COG names Jerram new chairman, moves trash dilemma to ‘front burner’

LITCHFIELD — Northwest Hills Council of Governments (COG) appointed Daniel Jerram as the board’s new leader, who got straight to work at the first meeting of the new board Thursday, Dec. 14.

Jerram, first selectman from New Hartford since 2009, replaced Henry Todd as COG chairman. The board also welcomed seven new members at this meeting after an eventful election cycle in the Northwest Corner.

Brian Ohler (North Canaan), Marty Lindenmayer (Kent), Dave Barger (Falls Village), Casey Flanagan (Sharon), Nick Lukiwsky (Barkhamsted), Bradley Bremer (Colebrook), and Bob Geiger (interim town manager for Winsted) were seated on the COG to represent their respective towns.

Two new COG staff members were introduced Dec. 14 as well: Rista Malanca, new director of community and economic development; and Jean Speck, former COG member from Kent and new senior regional planner at COG.

Following introductions, representatives from MIRA Dissolution Authority addressed the board on the future disposition of transfer stations.

On June 30, 2027, Connecticut’s trash-to-energy facility in Hartford will no longer process municipal solid waste. This will leave 12 COG towns with nowhere to send their garbage.

“July 1 of 2027, the towns will be on their own,” said Bert Hunter, chair of the MIRA Dissolution Authority board. “The towns that were left behind are basically the towns here in the Northwest Corner and the towns in the Southeast.”

The two remaining transfer stations in the state that use MIRA to process waste are in Torrington and Essex. 

“When June 30, ‘27 comes, towns will have to have, through their process, selected a new facility or operator and be able to take over at that point,” said chief financial officer Mark Daley.

COG members expressed frustration with the process and noted the state’s lack of support on this issue. Daley stated there is approximately $55 million available to put toward the dissolution and transfer of services, but that is primarily expected to be used to remediate the 80 acres in Hartford on which the plant sits.

“I feel like I’ve been whipped around by the legislature,” said Curtis Rand of Salisbury. “We need long-term security. We can’t possibly manage this way.”

“This is our number one issue,” said Jerram. “It’s fourth quarter, people. And it’s not looking good because we’re down three touchdowns.”

Jerram moved the solid waste problem to “the front burner” and looked to solve the issue at a regional level through the COG.

“Is this Council of Governments a qualifying agency to take on ownership of the Torrington transfer station?” Jerram asked Daley.

“Yes, I don’t see why not,” Daley responded.

Jerram then asked if part of the $55 million could be used for a phase two site assessment on the Torrington transfer station. 

“We’re not at that stage,” said Daley.

Jerram then suggested COG form a special committee to determine if purchasing the Torrington transfer station is a viable option. 

“I think the bylaws need to be reviewed quickly and efficiently to move forward and then we need to consider as a group whether to pursue the Torrington site,” said Jerram.

Latest News

Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker

WINSTED — Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker, of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on Jan. 18, 1948, in Winsted, Connecticut to Gilbert and Alta (Bierce) Schoonmaker, Gil spent four decades enjoying life on Highland Lake before settling in Monroe.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally (Gustafson) Schoonmaker, and his two daughters, Lynn Sindland and her husband Lee of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Deb Pikiell and her husband Tim of Bristol, Connecticut. Gil was a proud grandfather to Ozzie, Tommy, Betsy, Katie, George, Lucy, Maddie, Joey, and Julia, and he cherished his time with his eight great-grandchildren. Gilbert leaves behind his siblings Ann, Gary, Gail, Jan, and Tim.

Keep ReadingShow less
Books and bites beckon at the upcoming Sharon Summer Book Signing

Author and cartoonist Peter Steiner signed books at Sharon Summer Book Signing last summer.

Photo by Stephanie Stanton

The 27th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon will be held Friday, Aug. 1, from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 3, at noon.

Friday’s festivities will honor libraries and the power of the written word. In attendance will be 29 locally and nationally recognized authors whose books will be for sale. With a wide array of genres including historical fiction, satire, thrillers, young adult and non-fiction, there will be something for every reader.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices from Ukraine to America come to Stissing Center July 27

Ukraine Emergency Fundraiser at The Stissing Center in 2022 raised over $120,000 for Sunflower of Peace.

Photo by Michael Churton

The spirit of Ukraine will be on display at the Stissing Center in Pine Plains on Sunday, July 27. Beginning at 5 p.m., the “Words to America from Ukraine” fundraiser is set to showcase the simultaneous beauty of Ukrainian culture and the war-time turmoil it faces, all the while fundraising in support of Ukrainian freedom.

“Words to America from Ukraine” aims to remind and spread awareness for the suffering that often gets forgotten by those who live in comfortable worlds, explained Leevi Ernits, an organizer for the event. “We are trying to make an attempt to remind people that we are human, and we are connected with human values,” she said. “With very few words, poetry can express very deep values.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Grumbling Gryphons’ set to celebrate 45th anniversary with gala and summer theater camp

Celebrating its 45th year, the Grumbling Gryphons will perform at HVRHS Friday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m.

Photo provided

The Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater is preparing to celebrate its 45th year — not with fanfare, but with feathers, fabric, myth, chant, and a gala finale bursting with young performers and seasoned artists alike.

The Gryphons’ 2025 Summer Theater Arts Camp begins July 28 and culminates in a one-night-only performance gala at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Friday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. Founder, playwright, and artistic director, Leslie Elias has been weaving together the worlds of myth, movement and theater for decades.

Keep ReadingShow less