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

BOS gives edge to firefighters for grant


 

FALLS VILLAGE - The matter of how to apportion a possible half-million-dollar state grant has been settled by the Board of Selectmen.

At its regular meeting Monday night, the board voted unanimously to ask state officials who administer the Small Towns Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) to give $300,000 to the Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department and $200,000 to the Falls Village Cultural and Community Center.

The move closes the book on one chapter of an issue that had become the source of some controversy, with the community center board, which is a division of the Falls Village Children's Theater Company, asking last month for the whole amount, even as the fire department was looking for funds to begin construction of a new emergency services center on Route 7.

"I do consider the children's theater to be worthy," said Selectman Chuck Lewis. "But the Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department is more than worthy. It is essential."

Lewis had proposed a $350,000/$150,000 split, with First Selectman Pat Mechare appearing to support him, but Selectman Peter Lawson wanted the money to be divided evenly. So the board agreed to a compromise that would recognize the relative importance of both organizations.


Theater had wanted it all


At its Dec. 10 meeting, children's theater board member and donor Bob Neimeth had announced that his organization wanted the full $500,000.

At Monday's meeting, two children's theater board members, Denise Cohn and George Elling, were present but said little.

They did submit a brief written statement about their "need to identify and receive approximately $500,000" to preserve and restore the aging R&D Emerson building on Main Street. The theater group bought the structure last year for $150,000 with the goal renovating it into a performing venue and community center.

Making a case for the firefighters


Former First Selectman Louis Timolat, who applied for and received several STEAP grants while in office, told the selectmen the grant process is competitive and that the actual amount received varies.

Timolat, an ambulance driver for the town's rescue squad, said he had done a study of the value of labor performed by the volunteers who staff the fire and rescue squads. He came up with a conservative estimate of $1.5 million for the estimated 180,000 hours logged by volunteers last year.

"That would be half of our municipal spending," said Timolat.

Kent Allyn, the president of the fire department's Board of Directors, asked that the department be considered for $250,000 "or any amount you choose."

Beckey Seney, a member of the department and the former chair of its building committee, said the $1.5-million estimate the department received for the new firehouse was four years old and so the actual tab would likely be higher.

Allyn said the department has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and donations, but will likely have to approach the town for the balance of the project. So any grant monies not received for the new emergency services center will likely have to come from taxpayers anyway.

The department was awarded a STEAP grant in 2004. Fire department officials say the $250,000 grant application was mishandled by the state Department of Public Safety, which administers the grant application. So, earlier this year the town had to take the lengthy and complicated step of applying for an extension.

The department has received $50,000 and the balance of the funds is still expected to be paid out. The paperwork for the current grant application is due next month.

But Mechare, a member of the fire department and whose husband Curt was the fire chief for many years, wanted to dispel the notion that the department was not prepared to spend the grant funds it will receive.

"If there was any doubt that they don't have a plan..." Mechare said as she held up a 5-inch thick roll of blueprints.

Latest News

Join us for

Join us for


Keep ReadingShow less

Sam Lardner returns to the Northwest Corner for Vecinos Seguros 2 benefit

Sam Lardner returns to the Northwest Corner for Vecinos Seguros 2 benefit

Sam Lardner and Barcelona will play a benefit for Vecinos Seguros 2 at Salisbury Congregational Church on Friday, July 24.

Virgo Martinez

On Friday, July 24, musician and educator Sam Lardner and his band, Barcelona, will take the stage at Salisbury Congregational Church for a benefit concert supporting Vecinos Seguros 2, an all-volunteer organization that provides emergency assistance and rapid-response support to immigrant families in Northwest Connecticut affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

Lardner, who attended and later taught at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville before moving to Spain in 1997, still considers the Northwest Corner his home in the United States. “It’s such a special place,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
community

Karina Powers and the power of tradition

Karina Powers and the power of tradition

Karina Powers teaches traditional dances from Mexico in Millbrook.

Lucia Iandolo
This is an art and the arts unite nations.
—Karina Powers

Karina Powers began dancing at 4 years old. A professional dancer, singer, performer and Mexican folklore dance professor from Baja California, Mexico, she is the youngest of three sisters who were all involved in the arts. Powers now teaches traditional Mexican dances to adults through her company, Compañía De Danza Folklórica Regional Mexicana, in Millbrook. She said she has a strong passion for the history and art that exist within the dances she teaches, and she hopes to instill that passion in her students.

“Many of them have never danced this type of dance,” said Powers. “They’re from Mexico, but they came to the United States at a young age to work. They have that dream to learn, and now they have this opportunity.”

Keep ReadingShow less
our community
google preferred source

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

Across generations at Litchfield Jazz Festival

Across generations at Litchfield Jazz Festival

Bucky Pizzarelli and Brandon Goldberg at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in 2017.

Lindsey Victoria Photography

The Litchfield Jazz Festival opens its 2026 season on Friday, July 24, at the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut. The evening will feature a gala and a concert led by saxophonist Don Braden featuring the Litchfield Jazz Fest Dectet.

The festival began in 1996 and has been going strong ever since. The list of past performers reads like a who’s who of modern jazz greats, including Christian McBride, Soulive, Joshua Redman, Dave Douglas, Brad Mehldau and John Scofield, all of whom helped revive the genre for a new generation of fans at the turn of the millennium. Vocalists like Diana Krall, Dionne Warwick and Dr. John have made appearances as well. And, of course, the festival has been graced by established masters like saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter; guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli; bassist Rufus Reid; drummers Roy Haynes and Tito Puente; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; and pianists Dave Brubeck and local legend Ahmad Jamal.

Keep ReadingShow less
music festival

No grumbling here: Children’s theater camp returns

No grumbling here: Children’s theater camp returns

Danny Saed, assistant director of “Pinocchio”; his mother and co-founder of Grumbling Gryphons Leslie Elias; theater arts camper Joyce Sun; artist and counselor Natalie Resto; and Steven Sun, Joyce Sun’s father.

Jack Sheedy

Leslie Elias wants you to understand something about the group she calls Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater: “I like to say that we try not to grumble.”

For 46 years, she has used the nonprofit to educate and entertain children in the performing arts. Summer after summer, young campers learn about acting, singing, mask-making, costume-making and scenery painting. This year, as in years past, a five-day theater arts camp will culminate in a live performance of one of Elias’ original plays, guaranteed, she hopes, to quell all grumbling.

Keep ReadingShow less
camps

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Bobby Graham

Each month, Dugazon owners Bobby Graham and Matthew Marden share a recipe inspired by the traditions, stories and sense of welcome at the heart of their shop in Sharon, Connecticut. Visit Dugazon at 19 W. Main St. Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and online at dugazonshop.com.

This month we’re sharing one of our favorite comfort foods: sea bass and shrimp gumbo. While gumbo has a reputation for being a labor of love, this version skips the traditional roux, making it surprisingly approachable. The ingredient list may seem long, but once everything is prepped, it comes together quickly, rewarding you with a rich, flavorful bowl that’s perfect any time of year. Many of the pantry staples you’ll need for this recipe can be found right here at Dugazon.

Keep ReadingShow less
what's cooking at dugazon?
google preferred source

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