Annette Cloney
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Mark Capecelatro moderates the annual town meeting in Salisbury Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — At the annual town meeting Wednesday, Feb. 11, voters in Salisbury approved an ordinance allowing the town to join the fledgling Northwest Regional Recovery Authority.
The authority was founded by the City of Torrington in 2025 in an effort to maintain a public municipal solid waste solution in northwest Connecticut. Towns have until June 30, 2027, to secure hauling contracts following the 2022 closure of the trash-to-energy plant in Hartford.
The Northwest Hills Council of Governments, representing 21 towns, is helping to organize the initiative. Salisbury joined Torrington and Goshen in the authority, with many other municipalities planning to vote on the ordinance in the near future.
The immediate goal of the authority is to take over operations at the Torrington Transfer Station.
Voters also approved receipt of the audited financial statement for fiscal year 2025. Board of Finance chair Pari Forood said the town remains “in a very healthy financial position,” with total assets and deferred outflows of $53 million and total liabilities of $9 million, leaving net assets of $44 million.
At the end of FY25, the general fund balance was $6.68 million, with $4.03 million reserved. The remaining $2.65 million is unreserved and represents 13% of the town’s annual operating budget.
Forood noted that the state Office of Policy and Management recommends that towns maintain between 10% and 15% of their general fund in surplus for emergencies.
Forood said that state law limits the amount of general obligation debt a government entity may issue to seven times the total tax collections for the prior year.
The voters approved the receipt of the town report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The report provides department updates and municipal data.
The report is dedicated to Jean McMillen, the town’s official historian from 2014 to 2024. (For info on the town report, see Town report highlights active year for municipal services in Salisbury.)
First Selectman Curtis Rand thanked McMillen for her service as historian and in numerous other roles, including her work on overseeing the town’s cemeteries and the extensive oral history project, which now has some 430 interviews in text and audio formats.
And the voters approved an ordinance granting a limited real property tax exemption for residents who are veterans and have a service-related total disability that prevents employment. Rand said the ordinance applies to two individuals in town and was included at the request of assessor Kayla Johnson.
There were 23 electors present at Town Hall. The vote of those present was unanimous on all four agenda items.
There were a handful of voters online, but the information on how they voted was not available at press time.
Mark Capecelatro was the moderator. He thanked everyone for coming.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport.”
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Salisbury Town Hall
Nathan Miller
SALISBURY — The annual town report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, has been published and was formally received at the annual town meeting Wednesday, Feb. 11.
The report is dedicated to former town historian Jean McMillen and includes department updates, municipal data and summaries of the town’s operations over the past year. Among the report’s highlights:
Animal Control Officer Lee Sohl reported investigating 84 calls and complaints involving missing pets, roaming dogs, four dog bites and various domestic and wild animal concerns. No tickets were issued. Two dogs were impounded — one stray and one for biting. In total, Sohl noted “five fewer calls, fewer dogs picked up, double the bites from last year.”
The report lists the town’s 14 parks and forest areas.
Don Mayland, chair of the Water Pollution Control Authority, wrote the town is anticipating growth through new housing and the potential redevelopment of the Wake Robin Inn.
“The current collection and treatment facilities are adequate to handle this potential expansion. However, because of water getting into the current collection pipes, due to influx and infiltration, our ability to accommodate new housing units is somewhat compromised.”
He wrote the town has relined pipes for years but more work remains. Influx and infiltration occur through leaking main pipes and laterals serving existing housing units.
Social Services Director Patrice McGrath reported 23 households received fuel deliveries and/or furnace tuneups through the Salisbury Family Services fuel bank.
At Scoville Memorial Library, Director Karin Goodell wrote that program attendance increased 25% and use of the library for work and meetings rose 30%. The library circulated approximately 45,000 physical and digital items and added 185 new cardholders, bringing the total number of active users to 1,900 — “almost half the town,” Goodell noted.
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Ali DeProdocini assists a child making a bracelet.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — A group of about 15 adults and children got together after hours at the Scoville Memorial Library Wednesday, Feb. 11, to make Valentine’s Day cards and bracelets. The artistic activities were presided over by Ali DeProdocini.
Theodore Blevins-Fleishman, age 5, was working on a bracelet, assisted by DeProdocini with his father, Jeff Blevins, offering encouragement. It took a while, but eventually the bracelet was finished.
Amid the general hubbub, Jeff Blevins temporarily misplaced his son.
“Where did he go?”
Young Theodore had made a dash for the refreshment table.
It was a cheerful scene on a chilly night.
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North Canaan home prices up 16%
Feb 18, 2026
Situated on a hill overlooking the Housatonic River, 21 Park Avenue sold for $425,000 in late 2025.
Christine Bates
NORTH CANAAN — North Canaan’s housing market posted strong gains in 2025, with both home prices and sales activity rising sharply over the previous year.
The median price of a single-family home increased 16% to $340,000, up from $292,250 in 2024.
Sales volume also saw a significant jump last year. A total of 29 homes sold in 2025 — nearly triple the 10 transactions recorded the year before — marking one of the biggest increases in activity among Northwest Corner towns.
Despite the rise in prices, North Canaan remains the most affordable housing market in the region. The town’s $340,000 median is less than half that of neighboring Salisbury, where the 2025 median reached $825,000. It is also well below Sharon ($702,500), Cornwall ($750,000), Falls Village ($657,500) and Kent ($577,000).
Transactions
76 Prospect Street — 3 bedroom/1 bath house sold by the Estate of Nancy Brennerto Denise Bergenty for $310,000.
21 Park Avenue — 4 bedroom/2 bath home sold by Robert Hewins Jr. to Shane Helminiak for $425,000.
12 Barlow Street — 5 bedroom/1 bath home built in 1877 sold by Elaine Patton Executor to First Dream Property LLC for $200,000.
68 East Main Street — 3 bedroom/1.5 house and 2 bedroom/1 bath house sold by Ayn Nast Executor to Jessica Kain for $403,000.
116 Allyndale Road — 2 bedroom/1 bath home on 0.64 acres sold by Morick LLC to Patrick Kennedy for $175,000.
17 Clayton Road — 3 bedroom/2 bath home built in 2005 sold by Stephen Polluck to Brandon Wilfore for $426,600.
338 Salisbury Road — 3 bedroom/1 bath home built in 1940 sold by Matthew Cavanaugh to Caitlin Alexson for $280,000.
46 Old Turnpike North — 3bedroom/2 bath log home on 7 acres sold by Sandra Gessford to Timothy Deming for $450,500.
25 Granite Avenue — 4 bedroom/1.5 bath home sold by Gary Rovelto to Greg Karcheski for $200,000.
123 Lower Road — 3 bedroom/3 bath home sold by SoundviewModern Investments LLC to Jacob Tarsia for $385,000.
* Town of North Canaan real estate transfers recorded as sold between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, provided by North Canaan Town Clerk. Transfers without consideration are not included. Note that recorded transfers frequently lag sales by a number of days. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Feb 18, 2026
Police Blotter: Troop B
Police Blotter: Troop B
The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Too fast for conditions
Stephania Cruz-Martinez, 34, of Waterbury, was westbound on Lime Rock Road at approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 in a 2024 International tractor-trailer when the truck lost traction on a downhill right curve. The truck exited the roadway and struck a utility pole, partially clipping its base. Cruz-Martinez was issued a written warning for traveling too fast for conditions. The truck was driven from the scene.
Criminal mischief charge
Brian Allyn Jr., 44, of East Canaan, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, 2nd degree, and disorderly conduct on Monday, Feb. 9 after troopers responded to 35 Moses Mead Road in North Canaan late on Sunday, Feb. 8, for the report of a non-active disturbance. Allyn was transported to Troop B and was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond, with a court appearance set for Torrington Superior Court.
Subaru flip over
Unpredictable snow drifts were cited in a one-vehicle accident northbound on Route 63 in the town of Canaan on Monday, Feb. 9 at approximately 3:40 a.m. James Gulyas, 41 of Falls Village, was driving his 2018 Subaru Crosstrek when he encountered snow drifts that had crossed the road. The vehicle left the road, hit a wall and flipped over an unknown number of times, coming to rest rightside up. Gulyas was issued a warning for failure to drive right. The Subaru was towed by Arnold’s Garage.
BMW and Mercedes in passing accident
On Thursday, Feb. 12 at approximately 11:15 a.m. a BMW X5 and a Mercedes GLE were traveling westbound on Route 4 in Sharon behind a box truck. The BMW, driven by Erik Lambro, 52, of Bethlehem, CT, began to pass the Mercedes, driven by George Flynn, 76, of Kent. Troopers state that as Lambro was passing Flynn, Flynn’s Mercedes struck the passenger side of the BMW. The BMW continued to pass the Mercedes and the box truck ahead, then pulled over to stop and signaled for the Mercedes to stop. The Mercedes didn’t stop and left the scene, and was later located with visible damage. Flynn was issued an infraction for failure to maintain lane.
Domestic violence arrests
Troop B was notified of a domestic violence incident on Saturday, Feb. 14 in North Canaan. An investigation led to the arrest of Javier Otero, 29, of North Canaan. Otero was arrested at the scene and charged with Risk of Injury to a Child, Disorderly Conduct, Assault 3rd degree, and Threatening. A court date was set for Torrington Superior Court.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Send mail to P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or send an email editor@lakevillejournal.com
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File photo
FALLS VILLAGE — The heavy winter has taken a toll on Falls Village’s snow clearing budget.
At the regular monthly selectmen’s meeting Monday, Feb. 9, First Selectman Dave Barger said the town has used about 86% of its budget for materials and overtime, and that doesn’t include the numbers from the most recent and biggest storm of the season.
In other business, Barger reported that after two years, Town Hall is finally going to be connected to the Connecticut Education Network (CEN) fiber optic internet service.
The board also discussed upcoming infrastructure work.
There will be a meeting in March with representatives from Cardinal Engineering and the state Department of Transportation on the plans for replacing the bridge and culvert on Cobble Road.
The selectmen also made an appointment, naming Mark Gonzonsky to the Housatonic River Commission to replace Dick Heinz. Gonzonsky was an alternate member, and Colter Rule will take over that role.
Finally, the selectmen thanked Lou Timolat for his service as the town’s representative to the Torrington Area Health District. Barger noted that what was supposed to be a temporary arrangement turned into 20 years of service.
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