Millerton’s former Water Department building, ravaged by fire, as it awaited demolition in summer 2025.
Aly Morrissey
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Letter to the Editor - August 20, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Aug 19, 2026
‘Speed at your own risk, not mine’
If I hadn’t laughed at Richard Kopec’s letter of August 12, 2026 about speed limits I would have been furious. Speed limits at 25 mph aren’t solely for drivers and car traffic, they’re for the safety of pedestrians and wildlife, especially on roads with no place to walk along the sides.
Last I checked, our bodies and those of animals are not any better built or more “sophisticated” than they were 70 years ago. The idea that we “accept certain numbers of accidents as a price we pay…” is not only dismissive of human life but it abrogates our society’s responsibility to protect the well being of ALL citizens from other including bad drivers. I do not advocate “big brother” cameras or attacks on our privacy as solutions, however — speed bumps, speed ditches and other physical impediments make far more sense.
The funny part of Mr. Kopec’s proposal was speed limits as “suggestions”!
Speed limits are legal limits, period. Speed on our roads at your own risk, not mine. And good luck with state troupers when you try to talk your way out of a ticket saying 25mph is just a suggestion.
Robert Becker
Cornwall
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Let's Hear it - August 20, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Aug 19, 2026
This Week
From Route 44 projects in Norfolk and Salisbury to sidewalk and road construction in Sharon, several projects are underway across the region. With detours, changing traffic patterns and other work along busy routes, construction can affect how residents get around from day to day.
Has construction in our region impacted your daily travel? Have delays changed your daily routes or plans? Or have you noticed little to no difference?
Send your responses to social@lakevillejournal.com by Monday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. or comment on Facebook or Instagram.
We’ll publish a selection in next week’s paper.
Last Week’s Question
What book has been your favorite summer read and why did you like it?
“Two books that have really stayed with me this summer: Strangers by Belle Burden — a heartbreaking, and empowering memoir. And Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke — completely addictive and couldn’t put it down. Two very different reads, but both definitely made my summer favorites list!”
—Emily Peterson
“‘Yesteryear’ by Caro Claire Burke - I had never heard of the phrase “tradwife” before picking up “Yesteryear.” I typically relish books that include the phrase “perfect life” in their synopsis and take them up to uncover what’s really going on behind closed doors. This particular one made my jaw drop multiple times at just how low a person can sink in trying to cultivate a perfect life for appearances. There were times I read lines aloud to my husband to get his reaction to the protagonist’s vindictiveness. As for the plot twist, I can count on one hand how many times an ending was perfectly tailored to a character’s comeuppance, and “Yesteryear” succeeds.”
—Kaitlin Keane
“The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Excellent WWII story.”
—Emily Olson
“I was deeply moved by Ann Patchett’s, Whistler. She is so skilled at writing complicated human relationships, finding humor in her character’s imperfections, and treating them with kindness. The father /daughter love story between main characters, Eddie and Daphne, is one I will be thinking about for a long time. Make sure you have Kleenex!”
—Michelle Charles
“Yesteryear! Witty, alarming, and entertaining, with a bit of a mysterious twist mixed in.”
—Kate Seabury
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Turning Back the Pages - August 20, 2026
Norma Bosworth
Aug 19, 2026
125 years ago — August 1901
Speaking of street lights; one of our city visitors declared that the lights were so far apart that even the bugs get lost. Too bad, but we haven’t a word to say. How long will it thus?
A spotted adder, measuring three and one-half feet, took refuge in the home of Charles Crosley, who lives on the Canaan mountain road, last week, while Crosley was at work in the hay field. Crosley first discovered his guest lying on a shelf. He dealt the reptile a heavy blow, where-upon it sprang at him, barely escaping his face. After smashing two chairs Crosley succeeded in killing the snake.
The bear finally disappeared from eastern Dutchess county; incidentally so have the berries. We should be (beary) thankful that we haven’t been eaten up alive.
This is the season of the year when goo-goo eyes and white duck trousers are the proper thing.
SHARON — The Rev. Wm. Hutchinson is away on a fishing expedition for a week.
Grove Miller has entered the employ of Harnessmaker Miller.
100 years ago — August 1926
Charles Millspaugh is off duty at Roberts’ Store, owing to a run down condition, which will necessitate a rest for a time from active duty.
Chester S. Thurston is in New London today as a delegate from Lakeville Hose Co. to the annual State Firemen’s Convention.
ORE HILL — George Barnett of Naugatuck is visiting Morris Dennis at Pine Cone Camp.
50 years ago — August 1976
A campaign has been launched for public donations to equip a room at Sharon Hospital in honor of Dr. George Anderson Fowler, long-time Northwest Corner surgeon and one of the founders of the Sharon Clinic, who is retiring and moving to New Mexico. A testimonial for Dr. Fowler will be held on the Sharon Green on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. At that time it is hoped to present him with a document bearing the names of friends and patients who have contributed to the room at the hospital.
“We’re doing a little bit better this year,” was the general sentiment of Northwest Corner businessmen interviewed by The Lakeville Journal this week. The Journal spoke to a cross-section of retail outlets throughout the Northwest Corner and heard generally optimistic words about business conditions this year.
Senator Lowell Weicker said recently that “two of Connecticut’s greatest problems — unemployment and deteriorating rail transportation — could be blasted with one punch,” if Congress approves the pending Railroad Jobs Bill. In remarks prepared for delivery at re-dedication ceremonies for historic Union Station at New London, Weicker said the legislation, which he co-sponsored, will direct up to $110 million nationwide to hire workers to renovate rail lines.
TWIN LAKES — Fine weather graced the 76th annual Twin Lakes Day competition last Saturday. Races and other water events, such as canoe-tilting matches, began at 2:30 p.m. The annual family supper was followed by a dance at the Beach Club at which trophies were awarded in various age groups for outstanding performances in the competitions.
SALISBURY — The Williams Stock Farm of Salisbury has purchased 132 acres and a house on Under Mountain Road from Dr. and Mrs. John Elliott of Lakeville for a tax-indicated price of $332,500. Richard Williams, member of a Montana cattle-raising family, had previously purchased the nearby 114-acre Forrester Farm.
SHEFFIELD — Drawn by a controversy over the proposed establishment of a pig farm on the Bernard Fryc property at Boardman Street and Kellogg Road, an unusually large attendance of some 20 persons made a lively scrap out of the Town Planning Board’s meeting Monday night. A number of those present were residents who had descended on the Board of Selectmen’s meeting last week to protest the proposed piggery. The selectmen told them they could not interfere with Fryc’s plans unless a health code violation developed on his farm.
NORFOLK — The line seemed endless, but Dr. Richard Barstow of Norfolk seemed delighted as he took each proffered hand. The doctor was honored last Thursday by more than 350 friends and relatives upon the conclusion of his 40th year as a Norfolk physician. The Norfolk green glittered with people as the town turned out to honor the man who had seen many of them though the trials of illness and the joy of birth. Among the crowd was Richard Roberts, the first Norfolk baby delivered by Dr. Barstow. Roberts traveled all the way from Virginia to be there, bringing with him his 15-year-old son, Robert, also delivered by Dr. Barstow. Also on hand was Mrs. C.D. Williams, Dr. Barstow’s first Norfolk patient.
CANAAN — Hurricane Belle canceled meetings and events all over the state of Connecticut but it failed to dampen the enthusiasm of 40 area youngsters for soccer. The hardy young people turned out for the first night of a soccer clinic planned by Morgan Schafer of Morgan Motors of Canaan. The three-day clinic was held at the car dealership and featured William Chivers, secretary of the London Football Coaches Association of London, England. Chivers was in the country to assist with a soccer clinic at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass.
CORNWALL — The North Cornwall Church’s sesquicentennial celebration Sunday was just one of the church’s anniversaries in its long history in Cornwall. Members were celebrating the 150th anniversary of the present building of the Second Congregational Church of Cornwall although the congregation originally gathered in 1780. One of the members of the congregation, Betty Gold, remembers the church from her childhood days when she visited Cornwall. She described her early memories as those of a “child’s impressions of a New England church, very different from the Dutch Reform church of Pennsylvania.”
CANAAN — The opening of a new model railroad hobby store in the Canaan Union Station in Canaan has been announced by Rolf H. Schneider of Falls Village. The station is an ideal location for this venture, Mr. Schneider said, not only because of the historical attraction to people interested in railroading, but also because there is no other store of its kind within a radius of 40 or 50 miles. The station in Canaan is the oldest railroad station in continuous railroad use in the United States.
25 years ago — August 2001
A familiar face at Housatonic Valley Regional High School has been tapped to take on the position of assistant principal. Mary Ann Buchanan, 38, former teacher and director of Housatonic’s alternative education program, got the nod from the Region 1 Board of Education Wednesday afternoon. She replaces Robert Buckley, who resigned to take a post at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs.
CORNWALL — Philip Hart appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night to inquire how he could both build a home on Cherry Hill Farm, which has been owned by the Hart family since 1759, and convey over 100 acres with a local land trust. His six brothers and sisters, who are all over 60 years of age, agreed to make this arrangement “before it’s broken up,” Mr. Hart said.
NORFOLK — Seth H. Moseley II, 92, a journalist who covered many important news stories in America in the 20th century, died Aug. 11 in Torrington. Mr. Moseley was born March 26, 1909, the son of Virginia and William Moseley Jr., at Moseley’s New Haven House, the city’s largest hotel, which was owned and operated by his grandfather, William H. Moseley Sr. The family later moved to Norfolk and Mr. Moseley and his older brother, the late William Moseley III, were raised on the Blackberry River Farm, which was the property of their uncle, Seth H. Moseley. He was the husband of Hilda Margaret (Scott) Moseley.
Katherine LaBoy and Linda Hurn, new owners of what is now named Sharon Laundry, plan to open the business by the end of the month. The facility will feature a number of upgrades as well as activities.
These items were taken from The Lakeville Journal archives at Salisbury’s Scoville Memorial Library, keeping the original wording intact as possible.
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Salisbury median price holds at $920,000 while sales increase
Christine Bates
Aug 19, 2026
At the end of a quiet street in Lakeville, 21 Perry Street sold on July 17, 2026, for $915,000. The sale was close to Salisbury’s 12-month median price of $920,000, and substantially above the assessor’s estimated market value of $622,500.
Christine Bates
SALISBURY — Salisbury’s median single-family home price, excluding condos, held steady at $920,000 for the 12 months ending July 31, 2026. That was down 5.6% from $975,000 a year earlier but up 6.4% from $865,000 for the same 12-month period in 2024.
Ten homes sold in July, the highest monthly total since September 2020. A total of 58 homes sold during the latest 12-month period, up from 44 the previous year and 50 in 2024.
Annual sales peaked at 117 in May 2021 amid the pandemic-era housing boom. Prices have risen sharply since 2024, reaching a record median of $1.35 million in May 2025.
Inventory of all listed residential properties for sale rose slightly to 24 by early August. High-end homes continue to dominate, with 14 homes asking over $1 million and only 10 below the median of $920,000.
Furnished seasonal and academic rentals remained plentiful in early August, with 26 homes available from $2,250 for an unfurnished apartment to $12,000 for a five bedroom house. Eight summer rentals are still listed as available.
Salisbury Sales and Transfers in July
3 Prospect Street – 5 bedroom/3 full bath/2 half bath on 1 acre transferred by Estate of Elizabeth Nicholas Geer to Laura Allyn Geer Trustee and Christopher Comfort Trustee of Geer Comfort Home Revocable Trust for $1,235,000
120 Farnum Road – 2 bedroom/2 bath home on 1.56 acres transferred by 120 Farnum Road LLC to Kimberly and Nicholas Berens for $925,000
77 Belgo Road – 10.29 acres of vacant land transferred by Lew and Amanda Nash to Michael Scott Irwin Trustee, Simona Wilrich Irwin Trustee to Michael Scott Irwin and Simona Wilrich Irwin Revocable Living Trust for $370,000
60 White Hollow Road – Automobile garage transferred by LRP Garages LLC to Andrew Greenwald for $250,000
37 Library Street – 2 bedroom/2 bath home on .34 acres transferred by Carol Kastendieck Estate to Dorothea Naouai for $350,000
22 Robin Hill Lane – 3 bedroom/3 bath home on 1.9 acres transferred by Peter Whitmore to Lawrence and Lisa Bloomenkrantz for $800,000
24 Ethan Allen Street -4 bedroom/2.5 bath home on .21 acres sold by Donna Macletchie and Edward Busk to Lora and Franklin Carr for $850,000
6 Puddlers Lane – 2 bedroom/2 bath home on .63 acres transferred by George and Elizabeth Wallace to Fern Flomenhaft and Adrian Sondheimer for $605,000
197 Taconic Road – 2 bedroom/2 bath home on 1.14 acres transferred by Thomas Muldoo and Donald Oliver to Christina Rubino Trustee Bullfish Revocable Trust for $1,150,000
47 East Main Street -2 bedroom/1 bath home on .67 acres transferred by Jane McGarry Estate to Madison Kiefer for $365,000
21 Perry Street – 3 bedroom/3 bath home on .52 acres transferred by Ana Beatriz DeBouchard and Noely Ysmael Bouchard Soto to Benjamin Steger and Abigail Montgomery Steger for $915,000
56 Sharon Road – 5 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 2.54 acres transferred by Jason Brooks and Anne Rebecca Powers to Benjamin Schippers and Hedda Burnett for $1,860,000
89 Belgo Road – 3 bedroom/3 bath home on 3.5 acres transferred by David Smyton Trustee David J Smyton Revocable Trust and Michael Hansen Trustee Michael J Hansen Revocable Trust to Josephine Torrente and Michael Engleman for $2,495,000
39 Indian Mountain Road – 3 bedroom/2 bath home on 1.2 acres transferred by Sean Patrick McCarthy Trustee Carolyn G McCarthy Revocable Trust to Kristin and William McAllister for $446,000
* Town of Salisbury real estate transfers recorded between July 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, provided by Salisbury Town Clerk. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from Smart MLS and market statistics from InfoSparks. Note that monthly recorded transfers may lag sales by a number of days and include properties not appearing on the MLS.Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
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Nostalgic items find new homes at Noble Horizons tag sale
Patrick L. Sullivan
Aug 19, 2026
Shoppers search for rare finds during the Noble Horizons tag sale on Aug. 14.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — The dining room at Noble Horizons was packed with shoppers and items for sale on Friday, Aug. 14.
Sheila Moore, a summer resident of Salisbury, had an armful of jigsaw puzzles earmarked for a friend on Mt. Riga, where there is no electricity and little cell phone service.
“It’s a traditional way to occupy the time,” she said.
Amy Lake of Salisbury found a small wooden carving of a bird on a stick. “It looked sad, so I bought it,” she said.
Amy Lake findsa bird carvingon a stick. Patrick L. Sullivan
Anne Graham of Salisbury was in the middle of furnishing her new house, and was delighted to find a couch, which was delivered. “They just loaded it up in the pickup and brought it right over.”
A music fan who declined to give his name picked carefully through the CDs, which were priced at 25 cents each. He checked first to see if the disc was in the case, and then examined the discs for scratches.
He had a successful haul, including “Sticky Fingers” by The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd’s“A Momentary Lapse of Reason.”
At lunchtime, there were burgers and hot dogs outside, and at 1 p.m. singer and guitarist Lisa Pellegrino set up by the pond.
Musician Lisa Pellegrino plays a set of tunes by the pond during the tag sale. Patrick L. Sullivan
Pellegrino was momentarily nonplussed because she had left her amplifier cord at home, but her Martin acoustic guitar generated enough sound to be heard.
Pellegrino, of Newburgh, N.Y., often performs with two or three other musicians in a group called The Soil and Soul Band. She said her primary influences are Pete Seeger and Nina Simone.
“Pete got people singing, which is why his music is good for incorporating into elder care,” she said.
The Noble Horizons Auxiliary is made up of volunteers who raise money for special items and activities for residents.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Lakeville Journal
Aug 19, 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.
Head-on collision causes serious injuries
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 10, a Buick Encore GX and a Subaru Impreza were traveling opposite directions on Route 7 near the intersection with Grace Way in North Canaan when the Encore crossed the double yellow line into the oncoming lane for an unknown reason, causing a head-on collision. The Buick’s driver, Samantha Whaples, 22, of North Canaan, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital by North Canaan EMS for suspected serious injuries. In the Impreza, which carried three passengers, Donna Martin, 46, of North Canaan was transported to Baystate Hospital by Lifestar helicopter, while Michael Martin, 24, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was transported to Sharon Hospital by Falls Village EMS with serious injuries. Victoria Martin, 26, also of Oklahoma City, was taken to Waterbury Hospital by Norfolk EMS for minor injuries. The driver—Daniel Martin, 49, of East Canaan—was not injured in the crash. The accident is under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper O’Neil #907 at matthew.oneil@ct.gov or the Troop B phone line at 860-626-1820.
Car strikes tree
Near noon on Aug. 11, Nadia Sirena, 38, of Queens, New York was driving west on Farnum Road in Salisbury with two minors in the vehicle when the Volkswagen Golf she was driving ran off the road, striking an embankment and a tree approximately 20 feet from the edge of the westbound lane. None of the occupants were injured, but the vehicle had to be towed from the scene. Sirena was issued a written warning for failure to maintain lane.
Operating under the influence arrest
On Aug. 11, troopers served an arrest warrant to Josephine Trinchillo, 25, of Falls Village for an incident that occurred in April of this year. She was taken into custody and processed for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, after which she was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond. She is scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on Aug. 25.
Warrant served for mystery road scrapes
On Aug. 12, troopers served an arrest warrant to Kurt Stella, 55, of North Canaan for an incident in July of this year in which a vehicle struck a utility pole along Route 7 in Falls Village, causing damage to both the vehicle and the pole. Scrape marks observed by an anonymous complainant were reportedly visible on Sand Road, Boinay Hill Road, Route 44, New High Street and onto Housatonic Avenue, where Stella resides. His white Dodge Ram was also reported by the complainant to have sustained heavy damage to its right side. Stella did not deny the crash, and stated he had swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle when he sideswiped the utility pole. Stella was arrested for evading responsibility and failure to maintain lane, and was released on a $500 non-surety bond. He is scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on Aug. 26.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Send mail to P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or send to editor@lakevillejournal.com.
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