
Jandi Hanna, president of the Falls Village Housing Trust, was among the representatives of affordable housing groups in the region who spoke out about successes over the past year.
Debra A. Aleksinas
Jandi Hanna, president of the Falls Village Housing Trust, was among the representatives of affordable housing groups in the region who spoke out about successes over the past year.
SALISBURY — Housing affordability is a daunting challenge throughout the Northwest Corner, but a coordinated, regional response is reportedly making strides, one new housing unit at a time.
The past year’s success stories were front and center during the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity’s (LCCHO) Annual Housing Affordability Summit held on Sept. 20 at the Salisbury Town Grove Community Center.
Guests included state Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, members of local housing nonprofits, area legislators, first selectmen, town housing committees and others passionate about create housing opportunities for those who live and work in the community.
“Housing is not just a roof over our heads. It is the foundation of our lives, yet the cost of housing is a growing concern,” Mosquera-Bruno told the crowd that surpassed 100 attendees. “When families can afford housing, they are investing in their future.”
Millions in state, federal funding in 2023
Jocelyn Ayer, LCCHO’s director, pointed to a “doubling of the number of affordable housing units in the pipeline since we got started a few years ago.”
She recited her organization’s impact by the numbers: 15 local housing nonprofits being provided with day-to-day project management support; 323 affordable housing units being supported to move forward as part of 18 developments in 13 towns; a 100% increase in the number of affordable housing units in the development pipeline (increase of 160 to 323 since 2022, and $4.8 million in state funding accessed by local nonprofits to construct and/or renovate housing in 2023.
Also, Ayer pointed to $4.25 million in federal funding accessed by local nonprofits for affordable housing in 2023 units and $176,000 in pre-development seed funding committed to support six developments.
She said $33,800 in pass-through funding was provided for community engagement projects in Barkhamsted, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, Norfolk, Salisbury, Sharon, Warren and Winchester, the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative and Kent Affordable Housing.
Mosquero-Bruno offered suggestions on how towns could add to their affordable housing stock, including the revision of zoning laws to allow for duplexes and townhouses and the promotion of public-private partnerships.
“Don’t just think about building, but also acquiring. It’s not just about construction it’s about engaging community members” through education and advocacy, she noted.
A team of stakeholders cut the ribbon on 10 new affordable housing units in Salisbury, From left, Peter Halle, president of the Salisbury Housing Committee, Inc.; Jocelyn Ayer, vice-president, SHC; U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.); State Representative Maria Horn (D-64); Marcus Smith, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Housing; T.J. Magnoli, Community Relations, Eversource; and Curtis Rand, Salisbury First Selectman.
Patrick L. Sullivan
Sharing successes and challenges
The evening included a brief update on Litchfield County success stories, including the ribbon cutting earlier in the day for 10 new units at Salisbury’s Sarum Village III.
“Unfortunately, we don’t get to do that every day,” said Ayer of the newly christened rental units. “So we need to celebrate the little wins.”
One by one, updates on various stages of housing projects, from rental units to single-family homes, unfolded from representatives of the Barkhamsted Housing Trust, Cornwall Housing Corporation, Falls Village Housing Trust, Goshen Housing Trust, Kent Affordable Housing, Litchfield Housing Trust, Litchfield/Morris Housing Authorities and the Foundation for Norfolk Living.
Also represented was the Salisbury Housing Committee, Salisbury Housing Trust, Sharon Housing Trust, Warren Affordable Housing Corporation, Washington Community Housing Trust and the Winchester Housing Partnership.
Peter Halle, president of the Salisbury Housing Committee, explained that in addition to the 10 new units at Sarum Village, projects in the pipeline include Dresser Woods, a 20-unit affordable housing project and the long-awaited Holley Place. “NIMBY is a reality, but it’s moving ahead,” he reported.
Earlier in the day, attendees were encouraged to take a self-guided tour of current/planned housing developments in Salisbury. In addition to Sarum Village, Dresser Woods and Holley Place, other sites on the tour included the Pope Property, two affordable homes by the Salisbury Housing Trust and Lakeview Apartments.
“We really have an embarrassment of riches in Salisbury when it comes to working on affordable housing projects,” noted Jennifer Kronholm Clark, vice president of the Salisbury Housing Trust.
‘The real success stories are our tenants’
Chris Sanders, president of the Goshen Housing Trust, said he was happy to report that 13 out of 18 rental units in his town have undergone major renovation since May of 2021 and are occupied, despite the fact that “Goshen, Connecticut is not necessarily a friend to affordable housing.”
He said “the real success stories are our tenants.”
Sanders spoke of the single mom with an infant who was a tenant for 15 years and recently purchased a home in Winsted. He recalled the long-time senior who lost his home due to healthcare costs and “didn’t know where to go next but wanted to live close by and has been with us for two years.”
Sanders recalled the professional couple who are employed locally, and the mom with three kids who was a victim of domestic violence “and found a safe home with us.”
Just last week, he said, one of our tenants gave birth to a baby girl. “It was the first tenant who snuck in!” he said, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “These are really the success stories affordable housing is about.”
Deidre DiCara, representing the Winchester Housing Partnership, spoke of the planned renovation of the vacant Batcheller school building on Pratt Street into 35 rental units. The vote to sell the school to the nonprofit Northwest Senior Housing, she said, “squeaked through” by a heart-stopping four votes.
The summit, sponsored this year by National Iron Bank, concluded with panel sessions on the upcoming Legislative session, and financing resources for affordable housing.
Attendees were treated to the debut of a short film screening showcasing the region’s collaborative effort and the strategies that have come out of it.
“I am truly grateful and committed to our shared vision,” the state housing commissioner told those in attendance. “Despite these challenges there is hope.”
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School track and field began the season with a home meet against Lakeview High School Tuesday, April 22.
The rivalry meet produced riveting races including a showdown between seniors Kyle McCarron and Ben Schildgen in the 1600-meter race. The star runners traded the lead several times but McCarron was in front when it counted, winning for HVRHS in a time of 4:29.4, a split second ahead of Ben Schildgen’s 4:29.8.
The boys 300m hurdles came down to the wire too, with Lakeview’s Max Guma defeating HVRHS’s Patrick Money by one-tenth of a second.
Lakeview won overall. The girls team score was LHS 100 - 37 HVRHS and the boys team score was LHS 82.5 - 61.5 HVRHS.
Kent School sent a number of runners to the meet as well. The Lions do not have a school team, but the athletes participated in the spirit of competition. They were not officially scored.
Medalists in each event listed below.
Amelia Dodge, center, hustled her way to first place in the 100m hurdles.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Olivia Myrie (LHS) 13.2 seconds
2. Camila Salinas (LHS) 13.3 seconds
3. Jemima Shanks (LHS) 13.6 seconds
1. Ryan Segalla (HVRHS) 11.4 seconds
2. Daevion Ballard (LHS) 11.5 seconds
3. Jaden Blasi (LHS) 12.0 seconds
1. Greyson Thomas (LHS) 27.8 seconds
2. Camila Salinas (LHS) 29.1 seconds
3. Sara Huber (HVRHS) 29.2 seconds
1. Ryan Segalla (HVRHS) 23.2 seconds
2. Jaden Blasi (LHS) 24.8 seconds
3. Ben Southard (LHS) 25.5 seconds
1. Harper Howe (HVRHS) 1:02.9 minutes
2. Allie Pape (LHS) 1:03.1 minutes
3. Ella Curi (LHS) 1:08.2 minutes
Ryan Segalla, second from right, took first place in the boys 100m, 200m and 400m.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Ryan Segalla (HVRHS) 51.9 seconds
2. Anthony Labbadia (HVRHS) 52.9 seconds
3. Kyle McCarron (HVRHS) 55.2 seconds
1. Lilyana Markavich (LHS) 2:42.8 minutes
2. Olivia Brooks (HVRHS) 2:55.1 minutes
3. Addie Foss (LHS) 2:55.2 minutes
1. Silas Tripp (HVRHS) 2:12.0 minutes
2. Luke O’Mara (LHS) 2:16.2 minutes
3. Reide Augustyn (LHS) 2:18.1 minutes
1. Lilyana Markavich (LHS) 6:00.0 minutes
2. Olivia Brooks (HVRHS) 6:18.1 minutes
3. Addie Foss (LHS) 6:31.5 minutes
Runners representing HVRHS, Kent School and Lakeview compete in the 1600m.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Kyle McCarron (HVRHS) 4:29.4 minutes
2. Ben Schildgen (LHS) 4:29.8 minutes
3. Reide Augustyn (LHS) 5:02.1 minutes
1. Lilyana Markavich (LHS) 13:23.0 minutes
1. Ben Schildgen (LHS) 10:08.0 minutes
2. Bailey Williams (HVRHS) 13:20.0 minutes
1. Amelia Dodge (HVRHS) 17.6 seconds
2. Allie Pape (LHS) 19.2 seconds
3. Anisa Nefic (LHS) 20.3 seconds
1. Patrick Money (HVRHS) 17.3 seconds
2. Max Guma (LHS) 18.4 seconds
1. Amelia Dodge (HVRHS) 48.2 seconds
2. Greysen Thomas (LHS) 49.7 seconds
Max Guma, left, and Patrick Money's race in the 300m hurdles was decided by one-tenth of a second.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Max Guma (LHS) 44.1 seconds
2. Patrick Money (HVRHS) 44.2 seconds
3. James Lundt (LHS) 53.4 seconds
1. LHS (Jemima Shanks, Matilda Barnes, Olivia Myrie, Camila Salinas) 54.0 seconds
2. HVRHS (Amelia Dodge, Harper Howe, Madelyn Johnson, McKenzie Lotz) 57.3 seconds
1. LHS (Noah Jenkins, Hunter Pinho, James Shaughnessy, Jaden Blasi) 48.6 seconds
2. HVRHS (Cole Simonds, Matthew McGuire, Nico Bochnovich, Owen Schnepf) 52.8 seconds
3. HVRHS (Brayan Lopez Gonzalez, Federico Vargas Tobon, Luca Floridis, Samuel Berry) 54.2 seconds
1. HVRHS (Amelia Dodge, Harper Howe, Adelyn Diorio, McKenzie Lotz) 4:29.3 minutes
2. LHS (Allie Pape, Olivia Myrie, Jemima Shanks, Aly Schmitz) 4:31.2 minutes
1. HVRHS (Anthony Labbadia, Ryan Segalla, Patrick Money, Kyle McCarron) 3:39.6 minutes
2. LHS (Max Guma, Nathaniel Stull, Ben Southard, Reide Augustyn) 4:00.4 minutes
3. HVRHS (Silas Tripp, Peter Austin, Owen Schnepf, Luca Floridis) 4:05.9 minutes
1. HVRHS (Olivia Brooks, Hannah Johnson, Adelyn Diorio, Meadow Moerschell) 11:50.0 minutes
1. LHS (Tucker Marchand, James Campbell, Luke O’Mara, Joey Nypert) 9:50.0 minutes
Anthony Labbadia placed first in the high jump after successfully clearing 5-feet 8-inches.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Olivia Lauretano (LHS) 24’ 3.5”
2. Eleanor Klug (LHS) 20’ 8”
3. Sarah Storm (LHS) 18’ 2.5”
1. Jaxx Willey (LHS) 42’ 5.25”
2. Monty Sabolcik (LHS) 20’ 3.5”
3. Matt Festa (LHS) 29’ 4”
1. Sarah Storm (LHS) 62’ 3”
2. Olivia Lauretano (LHS) 60’ 8”
3. Eleanor Klug (LHS) 58’ 5”
1. Noah Schildgen (LHS) 91’ 10”
2. Monty Sabolcik (LHS) 86’ 9”
3. Joe VanOrmer (LHS) 81’ 6”
1. Olivia Lauretano (LHS) 74’ 2”
2. Eleanor Klug (LHS) 60’5”
3. Aly Schmitz (LHS) 59’ 7”
Simon Markow competed in the javelin event for HVRHS.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Luke Gordon (LHS) 108’ 0”
2. Jaxx Willey (LHS) 104’ 5”
3. Noah Schildgen (LHS) 94’ 9”
1. Greysen Thomas (LHS) 5’ 0”
2. Kaylee Wheeler (LHS) 4’ 4”
3. Ella Curi (LHS) 4’ 2”
1. Anthony Labbadia (HVRHS) 5’ 8”
2. Max Guma (LHS) 5’ 6”
3. Daevion Ballard (LHS) 5’ 6”
1. Allie Paper (LHS) 8’ 0”
1. Reide Augustyn (LHS) 8’ 0”
1. Olivia Myrie (LHS) 15’ 6.25”
2. Jemima Shanks (LHS) 13’ 11”
3. Kaylee Wheeler (LHS) 12’ 6”
Patrick Money soars to 19-feet 7-inches in the long jump.Photo by Riley Klein
1. Patrick Money (HVRHS) 19’ 7”
2. Jaden Blasi (LHS) 16’ 11”
3. Noah Jenkins (LHS) 16’ 10.5”
1. Harper Howe (HVRHS) 30’ 0.5”
1. Anthony Labbadia (HVRHS) 39’ 11”
2. Noah Jenkins (LHS) 34’ 4.5”
3. Cole Simonds (LHS) 33’ 2”
HVRHS girls lacrosse watches after practice as classmates compete in the track meet April 22.Photo by Riley Klein
Cornwall Consolidated School seventh graders Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willow Berry, Claire Barbosa, Willa Lesch, Vivianne DiRocco and Franco Aburto presented a group research project on the life of Naomi Freeman Wednesday, April 23. In attendance were U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., John Mills, president of Alex Breanne Corporation, Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Cornwall Selectman Jennifer Markow and CCS social studies teacher Will Vincent.
CORNWALL — “In Cornwall you have made the decision that everyone here matters and everyone’s story is important,” said U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Waterbury, to the seventh grade class at Cornwall Consolidated School April 23.
Hayes was in attendance to celebrate history on Wednesday as the CCS students presented their group research project on the life of Naomi Cain Freeman, the first Black female landowner in Cornwall.
To memorialize Freeman, the seventh graders petitioned the town selectmen to rename Great Hollow Road where the Freemans once lived. New street signs for Naomi Freeman Historic Road were created with some help from the town highway department.
“No one in this community, or the state for that matter, will ever forget that this happened here,” said Hayes.
Cornwall Highway Department helped the students create new signs to install on Great Hollow Road.Photo by Riley Klein
Per Cornwall Historical Society records, Freeman’s story began in 1794 when she was born in Vermont. John Sedgwick and his wife Abigail, of Cornwall, adopted her in 1801: an act that protected her from slavery, which was still legal in Connecticut at the time.
Sedgwick included Naomi in his will and she received a dowry after his death in 1820.
Naomi later married Obadiah “Obed” Freeman, a man who had been enslaved in Cornwall. She purchased an acre in Cornwall, becoming the town’s first African American woman to own land, and the two settled on Great Hollow Road in 1828.
Nearly 200 years later, the street itself bears her name.
“We are really proud of the work we’ve done and that Naomi Freeman will continue to be an impactful presence in our town,” said CCS student Vivianne DiRocco.
DiRocco and her classmates Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willa Lesch, Willow Berry, and Claire Barbosa discovered Freeman’s story earlier this year while conducting research into important women in Cornwall’s history. The full project will be presented at Troutbeck Symposium May 1.
“One of the archaeologists who excavated the Freemans’ home told us about a gap in Connecticut’s history concerning the everyday life for free African Americans. We hope that we filled that gap a little bit,” said Lesch.
There are no known photographs or portraits of Freeman. The students utilized artificial intelligence to create images of what she might have looked like during her life in Cornwall.
The students created artwork to show what Naomi Freeman, her husband Obed and daughter Sarah might have looked like living in Cornwall.Photo by Riley Klein
“What an incredible example of what happens when young people are given the tools, the encouragement and the space to lead,” said CCS Principal Leanne Maguire. “Thank you for showing us what is possible when curiosity meets courage.”
John Mills, president of the Alex Breanne Corporation in West Hartford, was consulted by the students to help unearth census data and track down living descendants of Freeman. His company researches formerly enslaved people and brings their stories to light.
Mills said he was surprised to see the extensive research that was conducted by the students by the time he was contacted. His company sometimes helps render images for individuals lost to history, but the students had even taken that on themselves.
“I’m incredibly impressed with what you’ve done here,” said Mills to the students. “Now you’re a part of the celebration and civic engagement.”
Town of Salisbury
Board of Finance
Notice of Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday,
April 30th, 2025
7:30pm
A public hearing called by the Board of Finance will be held in-person and via Zoom at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 with the following agenda:
1. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Education budget as presented.
2. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Selectmen, town government budget as presented.
Note: Copies of the proposed budgets are available at Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting Immediately following the Public Hearing
1. Final Budget Review; Discussion and possible vote to present the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen, Town Government Budget to the Annual Town Budget meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Please Note: The Annual Town Budget Meeting date has been changed to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Public Hearing on Budgets immediately followed by Board of Finance
Time: Apr 30, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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04-24-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0280 by owner Richard Cantele for Structures Located less than Fifty (50) feet from a Waterbody or Watercourse at 204 Between the Lakes Road, Salisbury, Map 58, Lot 03 per Section 404 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. 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. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-24-25
05-01-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 14, 2025:
Approved - Application 2025-IW-050 by Engineer Pat Hackett to install a new septic system. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 59 as lot 09 and is known as 36 South Shore Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Noelle G Becker, Trustee.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
04-24-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on April l, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2025, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 will be LIENED on JUNE 6, 2025. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am- 4pm. Closed 12:30pm- 1 :30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 15TH day of March 2025.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-20-25
04-03-25
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.