Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

A year of progress, cultural growth in Kent

KENT — Bellies are full, the air is brisk and the sun sits low and cold in the southern sky — it’s January in Kent, marking the close of a progressive year for the riverside town.

The Board of Selectmen reformed several subcommittees during the year, including the Broadband and Communication Working Group that has been busy trying to modernize and expand the town’s broadband connection. While internet service providers have been hard to reach and state-funding opportunities difficult to get a hold of, fiber optic cable is being laid in town, and the group is working hard to every residence in town wired with “future proof” broadband connection.

The creation of the Cemetery Committee bolstered the town’s volunteer roster. The management of the six town-owned cemeteries were transferred to the control of the newly-formed committee, which is overseen by the BOS.

The Cannabis Regulations Subcommittee formed within Planning and Zoning to help the town decide how to best update its regulation of recreational cannabis.

The Kent Sustainability Team was also reformed.

Aside from town governance, Kent’s cultural institutions saw growth and activity throughout the year. The Kent Memorial Library received two million dollars in funds at the October meeting of the Connecticut Bond Commission which will be put towards a large scale expansion project connecting the existing library to the adjacent old firehouse building. The idea is “more space for more people,” according to Library Director Sarah Marshall.

The Eric Sloane Museum and adjacent Connecticut Antique Machinery Association’s museum brought visitors from near and far to their tranquil grounds throughout the year. Their busy programming schedules ranged from CAMA’s Spring Startup locomotive ride in April to Kent-based non-profit TradesUP’s third annual SPARK event in October introducing children to the many worlds of the trades industries.

Alterations to municipal life have had mixed popularity with the public over the past year. The “orange bag” municipal waste program saw the completion of a successful trial period, reducing waste levels in the town while offering a unit-based pricing system for residents.

A push to install traffic safety cameras along Route 7 in downtown Kent was met with controversy, with some deeming them intrusive or unnecessary while others said such a move is long overdue. Originally scheduled for Dec. 6, the town vote on traffic cameras has been pushed to Jan. 7.

Latest News

Classifieds - August 25, 2026

Classifieds - August 25, 2026

HOUSE FOR RENT

MT RIGA LAKEFRONT CABIN. Private beach, canoe, kayaks, fishing. $1,275/week. 585-355-5245.

2 Bedroom House. Millerton, NY. Quiet. 4 miles from town. No Dogs. $2475 monthly, plus utilities. 518-567-8277.

Keep ReadingShow less

Legal Notices - August 25, 2026

Legal Notices - August 25, 2026

Legal Notice

The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Application ZBA-26-1 by Emily Vail for a variance of Section 304 and 300.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations pertaining to a property owned by 145 Farnum Road LLC located at 145 Farnum Road Lakeville, CT 06039, map 48 lot 15. The hearing will be held on September 8, 2026 immediately after the regularly scheduled business of the 5:00PM meeting. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to and speak on the matter. Instructions for attending this virtual meeting will be listed on the agenda and at https://www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at https://www.salisburyct.us/zoning-board-of-appeals.... Attendance is encouraged but written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. The agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may also be reviewed in the Land Use Office, Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.

Keep ReadingShow less

Allen Degreenia

Allen Degreenia

WEST CORNWALL — Allen “Al” Degreenia, 70, of West Cornwall, Connecticut, passed away on Aug. 14, 2026 at Hartford Hospital.
Al was born on Sept. 10, 1955, in Torrington, Connecticut, the son of the late Ovel and Olive Degreenia of West Cornwall.

A man of many talents, Al was an artist in every sense of the word. He was a gifted musician and had a lifelong love of old cars. For many years, through his business, Textile Graphics in Torrington, Al shared his artistic talents with the community, printing hundreds of T-shirts and hand painting signs for local businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Lynn Korbel

Lynn Korbel

CANAAN — Lynn Korbel passed away peacefully with her son, Eric by her side, at Geer nursing on Aug. 19, 2026, due to complications of cancer and kidney failure. She is remembered and celebrated by her two sons, Eric and David Korbel of Lakeville and Middleboro, Massachusetts, her two grandchildren, Dylan Korbel and Brittany Korbel, her niece Jennifer Cotte and her grandnieces Jaden Cotte and Jamison Cotte. She is survived by her brother Edward ‘Ted’ Korbel of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

Lynn was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 1, 1943. She resided in Wilmette, Illinois before moving to New Canaan, Connecticut in 1955. She attended New Canaan High School where she learned to play the flute and speak French. She was active in the drama department as well. Graduating in 1961, she then went on to attend Virginia Wesleyan College studying the Russian language and was actively involved in the production of several plays both as an artist as well as working on set design and as a director. Further education found her attending the Catherine Gibbs school in NYC and also working at that time as a fashion model. Lynn then went on to work for the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut where she received several promotions rising to oversee the nascent computer division side of the business.

Keep ReadingShow less

Ronald C. Watson

Ronald C. Watson

MILLERTON — Ronald C. Watson, a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and beloved member of his community, passed away leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will forever carry his love with them.

Ronald was born on Dec. 3, 1948, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut, to Roy Watson and Theresa Linderman. Throughout his life, Ronald was a man who valued the things that mattered most—family, loyalty, friendship, and time spent doing the things he loved.

Keep ReadingShow less

Stephen Michael Brandt

Stephen Michael Brandt

LAKEVILLE — With heavy hearts we are saddened to report that Stephen passed away at Sharon Hospital after a long illness at age 62. He lived in Sharon early on and then resided in Lakeville later in life.

He was an accomplished and well-respected painting contractor. He had a huge heart, was a great friend to everyone (always there to help) and had the quickest wit and greatest sense of humor ever.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.