Development has begun at 135 Millerton Rd., Sharon. As seen from the Sharon Land Trust nature trail across the street, construction of a long, winding driveway on the farm has begun.
SHARON — Paley Farm’s new owners have begun to develop a multi-million-dollar home on the property despite pending resolution of an injunction request to block construction.
In March 2022, a couple from New York purchased 187.33 acres of protected farmland at 135 Millerton Rd. Since then, the owners, David and Liza Bainbridge of Rye, have received approvals to construct a residence on the historic farm.
The land known as Paley Farm was owned by the Paley family going back to 1939. In 1982, the Paleys moved to the location of the current Paley Farm Market and sold the original farm on Millerton Road.
In the early 1980s, farmland in the state was being swallowed up by developers. Morris Paley set out to protect his family’s farm with the help of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOA) and American Farmland Trusts.
The team succeeded in conveying the development rights of three parcels totaling 187.33 acres to the DOA, thus conserving the land for farming. In total, the state paid more than $300,000 for the conveyance. The New York Times reported on this effort under the headline, “Trust Acts to Save a Farm in Sharon.”
With development rights now in the hands of the state, Paley sold the property to Timothy and Patricia Parry. The land changed hands twice more in the 1990s and made it to 2022 when the Bainbridges bought the farm in its protected state. Land sale records show the purchase price in 2022 was $1,475,000.
The land is still used as a farm today, specifically for hay production. The hay is harvested by a nearby dairy operation that requested to remain unnamed.
After purchasing the plot, the Bainbridges applied to DOA for building approval in November 2022. The application proposed a two-story home with a two-car attached garage, pool, outdoor spa, septic system/leach field, well, electricity installation including buried utility lines and three utility vaults, back-up generator with transformer and wood-clad fence, driveway, driveway court, and garage court.
Sharon Land Trust (SLT) and a group of concerned citizens took steps to intervene in late 2022 and early 2023. When lobbying efforts to DOA, state legislators and the Council of Enviornmental Quality yielded no results, the group offered to buy the farm from the Bainbridges.
By summer of 2023 a verbal agreement to purchase the land had been reached at a cost of $1.5 million, set to close on or before Aug. 31 of that year. On Aug. 17, 2023, DOA approved the Bainbridges’ application to build, and the land sale agreement was abandoned.
In its decision, DOA stated, “the Department has determined that the proposed residence does not materially decrease the acreage and productivity of arable land for crops and that due consideration was given to the impact of any decrease in acreage or productivity of arable land upon the total farm operation.”
The Bainbridges have continued to seek building permits in 2024. Most recently, on July 15, a building application was approved by Sharon Land Use Administrator Jamie Casey, who reported that the applicants met all planning and zoning requirements. The application was not put before the Planning and Zoning Commission since dwelling construction is considered a by-right activity of landowners and does not require a special permit.
Permits were issued to the Bainbridges to construct a foundation, valued at $371,000, and a wood-framed home valued above $3 million. More than $30,000 in permit fees were issued to the Town of Sharon by the Bainbridges.
Before the permit approval, on July 5 legal proceedings were filed by SLT and Carol Flaton (concerned citizen) with Torrington Superior Court. SLT and Flaton are represented by Cohen & Wolf P.C. of Danbury and the Bainbridges are represented by Halloran & Sage LLP of Hartford.
The plaintiffs claim DOA “misconstrued the 1984 conveyance and applicable statutes” in its decision to approve construction.
The filing states the Connecticut regulatory definitions have changed over time and DOA must consider the language in place at the time of conservation (1984). A statute in the regulations allows for “other improvements” that are directly incidental to agricultural enterprise, but the language of this statute has been modified since the conveyance went into place.
“Thus, whether the residence materially decreases land for crops is irrelevant — the only relevant consideration is whether a proposed residence is ‘directly incidental to farm operation’,” the filing states. “Neither Morris Paley nor the Department of Agriculture in 1984 intended to allow for large weekend homes in the middle of prime farmland.”
SLT requested a court-ordered injunction take effect to prevent construction on the property while court proceedings are ongoing. On Aug. 9, Torrington Superior Court requested accompanying documents for the injunction. The Bainbridges received a summons to appear in court Sept. 26 for an opportunity to dispute the injunction. The plaintiffs expect to learn if the group has standing to bring the case at the Sept. 26 hearing.
In the interim, Judge Walter A. Menjivar permitted the defendants to begin driveway construction. Development of Paley Farm began Aug. 12.
When contacted, David Bainbridge offered no comment. Ken Slater of Halloran & Sage LLP confirmed he was representing the Bainbridges but declined to comment on the ongoing case.
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) described the situation as “very disappointing.” She noted that the conveyance of development rights at Paley Farm was among the first such easements in the state. In conversations with DOA, she gathered that the department “felt like it didn’t have the authority to enforce it the way they wanted to.”
Sharon Land Trust Treasurer Allen Reiser worried about the precedent this sets. He said there are several other properties in Sharon protected by 1980s conveyances that could be developed if DOA allows.
“As a land trust obviously we’d love for as much land as possible to be preserved. But this is a property the State of Connecticut paid, in today’s dollars, a million dollars to be conserved and they’re not enforcing the easement properly,” said Reiser. “It rubs me the wrong way as a taxpayer and it rubs me the wrong way as a Sharon Land Trust member. That being said, we recognize and support the ability of property owners to build and modify residences to whatever extent is allowed by local zoning rules.”
Alec Linden
KENT — The Planning and Zoning Commission is working to untangle a long-standing zoning complication affecting John and Diane Degnan’s Lane Street property as the couple seeks approval to convert an old warehouse into a residence and establish a four-unit rental building at the front of the site.
During the commission’s Feb. 12 meeting, Planning and Zoning attorney Michael Ziska described the situation as a “quagmire,” tracing the issue to a variance granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals roughly 45 years ago that has complicated the property’s use ever since.
The Degnans’ attorney, Jay Klein, initially appeared before the commission late last year with a proposal to amend the zoning regulations to accommodate the project. Commissioners and Ziska, however, expressed reservations about rewriting the regulations for a single property.
In the months that followed, Ziska and Klein worked together to identify an alternative path forward. They ultimately found one in Regulation 9320.4 of the town’s zoning code, which permits a nonconforming use to be changed to another nonconforming use, provided the new use is no more detrimental to the neighborhood’s character.
Under the revised proposal, the warehouse would be converted into a residence, and the four-unit building at the front of the property would be approved for residential rental use. Commissioners responded favorably to the approach, as did several neighbors who spoke in support. Residents noted that the plan would permanently eliminate the possibility of the warehouse returning to industrial or commercial use.
Over the years, the building has housed an auto body shop, an aquarium store, a sign production facility and other commercial operations.
The commission voted to keep the public hearing open until its March meeting to allow for additional discussion.
Alec Linden
Kent Town Hall, where the Planning and Zoning Commission closed a public hearing on High Watch Recovery Center’s permit modification request on Feb. 12
KENT — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 12 closed a long-running public hearing on High Watch Recovery Center’s application to modify its special permit and will continue deliberations at its March meeting.
The application seeks to amend several conditions attached to the addiction treatment facility’s original 2019 permit. High Watch CEO Andrew Roberts, who first presented the proposal to P&Z in November, said the changes are intended to address issues stemming from what he described during last week's hearing as “clumsily written conditions.”
Neighbors have argued throughout the extended hearings that the proposed revisions amount to an undue expansion of the recovery center on rural Carter Road.
Among the changes originally proposed — but since withdrawn — was the addition of two beds to the detox unit. Another withdrawn proposal would have removed a rule barring the facility from admitting people in police custody or those ordered by a court to undergo treatment. Additionally, High Watch has withdrawn its request to eliminate the requirement that local officials be notified if a client leaves the campus without authorization.
The application still seeks to allow the facility to accept patients outside regular hours under unusual circumstances, while preserving P&Z’s authority to enforce standard admission hours if deemed necessary. The most controversial remaining request is the creation of a lecture hall for “staff education” that may include speakers and guests from outside the organization.
Despite the modifications, neighbors continue to voice objections.
Jeremiah O’Brien, whose property abuts High Watch, said he believes the organization has gradually exceeded prior limits.
“It’s been, if we give an inch they take a mile,” O’Brien said at the hearing, referencing what he described as past transgressions by the nonprofit, including the cutting down of trees years ago above Kent Falls.
Roberts apologized for any past wrongdoing and said his appearance before P&Z with the application is an effort to right past wrongs.
Karen Altfest, a Carter Road resident, described the management of the rehab center as “disingenuous” and the facility as “not a good neighbor.”
Annette Koberlein-James said the organization has grown beyond what she expected for the area.
“Nobody on this road bought their home to live next to such an ever-expanding, growth-focused organization,” she said. She acknowledged that the facility seeks to provide quality services and good jobs but added that “it has reached a tipping point that’s very real.”
Other residents offered a more supportive perspective. Lili Mason pointed to initiatives that have benefited the community, including Wilson’s Café on Main Street, which was established by the organization, and a vaccine clinic High Watch opened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s no longer the little place on the hill, which was adorable and sweet,” she said, “but is it really infringing that much on the neighbors?”
Ziska said the modified application generally reflects his recommendations but emphasized that P&Z is under no legal obligation to amend the original conditions and may accept or reject the request as it sees fit.
Alec Linden
The Swift House in Kent has been closed to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic. A newly appointed town committee will review renovation costs and future options for the historic property.
KENT — Town officials have formed a seven-member committee to determine the future of the shuttered, town-owned Swift House, launching what could become a pivotal decision about whether Kent should invest in the historic property — or divest from it altogether.
The Board of Selectmen made the appointments on Wednesday, Feb. 11, following recent budget discussions in which the building’s costs and long-term viability were raised.
The Swift House has been closed to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic. Its future has sparked debate among residents, with some viewing the property as a taxpayer burden requiring costly upgrades and others considering it a distinctive community asset central to Kent’s character and history.
Selectman Lynn Harrington will represent the BOS on the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee. Jason Wright was appointed as the representative from the Board of Finance.
Five members of the public were also named to the panel: William Reihl, Margie Austell, Jim Anderson, Chris Adams and Marge Smith.
Anderson serves on the Historic District Commission. Adams is the newly appointed director of the Kent Historical Society, and Smith is the organization’s former director and current curator. The Historical Society is exploring the possibility of placing the Swift House on the National Register of Historic Places.
The committee has been charged with evaluating renovation and upgrade options — including costs associated with bringing the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act — and determining what it would take to return the property to active use.
The panel will also examine options for selling or otherwise transferring the property out of public ownership should the town decide to divest.
The committee must present its findings by April 30, a deadline intended to allow potential budget adjustments ahead of Kent’s May budget hearing and vote.
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Lakeville Journal
CANAAN — Kathleen Rosier, 92, of Ashley Falls Massachusetts, passed away peacefully with her children at her bedside on Feb. 5, at Fairview Commons Nursing Home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Kathleen was born on Oct. 31,1933, in East Canaan to Carlton and Carrie Nott.
Kathleen retired from Housatonic Curtain Company where she was a machine operator for many years.
She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, John A.Rosier Sr., her son John A Rosier Jr., her son Frank H. Rosier and her brother Jerome Nott.
Kathleen leaves behind her son, Brian Rosier and his wife JoEllen of East Canaan, her daughter, Theresa Morin of Ashley Falls, her daughter, Lisa Dawson of Great Barrington, a brother Henry Nott, her sister Ann Percy, 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a celebration of life held in her honor on Feb. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bitterman Center in North Canaan. All are welcome to come.
Lakeville Journal
LAKEVILLE — Carolyn G. McCarthy, 88, a long time resident of Indian Mountain Road, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 7, 2026.
She was born on Sept. 8, 1937, in Hollis, New York. She was the youngest daughter of the late William James and Ruth Anderson Gedge of Indian Mountain Road.
Carolyn’s first job out of high school was at the Time and Life building in Manhattan, New York. In 1956, she went on to work for Capital Airlines until they disbanded.
She began banking in White Plains, New York, where she met her husband Edward James McCarthy. They started their family and relocated to Pleasant Valley, New York. She then returned to banking in Poughkeepsie, New York and later pursued real estate.
Carolyn was very creative and enjoyed home making, gardening, sewing, knitting, cooking and baking. Her Christmas cookies were always remarkable. She had a pioneer spirit and embraced the toil of yard chores. She was very independent and at 87 she still shoveled the driveway in the winter, mowed the grass, trimmed the bushes, raked the leaves and dragged the brush. She took pride in the manicure of the grounds where she resided.
Carolyn was a wonderful mother who had an enormous heart. She loved all animals, wild or tame. She will be dearly missed by her family and the people that knew her.
She is predeceased by her husband Edward McCarthy Sr. and her brother Dr. Stafford Gedge of Minnesota.
She is survived by her son, Edward (Anne) McCarthy of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and grandsons James and Theodore, son Sean McCarthy of Oak Hill, New York, sister Nancy Dougherty of South Carolina, nieces Lynn Warner, Debra Phillips, Susan Nelson, Christine Richards and nephews William, James and Robert Gedge.
A private service will be held at a later date.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Lakeville Journal
SHARON — Ronald Ray Dirck, affectionately known as Ron, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Jan. 17, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 85. Born on Jan. 31, 1940, in Sedalia, Missouri, Ron lived a life filled with warmth, laughter, and deep devotion to his family.
Ron shared an extraordinary 62-year marriage with his high school sweetheart and beloved wife, Jackie. Their enduring partnership was a shining example of living life to the fullest.
Ron served his country as a captain in the US Marine Corps, flying helicopters during the Vietnam War. He then flew commercially for TWA for 25 years, both domestically and internationally. He finished his flying career with Nippon Cargo Airlines. Ron enjoyed the outdoors and enjoyed taking care of their beloved Sharon, home for more than 50 years. He was also an avid builder and enjoyed his many projects over the years.
In retirement, Ron and Jackie split time between Sharon, and Phoenix, Arizona, before settling full-time in Phoenix two years ago. Ron loved his evening cocktails with Jackie and their many friends, as well as a hand or two of gin rummy.
He was a devoted father to Melissa Dirck Appel and her husband, Jeff Appel, and Patrick Dirck and his wife, Lisa Dirck. He carried the memory of his son Kevin with enduring love throughout his life. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren; Alexandra, Caroline, Emma, Natalie, Evan, Cooper, Elle, and Tanner. Ron is also fondly remembered by his brother, Jim and wife Lena.
Ron had a tender heart for animals. The loyal companionship of his beloved dogs Mini and Mae brought him comfort and joy over the years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, and parents, Raymond and Gladys Dirck.
In honor of Ron’s love of animals, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Aussie and Friends Rescue, www.aussiefriendsrescue.com.
His light lives on in the hearts of all who knew him. May his memory continue to bring comfort and smiles to those he touched.
A private celebration of life for the family will be held at a later date.
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