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45 On Main turns one
Jul 17, 2024
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64), pictured in dunk tank, got dunked at 45 On Main’s birthday party.
Lans Christensen
KENT — On a sunny Saturday, July 13, 45 On Main - Coffee Chocolate & Creamery in Kent celebrated its first birthday.
Music, Games, and entertainment brought in friends and customers of all ages.
By far, the main attraction was the dunk tank with the opportunity to dunk a variety of well-known locals.
Kent Library’s Sarah Marshall was the first dunkee, followed by State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64), and then First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer. All were happily dunked and cheered the delighted “dunkers.”
All funds from the event went to support the Kent Food Bank.
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KENT — On July 11, Kent Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting to discuss the illegal business status of a current applicant seeking an extension to a lot on Bridge Street. The applicant, Guy Mauri and Jason Doornick with Motoriot, failed to achieve certain permits from the Sewer Commission and the Fire Department.
Mortoriot is a vintage car company that sells historical vehicles. For the Bridge Street site, the owners expect to have 15 to 20 cars at a time. There have been issues with plans for the parking lot, in that the amount of spaces for cars is inconsistent across applications to P&Z.
Tai Kern, Land Use Clerk said, “Every month it seems like there’s such great hope that they’re gonna just come in and wrap it up that you’d hate to shut them down.”
Kern said she made it clear to them that after next month, the nature of site plan approvals would leave the applicant with no more room for delay. They will be denied for “lack of information.”
Motoriot has also run into issues with the Sewer Commission. Concerns over the content of the company’s waste is of interest due to the nature of a motor vehicle business.
Currently, the applicant’s business is operating without a state license in Kent. Motoriot has locations in other towns. The Sharon location is also unlicensed.
P&Z member Sarah Chase expressed the commission’s pro-business stance while acknowledging that Motoriot has had a hard time getting approvals.
Kern said she would send the applicant a letter with the commission’s concern, warning a “cease and dismiss order” if the permits are not sorted out. Thus, a motion passed for the extension approval, and the Commision will return to the application next month, Aug. 8.
Kern advised P&Z to reconsider its definition of new cannabis regulations effective July 1, 2024.
The current “very light” definition only addresses retail licenses. Kern suggested expanding the regulations to include manufacturing and farming. She also suggested creating clear distinctions between THC and CBD.
The change will help the commission better regulate the new industry as businesses apply for licensure.
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NORTH CANAAN — The application to subdivide land along the Housatonic River has been withdrawn for the second time.
The River Woods project, also known as the Honey Hill project, was originally submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2023. The initial proposal to create 20 lots suitable for building was withdrawn after three public hearings and then resubmitted in 2024 with suggested changes.
Further public hearings raised additional concerns, prompting a change in the plan to create a cul-de-sac as opposed to a two-entry road. North Canaan regulations limit the number of lots on a dead-end road to 10. In order to create 20 lots, the applicant (Allied Engineering on behalf of owner Bruce McEver) applied for a text change to the town regulations.
A public hearing was held for the text change in Town Hall May 30. P&Z discussed the requested change at a regular meeting June 10 and decided to do more research.
Before P&Z could revisit the topic, Allied Engineering withdrew the application.
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From Berkshire League to Team USA
Jul 17, 2024
Jess Davis placed fourth in the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Above she is pictured in the fencing round, below in the 200m swim.
Contributed by Joe Kusumoto
BETHLEHEM — Nonnewaug High School alum Jess Davis is heading to the 2024 Olympic Games to represent Team USA in the modern pentathlon.
Davis hails from Bethlehem and punched her ticket to Paris after placing fourth in the modern pentathlon at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. She graduated from Nonnewaug in 2010 as a track and field star before attending Central Connecticut State University.
While still a student, Davis competed in pole vault for her high school and college track and field teams. She still holds the indoor record at CCSU with a cleared height of 2.90 meters, set in 2011.
Jess Davis, mid-left, stands with fellow track and field athletes from Nonnewaug High School in 2010.From 2010 Nonnewaug High School year book
With a triathlete father and an elite equestrian mother, Davis continued to pursue athletic achievement as a graduate. She prioritized triathlon training before gravitating to equine events.
Combining her talents, Davis began competing as a modern pentathlete. The unique athletic event has been part of the Olympics since 1912.
There are five disciplines in the modern pentathlon: fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross country running. The combination event is designed to mimic the skills needed by a soldier.
Jess Davis placed fourth in the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Above she is pictured in the 200m swim.Contributed by Joe Kusumoto
Davis will begin her Olympic career when the pentathlon’s fencing round starts Aug. 8. The modern pentathlon will conclude with a medal ceremony Aug. 11 on the final day of the Paris Games.
The 2024 Olympics will be the last time the modern pentathlon is included in its current form.
Controversy over the event erupted during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when a German coach struck a horse that was not cooperating. The German coach was thrown out of the games, and so was show jumping.
The Olympic Committee is still reviewing acceptable alternatives to replace the equestrian portion of the event for 2028.
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