Cornwall explores new solar options

CORNWALL — With a flurry of solar projects popping up in surrounding towns, Cornwall’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) discussed ways to increase renewable energy in town at a meeting of the board Tuesday, Jan. 16.

First Selectman Gordon Ridgway met with representatives from the Sharon Energy Environmental Group and the CT Green Bank the week prior to the meeting. Two potential sites were evaluated: Cornwall Consolidated School and the transfer station.

“We talked about what’s going on in Sharon, what’s happening in some of our other nearby municipalities as far as large-scale solar installations in their town to help control the cost of electricity,” said Ridgway, noting new initiatives at the state level that offer incentives to towns expanding renewable energy sources. “Connecticut is ambitious. They’re looking to go all renewable fuels by 2040.”

Over the next several months, BOS will further discuss solar options in town and develop a full proposal.

“It does provide a sustainable path forward for towns like Cornwall. I think it’s win-win and we should continue to advocate and pursue it,” said Selectman Rocco Botto.

Ridgway said proposals for renewable projects can be submitted to the Green Bank either in February or August.

“We’re not going to be ready for February... hopefully we’ll be lined up for August,” he said.

BOS will release more information on upcoming solar plans as it develops.

Town updates

State. Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) has offered assistance to Cornwall in gaining approval for food composting services at the transfer station. After applying for a composting permit in 2023, Cornwall was told the town does not qualify because the transfer station does not offer leaf composting.

Ridgway said after he expressed the difficulty Cornwall has encountered, Horn was “all ears” and got to work to expedite the process. BOS planned to continue to work with Horn and DEEP to move forward with composting services.

Cornwall’s town garage added a truck to the fleet in January. A 2011 International with plow attachment was purchased from the Town of Harwinton for $27,000. The truck was reportedly well-maintained by the Harwinton mechanic and is expected to run for another 10 to 15 years.

“It is orange, so you will see an orange truck on Cornwall roads,” said Ridgway. “It’s actually pretty slick.”

BOS appointed Caroline Daifotis to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an alternate.

Latest News

Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.

Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti

SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.

Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less
Veronica Lee Silvernale

MILLERTON — Veronica Lee “Ronnie” Silvernale, 78, a lifelong area resident died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut. Mrs. Silvernale had a long career at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, where she served as a respected team leader in housekeeping and laundry services for over eighteen years. She retired in 2012.

Born Oct. 19, 1946, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Bradley C. and Sophie (Debrew) Hosier, Sr. Following her graduation from high school and attending college, she married Jack Gerard Silvernale on June 15, 1983 in Millerton, New York. Their marriage lasted thirty-five years until Jack’s passing on July 28, 2018.

Keep ReadingShow less
Crescendo launches 22nd season
Christine Gevert, artistic director of Crescendo
Steve Potter

Christine Gevert, Crescendo’s artistic director, is delighted to announce the start of this musical organization’s 22nd year of operation. The group’s first concert of the season will feature Latin American early chamber music, performed Oct. 18 and 19, on indigenous Andean instruments as well as the virginal, flute, viola and percussion. Gevert will perform at the keyboard, joined by Chilean musicians Gonzalo Cortes and Carlos Boltes on wind and stringed instruments.

This concert, the first in a series of nine, will be held on Oct. 18 at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, and Oct. 19 at Trinity Church in Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less