SHARON — With the multi-million dollar Sharon road repair project completed and the municipal elections past, it seemed like a good time to catch up with First Selectman Robert Loucks.Loucks was unopposed in this year’s election and now begins his second term in office.“We have 54 miles of paved roads in Sharon,” he said, summarzing the recently completed roadwork. “Of that, 36 or 37 miles have been completed. There are some roads that are in good shape and do not need fixing. But there are still 8 to 10 miles of roads in dire need of repair.”Loucks said he hopes that in the spring of 2012 the town will be able to find some money to repair the roads that still need attention. He shed some light on road maintenance. “For years they used a product called Cold Mix, sold by the Gorham company. That would go underneath, then the crews would ‘chip seal’ [with stone and oil] over that. The Cold Mix just did not stand up. Even patching it does not work because the Cold Mix underneath crumbles. It has not proved to be a good product.” The manufacturer claims to have improved the product, “but I’m not going to take a chance on that. I like the old-time proven hot mix that we are getting out of Amenia Sand and Gravel.”By now, he said, “It’s starting to get too late in the year to do any more repairs.” The weather can’t be too hot or too cold or the mixture won’t set. Most plants that make materials close down in winter.“The plant should be open until the first week of December,” Loucks said. “At this point, we’ll still be getting some blacktop from the plant. Town crews will use that for filling potholes on Cary Hill Road, Knibloe Hill Road and nearby places. There are potholes on these roads that need to be fixed, but we were hampered by the recent major storms.”In addition to its 54 miles of paved road, Sharon has 27.7 miles of dirt roads. Maintaining dirt roads is more costly to the town than maintaining paved ones, Loucks said.“People build their houses on these dirt roads and think the roads are fixed once and then remain in good condition. That is not the case. A number of dirt roads are anywhere from 4 to 6 feet below the banks on each side. That makes it difficult to drain out after storms.”During Tropical Storm Irene, Loucks said, “We lost some culverts, plus it washed out the area around the culverts. We had three storms, one right after the other doing the same damage, but Irene brought the most water. Because of Irene, we have six or seven places we are going to have to put in additional culvert pipes. There was no bridge damage from Irene. There was a little damage on River Road, on the Sharon side of the Housatonic River, near Cornwall Bridge.”Of the response from town residents to the work, he said,“I think 99 percent of the people are happy with the roads. I’ve been getting a lot of good comments, letters from residents and press about the road project. There are always some people who are unhappy with anything.” As for other projects going on around town, Loucks said he did not know when the refurbished Sharon Motor Lodge would reopen. But he did say, “I have admiration for people who come to town and fix things up. Just before I came to office, that place was a drug den. The State Police were watching it. I saw cars with New Jersey license plates going there. I called the police, they monitored the situation and came back to me telling me there was a lot of drug dealing going on.”Happily, things are looking up in town.
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North Canaan considers trash hauler fees, seeks unpaid sticker revenue
Ruth Epstein
NORTH CANAAN — Town officials are considering charging commercial trash haulers to use the local transfer station, citing disposal costs and concerns that 80 of the sole commercial hauler’s 120 customers have not purchased required annual stickers.
The Board of Selectmen discussed the issue at its Oct. 5 meeting but postponed action pending further study.
Richard Ralph, the only commercial hauler using the North Canaan station, collects garbage from 120 local customers and brings it to the town facility. The town then pays to transport and dispose of that trash in Torrington.
Ralph does not currently pay a separate fee to unload his customers’ garbage. His customers are required to purchase annual transfer station stickers, but First Selectman Jesse Bunce said a customer list provided to station manager Kate Light about a month ago showed only 40 held stickers.
Annual stickers cost $110, or $65 for seniors.
“The problem is we’re not getting sticker fees,” said Selectman Chris Sorrell.
Bunce suggested charging commercial haulers $50 per visit for small trucks and $100 for midsize trucks. The board discussed truck capacities but did not establish classifications or adopt a fee schedule.
“That would help in offsetting costs for us bringing our trash to Torrington,” he said.
The board has yet to determine whether commercial hauling fees would supplement or replace the sticker requirement for haulers’ customers.
Bunce said the transfer station is the town’s largest budget expense after education. The town pays a $129-per-ton tipping fee, plus $277 per ton to haul the material to Torrington — a total cost of $406 per ton.
Ralph, who attended the meeting, questioned how much his costs would increase and said he might have to raise his rates.
“If you’re a commercial hauler and you’re using the facility, it’s a benefit to you,” Bunce said. “You’re not running your trucks down to Torrington. We’re paying to get trash to Torrington so there should be some give and take where we come up with a fee schedule that works. We’re not trying to run you out of business.”
The board also discussed installing scales. Bunce said he raised the idea when he first became a selectman in 2023 because the town pays for disposal by weight, but there was no follow-up.
“I’m not saying we need to make a profit, but at least we should break even,” he said.
Bunce said Light wants changes at the station.
“I know Kate would like to see something happen because she feels like things are slipping by and she’s trying to make a difference,” he said. “I think a lot of taxpayers put pressure on her.”
The board planned to meet with Light to seek her input.
“I think we just need a good plan of action, like making sure stickers are paid for by everybody that uses the station,” Sorrell said. “Secondly, we need to figure out a fee schedule that’s kind of equitable to everyone involved.”
Pool building gets finishing touches ahead of fall festival
Ruth Epstein
North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce uses a crane to hoist a cupola onto the roof of the Falls Village pool building.
FALLS VILLAGE — The pool building at the Falls Village Recreation Center, on the Town Farm property at 108 Route 63, received its finishing touches Tuesday, Oct. 6.
North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce donated his time and equipment to lift cupolas — small rooftop structures — into place. The installation came 15 years after the building was erected and ahead of the Autumn at the Town Farm event on Oct. 17.
Watching Bunce carefully maneuver the crane, former Falls Village First Selectman Louis Timolat joked that the work represented a reconciliation between Canaan, better known as Falls Village, and North Canaan following their split in the 1850s.
“This shows good spirit and cooperation for accomplishing things for our towns,” Timolat said.
He recalled that two years ago, when North Canaan’s pool closed for repairs for a few weeks, Falls Village invited North Canaan residents to use its pool.
Timolat’s Falls Village Sawmill donated all the materials for the original pool building, which houses changing rooms and bathrooms. Volunteers constructed it.
Bunce, who owns Bunce Property Management, offered to help install the cupolas after Falls Village First Selectman David Barger mentioned the project during one of the periodic coffee gatherings of Region 1 first selectmen at Off the Trail Café in Falls Village. The gatherings give the town leaders an opportunity to discuss issues and learn from one another.
On Tuesday, Barger helped secure the cupolas for the crane lift. Resident Tom Brashares and highway foreman Tim Downs climbed onto the roof and put them in place.
Recreation Commission Chairman Catherine Wales and commission member Chris Wadsworth watched the installation.
Wales said the town is working to increase use of the 70-acre Town Farm property, which once housed a working farm and the home of the farmer who ran it.
With funding from a state STEAP grant, the pool building was recently stained, a new pump house installed and windows glazed. Plans also call for a pavilion next year.
“We want to raise awareness of this beautiful space,” Wales said.
“A group called All Falls Village (AFV) played an important role in the work that led to securing that grant, and their involvement hasn’t stopped there. They’ve continued to be incredibly supportive in helping move the projects forward and contributing to what has been accomplished at the Town Farm so far.”
Autumn at the Town Farm will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 17. Attractions will include vendors, Frisbee and Wiffle ball, painting activities, a bounce house and music. Norbrook Brewery will also bring a truck.
Visitors may bring food to barbecue; charcoal will be provided.
Housatonic honors 10 athletes in Hall of Fame induction
Ruth Epstein
Inductees into the 2026 Housatonic Valley Regional High School Athletic Hall of Fame are: top, from left: Lauren Segalla, Katie Heacox, Adam Grant-West and Brooks Belter.Bottom: Juliet Lyon, Sally Michalek Green, Marci Perotti Saunders, Catherine Mechare, Diane Strattman (for her sister Donna Marchi) and nominator Chris Strattman.
Athleticism, sportsmanship, teamwork and family support were celebrated at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s 2026 Hall of Fame induction on Oct. 11.
Ten alumni who scored both on and off the field were honored by the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.
The new members are: Phil Aldrich, class of 1992; Brooks Belter,’06; Adam Grant-West,’88; Katie Heacox, ‘14; Juliet Lyon, ‘97; Donna Marchi, ‘76; Catherine Mechare, ‘01; Sally Michalek, ‘74; Marci Perotti Saunders, ‘00 and Lauren Segalla, ‘17.
In his greeting, Principal Ian Strever lauded the athletes for their commitment to sports and spoke of the values sports provide.
“I thank you for bringing fame to Housatonic Valley Regional High School. You will always be Mountaineers.”
Anne MacNeil, Region One athletic director, noted that 130 former students have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its beginning in 1996, including athletes, coaches and administrators.
Inductee Brooks Belter comes from a long line of local athletes, including his grandfather J. Henry “Hank” Belter, class of 1941, who was named to the first Hall of Fame in 1996. Brooks Belter was a three-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball and baseball. Following college graduation, he was selected in the 25th round of the MLB Draft (there were 40 rounds at the time) by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Nominated by his father, Jim Belter, the inductee said, “Baseball took me to places I’d never have imagined growing up in Falls Village.”
Bader Hamzy, a graduate, introduced Adam Grant-West, and spoke about his notable sports career in high school, where he excelled in every sport he played. He was drafted by the Houston Astros minor league baseball team and was doing well until an injury ended his career.
In his acceptance, Grant-West praised his high school coaches. He is now a captain of a charter fishing boat in Alaska.
In nominating his daughter Katie Heacox, Chris Heacox called her a warrior—“tenacious and resolute.” She was a three-sport athlete who distinguished herself in track and field, earning honors and setting records in shot put, hammer throw and discus. Her father was her coach. She worked for several years as an athletic compliance coordinator and went back to college for a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling, which she pursues today.
Inductee Juliet Lyon played the classic sports of soccer, basketball and softball, but got diverted to wrestling. By senior year she was co-captain of the wrestling team. In competing in the Berkshire League championship that year, she pinned three boys to achieve first place. Being a woman in the wrestling world wasn’t always easy, she said. “Sometimes boys would forfeit instead of risking losing to a girl…”
She now runs a grassroots organization in Mozambique that seeks community-led solutions to poverty and environmental challenges.
Inductee Catherine Mechare excelled in basketball, where she achieved numerous accomplishments and awards. During her high school career, she scored 1,228 points and set a school record with nine steals in a single game. She went on to play at Keene State College.
Meanwhile, Sally Michalek Green fought for women to have opportunities in sports equal to men, said her nominator and brother Allyn Michalek. “She and a handful of women in high school in the 1970s didn’t just talk about change, but made it happen.” She pioneered a new soccer team for women at the school, which became part of the school’s athletic program in 1972. At graduation, she delivered an essay titled “Athletics: Coed or Not?” She was also a three-sport player and after college, went on to a career in nursing.
Inductee Marci Perotti Saunders was a standout in three sports during her high school career and received 12 varsity letters, said her sister Shannon Perotti Mlodzinski, who read glowing tributes from two of Saunders’ former coaches. They spoke of her sportsmanship and commitment to her teammates.
She went on to have a stellar career in soccer at Eastern Connecticut State University and then returned to Region 1, where she has been a physical education teacher at Kent Center School for 22 years, instilling a love of athletics in her students.
Meanwhile, Lauren Segalla set the school’s all-time career scoring record in soccer and left a lasting legacy on the program. She then became another Mountaineer at West Virginia University, where she left her mark by helping the school capture the Big 12 Tournament Championship, earning
All-Tournament Team honors as a sophomore and again in her final year at the school.
She holds a master’s in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling and is a licensed mental health counselor.
Inductee Donna Marchi’s brother-in-law Chris Strattman talked about her achievements in soccer, basketball and softball. In her senior soccer season, she set a school record for shutouts as a goalkeeper. She currently lives in Portland, Ore., where she has built a successful real estate career. She could not attend. Her sister Diane Strattman accepted the honor.
Aldrich was honored for his successful achievements in track and field. He broke the school record in the pole vault. He was unable to attend the ceremony.
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Our national parks, under threat
Kathy Herald-Marlowe
The idea of preserving in a national grouping such spots of scenic beauty and historic memory originated here in this country...In Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, other countries have followed our pioneering example and set aside their most magnificent scenic areas as national treasures for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
— Dwight D. Eisenhower
For the first century of our nation, there was an abundance of space, people sought gold in the territories, established farms on the flat lands of the mid-West, needed to surmount the Rockies to reach Pacific treasures, fought American natives who had inhabited these lands for 15,000 to 20,000 years. Struggles for the land, its ownership was paramount yet “spacious skies” and “purple mountain majesty” were not under threat. In 1872, the first national park, Yellowstone, 3,474 sq miles, in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined, was signed into legislature-The Yellowstone National Park Protection Act by Ulysess Grant. Yellowstone was not only the first US national park, it was first national park in the world.
Presidents over the centuries have been steadfast advocates of national parks. In 1916, the National Park Services was birthed to build capacity, expertise for managing burgeoning natural treasures, to protect these lands for the people of the United States – 330 million visitors a year to 433 units covering 85 million acres across 50 states, DC and US territories. National parks, their expansion and protection has never been partisan – from Grant to Teddy Roosevelt, to Harding, to FDR, to Eisenhower, to Carter, to Clinton, to the Bushes, to Obama, to Biden.National Parks have for over a century been irrefutably Presidential–associated with Presidents giving significant attention and funding to preserving the natural beauty of this nation – for the pleasure of the people, for prosperity.
Currently, President Trump who has stated “America’s vast and wondrous national parks stand at the heart of our story, preserving the lands our ancestors cherished and the unmatched splendor of a continent like no other” yet Trump has cut Park staffs by over 25% while seizing moneys allocated by the Congress to Park maintenance, upgrades, and refurbishing for his DC beautification projects –these reallocations, blocked grants, were not reviewed, not condoned by Congress.
Over the years, we the people have been proud and dismayed by the policies and actions of Presidents of the nation, occupants of the White House (all but Washington resided there). Scandals have come in our past, hindering our progression: Andrew Johnson’s Presidential support of Jim Crow laws, Nixon’s Watergate, Harding’s Teapot Dome; Regan’s Iran-Contra Affair, Clinton’ Lewinsky Affair.Trump adds another Presidential scandal done unto the National Parks: diverting $90 million from park entrance revenues to his DC vanity projects along with millions designated by Congress for 131 repair and renovation projects. As of November 26, 2025, Non-US residents 16 and older must pay a $100 per-person surcharge beyond standard individual or vehicle entrance fees for the 11 most highly visited parks – Executive Order 14314 “Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks.” Before January, 2026, Park annual fees for US residents as well as Non-US residents were $80, after that date an increase for Non-US residents to $250 annually.
There are so many outrages in Trump’s policies, behaviors with so many negative impacts on so many be they immigrants, FBI agents, military brass, or just everyday go-to-the-grocery, stop-for-gas Americans.Here is yet another starling attack –another loss of what had been sustained Presidential honor and pride-Trump actions to undermine, diminish, demolish our nation’s natural wonders-our national parks.How to stop him.
Kathy Herald-Marlowe lives in Sharon.
Letters to the Editor - October 15, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Why can’t the Bauer Fund be tapped for train station?
One of the pleasures—and prerogatives—of living in our town is the opportunity to participate in Town Meetings. Neighbors may disagree, sometimes passionately, but discussions are (usually) remarkably civil. In an era of poisonous national politics, it’s reassuring to participate in democracy on this local level.
At a special Town Meeting on September 16, residents voted to authorize spending up to $650,000 to save one of our town’s most historic buildings, the old Lakeville Railroad Station.
The question now is how to pay for it.
At its September 22 meeting, the Board of Finance decided against using money from the Bauer Fund, which currently holds approximately $3 million. Instead, it proposed drawing on the Town’s debt reduction account, which has approximately $725,000 available. That decision requires approval at another special Town Meeting.
The Bauer Fund was established in the 1950s, in part, to maintain property that Frederick Bauer helped the Town acquire, including the Railroad Station and its surrounding land. Over the years, the Fund funded improvements to the Town Grove and Bauer Park.
If you share my curiosity about why the Bauer Fund can’t be tapped in this instance, attend the special Town Meeting on Thursday, October 15, at 7 p.m., either in person at Town Hall or remotely via Zoom. The meeting link is available on the Town’s website.
Town Meetings are more than a New England tradition. They’re an opportunity—and a responsibility—to take part in decisions that shape the place we call home.
Helen Klein Ross
Lakeville
Chris Shea for 5th Congressional District
Did you know the DOJ has designated Connecticut as a sanctuary state?Did you know that Hartford and our current Congressional Representative to Congress have no problem with this?Did you know that means people here illegally are protected as a privileged class at the expense of you the taxpayer?As a taxpayer, legal resident and voter this progressive policy of socialism must be stopped.This November, whether by absentee ballot, Early Voting or on November 3rd elect Chris Shea to the 5th Congressional District.He’s a former Navy Seal who served us.Now he is a Lieutenant in the North Haven fire department serving us. Also, he is the founder of “Hero to Hero” which serves to acclimate veterans back into the workforce.Chris Shea a veteran, firefighter – not a politician- can be counted on in Washington to support free market capitalism.See you at the polls when you vote for Chris Shea for the 5th Congressional District to Washington.
Marie Barnum
Salisbury
Reelect Horn who listens and takes action
There are so many extraordinary aspects to Maria Horn’s career that everyone probably has a different ‘wow’ feature, depending on personalexperience. For me, I’m perpetually struck by the fact that once she’s introduced to someone, she will always remember the name.
More importantly, I’m struck by how this attorney, who had such a significant New York City career, moved to CT and became the Representative for nine largely rural towns. What’s on her docket? Forests, mountains, various water features, Region One schools, health care facilities, villages, and farms.
My mind can hardly encompass the specialized knowledge needed to deal effectively with the broad range of issues produced by such a varied remit. Which leads me to that last item, surely the most remote from Ms. Horn’s previous New York experience, but historically significant in the 64th House District, is farming. Before the Erie Canal transported easterners west, CT was a farming state. Climb any of our scenic mountain trails, look out at the landscape spreading below you, and all you see is trees, as though there were no towns.
But though the northwest corner is now 80% forested, 20% developed, this is the exact reverse of a previous situation when the iron industry cleared the land of trees in order to make charcoal; the rocks that seemed to be a major product of the land became stone walls; and farming was the main activity. What’s left of that history may be a minor aspect of present CT, but historically the northwest corner likes to think of itself as a rural area.
Witness the number of local farms that show up every summer at Farmer’s Markets, each town drawing from its locale, as though our small state was significantly larger.
After Horn decided to run for office the first thing she did was a lot of listening. When she was elected, one of her early efforts was SB1063, legislation to improve farmland availability for first-time farmers. Farming is dependent on weather and there have been destructive storms that our Representative followed up on to get relief for farmers. The Community Investment Act Fund was focused on assisting dairy farms. HB 5345 took aim at preserving valuable farmland.
And then there are the farm adjacent issues, such as air quality and recycling that have drawn her attention. Once a subject is brought to her, the result is usually action. That means rounding up support for what is no longer the first issue on people’s minds in the state. Judging by the measures she has seen become law, she is skilled at negotiating to get that support. Let’s keep Maria where she can make a difference in such long range issues as keeping our land healthy, productive, and beautiful.
Betty Krasne
Kent
Vote early
October 17th is No Kings/Early VotingDay.
Salisbury is joining the national No Kings/ Early Voting Dayof actionson Saturday, October 17 on the Green at routes 41 and 44, in front of the White Hart Inn.
We hope to see you there, wearing blue and waving signs.
We will BE the blue wave. Weather permitting, a voter registration table will be set up from 11 a.m. to 4p.m.with registration material.The main event will be from 11 a.m. to noon, but please drop by any time during the day. Hope to see you then.
Sophia deBoer
Salisbury
Reelect Harding for 30th
As a relative newcomer to voting in elections, I was raised to research the records of the candidates and to vote for the best ones. State Senator Steve Harding is running again and has been exceptional as the Senate Minority Leader. Against relentless opposition he has hammered away at getting legislative support for businesses and reducing residential electricity rates (the 2nd highest in the country last year). Along with this State Senator Steve Harding has helped secure many grants that help preserve our towns local breathtaking beautiful landscapes and hiking trails so many can enjoy them for years to come. I wrote this letter to give my support to State Senator Steve Harding who is running for reelection in the 30th district.
Abigail Silvernail
Lakeville
Ploys won’t make life affordable for Americans
This election is so crucial because Republicans in Congress have handed over many of their Constitutional duties to the executive branch, namely President Trump. These duties include the power of the purse and the power to declare war. They have given these constitutionally-mandated responsibilities to Trump out of fear of retaliation, or a mistaken belief Trump will do right. One result: his and Hegseth’s Iran War has gone on for seven and a half months with no end in sight at the cost of $44 billion. Iran now controls the Straits of Hormuz and isn’t giving up. This war is why gas and diesel prices and inflation continue to go up.
As a pre-election ploy Trump has now negotiated a deal with Putin for Russian diesel, thereby paying Russia for fuel Trump’s own war has made so costly. Trump doesn’t care that Putin provides Iran with drones and other weapons to use in its fight against us.
On the personal side Kushner negotiates business deals in Russia, Saudi Arabia etc. for the Trump Family.The mind boggles at this open and unrestrained corruption.
Why haven’t the Republican Senators & representatives intervened to stop Trump’s war, which is also increasing the on-going affordability crisis, and why didRepublicans agree with Trump’s presser to reduce SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare benefits so as to pass tax cuts that mostly benefit rich people and corporations
I could provide more examples but you can see why it is so important to elect Democrats to Congress, and at every level, who will put the brakes on Trump and fight to make life affordable for ordinary Americans.
Barbara Maltby
Salisbury
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