Police will now patrol state boat launches

CORNWALL — Boat launches across the state will now be patrolled by the State Police and Environmental Conservation (Encon) officers from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

The patrols were announced by the State Police on Friday, July 24.

Earlier that day, the town of Cornwall had sent out by email its town newsletter, noting in it that crowds and trash had been extreme during the recent hot weekend (see story, Page A3). 

Area ponds and the Housatonic River have long attracted visitors from all parts of the state as well as from New York state and New Jersey. Many of the gathering spots are not set up for swimming and tourists and do not have toilets, garbage cans or parking. Town officials and Northwest Corner residents have become increasingly concerned not only about trash left at riverfront sites and ponds, but also about the dangers of swimming in unfamiliar waters with no lifeguards. The Great Falls in Salisbury and Falls Village as well and the falls at Bull’s Bridge in Kent over the years have been the sites of fatal swimming accidents at a rate of one or more each year (see story on last week’s rescue  on this page, above). 

The state has closed the park at Kent Falls, which has parking and other visitor facilities. The state’s Kent Falls website says, “Due to challenges in maintaining appropriate social distancing, Kent Falls State Park will be closed for the duration of the public health emergency.”

The boat launch in Falls Village/Salisbury has been blocked with sawhorses, cones and caution tape in recent weeks but visitors continue to park along the roadways (blocking the way of emergency services vehicles) and to move the cones, tape and sawhorses.

The Cornwall bi-weekly town newsletter on July 23 quoted First Selectman Gordon Ridgway saying there has been “increased use of Mohawk Pond and sections along the Housatonic River including River Road. 

“The Selectman’s Office has reached out to DEEP for more supervision and is looking into creating signage at pressure points reminding people of the proper use of these recreational areas (i.e. pick up your trash). 

“The state is opening some inland parks and beaches and the Selectman’s office will request that Kent Falls opens as well. Reminder: if you see any unlawful activity, please call the police.”

The newsletter also thanked town resident Patience Lindholm, “who volunteered to clean up sections of River Road this week, which saw large gatherings and trash left over the weekend. Thanks to Jim Vanicky for taking the trash to the transfer station and to anyone else who volunteered to clean up!”

The announcement that Encon officers and the State Police would begin to patrol state boat launches was sent out the day after the Cornwall newsletter. 

Kent Falls remains closed at this point. 

In their announcement, the State Police and Encon said, “The area surrounding the [boat] launches are not to be used for picnicking, camping, or swimming; those activities are prohibited at the launches.

“The hot weather, in combination with coronavirus restrictions, have caused an increase in the use of personal watercraft throughout Connecticut. Parking lots at all state-owned boat launches have limited parking. Boaters are urged to safely unload their boats and operate them in a safe manner on the state waterways.

“A reminder from DEEP that the possession and consumption of alcohol is prohibited. There are no trash receptacles at boat launches, so patrons must carry out what they carry in to keep the area free of litter.”

In response to an email query, the State Police said that, “This initiative will be taking place at all state-owned boat launches.”

Mohawk Pond is a state boat launch. For a full list of other state boat launches, go to www.portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Boat-Launches/Boat-Launches-in-Connecticut.

Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.