Mansfield appoints Favretti town historian

Connor Linskey, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Jun. 16—MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Town Council voted unanimously to appoint Rudy Favretti the town historian at its meeting on Monday evening.

His appointment was effective June 13 with all the privileges and responsibilities that pertain to the office. This includes working with the Mansfield Historical Society to acquire facts about historically significant events and people throughout the Town of Mansfield's history. Another one of Favretti's duties will be to preserve and collect artifacts from the town's history with assistance from the Historical Society.

Favretti's appointment came as the passing of longtime Town Historian Roberta Smith in November 2021 created a vacancy which needed to be filled by appointment from the Town Council.

Prior to her passing, Smith was Mansfield's first town historian, a position that she held from August 1991 until her death. She was 100 years old at the time of her passing.

Mansfield Mayor Antonia Moran noted that Smith was highly respected.

" You folks may remember that Roberta Smith was the town historian for many, many years," Moran said at the Town Council meeting on Monday night. "Her death was a loss to the town. We celebrated her 100th birthday with parades and all kinds of things."

Moran asked the Mansfield Historical Society to make a recommendation for a new town historian. On May

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12, the Historical Society's Executive Board voted unanimously to recommend Favretti as the new town historian.

" Mr. Favretti's knowledge of Mansfield history is incomparable," the Historical Society said in a letter to Moran. " He played a large role in producing the Society's first publication the ' Chronology of Mansfield, Connecticut 1702- 1972,' revised up to 2002 and is the author or co- author of many subsequent publications including books on Mansfield Center, Mansfield Four Corners, Wormwood Hill, Gurleyville and Hanks Hill, Mansfield Depot and Merrow."

Favretti has been both a Mansfield resident and a member of the Mansfield Historical Society for many years. He also served for many years on the town's planning and zoning commission, most recently as chair before stepping away from public service.

Town Council Member Peter Kochenburger served on the planning and zoning commission with Favretti for many years where he saw Favretti's knowledge and dedication to the Town of Mansfield firsthand.

"Mansfield is very fortunate to have him and his family in our town and continuing to serve," Kochenburger said regarding Favretti.

Favretti could not be reached for comment for this story.

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