Signs will guide travelers on a new Route 7, for bicyclists
Northwest Corner towns are being asked to help with the installation of new signs indicating US Bicycle Route 7. Photo submitted
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Housatonic Valley FFA students raised funds at the holiday store earlier this winter. On Feb. 5, Holly Kempner accepted a donation from the FFA on behalf of the Corner Food Pantry in Lakeville.
Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE — On Feb. 5, the Housatonic Valley FFA Chapter donated a total of $1,200 to six local non-profits, with each organization receiving $200.
The recipients included Kent Food Pantry, Cornwall Food Bank, Fishes & Loaves in North Canaan, The Corner Food Pantry in Lakeville, the Sharon Food Bank, and the Jane Lloyd Fund — which provides financial support for cancer patients —in Salisbury.
Holly Kempner, who accepted a check on behalf of the Corner Food Pantry, said she was impressed by the FFA donation and the activities of the members.
“We serve a lot of people, including New York state and Massachusetts,” she said. “So we really appreciate it.”
For more than a decade, the Housatonic Valley FFA Chapter has supported local organizations, including the food pantries in Region One. These donations are made possible through the chapter’s Holiday Sale. The sale and class unit not only allows FFA members to give back to the community, but also provides valuable, hands-on experience in business management, marketing, communication, and teamwork.
Community members interested in supporting local food banks are encouraged to contact these food banks directly, as they are always in need of food donations and volunteer support.
Kellie Eisermann is the FFA Reporter for the 2025-26 school year. She is a junior and lives in Lakeville with her parents, Jonathan Eisermann and Aubrey Murphy. She plans to go into the family business, Four Seasons Pool Service in Millerton, and go to community college after graduation.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Feb 11, 2026
Police Blotter: Troop B
John Coston
The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assault arrest
On the afternoon of Feb. 1, troopers were dispatched to a Route 44 address in Lakeville for the report of an active physical altercation. After investigating, officers arrested Christopher Race, 48, of Lakeville for three counts: disorderly conduct, third degree assault and second-degree strangulation/suffocation. No injuries were reported. Race was released on a $2,500 cash bond and was scheduled to appear in Torrington Superior Court the next morning.
“Failure to pay” charge yields hefty bail
On the afternoon of Feb. 2, Justin Demaraies, 44, of North Canaan turned himself in to Troop B on an active warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody on the charge of failing to pay for a home improvement job, and was subsequently released on a $10,000 non-surety bond. He is scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on Feb. 17.
Car strikes snowbank
At around 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 3, Kaelyn Brennan, 37, of Sharon was driving east on Mudgetown Road when his Honda Accord ran off the road and struck a snowbank. Brennan was uninjured but his car was towed from the scene. He was issued a warning or failure to maintain lane.
Year old larceny, forgery warrant
On Feb. 5, the Department of Corrections transported Francis Corcoran, 67, of Bridgeport to the G.A. 18 holding area for Troop B officers to present their active warrant. Corcoran was processed for fourth degree larceny and third-degree forgery relating to an incident dated Feb. 19, 2025 on Bruey Road in Norfolk. Corcoran was held by the DOC on a $2,500 non-surety bond and brought to his arraignment the same day.
Disorderly conduct arrest
On the evening of Feb. 5, troopers were dispatched to an East Main Street address in North Canaan on the report of an active physical dispute. After investigating the scene, troopers arrested Francine Wabshinak, 58, of North Canaan for disorderly conduct. After processing, she was released on a $1,500 non-surety bond and was scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court the next day.
Route 44 construction zone accident
At round 5 a.m. on Feb. 6, William Zygmont, 18, of Colebrook, was driving west through a single-lane construction zone on Route 44 in Norfolk when he turned on his hazard lights and pulled to the right to enter a driveway. A trailing Subaru B9 Tribeca, driven by Jefferson Muymuy, 23, of Queens, New York, then attempted to pass and collided with Zygmont’s 1994 Ford Ranger. Neither driver was injured but Muymuy’s Subaru had to be towed. He was also found to be driving with only a learner’s permit and was issued infractions for driving without a valid license and unsafe passing.
State line collision
On the afternoon of Feb. 6, N V Bulzacchelli, 89, of Millerton, was driving east on Route 44 over the state border from Millerton to Salisbury when a Subaru Forester pulled out in front of him from Stateline Car Wash, causing a collision. The driver, Rolando Cuccho, 23, of Lakeville, was found to be at fault for the incident and was issued infractions for operating a vehicle without a license and failure to grant right of way. Neither driver was injured, but Cuccho’s Forester and Bulzacchelli’s Chevrolet Malibu both were towed from the scene.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Send mail to P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or email editor@lakevillejournal.com
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Kent Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Rufus de Rham, left, and Park and Recreation Director Matt Frasher confer during the Park and Recreation Commission’s meeting Tuesday.
Ruth Epstein
KENT — The Park and Recreation Commission voted Tuesday, Feb. 3, to restore funding for staff salaries for the after-school program at Kent Center School, ensuring the after-school program will continue for another year.
The commission reinstated $9,722 in salary funding after reversing a decision made last month to eliminate the program as part of its proposed 2026–27 budget. Following nearly two hours of discussion, commissioners voted 4–2, with one abstention, to restore the funds.
The issue became a point of contention when the commission voted last month on a budget proposal that would “do away with the After-School Program,” according to the meeting minutes.
The move prompted several letters to the commission, including one signed by 34 residents, expressing deep concern.
“This announcement was made without prior communication to families who would be directly impacted by such a change,” the joint letter read. “This denies our town and families the opportunity for collaborative problem-solving about how to ensure that a stated priority of many residents—attracting and keeping families in our community—is also reflected as a financial priority of the town’s services.
“Additionally, reports that these reductions may be used to support administrative restructuring, including promotions or new positions, without clear explanation of how such changes would benefit working families, further undermines trust.”
In her own letter, resident Andrea Schoeny said, “It was shortsighted for the commission not to consider the impact” of such a move.
Parent Ginger Blake, whose son attends the program daily and who was at the meeting, said she was unaware that its closure was being considered. She was one of the 34 signers and found it disturbing that there was no response to the letter. “The lack of interest in what we want is stark,” she said.
Resident Cinda Clark, whose daughter also attends the program, said she understands it is not economically sustainable in its current form but noted that new families are expected to use it in the future. “It’s important to consider the broader public value. This is big for all of us. I consider it a program, not babysitting.”
In explaining the reasoning for the decision, Park and Recreation Director Matt Frasher provided extensive data on the history of the program. Enrollment is low, with only six families using the service.
Most of the children, an average of about five per day, are in the lower grades, with the older ones aging out to participate in other programs. He said there are also staffing shortages at times when emergency coverage is needed. The rate of $13 a day needs to be increased. A total of $25,000 is needed to run the program.
At the meeting’s outset, commission Chairman Rufus de Rham said, “We all agree the program is vital, but in other towns Park and Recreation is not always the operating force and it may not be the operating force here in the future.”
Commission member Kevin Frost said the town is subsidizing what he termed “a not insignificant loss.” He doesn’t think the Park and Recreation Commission should be the driving force and that parents should band together to seek a solution. Member Heidi Wilson said the program is just not working. “It needs to be completely reimagined. It cannot survive in its current format. We can work with other entities to come up with a solution.”
Before the commission voted to restore the funding, some members and residents questioned whether a new program model could realistically be put in place in time for the next budget cycle.
Clark said, “If you cut the budget, it seems like you don’t care. Seven months is a short time to implement a new model. If it’s not in the budget, we’re left without anything next year.”
Commission member David Schreiber argued that restoring the funds would provide needed breathing room. “Putting the money back in will buy us the time to create a subcommittee to come up with a viable solution,” he said. “If we don’t fund it, we’re putting the program to rest.”
Commission member Claire Love volunteered to head the subcommittee, which was endorsed by the commission.
Representatives from Kent Center School and the Kent Community Nursery School are expected to be asked to participate.
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Legal Notices - February 12, 2026
Feb 11, 2026
Legal Notice
Notice of New Antenna Structure Registration for the Construction of Lattice Tower. Tarpon Towers III, LLC has applied for an Antenna Structure Registration for an new 170’ Lattice Tower. The tower will not be lit, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The tower is located at 161 Conrad Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut 06770 New Haven County. Interested persons may review the application online at www.fcc.gov/asr/applications by entering the Form 854 File Number A Interested persons may raise environmental concerns about the structure by filing A1353060 Request for Environmental Review with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file Requests for Environmental Review Online. Instructions for making such filing can be found online at www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest. The mailing address for interested parties that would prefer to file a Request for Environmental Review by paper copy is FCC Request for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.
02-12-26
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2026-0307 by Amber Construction and Design Inc for vertical expansion of a nonconforming structure at 120 Wells Hill Road, Lakeville, Map 36, Lot 09 per Section 503.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The Owners of the property are Joseph Edward Costa and Elyse Catherine Nelson. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:45 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/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. 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 of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Robert Riva, Secretary
02-05-26
02-12-26
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Planning & Zoning Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on February 2, 2026:
Approved - Special Permit Application #2025-0306 by Dana Rohn, for a detached apartment on a single family residential lot in accordance with Section 208 of the regulations. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s Map 39 as Lot 09 and is located at 120 Wells Hill Road, Lakeville. The owners of the property are Dana and Frederick Rohn.
Any aggrieved person may appeal these decisions to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §8-8.
Town of Salisbury
Planning &
Zoning Commission
Robert Riva, Secretary
02-12-26
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Planning & Zoning Commission
Notice is hereby given that on February 2, 2026 the Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut approved amendments to the Town of Salisbury Zoning Regulations to be effective March 2, 2026 for the following purposes:
1. to provide that family child care homes and group child care homes, located in a residence, are allowed in residential zones, as required by Public Act 23-142;
2. to correct inconsistent spelling and formatting of terms;
3. to eliminate duplicative language; and
4. to remove obsolete references and regulations
Paper copies of the approved regulations are available in the Office of the Town Clerk, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Steet, Salisbury CT. Additionally, copies of the approved regulations are available on the Planning & Zoning Commission page of the Town website at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-commission
Any aggrieved person may appeal these decisions to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §8-8.
Town of Salisbury
Planning &
Zoning Commission
Robert Riva, Secretary
02-12-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
MARY ANN MARSCHAT
Late of Canaan
(25-00521)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated January 29, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
James D. Rohr
c/o Linda M Patz
Drury, Patz & Citrin, LLP
7 Church Street
P.O. Box 101
Canaan, CT 06068
Megan M.Foley
Clerk
02-12-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
SARAH M. POLHEMUS
Late of Salisbury
(26-00014)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated January 29, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Frederick S. Polhemus
15 Willow Drive
Lakeville, CT 06039
Megan M.Foley
Clerk
02-12-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
SEAMUS S. BROWN
Late of Sharon
(25-00528)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated January 22, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The financial is:
DeWitt C. Brown
c/o Barbara Ann Taylor
Reid and Riege, PC
One Financial Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
Megan M.Foley
Clerk
02-12-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
RAFAEL A. PORRO
Late of Salisbury
(26-00026)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated January 29, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Hedwig Porro Wells
c/o Emily D Vail
Vail & Vail, LLC
5 Academy Street
PO Box 568
Salisbury, CT 06068
Megan M.Foley
Clerk
02-12-26
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