Future affordable homes arrive at Perry Street via semi-truck

A section of modular housing bound for Perry Street arrives in Lakeville on an oversize load tractor trailer Wednesday, April 2.
Patrick L. Sullivan

A section of modular housing bound for Perry Street arrives in Lakeville on an oversize load tractor trailer Wednesday, April 2.
LAKEVILLE — After years of deliberation, grant applications and remediation, the affordable housing site at the top of Perry Street in Lakeville took tangible form Wednesday, April 2, when modular housing units were trucked in for placement by crane.
The units were stored temporarily at the Town Grove. Bright and early Wednesday morning the semi-trucks rumbled down Ethan Allen Street to the Grove, loaded up the first components and headed over to Perry Street, accompanied by a couple of escort cars with flashing lights.
The Perry Street site once had a dry-cleaning business. The town eventually took possession of the property for back taxes in May 2014. The Salisbury Housing Trust then took over ownership of the property after approval from town meeting in 2022.
By summer of 2014, the site had been subjected to asbestos abatement and testing for any remaining hazardous materials, and the main demolition began.
The building and garage were visibly deteriorating, with one wall of the laundry partially collapsed, which made the demolition tricky.
It’s been a long haul. In 2008, First Selectman Curtis Rand asked the state Department of Economic and Community Development for technical assistance to investigate the property. The department received a $200,000 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency for testing and remediation, and the town received a $500,000 state Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant in August 2013. To get the grant, Rand put “workforce housing” in the application as the probable future use.
Two foundations were poured on the 0.65-acre site in March.
The 1,500 square foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes will be available for purchase at a price range between $250,000 and $280,000 which includes a $25,000 forgivable down payment assistance loan. Eligible buyers must be first-time homeowners with a gross household income below the area median income.
There will be an information session for prospective buyers Thursday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
For more information and the Zoom link, go to www.salisburycthousing.org/current-homes-for-sale
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.