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Author Brian Donahue, right, was in conversation with Mike Zarfos Oct. 5 during the Haystack Book Festival in Norfolk.
Patrick L. Sullivan
NORFOLK —Brian Donahue and his wife built a house in rural Gill, Massachusetts using wood from their own land and local artisans, loggers and foresters.
From this experience Donahue wrote a book, “Slow Wood: Greener Building from Local Forests.”
Donahue was interviewed by Great Mountain Forest executive director Mike Zarfos at the Norfolk Library Sunday, Oct. 5, as part of the Haystack Book Festival.
Donahue is professor emeritus of American Environmental Studies at Brandeis University.
Zarfos started by asking why he left the Boston area.
“The plan was always to leave,” he said, adding that it took a lot longer than he anticipated.
“It was a series of five-year plans.”
The Donahues, with some friends, chipped in and bought a substantial property in Gill, of which 50 acres of grassland is devoted to beef cattle and produce.
The friends took over the existing farmhouse and the Donahues started from scratch.
The goal (and end result) was a timber frame house made from the trees on the property.
Freely acknowledging he is not a forester nor a carpenter, Donahue said he relied on local talent to decide which trees to cut and how to cut them.
Everything that could be done locally was done locally. Donahue described a chain of loggers, carpenters, sawmill operators and assorted artisans who had a hand in the building of the house.
This was by design as well.
Donahue said that by following his path, development in New England can proceed in a way that is ecologically responsible and that provides employment.
“If you have the resources,” he added.
Donahue talked about “ecological forestry.”
“It’s the current term of art,” he said. The idea is that as trees are cut, the primary consideration is the ecological value of the activity, not the bottom line financially.
So while the white pine on the property was more valuable, other less prized species such as hemlock were excellent for building purposes.
“So we sold the pine.”
There are drawbacks to this approach to forest management and home building, he said. On the forestry side, the total amount of product is not as large, and the returns don’t come in as fast.
And on the building side, it is more expensive than using lumber trucked in from Canada or the southeastern U.S.
But if someone wants to be a good steward of the forest, then it is a way to get things done, slowly, on a small scale, while protecting the environment and helping the local economy.
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Legal Notices - October 9, 2025
Oct 08, 2025
Legal Notice
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Application #2025-0299 by Lowell Goss for a request for variance to maximum building coverage in the LA Zone on the basis of reduction in nonconforming impervious surface at 26 Ethan Allen Street, Lakeville, Map 46, Lot 04, relating to Section 300.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The owners of the property are Lowell Goss and Kristen Culp. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/zoning-board-of-appeals-meeting.... Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.
Salisbury Zoning
Board of Appeals
Lee Greenhouse, Secretary
10-02-25
10-09-25
Legal Notice
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Application #2025-0300 by owner Anne Fredericks for a request for variance to maximum impervious surface coverage in the Lake Protection Overlay District on the basis of reduction in nonconforming impervious surface at 29 Morgan Lane, Salisbury, Map 64, Lot 07, relating to Section 404.5 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/zoning-board-of-appeals-meeting.... Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.
Salisbury Zoning
Board of Appeals
Lee Greenhouse, Secretary
10-02-25
10-09-25
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF
SALISBURY, CT
WARNING OF
TOWN ELECTION
In accordance with Section 9-226 of the General Statutes of Connecticut and Public Act 23-5, The legal voters of the Town of Salisbury are hereby warned to meet at the Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 for the purpose of electing Town Officials. The polls will be open from 6a.m. to 8p.m. Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s office, Monday through Friday from 9a.m. to 12:30p.m. and 1:30p.m. to 3:30p.m. During the 14-day early voting period before said election the location of early voting is Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT the hours are October 20th-27th, 29th, 31st, November 1st and 2nd are 10a.m to 6p.m. and October 28th and 30th 8a.m. to 8.pm. Dated at Salisbury, this 9th day of October 2025.
Kristine M Simmons
Salisbury Town Clerk
10-09-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following actions were taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on September 29, 2025:
Exempt - Application IWWC-25-70 by Gregory Murphy for “A 10 x 20 run in shed on the horse field for the horses.” The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 03 lot 06 3 and is known as 157 Lime Rock Road, Lakeville. The owner of the property is Gregory R Murphy.
Approved subject to final Town Consulting Engineer review - Application IWWC-25-68 by Dawn Marti to “Replace failed septic systems including failed curtain drain at 500 & 508 Twin Lakes Road.” The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 69 lot 18 1 and is known as 500 Twin Lakes Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Salisbury School Incorporated.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission
Sally Spillane, Secretary
10-09-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the second installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2024 is due and payable on October 1, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by November 3, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before November 3, 2025 interest at the rate of 1 (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. BOX 338, Salisbury CT 06068 or Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT. There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday or the 24-hour drop box on the back side of the building off Factory Street. Tax Office is open Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-4pm, closed 12:30pm-1:30pm. The Town is urging taxpayers to use the option to pay by credit card or e-check. Please go to the Town website salisburyct.us, View/PayTaxes Tab. Dated at Salisbury, CT this 9th day of September, 2025.
Jean F. Bell
CCMC Tax Collector
09-18-25
10-09-25
10-23-25
LEGAL NOTICE TOWN
OF SHARON, CT
WARNING OF TOWN
ELECTION
In accordance with Section 9-226 of the General Statutes of Connecticut and Public Act 23-5, the Electors of the Town of Sharon are hereby warned to meet at their respective polling place in said town on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for the following purposes:
To cast their votes in the Municipal Election for Town Offices.
Notice is hereby given that the location of the polling places on Election Day is as follows:
Election Day Voting and Absentee Ballot counting 63 Main Street, Sharon, CT 06069
Voting tabulators will be used. The polls will be opened at six o'clock in the morning (6:00 am) and will remain open until eight o'clock in the evening (8:00 pm).
During the 14-day early voting period before said election, the hours and location of early voting will be as indicated below. Each early voting location will also offer Same-Day Registration (SDR).
Early Voting Day and Hours/Early Voting / SDR Location
October 20-27 & 29, 2025: 10 am-6 pm, Sharon Town Hall, 63 Main St, Sharon, CT
October 28 & 30, 2025: 8 am-8 pm, Sharon Town Hall, 63 Main St, Sharon, CT
October 31-November 2, 2025: 10 am-6 pm, Sharon Town Hall, 63 Main St, Sharon, CT
On Election Day, the hours and location of SDR will be as follows:
Election Day Hours SDR Location November 4, 2025: 6 am-8 pmSharon Town Hall, 63 Main St, Sharon, CT Dated at Sharon, Connecticut, this 9th day of October 2025.
Linda R. Amerighi - CCTC, Sharon Town Clerk, Sharon, CT 06069
19-09-25
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Classifieds - October 9, 2025
Oct 08, 2025
Help Wanted
GARDENER wanted: Large vegetable garden, herb garden, decorative planted beds. Start this fall to prepare for next year. Pine Plains, NY area, private home. References requested. Contact at pineplainsgardener@gmail.com.
Home Health Aide/Certified Nursing Assistant: Northwest Corner, Connecticut. Responsibilities include: visiting patients in their home, assisted living & skilled nursing facility settings to provide personal care assistance. Must be certified with the State of Connecticut. Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience working for a licensed and Medicare Certified Home Health or Hospice agency. Must have reliable transportation. Part-time and full-time positions available. Compensation based on experience. For application, contact Jill Hall at Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, jhall@vnhlc.org.
Kitchen Help Wanted: two years experience preferred. KPG Kitchen and Bar, located in Kent, CT. Please call for interview 860-488-6755.
Northwest Community Bank, Branch Manager: Responsible for generating business & deepening customer relationships, providing excellent customer service, identifying cross training opportunities and personal development. Responsible to adhere to policies, procedures, and ensure operational soundness. Must maintain a civic leadership role in the Lakeville community. Strong communication, sales, and supervisory skills. Previous management experience required. Competitive wages and incentive programs. Please see full job description on our website and apply at www.nwcommunitybank.com. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V.
Services Offered
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
SNOW PLOWING: Be Ready! Local. Sharon/Millerton/Lakeville area. Call 518-567-8277.
Real Estate
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
Tag Sales
Salisbury, CT
Moving!!! Garage giveaway: Saturday, October 11, 9 am to 3 pm. Variety of house hold items including lamps, end tables, rug, chest, dog crates. Some tools, some garden supplies. All free! 76 Washinee Heights Road, Salisbury.
Falls Village, CT
Barn Sale-Falls Village, CT: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday-Oct. 10-12 9 AM to 3PM. 8 Kellogg Road, Falls Village. Huge multi-day barn sale! Antique tools, Furniture, Antique & vintage advertising items, Fishing poles, Outdoor furniture, Treadmill, Backhoe for John Deere tractor, Fireplace tools & andirons, Bunk Beds, Hitchcock chairs, Faux bamboo chairs, Inflatable movie screen (brand new). Plus-a recently cleaned-out shed with items from the 1930’s, and we’re still cleaning out the farmhouse! Cash only.
North Canaan, CT
TAG SALE: October 10, 11, and 12 From 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. 119 Granite Avenue Ext., Canaan, CT Corner of Orchard Street and Granite Avenue Ext. Jewelry, Lots of Vintage and New Beads, House Decor, Art and Holiday Cards, Woman’s Ice Skates (size 8), Toys, Housewares, Miscellaneous
Sharon, CT
Estate Sale: Long-time house contents, Collectibles, furniture, garden and barn contents. Fri., Sat. 9-4, Sun. 9-12. 60 Sharon Millerton Road, Sharon.
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