The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.
Columbia County dual brush fires
There were two brush fires reported in the town of Gallatin on Friday, April 29, at 3 p.m.
Forest Rangers Cowart, Gullen, Pries and Sweeney responded to the original call for a single brush fire and when the Rangers arrived they realized there were two separate fires about a mile apart. They split up to tackle both blazes.
The larger of the two fires burned nearly 14 acres and was likely started by someone burning cardboard.
The smaller of the two fires burned more than 2 acres.
By 7:15 p.m., both fires were under control and declared out the next day.
Dutchess County Rope Rescue Training
In the village of Millerton, the DEC conducted technical rope rescue training on Thursday, April 21. Forest Rangers from DEC Regions 3 and 4 held a technical rope rescue exercise at Taconic State Park in the village of Millerton.
The exercise consisted of a simulated rescue from a technical area on the Brace Mountain Trail. Rangers used a high-angle alpine lower with a deflection system to remove a subject from a narrow shelf of a waterfall. Rangers are working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation staff to prepare for potential backcountry incidents in the area.
Contact Forest Ranger for help
If a person needs a forest ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, go to www.dec.ny.gov/about/667.html.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — The Salisbury Handmade group of artists and craftspeople planned to host their spring sale on the lawn of the White Hart Saturday, May 9. Mother Nature had other plans, delivering a chilly and rainy day.
Karin Gerstel of Undermountain Weavers – and one of the event organizers – thanked the White Hart for accommodating the group inside, even though the inn was extra busy hosting a wedding.
One vendor, Leslie O’Neill of Lakeville, showcased her unique jewelry using seed beads, crystals, semiprecious stones and pearls. Some of the pieces on display had clean, geometric lines while others, O’Neill, said, were intentionally more “free form.” She has been making and selling her jewelry since the 2010 Salisbury Fall Festival.
“I believe the urge to adorn is so ancient,” she said. “It’s a primal instinct.”
Gina Amoroso showcased organic, plant-dyed, block-plated accessories for sale from her shop, Hettle. Scarves, wraps, napkins, socks and even scrunchies were made from leftover material. Amoroso, who lives in Becket, Massachusetts, said she has been in business since 2008 and is part of the Railroad Street Collective in Great Barrington.
Laura Hammond of Millbrook presented greeting cards using her encaustic paintings in beeswax of natural settings, such as vernal pools or landscapes in different seasons.
Hammond said she doesn’t have to travel far for inspiration. “And I am very grateful for that,” she said.
The Salisbury Handmade website is www.artisansale.org. The next sale is Saturday, Oct. 10, at the White Hart.
Christian Murray
NORTH CANAAN — North Canaan has postponed its town meeting on the proposed 2026–27 municipal and education budgets until May 18 after officials identified a scheduling conflict with a major high school event expected to draw a large turnout.
During its May 4 session, the Board of Selectmen voted to move the annual town meeting from May 13 after concerns were raised that many residents would be attending the Housatonic Valley Regional High School FFA open house that same evening.
The FFA Open House is an annual event held at the high school that highlights the school’s agricultural education program, including student projects and hands-on learning experiences.
The board voted to reschedule the meeting for May 18 at 7 p.m.
The proposed budgets total about $14.6 million, including a $3.35 million municipal budget and an $11.24 million education budget, the latter reflecting a 7.92% increase over the current year. About $5.1 million is allocated to North Canaan Elementary School, while $6.14 million represents the town’s share of the Region One School District budget, which voters approved last week.
A public hearing on the budgets held April 20 lasted about three minutes and drew little public comment. Officials said the proposed budgets are not expected to face significant opposition.
Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE – Voters in Region One towns approved the district’s proposed $19.5 million 2026–2027 school budget Tuesday, May 5, by a vote of 333-120.
From noon to 8 p.m., 453 total voters turned out from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
The budget passed in every town except Falls Village, where the proposal failed by 12 votes. The vote passed with the highest percentage in Cornwall and Salisbury, with 94% and 91%, respectively.
The budget totals $19,533,640, an increase of $1,048,431, or a 5.67% increase over the current year.
The Region One budget is divided into three components: Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS), Pupil Services and the Regional Schools Services Center (RSSC), also known as the central office.
Cornwall: 60 yes, 4 no
Falls Village: 33 yes, 45 no
Kent: 69 yes, 11 no
North Canaan: 46 yes, 39 no
Salisbury: 94 yes, 9 no
Sharon: 31 yes, 12 no
Region One town assessments were also approved, and are based on the number of students each town sends to HVRHS, meaning costs can shift as enrollment changes.
Cornwall
$2,168,169
increase of $163,895
Falls Village
$1,752,589
increase of $208,904
Kent
$2,783,359
increase of $171,360
North Canaan
$6,140,112
increase of $519,526
Salisbury
$4,798,928
increase of $17,835
Sharon
$1,890,486
decrease of $33,356
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Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE — Following a May 8 public hearing, the Falls Village Board of Finance voted Monday, May 11 to send the proposed 2026-27 municipal and education spending plans to a town vote scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Emergency Services Center.
Voters will weigh in on the Lee H. Kellogg School spending plan of $2,449,328, an increase of $59,063 or 2.47%, and the municipal spending plan of $2,503,382, an increase of $80,556 or 3.32%.
The Region One budget passed a referendum vote last week, with the town’s assessment approved at $1,752,589, an increase of $208,904, or 13.53%. Total education spending will be $4,201,917, an increase of $267,967 or 6.81%.
At the May 11 meeting, the Board of Finance trimmed about $42,000 from the selectmen’s spending plan with cuts to the Recreation Commission, the transfer station, and health insurance.
The finance board made no changes to the Board of Education’s proposal as presented at the May 8 hearing.
Prior to the May 8 public hearing, the finance board asked the selectmen for $100,000 and the Board of Education for $50,000 in cuts.
The school board came up with $41,387 in reductions, which included eliminating an early Kindergarten (EK) assistant position with a salary of $24,667, reduce the hours of a part-time physical education teacher by $5,214, cut the telecommunications/internet line by $3,696 in anticipation of a state grant, eliminate the principal’s cell phone (saving $1,069), reduce a combined $11,443 from Chromebooks and textbooks, and cut $4,774 by not purchasing EK furniture.
The selectmen made roughly $75,000 in reductions for the hearing, including reducing the garden maintenance line from $3,000 to a $1 placeholder, eliminating the special events line by $1,500, reducing the town bus line by $500, and reducing contributions to non-recurring capital accounts by $50,000.
“Painfully we decided we would not put as much in this year. I know this puts us behind,” First Selectman Dave Barger said at the hearing.
Lakeville Journal
Grateful for community on National Day of Prayer
Our hearts are filled with thanks to our wonderful Salisbury/Lakeville community for sharing the goodness of the Lord as we celebrated the 75th National Day of Prayer.
Windy, cool conditions didn’t keep you hearty New Englanders from turning out to pray, a hundred strong.It was a privilege to have an eighth grade Eagle Scout lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance with such clarity, an Army Sergeant and his daughter praying for our military and veterans and a family all delighting in praying together.There was a warmth of fellowship and spirit in singing patriotic songs interspersed with prayer that nourished our souls.
As this is the 250th celebration of our country’s founding, we thank Town Historian Lou Bucceri for joining us as narrator giving historical vignettes of how prayer has played an important role in our country from its inception. Sharing quotes from our CT governor Trumbull and Noah Webster and our own Congregational church Minister Jonathan Lee, he brought us up to the recent past with quotes on prayer from FDR and Martin Luther King, all reminding us of the integral part prayer has played in our nation.
Thank you to all participants, Salisbury Town Hall, National Day of Prayer team and all of you who attend and make this day so special each year.
With grateful hearts,
Newt and Barbara Schoenly
Salisbury
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