North Canaan selectmen fill vacancy at P&Z

NORTH CANAAN — At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen Dec. 2, Cooper Brown was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The appointment comes nearly a month after former chairman Tim Abbott resigned due to pressure from the developers applying for the River Woods subdivision.

Brown was previously an alternate member of P&Z and was one of two alternates to express interest in filling the vacant board seat. The other was Kathy Ducillo.

Ducillo was recommended by Chris Jacques, chair of the Democratic Town Committee.

In discussion with the two interested commission members, the selectmen inquired about relevant experience and qualifications.

Brown reported he had completed about six hours of land use classes as of Dec. 2.

Selectman Jesse Bunce expressed concerns of nepotism regarding Brown’s father, Peter Brown, who is actively serving as vice chair of P&Z and is expected to become the new chairman.

Bunce felt Ducillo would be a better choice due to having more experience as a P&Z member.

Following the discussion, a 2-1 vote elected Brown to the vacant seat. First Selectman Brian Ohler (R) and Selectman Craig Whiting (R) voted for Brown, and Bunce (D) voted for Ducillo.

Resident Trooper resigns

Trooper First Class Jeremy Ribadeneyra, the resident trooper in North Canaan, submitted his letter of resignation to Town Hall in November.

Ribadeneyra is moving on to a new position with the state police force. He agreed to continue in his current role during the transition to a new resident trooper.

At the Dec. 2 BOS meeting, Ohler reported a meeting has been scheduled with the Troop B lieutenant to discuss a replacement trooper. He expects a new trooper to be assigned around the new year.

North Canaan’s current resident trooper contract is in place until June 2025. In the 2024-25 town budget, $161,315 was allocated to the resident trooper.

Latest News

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care
‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
Provided

Craig Davis, co-founder and board chair of East Mountain House, an end-of-life care facility in Lakeville, will sponsor a March 5 screening of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light” at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a discussion with attendees.

The film, which is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, follows the poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley as they are suddenly and unimaginably forced to navigate a terminal illness. The free screening invites audiences to gather not just for a film but for reflection on mortality, healing, connection and the ways communities support one another through difficult life transitions.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.