2024 recap

Salisbury grappled with a changing landscape in 2024

Salisbury grappled with a changing landscape in 2024

Students sought native species during the Bio Blitz.

Patrick L. Sullivan

SALISBURY — It was a busy year in Salisbury on various land-use fronts.

The Salisbury Association closed on a new preserve of 48 acres on Route 112.

The Hecht Preserve has high ecological value with core forest, rugged slopes and bedrock exposures. A pure, cold-water stream traverses the property, draining to the Salmon Kill and providing habitat for native fish.

The Salisbury Housing Committee’s application for the 20-unit Dresser Woods affordable housing development was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission after a lengthy public hearing over several nights. P&Z also approved an affordable housing plan from the Salisbury Housing Trust for two homes on Undermountain Road, also after a lengthy public hearing over several nights.

And the SHC opened 10 new units of housing at Sarum Village with moderate fanfare, including a visit by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

Late last month, Aradev LLC withdrew its application to redevelop and expand the Wake Robin Inn after a lengthy public hearing over several nights revealed significant opposition from neighbors. The commission was leaning toward turning the application down before the developer pulled it back.

The Salisbury Winter Sports Association added a rebuilt 30 meter jump and synthetic landing material that allows for year-round ski jump training. SWSA’s application before the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission to build a snowmaking pond beneath the ski jumps was withdrawn from consideration in December. SWSA’s Ken Barker said the organization needed time to restructure the plans in response to new information from the commission and letters from the public.

There were several anniversaries of note in 2024: Trinity Episcopal Church in Lime Rock celebrated its 150th year, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury its 200th year, the Rotary Club of Salisbury hit the 75 year mark, and Stacey Dodge marked her 25th year overseeing the town Grove.

The Salisbury Association kept the town informed and enlivened with exhibits on biodiversity, the Corner Food Pantry and the Holley Knife Company.

The Scoville Memorial Library sponsored numerous events, often taking advantage of the grounds for the purpose. Visitors searched for native species in the nearby Wachocastinook Brook during the Bio Blitz, or got an up close and personal look at the local wildlife. Inside the library, children learned how to become Oompa Loompas, and adults learned how to research the history of their homes.

2024 recap

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Thanks To You, Our Recent Donors

Thanks To You, Our Recent Donors

Your contributions over the last year have made delivering trusted, local news possible.

Listed are donors who generously made a gift to The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News between January 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026*

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Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

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Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

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Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Note: An earlier version of this article included a different photo.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

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Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

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To save birds, plant for caterpillars

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

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