North Canaan river-access group seeks members

NORTH CANAAN — The former Masonic Hall property is under consideration as a Housatonic River access point by the Board of Selectmen.

The property is owned by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which suggested leasing the property to the town for recreational development.

First Selectman Charles Perotti announced at the selectmen’s regular meeting on Monday, June 6, that he and Selectman Christian Allyn had met recently with DEEP officials, William Tingley, chairman of the Housatonic River Commission and Tim Abbott of the Housatonic Valley Association.

Perotti indicated that the town is not interested in maintaining the property. Selectman Allyn favors starting a Friends group to administer the site, similar to the Friends of the Beckley Furnace organization, a local non-profit that looks after the state-owned park site.

“The state leases to the town and the town leases to the Friends group,” Allyn explained. “After two years of effort and a year of delay, we now have an opportunity to move forward in a constructive way,” Allyn said.

Allyn said that he has two members who have agreed to serve on the Friends board, but he needs to find three more. The state has committed to necessary site improvements to create the river access. The state would demolish the existing Masonic structure, clear the access to the river, regrade the parking lot and improve access to Route 44.

“North Canaan has never had public access along the Housatonic River,” Allyn said. “I’m excited to progress toward providing that access to North Canaan’s forgotten western boundary,” he added.

Help for Homeowners

To assist homeowners who may be suffering from financial delinquencies or impending foreclosure attributable to COVID-19, Perotti announced new state funding that has been made available by the federal Homeowners Assistance Fund. The state’s share in the funding totals $123M. Individual homeowners may apply for up to $30,000 in grant assistance.

To learn more and to make application, go to: www.chfa.org/MyHomeCT, or phone 877-894-4111.

Family Fun Week coming

Perotti reminded residents and their friends of the upcoming Family Fun Week that will begin on Monday, June 20 and extend until Saturday, June 25, promising various family-oriented events. It kicks off on June 20 at 8 p.m. with a pre-school literacy and music night at the Douglas Library. Tuesday will bring a Community Helper Night beginning at 6 p.m. at Lawrence Field. On Thursday, June 23, Family Fun Nite, begins at 6 p.m. at Lawrence Field. A pool party is scheduled at the town pool on Friday, June 24, beginning at 5 p.m. Wrapping up the festivities will be Family Fun Day at Lawrence Field, on Saturday, June 25, beginning at 2 p.m. and concluding at 4 p.m. All events are free.