NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Chamber of Chamber celebrated at its 96th annual meeting by taking a moment to highlight some of its past successes.
Naugatuck Chamber Director Courtney Ligi spoke to the crowd gathered at the Crystal Room on Jan. 10 about the chamber’s increased social media presence and a successful membership drive.
“We are happy to report we were able to bring in 17 new members this year, which is up 42 percent,” Ligi said.
Ligi said the chamber’s most popular event, the annual Duck Day and Race, which will hit its 13th year this June, has been beneficial ever since it started, and that last year was no different.
“I am pleased to say that over 264 nonprofits have benefitted over the last 12 years. We have contributed back $356,500 in charitable contributions,” Ligi said.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the Lewis A. Dibble Sr. Award to Naugatuck Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess.
The award, which is named after the man who founded the Naugatuck Chamber in 1921, recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions to business and the socioeconomic well-being of Naugatuck.
“I can think of no one more deserving of the honor this year than N. Warren ‘Pete’ Hess,” said last year’s recipient Charles Boulier III, of Ion Bank. “Pete is not only being honored for what he has accomplished in his first term as mayor, but for his efforts on behalf of the borough for the more than 40 years he has hung his law firm’s shingle here.”
Boulier said Hess has been able to get final approval for developing Parcel C, convert the former U.S. Army National Guard Armory on Rubber Avenue into a place for both the Parks and Recreation Department and Naugatuck Youth Services, install fuel cells at the wastewater treatment plant, host downtown festivals and create a dog park during his first term as mayor.
“All of these efforts, in one way or another, are intended to improve Naugatuck’s economy and quality of life,” Boulier said.
Hess said he has only begun the work he wants to do in the borough.
“As I stand here tonight I am humbled and honored to be here, but I really still do believe the award is premature. In my mind I am not even warmed up yet. We’re just starting. I am going to achieve what we set out to do,” Hess said. “I want to make Naugatuck the best town in the state of Connecticut.”
