury's project is sitting on nearly $7 million in funding. It is real, and it is going to happen.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: America's Great Outdoors, Explore the Naugatuck, Jim O'Rourke, Mayor Neil O'Leary, Naugatuck River, Waterbury YMCA
"Cool Waters" was unveiled last night before hundreds of excited city residents in downtown Waterbury. Photograph by Chelsea Murray
Photographs By John Murray
The city unveiled a 900-square-foot mosaic, designed by artists Bruce and Joanne Hunter and assembled by hundreds of volunteers, during a block party celebration last night hosted by Mayor Neil O'Leary.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Arts and Culture Collaborative of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Bruce Hunter, City Canvases Initiative, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Cool Waters, Dirty Greek Gyro Co, El Americano Restaurant, Guy Malone Band, Icee Delights, Industrial Riggers, Joanne Hunter, Kathleen McNamara, Naugatuck River, Saranda Belica, Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary
After a CL&P crew demolished its nest, an Osprey set out immediately to rebuild.
Column and Photographs By Kevin Zak
Is there a problem within the State of Connecticut with Osprey building nests on utility poles? I believe there is, and man vs. nature is again in conflict, and this problem needs direct and immediate attention from our public utility companies, Northeast Utilities (NU) and United Illuminating (UI) and our State Legislature. A state-wide Osprey policy is needed. Osprey are federally protected and the state is not allowed to give permission for nest deconstruction without gaining a federal permit.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Beacon Falls, CL&P, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Environmental Officer Keith Williams, Kevin Zak, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Revival Group, nest deconstruction, Northeast Utilities, Osprey, Osprey eggs destroyed, Sondra Harman, The Hidden World, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, United Illuminating
The River
Column By John Murray
Colored dyes stained rivers throughout the industrial Northeast. By Lynn Cherry
It was the best day the Naugtauck River has experienced in 100 years. The river received so much attention on February 24th that one could imagine her embarrassed, and blushing red for old time sake. This blush, however, was triggered by admirers gushing at her beauty, not from the red dyes that were pumped into her as industrial waste into a glorified toilet.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Ann Burton, Connecticut Community Foundation, Dan Esty, Gary O'Connor, Laura Wildman, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Forum, Rivers Alliance Connecticut, Waterbury Greenway Committee
Born Again
Story and Photographs
By John Murray
Back in the 1960s Uniroyal launched an international marketing campaign that asserted Naugahyde was obtained from the skin of an animal called a Nauga. The company, based in Naugatuck, proclaimed that a Nauga shed its skin multiple times a year, so it didn’t have to be slaughtered to collect its hide. The ads stated the Nauga was a squat, horned monster from the jungles of Sumatra, and every customer who purchased a Naugahyde couch from Uniroyal received a small Nauga doll.
It was brilliant marketing - fun, humorous and effective.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Connecticut Community Foundation, Kevin Zak, Laura Wildman, Nauga, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Forum, Naugatuck River Revival Group, Notable Stories, Sondra Harman
Brass Beginnings
Story By Raechel Guest
Waterbury has been referred to as "The Brass City" and "The Brass Capitol of The World". This article is the first in a four part series written by Raechel Guest exploring the history and legacy of the brass industry in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc (differing from bronze, which is alloy of copper and tin), and it is both durable and reasonably resistant to tarnishing. Adjusting the ratio of zinc to copper changes the color of the brass, adding to its decorative qualities. In ancient Rome, it was known as Aurichalem and was often used for making jewelry. Its popularity increased during the Renaissance, and by the 19th century, brass was used to make just about everything.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Aaron Benedict, Abel Porter, Abel Porter & Co, American Pin Company, Benedict & Burnham, Eli Terry, Frederick J. Kingsbury, Gideon Roberts, Henry Bronson, J.M.L. & W.H. Scovil, James Harrison, James Mitchell Lamson Scovill, Mad River, Mark Leavenworth, Naugatuck River, Raechel Guest, Scovill Manufacturing Company, Scovills & Buckingham, Timex, Waterbury Button Company, Waterbury Clock Company, Waterbury History, Waterbury Watch Company