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Confetti flies as the Class of 2025 says goodbye to North Canaan Elementary School at the commencement ceremony Wednesday, June 11.
Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — Wednesday, June 11, marked a milestone for 33 high school-bound students who received diplomas in front of North Canaan Elementary School.
First-year Principal Beth Johnson spoke of the impact the Class of 2025 had on her personally.
“What you did was leave a mark on my heart. One that no class will ever touch. You are unforgettable. Not just for your size or your sass but for your spirit. I love you all and I truly cannot wait to see where you land.”
Teachers presented academic awards by subject. The Leila Woods Scholarship was awarded to Abigail Rose Veilleux and Destini E. Hiller.
The group joined together in song, performing “Vienna” by Billy Joel.
While each student walked across the stage, Johnson shared memories and words of support.
“Connor Thomas Crane. You brought joy, laughter and determination to everyone around you. Whether it be in Spanish class, kickball games or backstage with the drama club, your kind heart, strong spirit and sense of humor have made a lasting impression on your teachers, friends and me.”
Confetti flew as family and friends in attendance applauded the accomplished students.
Sophia Rose Funk, Lainey Anne Diorio and Lyla Violet Diorio recited a poem titled “Always Be a Student,” by Joanna Fuchs: “Keep on learning NCES 8th graders. Though your graduation’s done, your whole life’s an education that has only just begun.”
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Lee H. Kellogg class advances
Jun 18, 2025
Gavin Mechare receives Peter G. Lawson Citizenship award from the Board of Selectmen, from left, Chris Kinsella, Dave Barger and Judy Jacobs.
Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE — Nine students celebrated the completion of middle school at the Lee H. Kellogg School (LHK) Wednesday, June 11.
LHK Principal Stacey Calo praised the Class of 2025 for their “laughter, curiosity and heart.”
“They left their mark in the classroom, the hallways and the playground.”
Gavin Mechare won the Peter G. Lawson Citizenship Award. First Selectman David Barger, flanked by Selectmen Judy Jacobs and Chris Kinsella, took the stage to present the plaque.
Barger recalled a piece of advice he received long ago from Lawson, who served as First Selectman (among many other offices and roles).
“Don’t be a resident — be a citizen.”
Of Gavin Mechare, Barger said “He is respectful, dependable, and always willing to lend a hand — not because he has to, but because it’s simply who he is.”
Calo announced the other award winners:
Presidential Award of Educational Excellence — Jenaveeve Wagner
Presidential Award of Educational Achievement — Audrey Dorizzi and Lola Miller
Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Award — Audrey Dorizzi and Lola Miller
Litchfield County Superintendents Award — Jerron Nirschel
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Cornwall students conclude CCS era
Jun 18, 2025
The CCS Class of 2025 was, from left, Mya Jaylinn Weed, Austin Allen Ward, Donald B. Polk III, Mason Bryant and Jonathan D. Bindley.
Riley Klein
CORNWALL — “You are a small class but you have left a mighty mark,” said Cornwall Consolidated School Principal Leanne Maguire to the five 8th-graders in the Class of 2025.
A commencement ceremony to bid farewell to the students was held in the school gymnasium Tuesday, June 10.
Maguire recalled the accomplishments of this class, including earning the “Red, White and Blue School” distinction for their group project on the Americans with Disabilities Act last year.
Students spoke of memories made with their classmates throughout their time at CCS.
Mason Bryant, who joined the school in 5th grade, compared his experience to “a jump in motocross.” In 6th grade, the base of the jump, he made friends. In 7th grade, the top of the jump, he gained confidence. And in 8th grade, “getting off the end of that jump and flying to the finish,” he soared to new heights.
Bryant repaired an all-terrain vehicle for his 8th-grade exploration project. He shared an Evel Knievel quote with the audience about overcoming failure: “There isn’t success without mistakes.”
Bryant and his classmates, Donald B. Polk III, Jonathan D. Bindley, Mya Jaylinn Weed and Austin Allen Ward, were applauded for their accomplishments as they received their diplomas.
The ceremony culminated with a cap toss and guests migrated outside for pizza by Marzano’s food truck.
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NORTH CANAAN — The Planning and Zoning Commission received an application for a new Dunkin’ location at 14 East Main Street across from the Stop & Shop plaza.
A public hearing for the special permit application was set for July 14 at 7 p.m.
Allan Borghesi of Borghesi Building and Engineering Company in Torrington presented the plan to P&Z at its regular meeting June 9.
He described a roughly 1,800-square-foot building with a drive thru lane and parking lot. The design is largely the same as an application that was approved by P&Z more than 10 years ago, with the addition of a rain garden, he said.
The Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commissionapproved the updated plan in April 2025.
If approved by P&Z, the new building will replace the existing Dunkin’ located in the gas station across the street.
Mining at odd hours
A second public hearing July 14 will take place to discuss a proposed text change to mining regulations.
The text change would add email as a viable communication option for miners requesting permission to mine outside of the permitted times of Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
George Martin, zoning enforcement officer, drafted the text change.
“The present regulations calls for a fax to be sent to the ZEO,” said P&Z Chairman Mike O’Connor. “George proposed a text change to add email to the accepted forms of communication.”
Mining operators are permitted up to 200 hours per year, with approval, to mine outside of typical hours for “emergencies” including weather, equipment breakdown or seasonal demands.
Martin noted there is no specified time requirement to request approval, and there have been instances where permission was requested after the fact.
“They’re notifying me either the day of or the day after. I’m asking them to adhere to this and be a day ahead, if at all possible, but if they have emergency breakdowns in the middle of something they might not be able to get ahold of me,” said Martin.
Adding a time requirement was not included in Martin’s proposed text change.
Martin said he has received noise complaints related to mining on Allyndale Road and Sodom Road recently.
Martin reported that he conducted a noise test using a decibel app on his phone and found the volume to be within reason.
“I got no reading above 65 decibels. I’m not a scientist. It’s not perfect. But it’s not up in the danger range,” said Martin.
The hearing on the text change will follow the hearing for Dunkin’.
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