SBT to purchase Union Savings Bank branch

SHARON — Salisbury Bank and Trust (SBT) announced last week that it will purchase the Union Savings Bank branch in Sharon. SBT will “assume approximately $19 million in deposits at a premium of 2.32 percent,” according to a press release from the bank.Union is a state-chartered mutual bank with headquarters in Danbury, Conn. It was created in 1866 and has 18 branches across the northern and western part of the state. Kent will now be the only town in the Region One School District with a Union Savings branch. Union Bank President and CEO Francis G. Dattalo said in the news release that, “At Union Savings Bank, we periodically review our branch locations to evaluate the opportunity they present to best serve our customers. The Sharon branch is our northern most location, and several miles from other Union Savings Bank branches — our Kent branch is 17 miles away and our Goshen branch is 18 miles away. “Since the Sharon branch is distant from these locations, we have not seen much growth in the past few years. As a result, we entered into discussions with Salisbury Bank and Trust, which has additional presence in that community and market, as we believe customers at this branch would be very well served by Salisbury Bank and Trust.”Dattalo added that, “All Union Savings Bank employees will be offered opportunities at other Union Savings Bank locations.”Salisbury Bank and Trust has expanded significantly in recent years and has branches in Lake­ville, Salisbury, Sharon and North Canaan, Sheffield and South Egremont in Massachusetts and Dover Plains and Millerton in New York.“The purchase of this branch provides a unique opportunity for us,” SBT President and CEO Rick Cantele said in the news release. “This location will enable us to consolidate our existing Sharon office with this office and will enable us to expand our capabilities to deliver financial products and services to the people and businesses of Sharon and nearby communities while offering greater convenience to new and prospective customers. It will enhance our position in the marketplace.“Salisbury Bank and Trust Company will work closely with Union Savings Bank to ensure a smooth transition, which we expect to be seamless for customers,” he said. “We look forward to offering our expanded customer base a comprehensive suite of products and services with attractive terms and rates and friendly quality service they have come to expect.”SBT is a subsidiary of Salisbury Bancorp and is a state-chartered commercial bank. It was founded in 1848.

Latest News

Hayes addresses constituents' concerns, looks to 2026

U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes of the 5th District chats with Tom Holcombe during her community meeting in Kent on May 27.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT — Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes began her community meeting May 27 with optimism. Speaking before a large crowd at the Community House, she said, “I don’t want people to think the sky is falling and we’re losing our democracy.”

She said she was there to hear from those in attendance, but first made a quick comment about how Congress spent so much time debating President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” Mention of the legislation brought loud boos from the audience. “Every day we realize how egregious it is,” she said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Foreign exchange students reflect on a year in the U.S.

Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

Anna Gillette
“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

What has been your favorite part of your exchange experience?

Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS students bring back student newspaper
From left, Ibby Sadeh, Anna Gillette, Nathan Miller, Maddy Johnson and Caitlin Hanlon proof the pages of HVRHS Today at the Lakeville Journal office while Shanaya Duprey teleconferences in on Thursday, May 29.
James H. Clark

Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School wrote and produced the inaugural edition of HVRHS Today, a new publication by and for students in the Northwest Corner.

This inaugural issue of HVRHS Today marks the first student-led journalism effort at the high school in several years. The program is a collaboration between the Lakeville Journal, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the 21st Century Fund.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers take second place in WCLC

WATERTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse played Watertown High School for the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference championship Wednesday, May 28.

The cold, rainy game went back and forth with three ties and three lead changes. Watertown was ahead when it counted and earned a 6-4 victory to claim the league title.

Keep ReadingShow less