Falls Village approves town budget

FALLS VILLAGE — The municipal and education budgets for 2024-25 passed at town meeting Saturday, June 1. The mill rate will go from 21 mills to 22 mills.

Lou Timolat was elected as moderator.

The Board of Finance met immediately after the town meeting adjourned and after discussion opted to raise the mill rate to 22 and to use roughly $150,000 from the general fund to make ends meet.

The municipal budget for 2024-25 is $2,328,687 (an increase of $80,998 or 3.6%) and the Lee H. Kellogg School budget is $2,253,591 (an increase of $35,217 or 1.59%).

The Region One budget passed a referendum vote in May. Falls Village’s share is $1,417,263 (an increase of $14,684 or 1.05%).

Total education spending for 2024-25 is $3,670,854 (an increase of $49,901 or 1.38%).

There were other items on the agenda, including “An Ordinance Regarding Allowing Dogs On Property Other Than Owners.”

First Selectman Dave Barger explained that the law, which requires that dogs be leashed, that dog poop be picked up, and that dog owners must get permission from other landowners if dogs go on other people’s property, is really aimed at the village area.

Asked if the law applies to the Appalachian Trail and other trails in town, Barger said no, the AT, the Mohawk Trail and the First Light hydroelectric facility trail are all owned by private entities and subject to those entities’ rules.

Latest News

North Canaan Santa Chase 5K draws festive crowd

Runners line up at the starting line alongside Santa before the start of the 5th Annual North Canaan Santa Chase 5K on Saturday, Dec. 13.

By John Coston

NORTH CANAAN — Forty-eight runners braved frigid temperatures to participate in the 5th Annual North Canaan Santa Chase 5K Road Race on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Michael Mills, 45, of Goshen, led the pack with a time of 19 minutes, 15-seconds, averaging a 6:12-per-mile pace. Mills won the race for the third time and said he stays in shape by running with his daughter, a freshman at Lakeview High School in Litchfield.

Keep ReadingShow less
Regional trash authority awarded $350,000 grant to expand operations

The Torrington Transfer Station, where the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority plans to expand operations using a $350,000 state grant.

By Riley Klein

TORRINGTON — The Northwest Resource Recovery Authority, a public entity formed this year to preserve municipal control over trash and recycling services in northwest Connecticut, has been awarded $350,000 in grant funds to develop and expand its operations.

The funding comes from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection via its Sustainable Materials Management grant program. It is intended to help the NRRA establish operations at the Torrington Transfer Station as well as support regional education, transportation, hauler registration and partnerships with other authorities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ski jump camp for kids returns Dec. 27, 28
Ski jump camp for kids returns Dec. 27, 28
Photo provided

The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) will host its annual Junior Jump Camp, a two-day introduction to ski jumping, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Satre Hill in Salisbury.

The camp is open to children ages 7 and up and focuses on teaching the basics of ski jumping, with an emphasis on safety, balance and control, using SWSA’s smallest hill. No prior experience is required.

Keep ReadingShow less
Six newly elected leaders join Northwest Hills Council of Governments

Jesse Bunce, first selectman of North Canaan.

Photo provided

LITCHFIELD — The Northwest Hills Council of Governments welcomed six newly elected municipal leaders Thursday, Dec. 11, at its first meeting following the 2025 municipal elections.

The council — a regional planning body representing 21 towns in northwest Connecticut — coordinates transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development and other shared municipal services.

Keep ReadingShow less