Housatonic Railroad to remove dead trees

CORNWALL — Trees that likely died as a result of herbicide spraying along the railroad track are due to be taken down by the Housatonic Railroad Company (HRRC) this spring.

The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposal submitted by HRRC at its regular meeting Tuesday, April 2. The work is expected to remain within the railroad’s right of way.

“Along River Road is the primary area,” said First Selectman Gordon Ridgway. “They’ve got some big trees to take down.”

Herbicide has not been confirmed as the cause of death for these trees, but it is suspected. Concerned citizens and representatives have lobbied state officials to revise the herbicide laws in Connecticut to prevent further impact to vegetation along the track.

State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) and State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30) both sit on the Environment Committee. Both met with HRRC on March 26 to discuss adopting the regulations in place in Massachusetts.

Tree Warden Bruce Bennett added that he has been invited to a meeting with HRRC April 15. Bennett is a member of the Housatonic Herbicide Working Group, a coalition of concerned citizens representing the towns through which the railroad runs.

“We’ve been wanting them to adopt the Massachusetts regulations, which are much more strict that Connecticut,” said Bennett. “Finally we’ve gotten through and they are actually going to sit down and speak with us.”

Road sealing

BOS reviewed plans to reseal town roads this spring. Ridgway reported that 11 miles of road have been identified to start. Seymour Sealing was selected to complete the work. Funding for the job will need to be approved at the April 19 Town Meeting.

Latest News

Amanda Cannon
Amanda Cannon
Amanda Cannon

SALISBURY — Amanda Cannon, age 100, passed away Oct. 15, 2025, at Noble Horizons. She was the wife of the late Jeremiah Cannon.

Amanda was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York the daughter of the late Karl and Ella Husslein.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.

Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti

SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.

Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less
Veronica Lee Silvernale

MILLERTON — Veronica Lee “Ronnie” Silvernale, 78, a lifelong area resident died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut. Mrs. Silvernale had a long career at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, where she served as a respected team leader in housekeeping and laundry services for over eighteen years. She retired in 2012.

Born Oct. 19, 1946, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Bradley C. and Sophie (Debrew) Hosier, Sr. Following her graduation from high school and attending college, she married Jack Gerard Silvernale on June 15, 1983 in Millerton, New York. Their marriage lasted thirty-five years until Jack’s passing on July 28, 2018.

Keep ReadingShow less