EDC Honors Three Local Businesses

By Steve Bigham

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) held its third annual “Salute to Business” October 26 at the Fireside Inn. Three local businesses were honored for their distinguished service to Newtown’s business community.

Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) was honored for its long standing utility services to the citizens and businesses of the state and for its contribution to Newtown’s economic growth. CL&P is a statewide utility company, whose district service center is located on Barnabas Road in Newtown. It employs more than 100 people and provides service to five surrounding towns as well as Newtown, which has over 230 miles of pole lines and serves nearly 11,000 customers. CL&P established its Newtown facility in 1991.

Ashlar of Newtown was recognized for the outstanding living, health and educational services it provides to the senior citizens of the town and for its contributions to the economic community of Newtown. In 1972, the convalescent home opened along Toddy Hill Road. At the time, it was known as Buckingham Gardens. In 1982, the name was changed to Ashlar of Newtown and became part of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, now the Masoncare Corporation – the largest non-profit service provider for older adults in Connecticut.

Last year, Ashlar opened Lockwood Lodge, a 44-unit assisted living community for adults 55 and over, who are independent and do not need nursing care.

Ashlar is one of the town’s largest employers with over 250 employees.

American Wire Corporation received this year’s Community Service Award in recognition of its continuous operation for over 60 years and its contribution to the economic community of the town.

Nearly a century ago, John McCarthy operated a lumber company on the south side of the railroad tracks along Church Hill Road, according to research done by EDC Chairman A. Winthrop Ballard. In 1932, a second company popped up next door. Its owner, Martin McNamara, began making wire brushes. As the company grew, Mr McCarthy became a partner and the lumber company was discontinued. The manufacture of brushes continued, but the production of drawn copper wire as a product became more and more the ordered item. In 1962, the company concentrated solely on manufacturing that product.

Today, under the third generation of McCarthys, the company is a major producer of coated copper wire; coated with polyurethane, nylon, epoxy and others.

Mr Ballard presented the awards along with Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker. About 50 people attended last week’s event.