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Reviewing Norfolk’s natural resources
May 01, 2024
NORFOLK — On Thursday, April 25 at 5:30pm, The Norfolk Conservation Commission held its natural resource inventory discussion at the Norfolk Library to a small audience, including a very friendly Golden Retriever.
Appointed by the Board of Selectmen, the Norfolk Conservation Commission keeps an index of all open publicly or privately owned areas to obtain information on their proper use; conducts research into the use, and possible use, of land in Norfolk; administers gifts, and approves state grants for the use of open space land for conservation or recreation purpose.
Led by John Anderson, the discussion provided updates to the 2023 Natural Resource Inventory, outlined the chapters, including the “recommendations” section, and answered questions from the public.
When Anderson presented information on Norfolk’s wetlands, library director Ann Havemeyer asked, “what defines a bog?”
“It’s a highly acidic body of water with particular plants and animals that live there. For example, Sphagnum moss floats on top of water which allows plants to grow on top of that. Beckley Bog is a prime example in Norfolk,” Anderson answered.
He further described different types of wetlands in Norfolk and how they interact.
“Holleran swamp is attached to Wood Creek Pond, which extends into a swampy area. There’s enough soil that trees like Spruce and Fir can grow there.”
While viewing images of a beaver pond on the big screen, an audience member asked how beavers affect the landscape.
“Beavers make dams because they don’t like to spend a lot of time out of the water, though they will harvest wood from shrubs and trees. They’re trying to create more water for their food supply of aquatic plants,” Anderson said.
Anderson rated Norfolk’s groundwater as very good because of the filtering effect of heavy forest cover. However, the November 2022 Gas spill and the use of salt to defrost roads are concerning.
“We’re testing salinity in local freshwater supplies. We’ll test and decide what to do, for example to use less salt and alternatives,” he said.
Anderson also described how water is connected in Norfolk.
“Norfolk participated in a region wide study of how streams are connected. There’s a database evaluating stream road crossing and how it might affect wildlife. Recent storms have been more intense than in years past. Many culverts and bridges are not built for this. Climate change certainly plays a role,” he said.
Anderson moved swiftly through the massive amount of information and covered plantscape, with a focus on the trees and wildflowers of Norfolk including pictures of northern species that aren’t typically found elsewhere in Connecticut.
The inventory focused on large rather than old trees. “Great Mountain Forest had the largest red spruce in the state, but it was struck by lightning and died. It’s been made into the mantle at the Curling Club,” Anderson said.
Regarding wildlife, he said, “Norfolk is unusual in many ways. We have a really good bear, bobcat, and moose population and a lot of species that have been extricated and are now here such as wild turkeys and fisher cats. The bird population is strong with a few new species including Sand Hill cranes. Thanks to our forests we have Rough grouse. We’ve added sections on butterflies and moths with an extensive appendices of 650 species of moths.”
“We’re cold, northern and deserve the name of the Icebox. We have really good clean wetlands and forests,” he added.
Anderson also described how The Norfolk Land Trust and the historic work of private individuals such as Ted Childs have helped preserve large areas of land. The report contains maps showing the intersection of private and public protected land including trails for recreational activities.
Other topics included the importance of rural roads, dark night skies, the use of proper lighting, the effect of lighting in some animals’ ability to forage food, historic buildings and roads, and more. The appendix section provides detailed tables on all aspects of the inventory. Each section has a bibliography with information about the contributors.
“We’re fortunate to have had so many people do so much good work. It is exceptional,” Anderson said.
The report also made recommendations, such as education on climate change and ways the public can get involved. “We’re going to do a sale of native plants. There’s a movement to encourage more of that and grow plants that are natural to the area,” Anderson added.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
May 01, 2024
Police Blotter: Troop B
John Coston
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.
Sideswipe in Sharon
On Monday, April 22, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Susie Johnston, 61, of Penn Yan, New York, was driving a 2017 Volkswagen Passat and was making a right turn out of the Sharon Package Store and began traveling east on Route 41. Theresa Gillette, 63, of Sharon, was westbound on Route 41 in a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee and crossed over the double yellow line, sideswiping the driver door of the Passat. No injuries were reported. Gillette was issued an infraction for failure to maintain lane.
Impersonation, forgery
On Tuesday, April 23, at approximately 5:45 p.m. Troopers were dispatched to Laigle Flooring Covering and Design in North Canaan investigating a reported credit card fraud in conjunction with Cheshire, Conn., police. Two suspected parties were attempting to collect a fraudulently placed order with Laigle staff. An individual later identified as Santigo Ramirez, 26, of the Bronx, New York, produced a Dominican Republic ID as well as a fraudulent New York ID he said he purchased online so that he could obtain work. Ramirez was charged with forgery, 2nd degree and criminal impersonation. A court date was set. He was released on a $2,000 cash/surety bond.
Failure to yield right of way
On Thursday, April 25, at approximately noon, Howard Mortman, 66, of Sharon, was stopped at a Stop sign near Hospital Hill Road in a 2016 Volkwagen Golf in Sharon. Laurella Van Braislin, 72, of Sharon, was southbound on Hospital Hill Road in Sharon in a 2019 Ford Edge. Mortman turned onto Hospital Hill Road and made contact with the Ford as it was turning. Both vehicles turned into the Sharon Hospital parking lot and waited for Troopers. Mortman was issued a written warning for failure to yield right of way.
Yellow-light fender bender
On Friday, April 26, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Edison Tupiza Quilca, 26, of Torrington, was driving a 2016 Honda CR-V and was stopped southbound on North Elm Street in North Canaan, attempting to turn left onto Route 44. Hedy Manalo, 62, of Stamford, was stopped behind the Honda in a 2017 BMW X3. When the traffic light turned yellow Tupica Quilca entered the intersection. He then drove in reverse to get out of the intersection, hitting the BMW. Quilca was issued a written warning for unsafe backing. Manalo was issued a written warning for operating an unregistered vehicle.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Contact us by mail at P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or send an email, with “police blotter” in the subject line, to johnc@lakevillejournal.
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Boards ready budgets for town vote
May 01, 2024
Residents filled the meeting room at the Sharon Town Hall on Friday, April 26, for the annual Board of Finance public hearing on the FY25 budgets proposed by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education.
Leila Hawken
SHARON — A well-attended public hearing convened by the Board of Finance on Friday, April 26, heard residents’ comments on the 2024-25 budgets proposed by the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen. Barbara Prindle served as moderator for the hearing.
Following the public hearing, the finance board met to discuss the questions raised by residents and voted unanimously that the budgets would proceed on to town vote at the annual Town Meeting scheduled for Friday, May 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Reviewing the Board of Education proposed budget at the hearing was education board chairman Doug Cahill who said that his board continues to review expenses on an ongoing basis.
“This budget is the lowest we can present to the town,” Cahill said, noting that for the first time, capital expenditures are not included in the education budget, having been moved to the town budget.
The Board of Education budget for the coming year totals $4,328,390, a decrease of $185,937 (4.12%) from the current year, partially realized by the removal of capital expenditures. 106 students in Pre-K through Grade 8 are currently enrolled at Sharon Center School, Cahill noted.
The Board of Selectmen’s budget was presented by First Selectman Casey Flanagan.
“The selectmen devoted many hours going over each line to determine a budget that was fair to the town and to the employees,” Flanagan said.
The Board of Selectmen budget for the coming year totals $4,969,207, an increase of $262,630 (5.58%) over the current year, after expected revenues are included.
Residents’ questions sought clarification of line-item increases, including the ongoing tree removal program targeting hazardous and diseased trees, supported by state funding.
“Every time the wind blows, there are trees down, and if wires are involved, fires,” Flanagan said. “My hope is that we can get on top of this in a few years,” he added.
Considering the Hotchkiss Library’s request for increased funding, the board noted that the library had asked for $150,000 but received $118,500.
Flanagan reported it was the selectmen’s feeling that the initial request was high, although he acknowledged the important role of the library in the community. He added that the selectmen felt that a steady rate of increase, perhaps 10% annually, over the coming years would be a better option.
In other action, the Board of Finance approved the capital expenditure plans for both boards to be voted on at the annual town meeting.
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Yaritza Vega and Dana Saccardi
Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE — The valedictorian and salutatorian of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School Class of 2024 are Yaritza Vega of Salisbury and Dana Saccardi of Cornwall.
Vega earned the top rank with a GPA of 4.420, just ahead of Saccardi’s GPA of 4.412.
Vega will attend Middlebury College in the fall, where she plans to study international relations.
Asked for her favorite class at HVRHS, she mulled it over before deciding.
“French.”
In her spare time, she likes music, painting and drawing.
Saccardi will attend the University of Connecticut at Storrs in the fall. She plans to study natural resources, with a minor in either hydrology or soil.
Saccardi played tennis and volleyball at HVRHS and participated on the Envirothon team.
Her favorite class at HVRHS was graphic design.
The HVRHS graduation ceremony is Friday, June 14.
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