Goggin Recognized as 9th Annual Cheshire Parks and Recreation Person of the Year

March 21, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Cheshire resident Mike Goggin didn't start volunteering in youth sports for individual accolades. So when Goggin learned he was selected as the 9th Annual Cheshire Parks and Recreation Person of the Year, his first thought was for other deserving candidates just like him.
“(Cheshire Parks and Recreation Director) Bob (Ceccolini) told me and I was very surprised,” recalled Goggin, who received his plaque at the department's monthly meeting in February.
The award goes to an individual or organization that goes above and beyond to help the department. Goggin was the Cheshire Youth Baseball/Youth Softball President from 2006-09, giving way to Bob Biafore last October.
“First of all, running the CYB/CYS organization is a task,” explained Ceccolini. “He coaches baseball, softball, and basketball. He is overseeing the concession stand in town and was instrumental in merging CYB/CYS and (Thomas Brooks) Little League (three years ago).”
Goggin became involved in CYB/CYS approximately 10 or 11 years ago.
“I grew up in Naugatuck. So I looked at it as a way of meeting people. I started coaching, joined the Board (of Directors), and the rest is history,” reflected Goggin, who thinks volunteerism is vital to the organization's success. “It is surprising how much some people do. As president, you get a lot of the load and glory. But, there are so many people that make you look good.”
Despite stepping down from the helm, Goggin is heading the long awaited dream of building a concession stand. CYB/CYS has raised more than $30,000. Construction at Bartlem Recreation Area started last fall and fundraisers like pancake breakfasts continue to receive community support. Organizers are shooting to be operational for Opening Day on May 1.
“We should have it open and pass the health inspection to have it rock and roll,” stated Goggin. “Since that block appeared at Bartlem, there has been rain and snow. The walls will go up this week and the roof after that. The doors are on order. The actual structure should be done by the end of the month barring bad weather.”
OGS Technologies Inc. of Cheshire and Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation each donated $10,000 to the project. However, donations from local businesses and families add up to nearly the same total as the overall dollar amount. Salamone and Associates (full architectural design), Pasco Plumbing & Heating Inc., Cheshire Roofing, Country Lumber (materials for roof), Milone and McBroom (location map for utilities), Ram Builders (construction), O & G Industries, Inc. (assisting construction and organization of contractors), International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen (wall construction), and Bristol Winnelson Co. (assisted with price of plumbing equipment) have volunteered for the project.
“We wouldn't have been able to get this done without donations and we still need more,” Goggin explained. “We are still working on the hood. We need to raise money for the mop sink and grill.”