CORNWALL — Town and school budgets for 2011-12 were approved May 20 at a town meeting at Cornwall Consolidated School that brought out about 40 people.Five agenda items were dispatched in less than 30 minutes. There was no discussion on most items.The $6.1 million budget for town and local school expenses received two dissenting votes, including one from Board of Finance member Anne Ingvertson, who later voted against a small mill rate increase.“I don’t want my taxes to go up,” Ingvertson explained following the town and finance meetings. She added that she was disappointed there were not more objections to spending plans that should reflect the anticipated aggressive cuts in state funding.In the very quick finance board meeting that followed the town meeting, Chairman Ralph Gold made a motion for a mill rate increase, from 12.32 to 12.50, explaining it was aimed at covering the yet unknown amount of state aid cuts. The change equals 18 cents in additional taxes per every $1,000 in assessed property value.2 percent pay raises get OKThere was no discussion on the much-debated issue of raises for Town Hall employees. The selectmen originally proposed 2 percent. The response from finance board members was mixed. First they suggested a salary freeze. The selectmen came back with suggested 1 percent pay increases. Following input from voters at the public hearing, the finance board approved a final proposal that included 2 percent raises.Receiving the 2 percent pay hikes are the assessor, assessor’s clerk, selectmen, selectmen’s secretary, town treasurer, finance director, social worker, tax collector and town clerk, as well as the recreation director and Hammond Beach employees, for a total of $4,512. The land use administrator’s pay will rise by 7.5 percent to $7,946, reflecting more activity in that office.The contract for highway department’s ASFME union employees has yet to be negotiated for the coming year. For budgeting purposes, the approved spending proposal includes a 2.765 percent increase — the same increase they received for this year.Capital projectsApproved unanimously with no discussion was a plan to use insurance money received for a destroyed equipment shed at the town garage for a new shed, and to spend up to $150,000 for a new facade grant and traffic calming measures, to be reimbursed at 100-percent by a state Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant.The proposed Great Hill Road improvement project, which would be partially reimbursed, was tabled until firmer grant numbers are received. That matter is expected to come back to a town meeting this summer. Gates bequestHow and when to spend a $251,000 bequest from Judy and Larry Gates was discussed. There are no restriction on how the money can be used; but the money has been held in a bank account since it was received in July 2009, earning only a little more than $1,000 in interest since then.There was a consensus that a revocable trust, with a board of trustees, created with the advice of the town attorney, should be formed. That would allow the money to be invested.First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said his board is leaning toward spending only the earnings on an annual basis.Finance board member Celia Senzer advocated using all of the money now for something the town can use, especially if earnings cannot be increased significantly.Paul Baron said he recalled hearing that the selectmen favored using the trust money for scholarships. He suggested putting at least some of it toward helping the town’s college students.The idea of scholarships had come up at last year’s town meeting, where a majority in attendance suggested the money be used for scholarships.Ridgway said his board favors recreational uses for the funds, as that was the primary focus of the Gates’ community service. He also noted that there are already numerous scholarships available for Cornwall students.Phil Hart offered a well-accepted idea to keep older citizens in mind while planning how to spend the money.“Absolutely,” Ridgway agreed. “We can cover a lot of things under recreation.”Barton Jones suggested giving the trustees broader discretion by designating the funds for cultural uses.The matter will go to a future town meeting to establish a trust.
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Jane Herold’s beautifully simple dinnerware.
Cornwall ceramicist Jane Herold explained that there’s quite a lot of enthusiasm for Clay Way among the region’s ceramic artists.
“We all need work space, which is hard to find or afford in urban areas. The wood-fire crowd needs lots of wood and outdoor space. This area is great because it’s rural enough for us, but has a wonderfully enthusiastic and supportive population of pottery [patrons].”
While many of the artists are returning from previous years, the loose collection of unofficial organizers likes to keep the event manageable for the public, limiting the number of artists and studios each year. A direct drive from the southernmost point at Ann Heywood’s studio in Wingdale to Herold’s big barn in Cornwall is under 40 minutes. But if you want to catch it all, plan for a full day’s worth of art exploration along some of the most beautiful roads in New England.
Starting at its northernmost point, Herold’s studio will host Matin Malikzada of Afghanistan, whose polished, modern interpretations of traditional forms are instantly recognizable. They’ll be joined by wood-fired ceramicists Steve Johnson, with his raw, organic forms, and Harry Levenstein, whose works relate closely to Johnson’s while making even more direct references to nature.
Herold herself creates work that is both beautiful and utilitarian. Her prolific output of objects is intended to be used by everyday people as part of their daily lives.
Moving south is Todd Piker of Cornwall Bridge Pottery. Piker has been making pots in his giant wood-fired kiln since 1971. The kiln looks more like an ancient blast furnace than something designed to transform clay into ceramics, but over the years, he’s mastered its intricacies and produces an impressive amount of fine work.
A ceramic vase by Kathleen Heidemann.Provided
Piker will host Sanah Peterson, who works at Cornwall Bridge Pottery and draws inspiration from both her time with Piker and her time traveling the globe as a child. They’ll be joined by Stephanie Haines, whose vibrant, eye-catching work features underglaze illustrations of birds, fruit and the bounty of nature.
Further along in Warren, Jessica Dubin’s pieces will be on display at the studio of Christine Owen. Both artists seem to appreciate the chaos and unpredictable nature of clay but find ways to refine it all using their own unique methods.
Heading east to Washington, Conn., Will Talbot’s creates intricate work while allowing for the unpredictable nature of clay to play a role. His studio will house Tom Knox and his wide variety of textures and forms, as well as New York City-based Alex Lebedev, who lets music and the nature of improvisation guide his work.
There will be two studios participating in South Kent. Alison Palmner, whose page on the Clay Way website states she “strives to achieve a lighthearted meld of human forms, animals and the vessel.” Her studio will host Ben Eberle, who trained under the guidance of legendary potter Toshiko Takaezu; James Guggina, whose intricate work can appear both deliberate and whimsical; and Paula Shalan, who blends rough, unrefined surfaces with polished precision in individual pieces.
Joy Brown’s delightful ceramic sculptures.Provided
Nearby is Joy Brown, whose work have become a staple of the area, with her figurative sculptures dotting the Northwest Corner. Brown’s studio will also feature Bonnie Levine, who taps into the beauty of chaos and destruction in her work, and Brendan Moore, whose more utilitarian forms are perfect for everyday use.
Finally, the tour crosses the border into Wingdale, New York, where the studios of Drew Montgomery, Ann Heywood and Amy Brenner will host Jackie Sedlock, Lynn Behrendt,and Kathleen Heidemann.
Brenner creates some of the most colorful and vibrant pieces on the tour, while Behrendt’s work is among the most studied and precise. Heywood creates carefully considered, intuitive forms, while Heidemann moves from simple minimalism to intricate textures. Montgomery and Sedlock both find new ways of playing with traditional forms, producing delightfully distinctive pieces.
To learn more about the artists and download a map of participating studios, visit clayway.net
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Matteo works as the ever-enthusiastic auctioneer, and he puts on a real show. In just a few hours, he presents and sells hundreds of items, from antique furniture and rugs to art and decorative items, even taxidermy, jewelry and other odds and ends you probably wouldn’t expect. Community is part of the show, with Matteo joking around with regulars. Attendees congratulate each other on their purchases, and even educate each other about the items as matteo keeps the momentum going. If items aren’t moving, Matteo will remind the room that he’s got alimony to pay, and it’s up to everybody in the room to help him raise the funds.
For the past 15 years, this has all happened in that highly visible building at the main intersection in North Canaan. Now, Mattea, Kolbacher and their Stateline Auctions crew have moved off the beaten path. For some frugal bidders, this might seem like a good thing. After all, the fewer people who know about the auction, the fewer people they have to bid against when their lots come up.
Hundreds of items at Stateline Auctions, including a candy-apple-red Crosley pickup truck.D.H. Callahan
Unfortunately for those who consistently show up, the competition these days is less in the room and more online. Stateline has been running simultaneous auctions through the real-time auction website and app LiveAuctioneers.com, where the entire event is streamed live. Throughout the eight-hour event, the online viewership rarely, if ever, dips below 600 individual users. This technological development creates more potential buyers for Stateline and also allows busy bidders to keep an eye on their lots while out and about.
The new space, still in North Canaan, just barely south of the Massachusetts border, is a sizable warehouse packed to the ceiling with precious finds. It’s bigger, brighter and has ample parking.
The auction on Oct. 11 featured all kinds of lots, including three cars. A candy-apple-red Crosley pickup truck grabbed every eye in the room and even more attention online. Amid all the enthusiasm, it was heartwarming to witness the entire audience erupt in applause as young bidder Molly Seitz burst into tears after winning the truck. The beautiful vintage vehicle had belonged to her grandfather, who had given her driving lessons in it before he died.
Between resellers, collectors and the casually curious, the performance that is a Sunday at Stateline Auctions is a delightful way to breathe new life into old items. There’s rarely a set date for the next auction, but it generally takes about six weeks before they’re ready with their next round of goods. This time, Matteo predicts a sale after Thanksgiving, but if you want to be safe, follow their auction on liveauctioneers.com.
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