Cornwall adds two affordable homes

A crew works to install a modular home on Town Street in Cornwall Monday as part of a regional affordable housing initiative.
Ruth Epstein

A crew works to install a modular home on Town Street in Cornwall Monday as part of a regional affordable housing initiative.
CORNWALL — The large trucks and huge cranes seen on Town Street Monday, June 16, signaled the eventual addition of two families to the neighborhood.
The workers were installing a duo of modular homes on two one-acre parcels of land donated by Ginny Potter through a program organized by the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity, with a grant from the state Department of Housing, which saw nine affordable houses being placed around the Northwest Corner.
Referred to as “scattered site homes,” the program is also installing modulars in Salisbury and Norfolk.
Ginni Block, president of the Cornwall Housing Corporation, along with resident George Charlton and Planning and Zoning Commission chairman Anna Timell, looked on as the crew from Signature Custom Homes of Pennsylvania deftly maneuvered the large equipment. Excitement grew as the crane lifted sections of the two-story house up into the air and put them in place.
“It’s just amazing to watch,” said Block. “This is the work of many, many people who made it come to fruition. We’re thrilled it’s proceeding.”
The homes, which feature three bedrooms, will be owned by the future residents. The land upon which they sit will remain with the housing corporation. Block said the cost will likely be around $250,000 to $280,000. Preference will be given to families with three or more members. Occupants will be chosen through a lottery system.
The concept of this new program is to sell the homes at prices that will be affordable to households earning below the area median income.
SRC Construction Services of Meriden was chosen through a competitive procurement process to be the contractor.
Two houses have already been installed on Perry Street in Lakeville.
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.