Hedden steps down as longest active Cornwall board member

CORNWALL — Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Agency Chairman Stevenson Hedden has vacated his seat after about 40 years on the commission.

Reported to be the longest active serving member of any Cornwall board, Hedden chaired hundreds of meetings while in the role. Hedden’s tenure was just a few years longer than current First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, who has served since 1991.

The agency requires a balance of party affiliation. As a registered Republican, Hedden’s seat must be filled by a non-Democrat to maintain the ratio.

The agency appointed Ian Tyson, a lifelong Cornwallian who is registered as an unaffiliated voter, to fill the seat. Tyson works in the excavation business and has a dedicated interest in the outdoors, said Ridgway.

“Ian is young so perhaps he can bear Steve’s record in the year 2064 or something,” said Ridgway.

On Aug. 6, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve Tyson’s nomination as chairman of the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Agency.

South Road paving

South Road is in a state of disrepair and in need of repaving, particularly at a three-quarters mile stretch of road near Hart Pond.

Cornwall received five bids from contractors that have worked with the town on previous projects. The bids ranged from $178,023.30 to $229,320. In the current town budget there is $330,000 allocated to road repairs.

“We’d like to spend roughly half of that on paving,” said Ridgway, who added that South Road is “probably one of the bumpier roads in town.”

After discussion with Jim Vanicky of the Highway Department, the selectmen opted to go with the lowest bidder: S&S Asphalt Pavement.

The work is expected to take about five days to complete, including preparation, and will likely begin in September. Seeley Road will be utilized to detour traffic while South Road is being paved.

Soccer sign up

Intermural soccer will return to Cornwall this fall. Sign ups for children in grade K to 6 are eligible to register on cornwallparkrec.org.

Games will be played on Saturdays. Park and Recreation Chair Michelle Shipp said more coaches are needed.

Latest News

Donald Francis ‘Frank’ McNally

MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.

He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Eugenia Cooper

NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.

Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frederick Ralph Scoville II

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.

Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.

Keep ReadingShow less
Violet Leila Woods

MILLERTON — Violet Leila Woods, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. She was born on Jan. 23, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York. Following birth, Violet resided in Millerton, New York, where she lived until moving to Jacksonville, Florida following her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Woods; her parents, Henry George Rice and Eurie Marion Rice; her ten siblings; Audrey, Glendon, Joseph, George, Robert, Gordon, Beulah, Marion, Edith, and Betty. Violet, more commonly known as “Vi” lived a long, fulfilling, and wonderful life spent with family and friends.

Day to day, Violet spent time playing sudoku puzzles and was an avid reader, finding joy in exchanging books with friends. She also found great joy playing bingo, pinnacle, poker, and had a lifelong passion for knitting and crocheting, which she learned from her mother. Many friends or relatives have received sweaters, blankets, and afghans hand-made by Vi. Her handmade gifts truly touched the lives of many.

Keep ReadingShow less