
A slope that is eroding. Roots of a white pine, removed as a result of the erosion, shown dangling below.
Dee Salomon
A slope that is eroding. Roots of a white pine, removed as a result of the erosion, shown dangling below.
As of this writing, I have seen far fewer Asian jumping worms on our property than over the past four years. My hands are in the soil every day so I would know. The leaf litter still looks mostly intact and the telltale coffee grounds signature are largely absent. I know it is still too early to be optimistic but I find it odd. I have written before about the infestation and about the damage the worms have done to the property over the past few years (https://www.theungardener.com/articles/dont-look-down). But where have they gone? One might think it correlates to the excessive rain but Peter Groffman from the Cary Institute explained that it is an entirely ‘normal’ process of integration. When the worms colonize an area their populations explode and then they settle in and populations reduce and spread– the food they have devoured is no longer there, also predators become familiar with them as a new food source. This is what is happening here.
One continuing effect of worm invasion is erosion. Over the past several years the worms have loosened the soil. This, compounded by the rain has caused extensive soil erosion, most notably on the sides of a ravine where the soil washed into a stream and then into the Housatonic, taking with it several trees. We felled a massive white pine that was about to topple and take with it a huge chunk of soil that would have then washed away. Dr. Jane Lucas, a soil and microbial ecologist from the Cary Institute is concerned about situations like this. “We are losing soil at a concerning clip- whether by heavy rain that causes topsoil to erode, by compaction from driving on dirt roads, and by leaving bare to dry out. Soil, created over many years, is a precious thing. It is alive, with a microbiome that, like our gut microbiome, contains many of the bacteria, fungus, and other organisms (like invertebrates and viruses) that are the basis for the health of trees and other plants.”
Remembering that soil is alive will guide your actions to keep your soil from degrading. Dried out soil is unhealthy; so is water-logged soil. Soil should stay covered and better to keep soil covered with plants rather than mulch, but mulch is better than leaving it bare. Think twice (or thrice!) about using pesticides or herbicides as these have the unwanted effect of destroying the microbes and other living elements needed for healthy soil. Rather than fertilizing your plants, you want to feed your soil, specifically feeding the microbiome, to keep it healthy and your plants healthy. Compost should not be used in place of soil but can be a useful amendment to soil as organic matter in the form of decaying plant material can help soil retain water and nutrients, reduce erosion, and attract beneficial organisms to the soil.
One person thinking a lot about soil health is Jeff Lynch, formerly grounds manager at Chanticleer who returned to his former hometown this spring to run the gardens at Wethersfield. If you have visited Wethersfield you will recall the several variations of beech trees that have been a signature of the garden. Recently the clipped columns of weeping beech and the allée of beech had to be removed due to beech die-back. Jeff has prioritized soil health at Wethersfield to support trees, both the remaining yet vulnerable beech and other trees and plants. He mixes a custom formula himself which, for the average homeowner might not be practical, but there are products available that have a mixture of fish, kelp and humates similar to what Jeff mixes himself for Wethersfield You can find a selection at Arbico.com
While healthy soil won’t itself cure tree and plant diseases it will support trees in times of stress which can help keep a vulnerable tree alive. (On beech specifically, Jeff and many arborists have been using PolyPhosphite 30 or other phosphite products as a drench during the growing season. https://web.uri.edu/ipm/2022/06/beech-leaf-disease-treatment/ is a helpful from University of Rhode Island) Given current issues with beech, hemlock and now sugar maples, which are losing leaves early either due to scorch or a fungal disease such as anthracnose, perhaps the best thing we can do now is to make and keep healthy soil.
A soil test is a good way to start. There are plenty of labs to choose from; Cornell College of Agriculture offers several levels of testing. Jeff directed me to a new biological test that you can do yourself; it goes a step further than most soil tests to analyze microbes in the soil. The Microbiometer soil test kit measures the microbial biomass and the fungal to bacterial ratio. It is available on their website, www.microbiometer.com.
Dee Salomon ‘ungardens’ in Litchfield County.
“It was clear at the February meeting that most [Commission] members did not understand the ceramic process,” —Steve Katz, Co-owner, Alison Palmer Studios
KENT — A special permit modification for a residential pottery studio brought heightened emotions back into the Planning and Zoning Commission Zoom room on April 10 as Alison Palmer and Steve Katz, who run Alison Palmer Studios at 48 Stone Fences Lane, petitioned for expanded allowances.
Following passionate testimony from Kent residents, both in support and in opposition, P&Z approved modifications to the conditions of the permit. In-studio workshop sessions were increased from 12 days per year to a maximum of 48 days per year, and hours of operation were expanded an additional hour, closing no later than 6 p.m.
The initial special permit was approved on Feb. 13 after several rounds of contentious public hearings. The applicants, who have lived on Stone Fences Lane for 27 years and operated the studio for 16 years, were granted permission to continue running their home business, with restrictions.
The conditions of approval stipulated that the studio may operate if it limits its total number of workshop days to 12 throughout the year, with no individual workshop spanning more than three consecutive days, and restricting business hours to between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Katz presented the proposed permit modifications at the April 10 meeting. He contended that the conditions placed upon that initial permit would put the studio out of business.
“It was clear at the February meeting that most [Commission] members did not understand the ceramic process,” he said.
He requested that the studio be allowed to operate for four consecutive days with a total of 12 workshops — each lasting up to four days — throughout the year, and for business hours to run into the evening to accommodate the lengthy nature of pottery making.
The initial conditions passed in February were levied in response to concerns from neighbors that the studio had elevated traffic on the road, and that running a business does not comply with the residential nature of the private road.
In response to traffic concerns, Palmer said the studio is implementing a carpool strategy in which guests park at a specified location before the roadway and are ferried up in one vehicle.
No formal traffic study has been conducted on the street to date.
Supporters of the studio argued that resident artists and their studios are central to Kent’s cultural identity. Kent-based artist George-Ann Gowan characterized Kent as a “peaceful village teeming with talent, imagination, and warm-heartedness.”
“What a shame,” she said, “that we have to spend time defending an artist’s right to make beautiful things because someone doesn’t want to share a roadway.”
Kent Resident Michael Ward said that Palmer “is continuing a tradition and a precedent that was started by artists in this town over 100 years ago” with the founding of the Kent Art Association in 1923, one of Connecticut’s oldest art associations.
Other residents were unmoved by appeals to the town’s cultural heritage. John Gebauer, who appeared at the hearing representing the Stone Fences Association, said, “Our objection is not to art. Our objection is to commercial activity in our residential community.”
Chris Garrity, a real estate agent in town, said that the neighborhood is zoned to prevent such activity: “This is about procedure and expectations.”
Once the public comment period closed, Commission members deliberated the modification proposal, clarifying to the audience that Kent’s zoning regulations do allow home occupation businesses in residential zones.
“Please stop calling this a commercial use, it is not,” said P&Z Vice Chair Karen Casey, noting that home businesses are fundamental to Kent’s ethos as a creative community.
After some debate over the extent and implementation of the modifications, the Commission came to agree that the proposed changes support the original intent of the special permit, which was to allow the studio to operate in a way that isn’t overly disruptive to the neighborhood.
P&Z passed a motion to modify the special permit to allow 12 workshops per year, with none exceeding four consecutive days, and extending operating hours until 6 p.m.
Kent Town Hall
KENT — The Board of Finance took reviewed town spending proposals at its April 16 meeting.
In total, the Town of Kent’s 2025-26 spending plan showed a bottom line of$16,526,073, up by $826,828 or 5.27%.
The budget is split into three primary parts: town expenses, elementary school expenses and regional school district expenses.
The proposed municipal spending plan totaled $5,377,501, up $245,966 or 4.79% from 2024-25.
Kent Center School’s proposed spending was up to $5,222,492, an increase of $101,335 or 1.98%.
Region One’s assessment for Kent came to $2,615,310, an increase of $88,399 or 3.50%.
Combined educational expenses are up to $7,837,802, a hike of $189,734 or 2.48%.
After reviewing the numbers, the finance board requested cuts to the municipal and elementary school proposals. Specifically, the selectmen were asked to reduce spending by $30,000 and the school was asked to cut $25,000.
Additionally, BOF planned to transfer $100,000 from the unassigned general fund to balance the budget.
These changes would result in a mill rate of 16.93 in Kent, which would be an increase of 8.55% compared to last year.
Updated spending plans were to be presented to the finance board April 23.
Ted Perotti edits a project at his North Canaan-based studio, Pig Iron Films.
NORTH CANAAN — Filmmaker Ted Perotti’s cinematography captures the Northwest Corner with pride.
Perotti, who graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 2016 and Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 2020, has a video production company, Pig Iron Films, and a look at the projects listed on the website underscores Perotti’s commitment to his hometown and the Northwest Corner.
He has made his presence known.
Recently Perotti was there, camera in hand, when two new affordable housing units were being delivered to the building site on Perry Street in Lakeville.
Visitors to any of the Region One school websites will find videos about the schools created by Perotti.
Other local clients include the American Mural Foundation, Great Mountain Forest and Freund’s Farm’s CowPots.
Going further afield, Perotti has made videos for the Connecticut Children’s Hospital.
Affable and chatty, Perotti speaks with knowledge of the technical aspects of his craftand with real enthusiasm for cinema history and for North Canaan and environs.
With a poster for “Citizen Kane” in the background, Perotti showed a visitor raw footage he had just shot at his family’s plumbing business, and demonstrated how to sync the image and sound.
He segued effortlessly from obscure horror movies to the plans he has for a YouTube channel dedicated to North Canaan.
One project in the works is for the Friends of Beckley Furnace group.
“It’s going to be in a Ken Burns style,” he said. “And there will be QR codes at different parts of the furnace” so visitors can watch video segments on their phones while standing in front of the artifacts.
He said he has no plans to relocate to a big city, because he has plenty of subject matter here.
“Our town is so cool,” he said. “And so unique.”
A landscaping truck got stuck in West Cornwall’s covered bridge Thursday, April 3.
CORNWALL — Another truck got stuck in West Cornwall’s covered bridge this month, prompting the town selectmen to discuss solutions at a meeting of the Board April 15.
The bridge, located over the Housatonic River on Route 128, is maintained by Connecticut Department of Transportation.
“Luckily, it was not damaged heavily,” said First Selectman Gordon Ridgway. “I have contacted our liaison with the state about trying to get something better, or different anyway, warning motorists.”
He explained the bridge is tallest at the entrances and structural supports in the middle can snag trucks halfway through.
Suggestions to the state included better signage, laser beam height detectors, flashing lights, sound triggers and metal beam rails.
Ridgway said solutions may be somewhat restricted because the bridge is listed on the state’s historic registry.
Selectman Rocco Botto proposed a sensor prior to the bridge that can warn and redirect drivers of vehicles exceeding the height limit.
“They call it an ‘over height warning system,’” said Botto.
Selectman Jennifer Markow encouraged residents to submit letters of support or suggestion to Town Hall.