Simon Markow
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Cornwall kept active all year long
Dec 30, 2024
2024 in Cornwall began with a visit from Gov. Ned Lamont (D) at Mohawk Mountain, Jan. 11.
Riley Klein
CORNWALL — Looking back on the past 12 months, Cornwallians had a busy year filled with activity.
The year began with a visit from Governor Ned Lamont Jan. 11 to announce an intiative promoting outdoor recreation at state venues. Lamont cited Mohawk Mountain, a private ski lodge situated within a state park, as a prime model for public-private recreation ventures in Connecticut.
“We can make sure we bring people to our parks and maximize use out of that,” said Lamont. “You can come and really enjoy yourself here.”
Cornwall Park and Recreation proceeded to launch an indoor pickleball program for the winter months. Players filled the courts at Cornwall Consolidated School each Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
If that wasn’t enough to get the blood pumping, Cornwallians saw red when incidents of mail theft began occurring at blue drop boxes in the winter. Jim Young was the victim of a stolen and cashed check for nearly $4,000, and he was one of several.
In February, Cornwall was awarded a TRIP (Transportation Rural Improvement Program) grant for $868,000 to construct new sidewalks and traffic control measures in West Cornwall and Cornwall Village. First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said the goal in each section of town is to increase pedestrian safety and slow traffic down in those areas, particularly in West Cornwall.
As winter gave way to spring, the Little Guild animal shelter broke ground on a new multimillion dollar facility in West Cornwall. The project saw the old facility demolished in favor of a new 8,000 square foot state-of-the-art animal shelter. In the interim, the staff has set up temporary trailers and pens at Foote Field.
In May, Cornwall Consolidated School’s seventh graders earned state recognition for a civics project. Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas awarded the school with the “Red, White and Blue” distinction thanks to the group’s research on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Repairing stormwater damage was a recurring theme in 2024 with retaining walls and culverts being replaced around town. To address the impact of a turbulent climate and better plan for the future, Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission hosted Trinkaus Engineering’s Steven Trinkaus for an info session at Cornwall Library July 10.
“The goal really is to have a site ... that acts like a forest or a meadow, which is what it was before you put a shovel in the ground,” said Trinkaus.
In autumn, the CCS Walk-A-Thon returned for its 20th year. Students trekked the hills of Cornwall for a cause, raising money for the class trip as well as the New York Marine Rescue Center.
Cornwall Transfer Station set up a fund for victims of hurricane victims in Asheville, North Carolina. Ted Larson and Dave Williamson traveled down with all the collected supplies in November and saw firsthand the level of destruction in the area.
Following the presidential election, Cornwall achieved the top voter turnout rate in the state with approximately 90% of active registered voters casting their ballots.
“I do believe we get a trophy for that,” said Ridgway.
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Patrick L. Sullivan
Members of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association came to Salisbury Central School Thursday, Dec. 19, to promote the ski jump program for children and teenagers. Islay Sheil, a sophomore at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and, at age 15, a veteran jumper, demonstrated the proper crouch on a wheeled board before the students gave it a try.
North Canaan soared in 2024
Dec 30, 2024
Finn, 12, found his wings at Triumph Airfield June 1.
Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — An action-packed year made for big news in North Canaan.
A terrier was rescued from a quarry, a new health center opened, and Canaanites welcomed new businesses to town while saying farewell to an old favorite.
The year began with two downtown eateries opening. McMuckle’s Market came to town and Nutrition on Railroad reopened under new ownership.
In March, Town Hall introduced a new face in Paul Mattingly, executive assistant. Mattingly and First Selectman Brian Ohler launched initiatives to revamp municipal operations like Make It Happen Monday, when all permitting officials are present in Town Hall to streamline applications.
In springtime, a volunteer rescue effort saved Rippy the terrier from a quarry. Animal control, local fire departments, regional ropes rescue team and the first selectman, equipped with an infrared detection drone, teamed up to save Rippy in a multi-day effort.
Community Health and Wellness Center cut the ribbon on its North Canaan facility in May. CHWC CEO Joanne Borduas spoke on the monumental achievement and what it means for the people of the region, saying the new center “welcomes everyone through the door without stigma and without discrimination. And for that, we are so grateful.”
Young aviators took flight at Triumph Airfield when Experimental Aircraft Association made its first appearance in North Canaan. In total, 32 first timers got a feel for flying with the assistance of certified pilots.
Railroad Days rolled into town in July under new leadership. The North Canaan Events Committee presented two weeks of town-wide fun that culminated with a parade plus a dazzling firework and drone display.
The Transfer Station got a face lift courtesy of local artist Cheri Johnson, who painted a 40-foot mural welcoming visitors and promoting recycling.
In September, the Attorney General’s office handed down its findings on an investigation into Town Clerk Jean Jacquier. Misconduct was found in three incidents, but no punitive action was taken. Jacquier, an elected official, is suing the town for legal costs accrued during the investigation. Torrington Superior Court set a hearing for Jan. 27 at 2 p.m.
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) ramped up production of syringes at its North Canaan plant in response to quality issues with plastic syringes imported from China. Fallon McLoughlin, director of public relations and corporate communications, said, “We’ve added over 100 full-time associates in the last year, and currently have more than 500 full-time associates and nearly 50 contingent associates.”
In the 2024 election, North Canaan was a true bellwether town. Voters chose Trump (R) for president, Murphy (D) for senate, Hayes (D) for congress, Harding (R) for state senate and Horn (D) for state representative. Each won.
As the year wound down, North Canaan said farewell to Great Falls Brewing Company. The Union Depot fixture closed its doors at the end of December after several slow years beginning with the pandemic.
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KENT — Bellies are full, the air is brisk and the sun sits low and cold in the southern sky — it’s January in Kent, marking the close of a progressive year for the riverside town.
The Board of Selectmen reformed several subcommittees during the year, including the Broadband and Communication Working Group that has been busy trying to modernize and expand the town’s broadband connection. While internet service providers have been hard to reach and state-funding opportunities difficult to get a hold of, fiber optic cable is being laid in town, and the group is working hard to every residence in town wired with “future proof” broadband connection.
The creation of the Cemetery Committee bolstered the town’s volunteer roster. The management of the six town-owned cemeteries were transferred to the control of the newly-formed committee, which is overseen by the BOS.
The Cannabis Regulations Subcommittee formed within Planning and Zoning to help the town decide how to best update its regulation of recreational cannabis.
The Kent Sustainability Team was also reformed.
Aside from town governance, Kent’s cultural institutions saw growth and activity throughout the year. The Kent Memorial Library received two million dollars in funds at the October meeting of the Connecticut Bond Commission which will be put towards a large scale expansion project connecting the existing library to the adjacent old firehouse building. The idea is “more space for more people,” according to Library Director Sarah Marshall.
The Eric Sloane Museum and adjacent Connecticut Antique Machinery Association’s museum brought visitors from near and far to their tranquil grounds throughout the year. Their busy programming schedules ranged from CAMA’s Spring Startup locomotive ride in April to Kent-based non-profit TradesUP’s third annual SPARK event in October introducing children to the many worlds of the trades industries.
Alterations to municipal life have had mixed popularity with the public over the past year. The “orange bag” municipal waste program saw the completion of a successful trial period, reducing waste levels in the town while offering a unit-based pricing system for residents.
A push to install traffic safety cameras along Route 7 in downtown Kent was met with controversy, with some deeming them intrusive or unnecessary while others said such a move is long overdue. Originally scheduled for Dec. 6, the town vote on traffic cameras has been pushed to Jan. 7.
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