Rail Trail still waiting on funds, looking into other options

WASSAIC — Tonia Shoumatoff from the Housatonic Valley Association made a presentation to the Town Board with an update on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail extension project at the last board meeting on Feb. 19.

The project is looking to connect the Wassaic Metro-North train station to the hamlet of Wassaic through an approximately half-mile trail extension. A $7,500 Greenway grant has already been implemented to pay for a report that outlines the planning and design of the project. That report was drawn up by Mark Morrison, who was also involved with the project in its earlier, conceptual stages.

An update of the Rail Trail extension project was presented to the Town Board in late November. At that time, a $480,000 grant from the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) was expected. The report estimated the project would cost approximately $600,000.

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), which was chosen by the Town Board to spearhead the project, is still waiting for the results of the TEP grant application. But rather than sitting on their hands, the HVA is looking into other grant opportunities as well.

A promising lead lies in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP, not to be confused with the TEP grant), a stimulus-funded program that could net the town $525,000.

Shoumatoff said she was very excited about the possibility of applying for the grant, as it would be even more helpful than the TEP grant. The requirements for the grant are much stricter, Shoumatoff pointed out, and the process “will have to go much faster, with expedient decisions,� but she stressed that it would be worth it in the end.

Mike Hagerty, the town’s grantwriter, will attend a meeting held by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) concerning many stimulus package-eligible grants in Dutchess County.

Latest News

Yellowjackets lose to Hawks in Falls Village

FALLS VILLAGE — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic Yellowjackets co-op football team lost 47-14 to the Woodland Regional High School Hawks Saturday, Oct. 5.

Woodland’s explosive speed created breakaway plays on the ground and in the air. Woodland QB Jack Brunetti Brunetti threw for 160 yards and the Hawks’ backfield combined for 298 rushing yards.

Keep ReadingShow less
Economic pressures jeopardize Connecticut's farming future

Marble Valley Farm in Kent leases land from the Kent Land Trust at below-market rates. The model enabled owner Megan Haney to grow her vegetable operation in an otherwise harsh economic climate for Connecticut farmers.

Photo by Sarah Lang

Last month, the USDA’s 2024 Land Values Summary reported that Connecticut has the third most expensive farm real estate in the country (tied with Massachusetts) at two times the northeast average for dollars per acre.

To Chelsea Gazillo, the senior New England policy manager for American Farmland Trust, these numbers reflect a “farmland access and succession crisis” that has impacted the state for “the last 15 years at least.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Amelia R. Wright

Falls Village – Amelia Rosalie (Betti) Wright, 91, of Falls Village died September 30, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert Kenneth Wright.

Amelia was born September 6, 1933 in Torrington, CT, daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary Eliza (Passini) Betti. Amelia worked at Camp Isabella Freedman as the Head Housekeeper. She was employed there for 35 years. She attended the Falls Village Congregational Church and had been very active at the Senior Center in Falls Village. She enjoyed collecting. She also enjoyed the craft classes offered by Adult Ed at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the Cape, Vermont and New Hampshire. An avid flower person, Amelia had traveled to the major flower shows in both Boston and Philadelphia.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Osborn and her husband David of Falls Village, her son, Robert H. Wright of Falls Village and her son, Donald Wright and his wife Kate of Millbrook, NY; her sister, MaryAnn Betti of Falls Village; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Katie Osborn and Jacob Wright. Amelia is also survived by her great grandson, Gunner Osborn. Amelia was predeceased by her brother, Donald Betti.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in the Mountain View Cemetery, Sand Road, North Canaan, CT. Calling hours will be held at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018 on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Falls Village Volunteer Ambulance Association, 188 US-7 South, Falls Village, CT. 06031

Fashion and fun mark a century of service

Tom Barret shows off some Rummage Sale finds.

Natalia Zukerman

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Cornwall Woman’s Society hosted its 100th anniversary celebration at Mohawk Mountain ski lodge.

“This celebration is to thank the people of Cornwall for their support and to celebrate the 100 years that the Woman’s Society has contributed to Cornwall and to needs near and far,” said Nancy Barr, co-chair of the Cornwall Woman’s Society (CWS).

Keep ReadingShow less