Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Selectmen Discuss Health Of Town Workers, Area Lake


KENT— The Board of Selectmen heard from the first selectmen of Washington and Warren on the question of boating access at Lake Waramaug, and agreed to schedule a town meeting to vote on an appropriation for repairing windows at Kent Center School, during the regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Protecting Lake Waramaug

Dick Sears of Washington and Jack Travers of Warren were on hand to recap the process whereby officials from those towns (plus Kent) were able to dissuade the state from its plans for a large boating access facility at Lake Waramaug State Park, a process that began in the mid-1990s.

Sears displayed a 1995 design for the park, with 44 parking places and no provision for inspection of boats. This last is a particularly sensitive point, as it was just last year that the first invasive plant species was found in the lake.

"This was the Big Stick presented to the towns" by the state, said Sears. The state mandates motorboat access on public waters.

The Lake Waramaug Agreement, signed by representatives of the three towns, calls for expanding the existing boat ramp in Washington, with limited parking and a system that allows 20 non-resident boats on the lake per day.

And 13 of those must be registered at the state park, which means a minimum two-day stay. The vehicles and trailers must return to the park after the boat is in the water.

Residents of the three towns have unlimited access.

Travers chimed in, saying the plan "is about the best thing we can do to keep the lake healthy. Having a boat launch at the state park would be a disaster."

Kent’s share of implementing the Lake Waramaug Agreement is $10,000.

"We hope you’ll stand with us," concluded Sears.

New Windows on Education

Board of Education member Norman Vandervoort appeared to explain the need for a special appropriation of some $70,000 to replace 1950s-vintage windows at Kent Center School.

"Four years ago we asked for a quarter-million. The Board of Finance offered $60,000 a year for three years. We took it."

But when the project went out to bid in December the quoted prices were higher than expected. Even the lowest bidder’s price "left us about $70,000 short of what’s needed," said Vandervoort.

In the interest of time and money, he argued, it would be wise to take the matter to a town meeting for a vote rather than incorporate the request into the new budget. "That budget won’t be passed until May, too late for the contractor to order the windows," said Vandervoort.

The repair work could conceivably be split into two phases — the part of the building that houses the art room, and the gym and adjacent classrooms — but that would end up costing more, he added.

"It’s the practical thing to do it now. It’s just the facts of life."

On a motion from Selectman Vince LaFontan, the board voted 2-0 to put the matter on the agenda for the next town meeting. Selectman Nancy O’Dea-Wyrick recused herself from the discussion and vote. Her husband is a contractor involved with the window work.

Old Stone Road

Also slated for the town meeting (date and time to be determined) is the question of changing the name of Old Stone Road to Golf Club Road at the request of the Bull’s Bridge Golf Club and its lone neighbor on the short stretch of road. This time it was LaFontan who abstained from voting, saying he had taught too many children to make maple syrup along Old Stone Road to easily accept the name change.

However, he added, he would not stand in the way of the change.Budget Debated

The selectmen then turned their attention to their budget, mostly questioning specific increases in various departments and asking First Selectman Ruth Epstein for more information.

But as the discussion turned to salaries for town employees, an old, thorny problem resurfaced: What to do when Kent Center School employees get one set of benefits, and the remaining town employees another?

The benefit in question is health insurance for part-time employees. Part-time teachers have a health plan, with their contributions varying based on the number of hours worked.

Town Clerk Darlene Brady asked the selectmen if they would support at least the concept of offering some form of coverage for part-timers. O’Dea-Wyrick asked for information about the cost without speaking to the concept, and LaFontan said he was against the idea.

Epstein said she thought all town employees should get the same benefits deal, but offered no specifics.

In other business:


• The town has signed on to a five-year electric deal with Trans-Canada, at a cost of 11.57 cents per kilowatt hour. Epsetin said the consultant advising the town, after waiting and watching the price for a few months, recommended the town pull the trigger at this point.

• Two new appointments to the Conservation Commission were announced: Rick Levy and Elizabeth Baker.

Latest News

Lakeville resident to pedal miles in Pan-Mass Challenge to honor late father

Lakeville resident Rachel Marshall will ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge Aug. 1 and 2 to honor her late father, Jon Siegel, who died from glioblastoma in February.

Aly Morrissey

SALISBURY — Lakeville resident Rachel Marshall is preparing to ride across Massachusetts in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), an annual bike-a-thon that brings together more than 6,000 riders. But Marshall isn’t clipping in for the athletic pursuit or the accolades. She is riding for the second year to honor her late father, Jon Siegel, who died in February after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“It’s really about the experience and being there for each other, showing up, philanthropy and the connections along the way,” Marshall said of the race, which has grown over the past 50 years into one of the most successful athletic fundraisers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake returns July 25 in Salisbury, marking 19th year

The Jane Lloyd Fund will host its annual clambake July 25, marking its 19th year.

Provided

SALISBURY — The 19th annual Jane Lloyd Clambake will return to SWSA’s Satre Hill in Salisbury on July 25, bringing together volunteers, musicians and diners to raise money for a fund that has provided $1.3 million in assistance to families throughout the Region One area.

The fundraiser supports the Jane Lloyd Fund, which was created after the death of Lakeville and Salisbury native Jane Lloyd in 2005 and continues to help local residents facing financial hardship. Supported and administered through the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the fund has assisted hundreds of families over nearly two decades.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wildfire smoke may not be gone for good

Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted into the Northeast on Tuesday, July 14, darkening skies and spiking air quality index levels.

Alec Linden

The worst of last week’s wildfire smoke cleared by the late weekend, though meteorologists say residents shouldn’t assume it’s gone for good as shifting weather patterns could carry smoke back into the region as powerful wildfires continue to burn in Canada and the northern Great Lakes region.

Air Quality Index readings across much of the state consistently reached unhealthy to very unhealthy levels between Tuesday and Saturday, with the worst conditions affecting southern parts of the state.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Hayes breaks with Connecticut Congressional Democrats on Israel aid vote

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District, pictured above in Cornwall on Saturday, May 9, was the only member of Connecticut’s congressional delegation to vote in favor of an amendment that would have halted additional U.S. aid to Israel.

Ruth Epstein

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes split from the rest of Connecticut’s congressional delegation last week, casting the state’s lone vote in favor of an amendment that would have halted additional U.S. aid to Israel.

Hayes, a Democrat who represents much of northwest Connecticut, voted for an amendment by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would have eliminated $3.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel.The amendment ultimately failed, 314-104.

Keep ReadingShow less
Goshen home price holds steady, median $645,000

Tucked away in a cul-de-sac at Woodridge Lake, 17 Dresden Court West was built in 1988 on .81 acres and sold on June 5 for $980,000. The house had previously sold for $885,000 in October 2024.

Christine Bates

GOSHEN – The 12-month trailing median sale price for a single-family home in Goshen, excluding condominiums, reached $645,000 for the period ending June 30, 2026.

The median was up slightly from $642,000 a year earlier and 22% higher than the $530,000 recorded for the comparable 12-month period ending June 30, 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less

Police Blotter: Troop B

Sign at Troop B state police headquarters in North Canaan.
Police Blotter: Troop B
Police Blotter: Troop B

The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Single car rollover

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.