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

Air monitoring begins in Kent

The first of a series of state-of-the-art air monitoring stations is now in place at Kent School in Kent. This air monitoring network is being developed by Western Connecticut Clean Air Action (WCCAA), an alliance of citizens, area conservation commissions, land trusts, environmental groups and town officials that formed in July 2018. 

The network’s primary purpose is to detect any significant changes in Litchfield County’s ambient air quality after the Cricket Valley Energy Center, now under construction on Route 22 in Dover Plains, begins operating in 2020. 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) currently monitors air quality. But the nearest DEEP air monitoring stations are 18 and 26 miles away in Cornwall and Thomaston, respectively. With no DEEP plans to install additional monitors, a local effort formed.

Working closely with WCCAA, Kent School purchased and recently installed the DEEP-recommended Aeroqual AQM65 air monitoring station as the central component of the evolving monitoring network. It is expected to go online in late January. 

WCCAA is currently raising funds to offset a portion of Kent School’s purchase cost. Nearby towns plan to buy their own smaller monitors to capture data from various elevations and microclimates. Data from the Kent School monitoring station and the peripheral devices will be compiled and made publicly available.

While Cricket Valley is expected to meet state and federal air emissions standards and create cleaner ambient air overall for distant regions, area towns have concerns about: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid and carbon dioxide. There are concerns that larger particulates and other pollutants could accumulate in water and soil; and about damage to lung tissue that could be caused by VOCs and NOx.

The AQM65 at the Kent School will measure ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and less) concentrations and gather meteorological data. Area schools will be taking an active interest in the data for their science programs.

Financial support for the monitors has also come from area schools, land trusts, environmental protection groups and the town of Kent.

An informational forum is planned in the spring. For more information, contact wccleanairaction@gmail.com and go to www.facebook.com/groups/WCCAA/.

 

B. Blake Levitt, a science journalist/author who writes about how technology affects biology, is the Communications Director for The Berkshire-Litchfield Environmental Council — a supporting WCCAA member.

Latest News

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

NORFOLK­ — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.

Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

KENT­­ — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.

Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.

Keep ReadingShow less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Mary Simmons

Mary Simmons

MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.

Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.

Keep ReadingShow less

Margaret Anita Layton

Margaret Anita Layton

STANFORDVILLE —Margaret Anita Layton passed away on April 30, 2026, after a recurring battle with cancer, surrounded by friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her parents, Anita and Jack Egan, brother John P. Egan, III, and nephew Michael Egan. She leaves behind a brother, numerous nieces and a nephew, as well as a community of chosen sisters who loved her very much.

Margaret was born in the Bronx, New York, and moved to Clinton Corners as a small child. Margaret spent her adult life in Stanfordville, where she owned Margaret A. Layton, E.A. Tax and Business Consulting. Margaret was a lover of all animals and an avid horse enthusiast with an active presence in the draft horse community. Midge lived out loud. Her vibrancy left a mark that will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

Keep ReadingShow less

Join us for

Join us for


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.