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

Deputies respond to political dispute at Fountain Square

AMENIA — Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputies broke up a political dispute between two Amenia residents at Fountain Square in downtown Amenia on Tuesday, July 15.

Kimberly Travis of Amenia was conducting her daily “No Kings” anti-Trump administration protest at Fountain Square at 1:15 p.m. when Jamie Deines, of Amenia and candidate for Town Board in the Nov. 4 election, approached her.

Keep ReadingShow less
East Twin Lake
finds new hope 
as hydrilla fades

Gregory Bugbee, associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), where he heads the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS), was a guest speaker at the Aug. 2 annual meeting of the Twin Lakes Association.

Debra A. Aleksinas

SALISBURY— A fierce and costly battle to halt the spread of hydrilla in East Twin Lake may have finally paid off.

All but three remaining small patches, one near the shoreline at O’Hara’s Landing Marina and two others in deeper water as boats exit the marina and head out, have been destroyed by this summer’s treatment with the aquatic herbicide fluridone, which began on May 20. None of the remaining plants are thriving.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa Mae Keller

LIME ROCK — Lisa Mae Keller of Lime Rock, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at her home on July 26, 2025, following a yearlong battle with cancer. Lisa remained at home between lengthy stays at Smilow Cancer Hospital – Yale New Haven. Throughout Lisa’s ordeal, the family home was a constant hub of love and support, with friends and relatives regularly dropping by. Their presence lifted Lisa’s spirits and helped her stay positive during even the toughest moments. The family remains deeply grateful to the community for their unwavering kindness and encouragement.

Born on June 2, 1958, in Bridgeport to Mae and Robert Schmidle, Lisa graduated from Newtown High School in 1976. Lisa first attended Ithica College to pursue a degree in fine arts concentrating on opera. Drawn to a more robust and challenging curriculum, Lisa transferred to Whittier College, Whittier, California earning a Bachelor of Science degree. It was in 1988 that Lisa met and married Robert (Rob) Keller in Newtown, Connecticut. Together, they embarked on a remarkable journey. The couple started small businesses, developed land in Litchfield County and welcomed in quick succession their sons Baxter and Clayton. The growing family discovered the long-abandoned historic Lime Rock Casino in 1993, while attending a race at Lime Rock Park. The couple found it difficult to commute for work while raising a family and restoring a vintage home. Lisa persuaded her husband that chimney sweeping was a noble profession, leading them to purchase the established business, Sultans of Soot Chimney Sweeps. She later leveraged her role into ownership of the largest U.S. importer of vintage Italian reproduction gun parts. Even as her entrepreneurial ventures expanded, Lisa continued managing the pick, pack, and ship operation for Kirst Konverter, though she sold the remainder of the business prior to her illness. Lisa will be remembered for her business acumen, community service, and being a trained vocalist with the Crescendo Coral Group of Lime Rock. Lisa tended the extensive gardens around the home and curated an art collection that adorns the walls within. Baking cookies was a passion. Countless cookie packages were sent world wide to each son and their military friends while deployed. It is still undetermined in the Keller house whether the Army or Marines leave less crumbs. At Christmas, the Lakeville Post Office staff would post over 80 packages of cookies to lucky recipients, while receiving a tray for their effort. Unable to bake cookies in her last year, Lisa selflessly compiled and self-published “ Pot Luck at The Casino”, a 160 page book of all of her favorite recipes, sent to everyone on her cookie list. It was a true labor of love.

Keep ReadingShow less
John Richard Krupinski

LITCHFIELD — John Richard (Jr.) Krupinski, of Winsted, Connecticut passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Hartford Hospital.

Born on Jan. 13, 1948, in Torrington, Connecticut he was the son of John Joseph Krupinski and Eleanor (Kavesky) Krupinski. John grew up in Litchfield, Connecticut and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1967. While still in high school, John was a member of the Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Keep ReadingShow less