This three bedroom antique house at 112 Town St. was built in 1826 with four fireplaces. The July sale of $1.15 million was over the 2024 median sale price for Cornwall of $1,115,000.
The regional real estate market returned to equilibrium in 2024 with fewer sellers and patient buyers.
Multiple offers on listed properties were infrequent and discounts from listing price were small. Buyers looking for move-in ready HGTV-perfect remained the norm with little interest in updating, not to mention renovating. Younger professional purchasers both from Brooklyn and California continue to find the Litchfield Hills attractive.
The performance of the real estate markets in 2024 in Connecticut’s Northwest Corner showed slight declines in median prices in five of our eight towns compared to 2023. The highest median price was in Cornwall at $1,115,000 and the lowest in North Canaan at $255,900. The number of closed residential sales was also down in five out of eight towns with Goshen — the most active market — edging out Salisbury with 48 sales during the last 12 months. At the same time price per square foot increased in most towns except for Sharon which decreased by 17% to $279 and Canaan, down 18% to $378 per square foot.
The results of this year demonstrate once again how a few high sales can dramatically change comparative town statistics. This year the Town of Cornwall is a splendid example with the sale of two properties over $5 million — 400 5½ Mile Road for $12 million and 40 Cobble Hill Road for $6.25 million. The estate built for tennis great Ivan Lendl on 5½ Mile Road with 18,000 square feet and 446 acres had been on and off the market for some time before selling in January 2024 — the most expensive property ever sold in Litchfield County. A month after selling their estate the Lendls purchased a slightly smaller 6,400 square foot house on 187 acres in Cornwall — the second most expensive house in our region in 2024.
Million-dollar properties continued to be sought after and accounted for approximately 22% of all properties sold, with Salisbury accounting for 22 of the 63 million-dollar properties selling in the eight towns.
New Home construction continues, and 55 pieces of vacant land were sold in the eight towns. The most expensive was 59 acres on 189/195 Amenia Union Road in Sharon which sold for $1,775,000; however, the 11 acres at 4-5 Mount Mauwee Lane in Kent at $500,000 was the most expensive price per acre at $45,000. On the affordable end of the market, 14 sites ranging from 19 acres to half an acre sold for less than $100,000.
Snapping turtles can grow more than 18 inches in length with a distinctive shell. They are typically found near freshwater environments.
CORNWALL — In the humid summers of Litchfield County, it’s not uncommon to see turtles traversing away from their home bodies of water to find the perfect place to dig a nest and lay their eggs. Alongside the smaller and more colorful painted and box turtles, however, northeast America is home to a creature that looks like it belongs better to prehistoric earth than the modern-day suburbs.
Snapping turtles have a lineage dating back before the dinosaurs, and their size and strength make them intimidating. They are the classic ambush predator, laying wait in the depths to snatch up unsuspecting fish.
But they’re also quite misunderstood; very rarely do they attack humans unprovoked.
As they come onto land in the spring and summer, it’s important to both be aware of the risks they pose and recognize that, like any other creature, they are just trying to survive.
Tim Abbott, executive director of the Housatonic Valley Association, first encountered a snapping turtle when he was 6 years old. “When I was a kid, I thought I could ride on that turtle,” he said.
Nowadays he suggests that the average person definitely should not try to do so; in fact, he doesn’t recommend touching a snapping turtle at all. Their necks are longer than they appear and can bite in a wide area, including around their own shell.
If one encounters a turtle in their backyard, Abbott said, “Let it be.” It is likely looking for a good place to lay its eggs, usually in gravel or shallow soil, and will return to water after. Keep pets away from it, don’t fence it in or mow around it; the eggs will survive on their own and the babies will dig themselves out after fully developing.
It gets more complicated if a snapping turtle appears on a road where cars are passing by. In that situation, Abbott said his first concern is, “Am I safe to stop — not from the turtle, but from other drivers?” On a busy road, a speeding car is much more dangerous than a turtle, and even though it might feel wrong, it is safer for everyone to leave a turtle on a road that has low visibility or high speeds.
If it is safe to stop, don’t harass the turtle. Instead, one can indicate to other drivers there is a hazard. Abbott does not recommend lifting a snapping turtle, and he especially warns against putting fingers near the front half of its body; this is within its reach. The tail is also not a good handhold, as pulling on it can damage its spine.
Snapping turtles do not hunt humans and will usually avoid them if possible, but it is harder for them to maneuver on land. If approached, they may feel threatened, which is when they will attack.
Summer is one of the most important times in a snapping turtles’ year, as while they lay a high volume of eggs, few survive to adulthood. Once these turtles hit a certain size they are relatively safe from predators, but before they can be picked off by a number of other animals. Since they also take a long time to reach maturity, it’s actually rather rare for a turtle to lay eggs, so it’s important to give them the space they need.
As the summers grow warmer and the winters wetter, the factors that affect a snapping turtle’s life and longevity are constantly changing. Now, more than ever, it is important to be mindful of the other creatures that inhabit this beautiful state alongside us.
LEGAL NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF CERTIFICATION OF PARTY-ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE INCLUDING NOTICE OF “UNDER-
ENDORSEMENT” FOR SOME OFFICES
A certified list of Democratic party-endorsed candidates for the Town of Salisbury for election as First Selectman, Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals (full term), Planning & Zoning, Planning & Zoning Alt, Zoning Board of Appeals, Zoning Board of Appeals Alt and Regional Board of Education is on file in my office at 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT and copies thereof are available for public distribution.
The certified list as received includes fewer names of party-endorsed candidates than the party is entitled to nominate for the following offices:
Office First Selectman
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-1
Selectmen
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Board of Finance
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Board of Education
Number of Names Certified-2
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2
Board of Assessment Appeals
(full term)
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-1
Planning & Zoning Commission
Number of Names Certified-3
Number Entitled to be Nominated-3
Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
Number of Names Certified-2
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Zoning Board of Appeals
Number of Names Certified-2
Number Entitled to be Nominated-3 Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Regional Board of Education
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-1
A Primary will be held September 9, 2025, if, for a particular office, the number of party-endorsed candidates plus the number of candidates filing petitions pursuant to Sections 9-382 to 9-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes exceeds the maximum number which the party is entitled to nominate for that office. Petitions must be filed not later than 4:00 p.m. on August 6, 2025. Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing of opposing candidates, including schedules, may be obtained from:
Jennifer Law, Democratic Registrar of Voters, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
LEGAL NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF CERTIFICATION OF PARTY-ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE INCLUDING NOTICE OF “UNDER-
ENDORSEMENT” FOR SOME OFFICES
A certified list of Republican party-endorsed candidates for the Town of Salisbury, CT for election as Selectmen, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals (full term) is on file in my office at 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT and copies thereof are available for public distribution.
The certified list as received includes fewer names of party-endorsed candidates than the party is entitled to nominate for the following offices:
Office
First Selectman
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-1
Selectmen
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Board of Finance
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Board of Education
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2
Board of Assessment Appeals
(full term)
Number of Names Certified-1
Number Entitled to be Nominated-1
Planning & Zoning Commission
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-3
Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Zoning Board of Appeals
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-3 Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-2 Regional Board of Education
Number of Names Certified-0
Number Entitled to be Nominated-1
A Primary will be held September 9, 2025, if, for a particular office, the number of party-endorsed candidates plus the number of candidates filing petitions pursuant to Sections 9-382 to 9-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes exceeds the maximum number which the party is entitled to nominate for that office. Petitions must be filed not later than 4:00 p.m. of August 6, 2025. Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing of opposing candidates, including schedules, may be obtained from:
Maureen Dell, Republican Registrars of Voters, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
Kristine M Simmons
Town Clerk of Salisbury
07-31-25
Legal Notice of Receipt of Certification of Party-endorsed Candidates for Municipal Offices Including Notice of “Under endorsement” for some offices
A certified list of Democrat and Republican party-endorsed candidates for the Town of Sharon for the election as First Selectman, Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Tax Collector, Board of Finance Full Term, Board of Finance Fill Vacancy 2 yrs., Board of Finance Alt. Fill Vacancy 4 yrs., Board of Education Full Term, Board of Education Fill Vacancy 2 yrs., Board of Assessment Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission Alt., Zoning Board of Appeals, Zoning Board of Appeals Fill vacancy 2 yrs., Zoning Board of Appeals Alt., Zoning Board of Appeals Alt. Fill Vacancy 2 yrs., Regional Board of Education is on file in my office at 63 Main Street, Sharon, CT, and copies are available for public distribution.
The certified list of Democratic Candidates received includes fewer names of party-endorsed candidates than the party is entitled to nominate for the following offices:
OFFICESelectmen
Entitled-2
Certified-1 Board of Finance Full Term
Entitled-2
Certified-1 Board of Finance Fill Vacancy 2 yrs.
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Board of Finance Alt. Fill Vacancy 4 yrs.
Entitled-1
Certified-0 Zoning Board of Appeals
Entitled-2
Certified-1 Zoning Board of Appeals Alt. Fill Vacancy 2 yrs.
Entitled-1
Certified-0 The certified list of Republican Candidates as received includes fewer names of party-endorsed candidates than the party is entitled to nominate for the following offices:
OFFICE First Selectman
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Selectmen
Entitled-2
Certified-0 Town Clerk
Entitled-1
Certified-0 Board of Finance Full Term
Entitled-2
Certified-1
Board of Education Fill Vacancy 2 yrs.
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Board of Assessment Appeals
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Planning and Zoning Commission
Entitled-2
Certified-1 Planning and Zoning Commission Alt.
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Zoning Board of Appeals
Entitled-2
Certified-1 Zoning Board of Appeals Fill vacancy 2 yrs.
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Zoning Board of Appeals Alt.
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Zoning Board of Appeals Alt. Fill Vacancy 2 yrs.
Entitled-1
Certified-0
Regional Board of Education
Entitled-1
Certified-0
A Primary will be held September 09, 2025, if, for a particular office, the number of party endorsed candidates plus the number of candidates filing petitions pursuant to Sections 9-382 to 9-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes exceeds the maximum number, which the party is entitled to nominate for that office. Petitions must be filed not later than 4:00 p.m. on August 6, 2025. Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing of opposing candidates, including schedules, may be obtained from:
Democratic Registrar of Voters, Marel Rogers or Republican Registrar of Voters, Patricia Chamberlain, 63 Main Street, Sharon, CT. 860-364-5514
Linda R. Amerighi-CCTC
Town Clerk
07-31-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0291 by Tim Sneller for a detached accessory apartment on a single-family residential lot at 136 Long Pond Road, Lakeville, Map 02, Lot 12 per Section 208 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the application may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
07-24-25
07-31-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0287 by ARADEV LLC for Hotel, Redevelopment of the Wake Robin Inn at 104&106 Sharon Road and 53 Wells Hill Road, Salisbury, Map 47, Lots 2 and 2-1 per Section 213.5 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
07-24-25
07-31-25
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
JOSEPH R. MEEHAN
Late of Salisbury
(25-00277)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated July 17, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Joseph M. Cortese
c/o Matthew J Lefevre
Law Offices of Matthew Lefevre, Esq PC, 38 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT
06105
Megan M. Foley
Clerk
07-31-25
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
JOSEPH R. PIZZONI
Late of Florida
(25-00276)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated July 15, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Gary Palumbo
c/o Andrea Doyle Asman
Litwin Asman, PC
1047 Bantam Road
P.O. Box 698
Bantam, CT 06750
Beth L. McGuire
Chief Clerk
07-31-25
Join our team! Housatonic Child Care Center: in Salisbury CT, is now looking for a full-time, full-year preschool assistant teacher to join our team! The primary responsibility is to support the lead teacher by offering high-quality educational experiences to preschoolers. Must pass a background check and health screening. Pay is based on education and experience. Send your resume to housatonicchildcarecenter@gmail.com or contact Tonya or Betzy at 860-435-9694 for more information.
Town of Cornwall Hiring Park & Recreation Director: The Town of Cornwall is hiring for a Park & Recreation Director. Accepting applications until September 1. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectmen’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Seeking Caretaking Position: Married couple seek position on estate or gentleman’s farm in or around Lichfield County in exchange for living quarters. Extremely responsible and discreet. Experienced in grounds maintenance and cattle and horse care. Proficient with tractor mowing, snowplowing, fencing, chainsaw work, lawn care, etc. Recently returned to NE after decade teaching abroad. Please contact Stephen & Sumaira Johnson at (959) 895-5701 sjohnsonvt61@
gmail.com
LABRADOR ORPHAN wanted: as companion for RESCUE MIX (5 years). Sharon. 407-620-7777.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
WINSTED — Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker, of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on Jan. 18, 1948, in Winsted, Connecticut to Gilbert and Alta (Bierce) Schoonmaker, Gil spent four decades enjoying life on Highland Lake before settling in Monroe.
He is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally (Gustafson) Schoonmaker, and his two daughters, Lynn Sindland and her husband Lee of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Deb Pikiell and her husband Tim of Bristol, Connecticut. Gil was a proud grandfather to Ozzie, Tommy, Betsy, Katie, George, Lucy, Maddie, Joey, and Julia, and he cherished his time with his eight great-grandchildren. Gilbert leaves behind his siblings Ann, Gary, Gail, Jan, and Tim.
Gil met Sally, the love of his life, while attending Housatonic Valley Regional High School.He went on to attend Northwest Community College before serving in the United States Air Force. Professionally, he was the longtime owner of Universal Business Equipment in Bridgeport, a role he held with pride for more than 20 years.
Gil had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and was an avid golfer and fly fisherman. He also enjoyed birdwatching and gardening. Perhaps more than anything, Gil will be remembered for his love of cooking. He took great joy in preparing meals for family and friends. Right up until his final days, he was finding joy in discovering new ways to cook the vegetables he grew in his garden.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service at Stepney Baptist Church, 423 Main Street in Monroe on Tuesday, July 29at 11:00 a.m.
To leave an online message of condolence, please visit Gilbert’s tribute page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com
