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Volunteers reopen trails after July 4 storm damage
Alec Linden
Jul 22, 2026
SALISBURY – Strong storms on July 4 blocked roads for days and left nearly the entire town without power, but they also took a less visible toll on the many miles of trails that snake through Salisbury’s woodlands, where volunteer crews continue to work to reopen paths blocked by debris.
By the end of the third week of July, trails that had been essentially impassable since the storms began to resemble their former selves thanks to the hard work of trail enthusiasts who lent a hand sawing apart tree trunks or pulling away branches.
John Landon, co-chair of the Salisbury Association Land Trust, a nonprofit that maintains walking trails on its protected lands across town, and Jim Liptack, who oversees maintenance of the Connecticut Section of the Appalachian Trail, both reported major recovery milestones last week.
Volunteers tackle Dark Hollow
Landon said the Salisbury Association focused its initial cleanup efforts on the Dark Hollow Preserve, where nine volunteers spent Thursday, July 16, clearing storm damage.
“There was a tremendous amount of damage to that preserve, as there was in many parts of town,” Landon said.
The preserve, located between Salmon Kill Road and Farnum Road, sustained the most severe impacts of any of the land trust’s protected properties.
Two of Dark Hollow’s three paths are wooded and were damaged by the storm. By the end of the day, volunteers had cleared all but one tree from the 1.3-mile Summit Trail, the longest of the walking paths. The preserve’s other woodland trail remained passable despite scattered obstacles.
While neither trail was officially closed, Landon said the volunteer effort was essential to restoring the Summit Trail to the enjoyable woodland walk residents were accustomed to.
Other Salisbury Association preserves also sustained storm damage, including the Pope Preserve off Route 44 northeast of downtown Salisbury and the Hecht Preserve off Route 112 near Wells Hill Road.
The Salisbury Association Land Trust has scheduled additional volunteer workdays on July 25 and July 31 to continue cleanup at those preserves, with more dates expected to follow.
“It’s a lot of work after a storm like this,” Landon said, encouraging anyone interested to volunteer.
Appalachian Trail reopens after cleanup
After more than a week of sawing, dragging and stacking the fallen trees and branches that blocked 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail, Liptack felt a sense of accomplishment.
“It was just a tangled mess,” he said.He said the most impacted section of the trail was a stretch that runs from about a mile south of Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village to about a mile north of downtown Salisbury.
Liptack, who helps oversee the maintenance of the Connecticut section of the trail for the Appalachian Mountain Club, said he’d seen similar damage from a tornado that touched down near the high school in 2020, but that “it was a stretch of a quarter, maybe a half mile that was devastated” during that event.
“This was 12 miles of that,” he said.
He reported that a team of 10 volunteers from the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts chapters spent over 130 hours in the woods between Wednesday, July 8, and Friday, July 17.
“We now have the trail cleared, open and ready to be used,” Liptack said on Saturday, but with a slightly altered course – some of the trees were just too large to be removed, he said, so the group built new pathways to go around them.
“I’m talking three to four feet in diameter,” he said, referring to the large trees. “We didn’t have saws that big.”
Two campsites – Limestone Springs and Belter, both in Falls Village – were impacted but have since reopened. The shelter at Limestone Springs remains closed until a dangerous tree above it is removed by a professional crew, which is scheduled to occur within the next several weeks.
Liptack said that he was glad to have the trail back in navigable shape. He said he had heard reports from “lost, confused and bewildered” thru-hikers who were unfortunate enough to be in the wrong part of the trail at the wrong time in the days immediately following the storm.
“They described it as just blind bushwhacking through the thickest jungle – the thickest branches and trees they’d ever seen,” he said. He also had heard from several hikers who happened to be overnighting at one of the area’s campsites on July 4, saying the reports sounded “incredibly terrifying,” but luckily no injuries were reported.
Liptack said he was grateful for the team who volunteered their time to keep the trail safe and intact. “It’s a team effort,” he said. “We’re really proud of the fact that we were able to get it done that quickly because we had so many people who came out day after day.”
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Legal Notices - July 23, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Jul 22, 2026
Legal Notice
The Board of Directors of The David M. Hunt Library and School Asso-ciation of Falls Village, CT invites the public to attend its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 28 at 5: 30p.m. at the Library, 63 Main Street, Falls Village, CT 06031.
07-23-26
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF KENT
The first installment of the Real Estate, Personal Property, Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax for the Grand List of 2025 is due and payable July 1, 2026. The first installment of the Real Estate, Personal Property, Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax for the Grand List of 2025 will become delinquent on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. As soon as the tax becomes delinquent, it shall be subject to interest at the rate of 1.5% per month from July 1, 2026 until the same is paid. Bills may be viewed and paid online by going to the Tax Collector’s page on the Town of Kent website at www.townofkentct.gov. The Tax Collector’s office will be open from
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
There is a red drop box next to the front door of the Town Hall for payments.
Payments are also welcome through the mail at P. O. Box 311, Kent, Connecticut 06757.
Deborah Devaux CCMC Tax Collector
06-25-26
07-02-26
07-23-26
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following actions were taken by the Inland Wet-lands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on July 13, 2026: Approved - Application IWWC-26-27 by owner Appalachian Mountain Club (Joe Roman) to construct two 10x16 plat-forms out of pressure treated lumber for camping to be set on smaller 12’’ cement bases. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 22, lot 29 and is known as 99 MT Washington Road, Salisbury, CT, 06068. Approved - Application IWWC-26-26 by Sharon Lawn & Landscape (Matt Hosier) to remove cattails along lake side shoreline and plant a buffer garden. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 43, lot 23 and is known as 158 Millerton Road, Lake-ville, CT 06039. The owners of the property are Benjamin & Denise Zalman.
Approved - Application IWWC-26-15 by Cory Murphy for stump removal and plantings associated with new house construction. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 08, lot 21 and is known as 80 Brinton Hill Road, Lakeville, CT 06039.
The owners of the property are Cory & Meredith Murphy.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
Town of Salisbury Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission
Sally Spillane Secretary
07-23-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF
MARCIA LEE
CHESLER
Late of New York
(26-00282)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated June 30, 2026, 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:
Peter Chesler
c/o Kevin F Nelligan The Law Offices of Kevin F. Nelligan, LLC
194 Ashley Fls Rd
PO Box 776
Canaan, CT 06018
Jordan Bergs
Clerk
07-23-26
TAX COLLECTOR’S
NOTICE
TOWN OF CANAAN
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut statutes, the undersigned Tax Collector of the Town of Canaan gives notice that she will be ready to receive Motor Vehicle taxes and the first installment of Real Estate & Personal Property taxes due July 1, 2026 at the Tax Collector’s office in the Canaan Town Hall, 108 Main St, Falls Village, CT on Monday’s 9am - 12pm. & Thursdays 8am-11am.
Payments must be received or postmarked by August 3, 2026 to avoid interest.
All taxes remaining unpaid after August 3, 2026 will be charged interest from July 1, 2026 at the rate of 1.5% for each month elapsing from the due date of the delinquent tax to the date of payment, with a minimum interest charge of $2.00. Sec.
12-146
Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the tax-payer of his/her responsibility for the payment of taxes or delinquent charges. Sec. 12-130
Rebecca M Juchert-Derungs,
Tax Collector, CCMC
06-25-26
07-02-26
07-23-26
Tax Collector
Town of Cornwall
The first installment of real estate, personal property as well as motor vehicle taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2025 is due July 1, 2026. Payments must be post-marked by August 3, 2026 to avoid interest. Any tax bills not paid by August 3, 2026 will be considered delinquent, and interest will be charged at the rate of 1 1/2 % per month and fraction thereof (including July). This means that even if you pay on August 4th , you will be charged for two months interest. ** No additional bills will be mailed for second installments. Use the coupon provided in the July. CHANGE IN OFFICE HOURS: Taxes may be paid at the Tax Office on Mondays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, or sent by mail, addressed to: Cornwall Tax Collector, P.O. Box 97, Cornwall, CT 06753. The easiest, most convenient, most economical and most reliable way to pay your taxes is by electronic check for a fee of $1.95. You may also pay your taxes online with a credit, debit card as well for a fee. Visit cornwallct.org/government/townoffices. Rebecca Juchert-Derungs,
CCMC Tax Collector
06-25-26
07-23-26
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF SALISBURY CT LEGAL NOTICE
The taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that I have received the Warrant and the Rate Bill to collect taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2025 with a levy of 9.80 Mills. Said taxes become due on July 1, 2026. If said Real Estate and Personal Property tax is over $100.00, it is payable in four installments due: July 1, 2026, October 1, 2026, January 1, 2027, April 1, 2027. Motor Vehicle tax shall be paid in one installment due: July 1, 2026. Payments must be received or postmarked by August 3, 2026. If said Real Estate, Personal Property and Motor Vehicle taxes are not paid on or before August 3, 2026 interest at the rate of 1.5% (18%annually) will apply. The minimum interest charge is $2.00. Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, PO Box 338, Salisbury CT 06068. WPCA Sewer use fees for the year July 1, 2026 are also due and payable by August 3, 2026. Tax office hours are Monday and Wednesday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am—3pm. There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall open 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday and a 24 hour drop box on the Factory Street back side of the Town Hall. Please check salisburyct.us for additional credit card payment information. FAILURE TO RECEIVE A BILL DOES NOT INVALIDATE THE TAX OR THE INTEREST. Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office 860 435-5189 or taxcollector@salisburyct.us if you do not receive a bill or have questions. Dated this 3th day of June 2026.
JoAnne D. Dodge, CCMC Tax Collector
Salisbury, CT 06068
06-18-26
07-02-26
07-23-26
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Classifieds - July 23, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Jul 22, 2026
HELP WANTED
Home Help Needed. Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.
REAL ESTATE
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.
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
1Bd/1b apartment in Amenia. $900 a month. 860-309-4482.
HOUSE FOR RENT
2 Bedroom House. Millerton, NY. Quiet. 4 miles from town. $2500 monthly, plus utilities. 518-567-8277.
MT RIGA LAKEFRONT CABIN. Private beach, canoe, kayaks, fishing. $1,275/week. 585-355-5245.
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Dona Lee Alexander
Lakeville Journal
Jul 21, 2026
SALISBURY — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dona Lee (Chilcoat) Alexander, our beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, on July 9, 2026.
Born on Dec. 20, 1955, in Sharon, Connecticut, Dona lived a life filled with love, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to helping others.
Dona was preceded in death by her father, William Chilcoat, but leaves behind her loving mother, Katherine Chilcoat. Her cherished family includes her daughter, Sarah Olinger Hadoulis and son-in-law, Michael; her granddaughter, Penelope Hadoulis; her sister, Susan Chilcoat Bucceri and brother-in-law, Louis; her brother, Richard Chilcoat and sister-in-law, Stacey; nieces Katherine and Elizabeth Bucceri; and nephews Will, Ben (Lauren), and Graham Chilcoat.
Dona grew up in Lakeville where she graduated from Salisbury Central School (1969), Housatonic Valley Regional High School (1973), and Gettysburg College (1977) where she earned a degree in English Literature. Her thirst for knowledge and service continued as she became certified in Grief Counseling and Thanatology, completed her Clinical Pastoral Education, received her Florida Certification for Volunteer Management, and was ordained as an Inter-Faith Minister.
Dona’s professional life was a testament to her commitment to service. After she and her daughter Sarah returned to Salisbury in 1988, she worked as store manager of Community Lumber & Hardware (now Herringtons) and as a tea blender and sales manager for Harney & Sons Fine Tea before beginning a career that was dedicated to helping others. Her roles included Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Volunteers and Pastoral Services at Noble Horizons; office administrator for Habitat for Humanity NW CT; Director of Programs at Harvest Food and Outreach in Vero Beach, Florida; and as an in-home senior care aid for Senior Helpers of the Palm Beaches in Florida.
Some people leave behind footprints. Others leave behind a way of seeing the world. Dona was one of those people. She found beauty in the smallest things, especially a quiet walk on the beach with her eyes searching for sea glass, always believing that what the waves returned had a story to tell. She followed her heart wherever it led, never worried about fitting into any else’s idea of how life should be lived. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her dedication to helping others, her love for her new granddaughter, and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. She believed that acting on our better instincts reminds us, above everything, that we are all humans and that when we act with care and compassion, we can shape a more loving world. She was beautifully unconventional, deeply spiritual, and completely herself. There will never be another quite like her. We hope that wherever she is now, the shore is endless, the sea glass is abundant, and her spirit is as free as ever. She will be deeply missed.
Dona’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, particularly Cyndi, Laurie, and Molly, and to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County for their compassionate care and support.
In memory of Dona, the family suggests donations be made to the Little Guild in Cornwall, CT or Salisbury Family Services.
A celebration of her life will be held in the fall.
All other services will be private.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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Louise R. Black
Lakeville Journal
Jul 21, 2026
MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.
Louise’s artistic talents came through in her knitting, her painting, and her gardens. A master knitter, for many years she and Mary hosted a weekly knitting group at their home. She was recognized for her Japanese watercolors and landscapes; her passion for flowers was expressed in the abundant roses bordering her property.
An avid traveler, she also found great joy spending summers at her family camp on an island in the Hudson River. Cars and jazz were perennial fascinations, and Doris Day was a favorite.
Louise dedicated much of her life to community service, first as an enthusiastic volunteer at Habitat for Humanity in Westchester County. Following retirement, she moved to Millerton, New York, and was soon immersed in the local library, developing a finders’ guide for the North East Historical Society; and the co-founding of Comida de Vida food pantry at St. Thomas EpiscopalChurch in Amenia, New York.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Food of Life / Comida de Vida Food Pantry St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 40 Leedsville Road, Amenia, NY 12501 (845) 373-9161 www.stthomasamenia.com or Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/support
A celebration of Louise’s life will take place on BlackThursday, July 30, 2026 from 2pm to 4pm at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
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Jane Lindsay
Lakeville Journal
Jul 21, 2026
NORTH CANAAN — Jane Lindsay passed away suddenly on July 11, 2026, at Danbury Hospital. She was the longtime partner of Dennis Smalley.
Jane was born on Jan. 14, 1953, the daughter of Sally Hart and the late Raymond Hart.
She retired last year from Geer Village, where she entertained residents with her songs, poems, and wit, and, when not working, spread her music around town whenever she could.
Janey’s creativity was woven into every part of her life, from her love of music to her unmistakable artistic talent. Her unique style was recognizable, and each piece she created had a way of bringing a smile to those who experienced it—a reflection of the joy and imagination she shared so freely.
Jane is survived by her mother, Sally Hart; her sister, Diana Hart; her nieces, Allison Latulipe and Riley Hart; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is predeceased by her brother, Jonathan Hart.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 2:00 p.m. at the North Cornwall Church. A reception will follow at the Parish House, 8 Bolton Hill Rd., Cornwall Village.
Memorial donations may be made to any animal shelter of your choosing.
In honor of Janey’s vibrant spirit, the family kindly asks that guests leave the dress clothes at home and instead wear tie-dye, something with cats on it, or a fun hat or headband—anything that celebrates the joy and individuality she brought to the world. Informality is a plus!
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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