State police say still no signs of missing Tom Drew

SALISBURY — The Connecticut State Police put to rest rumors this week that the body of Tom Drew had been found.Drew was a 91-year-old Salisbury resident who suffered from dementia. He was at home on July 21, 2007, with a caregiver named Catherine Paton who was filling in at that time for Drew’s regular caretaker, Mario Zecca. Paton called the police that night to report that Drew had wandered off and was missing.Drew was reportedly unable to walk at more than a shuffling pace. However, a thorough search of the area around his Ravine Ridge Road home near the Massachusetts border turned up no sign of him. The search was conducted by the Connecticut and Massachusetts state police and volunteer ambulance squad members and firefighters from area towns. Police K9 units were deployed as were helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes.Hospitals and morgues around the state were interviewed to see if someone had brought Drew in. Subsequent searches over the next four years turned up no sign of him, his remains or his clothing.Rumors began to spread around Salisbury this week that Drew’s body had at last been found. The rumors began after state police from Connecticut’s Western District Major Crime Squad did a search of a farm in Cornwall. One source said the farm belongs to the Hurlburt family, on Hautboy Hill Road. Connecticut State Police Spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said Tuesday morning, May 17, that no signs of Drew were found during the search. “This is an open case and everytime we come across any possible lead or bit of information we follow it up,” Vance said.“There was some information that developed during an interview that warranted us to search specific areas.” He would not say who was interviewed and would not confirm the location of the farm.State police used all available technology for the search, he said, including K9 teams but “it came up empty.”“We would encourage anyone that has information to contact the state police at Troop B in North Canaan,” Vance said. “This is an open and active case.”

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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

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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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Photo by Christine Bates

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Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

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

Photo by Ruth Epstein

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Classifieds - February 26, 2026

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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

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Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

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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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