John Michael Barry
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Chicken dispute prompts Sharon zoning change
Alec Linden
Jun 17, 2026
A barn and silo on Calkinstown Road in Sharon.
Alec Linden
SHARON — Months after residents raised concerns about chickens kept on a neighboring property, Sharon’s Planning and Zoning Commission has adopted two amendments to its zoning regulations aimed at clarifying agricultural activities that don’t neatly fit under the town’s definition of “farming.”
The first change addresses the keeping of small animals on parcels under three acres, which is the minimum size for a property to be considered a farm under Sharon’s regulations. The new rules allow residents in residential districts with lots of at least three-quarters of an acre to keep up to six chickens and rabbits and up to four ducks, with a maximum of six animals total. Properties over three acres, which could be considered a farm, are exempt from these restrictions
Several conditions apply. The animals must be kept in a coop that complies with setback requirements for the zone, and roosters, guinea hens, pheasants, peacocks and geese are prohibited on such properties.
The regulations are similar to those in nearby towns, including Salisbury and Cornwall, which conditionally allow the keeping of small poultry and mammals through their zoning codes.
The change was set in motion last fall when a complaint was raised by Sharon Valley Road residents Letitia and Brian Brazee that a neighbor’s chickens were causing a nuisance. The couple argued that the town’s regulations were too vague regarding small animal husbandry, prompting P&Z to explicitly regulate the keeping of chickens, rabbits and ducks on sub-farm sized properties.
Second regulation change codifies barns, other farm-related structures
Farms are allowed as of right in any of Sharon’s zones, provided that the property is three acres or greater. In addition to the minimum acreage requirement, the existing definition of a farm stipulates that manure and other “offensive material” must be stored at least 100 feet away from any property line and prohibits the commercial slaughter of animals not raised on the property.
The amendment approved on June 10 retains that definition, but adds conditions primarily related to buildings on farm parcels that do not contain a residence. The new language states that such structures must be incidental to farming operations on the property, and that vehicles unrelated to those operations may not be stored on the property.
P&Z member Jill Drew said the condition was intended to prevent property owners from storing junk vehicles or extra cars on auxiliary lots. “You can’t make it a glorified parking lot,” she said.
The new regulations also require applicants seeking zoning permits for farm structures to submit a “Farm Use Statement” identifying the purpose of any new structure. In addition, any new construction intended to house livestock or poultry, or store offensive material, must comply with the existing 100-foot setback requirement from property lines.
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Native plant tour and sale set for Falls Village
Patrick L. Sullivan
Jun 17, 2026
A tour with library garden designers Page Dickey and Deborah Munson will take placeSaturday, June 27, at noon.
Provided
FALLS VILLAGE – Pollinators and native plants will be the focus of a series of events in Falls Village on Saturday, June 27.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can pick up a brochure and map at the Town Green for a self-guided tour of the community’s pollinator pathway, which stretches from Railroad Street to the David M. Hunt Library. The guide highlights the native plants featured in each garden. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.
Native plants will be available for purchase on the Green from Michelle Paladino of Lindera Nursery.
At 10:30 a.m., families can enjoy storytime at the library featuring "Native Plant Saturday," nature-inspired tales for children of all ages. In addition to the stories, a snack will be provided and a flower bookmark craft will be held.
At noon, Page Dickey and Deborah Munson – designers of the library’s gardens –will lead a tour of the library's native plant gardens.
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Scientist seeks hardier caterpillar to combat invasive Tree of Heaven
Patrick L. Sullivan
Jun 17, 2026
Scientist Michael LaScaleia warns of the threats of invasive plants during a June 11 talk in Salisbury.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — A fast-spreading invasive tree could soon meet its match, according to Boston-based scientist Michael LaScaleia, who spoke at the Scoville Memorial Library Thursday, June 11, about efforts to breed a webworm capable of keeping the common tree in check. The event was sponsored by the Salisbury Association Land Trust.
A scientist with the Arnold Arboretum, LaScaleia focused his talk around the Tree of Heaven, a highly adaptable tree native to East Asia that was introduced to the United States as an ornamental tree in 1784.
“The Tree of Heaven is a big point of concern,” LaScaleia said, adding that it grows rapidly and is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions. It is also the preferred host of the invasive spotted lanternfly, a highly destructive species.
LaScaleia said in any plant’s native habitat, specialized herbivores often help keep the populations in balance by eating them.
“They don’t eliminate it but they keep it in check,” he said.
In the United States, however, the Tree of Heaven does not have a native specialist herbivore.
One possible solution might be to introduce “biocontrols,” introducing insects that feed specifically on the invasive plant. LaScaleia said this approach has been successful when a specialized beetle was used to suppress purple loose strife populations, although it took decades of testing.
This approach can also backfire, he said, citing the introduction of the Asian lady beetle to combat black pecan aphids, which had unintended consequences.
“They have completely taken over,” he said. “It’s the only ladybug you see anymore.”
Rather than importing another species from Asia, LaScaleia is studying how the Ailanthus webworm (Atteva aurea) might work if certain obstacles can be overcome. While already in the United States, they only exist in warmer climates including the Southeast. The problem, he said, is that the webworm migrates north but cannot survive prolonged temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
One primary reason they don’t work is that even though the Atteva aurea migrates north to New England, it doesn't survive in temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
But LaScaleia said he is trying to breed an Atteva aurea that can survive the winter.
“In theory, we can create a caterpillar that can do something about the Tree of Heaven,” he said, adding that, if successful, "controlling an invasive plant does not equal eliminating it.”
After the talk, LaScaleia and some of the audience made the short hike to the Land Trust’s Vincent Preserve for field work and continued conversation.
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Scoville Library hosts all-ages collaging event with local artist
Patrick L. Sullivan
Jun 17, 2026
Local artist and educator Ali DeProdocini is all smiles in her element leading a collaging workshop for all ages Sunday, June 14.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY – Local artist Ali DeProdocini led an all-ages community crafting hour called Collaging and Introspective Visionboarding at the Scoville Memorial Library on Sunday, June 14.
Eight adults, half a dozen children, library staff and the artist spent the afternoon creating collages from piles of magazines and discarded children’s books withdrawn from the library’s collection. The adults appeared to be enjoying themselves as much as the younger participants.
The library’s Children’s Services Coordinator, Kyla DeRisi, acknowledged that cutting up books may seem offputting, but noted they had been removed from circulation and would otherwise have been discarded.
“This way we can give them new life,” she said.
Among the adult attendees was Darcy Boynton, co-founder of Blue Studio Dance in Lakeville.
“Adults long to craft,” she said. “It’s so soothing.”
In fact, Blue Studio will host DeProdocini this summer for a five-week art camp called “ROYGBIV,” named after the colors of the rainbow. The camp will allow children ages 5 to 11 to explore visual arts in a “joyful, low-stress environment — falling in love with color, process, and a variety of mediums.”
Additional information can be found at bluestudiodance.com/summer-programs.
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Registration opens for summer recreation at the Town Grove
Patrick L. Sullivan
Jun 17, 2026
Young anglers cast their lines at The Grove, where kids' fishing lessons are offered during the summer.
Aly Morrissey
LAKEVILLE – Salisbury Recreation is now accepting registrations for a variety of summer programs, including swim lessons, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, fishing and the swim team.
Programs last for one-week, and take place Monday through Friday. The first session begins June 22 and the final session begins August 3.
These programs are open to Salisbury residents and any non-residents that purchase a non-resident Town Grove pass.
Aly Morrissey
Tennis lessons and Lego Camp are open to residents from any of the Region One towns, and do not require a Grove pass. Tennis lessons are ongoing while Lego Camp will take place from July 6 through 10, and is open to children ages five through 12.
The Lego Camp will be broken into two age groups. From dinosaurs to Harry Potter, camps will feature age-appropriate instruction.
To register, visit salisburyct.us.recdesk.com. For more information, contact Lisa McAuliffe at 860-435-5186 or email lmcauliffe@salisburyct.us.
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Kent, Salisbury opt in, marking unanimous participation
Patrick L. Sullivan & Alec Linden
Jun 17, 2026
Salisbury Central School
File photo
The final two Region One school boards have agreed to participate in the district’s organizational study, marking full participation from all six boards across the region, plus Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
The Kent Center School Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday, June 10, to opt into the study. The Salisbury Board of Education followed suit Monday, June 15.
The study will run from September 2026 to May 2027, with findings to be presented in June 2027. Region One Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley and Business Manager Sam Herrick will conduct the study.
“This is the last stop,” Brady-Shanley told the Salisbury BOE, noting that every other school board in the district had agreed to participate.
Asked whether the focus would examine the possibility of consolidating some of the region’s K-8 schools, Brady-Shanley said, “That is a piece of it.”
While Brady-Shanley maintains that community identity and character will remain central to the process, the study will examine declining enrollment in several smaller schools throughout the region, as well as operational costs that continue to rise.
“As part of this work, the study will clearly outline the financial and educational realities of the Region’s current model so that each local board of education and community can make informed, data-driven decisions about their school,” the proposal stated.
Brady-Shanley added that once the study is complete, she does not expect immediate action. “It will take a while for people to digest it.”
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