Salisbury board extends option on Holley Block property

SALISBURY — The Board of Selectmen voted to extend by one year the lease on the “Holley Block” property in Lakeville to the Salisbury Housing Committee during the Monday, July 12 selectmen’s meeting. The vote was unanimous.

The selectmen acknowledged the service of Rachel Lamb, who is retiring after 18-plus years as assistant town clerk, and fire marshal Chip Carleton. They appointed Robin Denny as Carleton’s replacement.

The selectmen also noted that John Whalen, manager of the town’s wastewater treatment facilities, will be stepping down after 50 years on the job.

First Selectman Curtis Rand said that because of the holiday on July 5, when the selectmen would normally meet, the meeting had to be posted as a “special meeting.”

The board also held a quick special meeting on Friday, July 9, to appoint Russ Conklin and John Harney Jr. as alternates to the Inland Wetlands Commission. Rand said that group was meeting Monday night, July 12, and needed to fill those slots in order to have a quorum.

At the July 9 meeting the selectmen also approved the Housatonic River Commission’s request to seek federal Wild and Scenic River status for the Housatonic River.

Rand reported that suggestions from interested parties about uses for the Pope property on Salmon Kill Road were in. He said the affordable housing groups had proposed 64 units: 49 rentals under the control of the Salisbury Housing Committee, 12 units from the Salisbury Housing Trust, and three from Habitat for Humanity.

Ideas for recreational uses included consolidation of the various sports fields around town, a walking or fitness track, and a playground.

The selectmen agreed that the next step is a new committee to start evaluating proposals.