
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series examining the role of town social service directors in the Northwest Corner.
The consensus in many states, including Connecticut, is that communities are safer, happier and healthier when their residents’ basic needs are met at both state and local levels.
The Northwest Corner, a region with a strong culture of volunteerism, also has a relatively long history of town social service employment.
Town Directors of Social Services and Social Service Municipal Agents across the country provide information, referrals and support to assist residents seeking a variety of local and state services.
The employment outlook for this kind of service, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is strong.
Employment in the field of social and human services is projected to grow by 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations and reflecting growing health and social-service needs of citizens.
Many Social and Human Service Assistants also work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service agencies, and state and local governments.
But in terms of town social service, not all municipalities invest in hiring agents, although during and because of the pandemic the need for them has become clear.
“We have amazing social service agents out in the Northwest Corner who know their communities and the needs of residents intimately,” said State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64). “They are skillful, compassionate, creative, tenacious and deeply committed to the well-being of all residents and have taken on a broad array of tasks in order to accomplish that.”
SHARON
Melia Hill was working a typical day as Sharon’s Social Service Agent on the morning that I interviewed her. Her position is part-time, but never slow. The role of Town Social Service Agent in Sharon has existed since 1988, when its initial employee, Ella Clark started both the long-valued and treasured Chore Service, and the Sharon Food Bank.
In the course of a day, Hill assists residents in a myriad of ways. She has been helping residents with needs pertaining to food, energy assistance and housing, as well as accessing other essentials for well being. Examples of her work include helping with fuel assistance via the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut, prescription assistance via the Foundation for Community Health, food-assistance applications and transporting and delivering groceries from the Lakeville and Sharon food pantries.
Financial assistance for these programs comes from state, federal and local resources including the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Sharon Community Foundation, among others. Hill stated that generous private donations to town funds including the fuel fund were extremely helpful last year when oil fuel prices soared above $5 and $6 a gallon. Hill also coordinates receiving and distributing gift and food drives each year for Sharon for fall and winter holidays. The donations for these come from local residents, local churches, Sundays in the Country food drive, and the Salvation Army.
To reach Sharon call 860-364-1003 or email: sharon.social.services@gmail.com
KENT
Samantha Hasenflue, Director of Social Services for Kent has been in her position with a part-time assistant, funded by the town, for a year. The job has just recently become full time, with benefits.
“I am grateful,” she told me, “because this is a difficult role to fill with part-time hours, due to the increase in need.”
Hasenflue’s position has been in existence for at least ten years in Kent, she stated. Social service agents work with all age groups and Hasenflue’s role is no exception. She helps with applications for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and all state program applications including energy assistance, renter’s rebate, and housing applications via Kent Affordable Housing and Templeton Farms Senior Housing.
Hasenflue helps with prescription assistance through the Foundation for Community Health and by navigating Medicare mainly through referrals to the CHOICES Program through the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging. She assists with financial hardship grant applications through local sources including the Berkshire Taconic and Kent Community Funds.
With rising rates of food insecurity, Hasenflue’s work running the Kent Food Bank is critical. Management tasks include: ordering through Connecticut Foodshare, monthly shopping trips to stock shelves, collecting local donations, and collaborating with New Milford Social Services for bread pick up.
Hasenflue said there is a big focus on senior citizens due to an aging population.
She has been tasked with reopening and running the Kent Senior Center, which was closed during the pandemic, and has been hard at work at the Senior Center since August 2022.
It is now in operation with bimonthly lunches and full active programming.
When I asked Hasenflue about why local rural social services might be important, she had no shortage of answers.
“Residents would have to go to Torrington or Danbury from here. The trip is challenging because of transportation difficulties that include shared or no vehicle situations,” she said. Navigating application centers can be overwhelming — even at its best. Technology is also difficult at times, and Hasenflue is happy to help residents navigate these types of websites. She can be reached at the town hall or senior center in Kent.
“Anything someone comes to me for help with, I will either find a resource, or help them navigate it. Where there is a will, there is a way,” Hasenflue said.
In terms of rural support for its residents, Hasenflue also addressed the importance of collaboration among towns. For example, towns often share food bank access. She expressed appreciation for the Kent Community Fund’s work with its Roundtable Connections.
She states that town Municipal and Social Service Agents recently gathered to meet with Project Sage, formerly known as Women’s Support Services, which serves towns in the northwest corner of Connecticut.
Hasenflue would also value increased opportunities for town agents to gather, a common sentiment among town providers.
To reach Kent call 860-927-1586 or email: socialservices@townofkent.org
CORNWALL
Heather Dinneen is full time in her role as Social Services Director for Cornwall. She works directly with over eighty families. Dineen informed me that Cornwall has heavily invested in affordable housing and social service. Cornwall has had a social services position for over twenty years. As with her colleagues in neighboring towns, she connects residents with a wide array of services and referrals. She runs the Cornwall food Pantry, Senior Center and Back-to-School/Holiday Gift programs.
Dinneen informed me that in Connecticut, towns have long been required to have a municipal agent appointed to work with the elderly. The social service positions have grown out of that requirement to meet the need of the wider population. Dinneen connects residents to state programs and regional resources such as the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and its Blue Horizons and Jane Lloyd Funds. The Cornwall Food and Field fund, a local resource, assists with essential bills and emergencies.
To reach Cornwall call 860-671-9315 or email: cornwallsocialservices@gmail.com
Next: Salisbury, North Canaan and Falls Village.
Isabelle Clark Foster is a licensed independent clinical social worker.
Town of Salisbury
Board of Finance
Notice of Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday,
April 30th, 2025
7:30pm
A public hearing called by the Board of Finance will be held in-person and via Zoom at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 with the following agenda:
1. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Education budget as presented.
2. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Selectmen, town government budget as presented.
Note: Copies of the proposed budgets are available at Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting Immediately following the Public Hearing
1. Final Budget Review; Discussion and possible vote to present the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen, Town Government Budget to the Annual Town Budget meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Please Note: The Annual Town Budget Meeting date has been changed to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Public Hearing on Budgets immediately followed by Board of Finance
Time: Apr 30, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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04-24-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0280 by owner Richard Cantele for Structures Located less than Fifty (50) feet from a Waterbody or Watercourse at 204 Between the Lakes Road, Salisbury, Map 58, Lot 03 per Section 404 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-24-25
05-01-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 14, 2025:
Approved - Application 2025-IW-050 by Engineer Pat Hackett to install a new septic system. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 59 as lot 09 and is known as 36 South Shore Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Noelle G Becker, Trustee.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
04-24-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on April l, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2025, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 will be LIENED on JUNE 6, 2025. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am- 4pm. Closed 12:30pm- 1 :30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 15TH day of March 2025.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-20-25
04-03-25
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.