STEAP money will go to depot contract

NORTH CANAAN — A $200,000 STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant has been awarded to the town to be used toward restoration of Canaan Union Station (the depot).

The funding comes just as the town is preparing to sign a $320,200 contract with a consultant on the final design. That contract will include all work needed to finish the rebuilding following a fire that occurred nine years ago next week.

Half of the 1872 depot, a designated historic landmark and likely the longest continuously operating railroad station in the country, was destroyed in the Oct. 1, 2001, fire set by a group of teenagers.

The building is now owned by the Connecticut Historical Railroad Association. Funding has come from earmarked federal money; grants; donations of cash, labor and materials; and through fundraising events.

The remaining work includes finishing the interior to create a restaurant, retail and office spaces and a railroading museum, as well as restoring the platform and landscaping. The cost is estimated at more than $2 million and will be covered by the promised federal funding held by the state Department of Transportation.

Latest News

Final four finish for Mountaineers
HVRHS goalie Vi Salazar made 10 saves in the semifinal game against Morgan Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Photo by Riley Klein

NEWTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School's girls soccer team's state tournament run concluded in the semifinals with a 4-2 loss to Morgan High School Wednesday, Nov. 12.

The final four finish was the deepest playoff push for Housatonic since 2014. Lainey Diorio scored both goals and keeper Vi Salazar logged 10 saves in the semifinal game.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local writer shares veterans’ stories in Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Medal of Honor’ podcast

Local writer shares veterans’ stories in Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Medal of Honor’ podcast

Photo by Aly Morrissey

SHARON, Conn. — After 20 years as a magazine editor with executive roles at publishing giants like Condé Nast and Hearst, Meredith Rollins never imagined she would become the creative force behind a military history podcast. But today, she spends her days writing about some of the most heroic veterans in United States history for “Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage,” a podcast produced by Malcolm Gladwell’s company, Pushkin Industries.

From her early days in book publishing to two decades in magazines and later a global content strategist for Weight Watchers, Rollins has built a long and varied career in storytelling.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salisbury honors veterans in snowy ceremony

Chris Ohmen (left) held the flag while Chris Williams welcomed Salisbury residents to a Veterans Day ceremony at Town Hall Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

SALISBURY — About 30 people turned out for the traditional Veterans Day ceremony at Salisbury Town Hall on a cold and snowy Tuesday morning, Nov. 11.

Chris Ohmen handled the colors and Chris Williams ran the ceremony.

Keep ReadingShow less
North Canaan gives gratitude to veterans

Eden Rost, left, shakes hands with Sergeant Nicholas Gandolfo, veteran of the Korean War.

Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — Students at North Canaan Elementary School saluted servicemen and servicewomen at a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Eighteen veterans were honored, many of whom attended the ceremony and were connected to the school as relatives of students or staff.

Keep ReadingShow less