SALISBURY — The time to make a decision on whether to enter into a contract with the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA) is drawing near and other options are being discussed. CRRA takes the town’s garbage from the transfer station the town pays a fee per pound.As part of that process, the Transfer Station and Recycling Advisory Committee (which oversees the current Salisbury-Sharon transfer station) is now looking at how the two towns stack up in recycling compared to other municipalities.At a Transfer Station and Recycling Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting March 17, transfer station manager Brian Bartram and committee member Bob Palmer had statistics that show Salisbury-Sharon has recycling rates that compare favorably to larger towns and to towns that have adopted a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) model.In terms of fiber (paper, cardboard), the Pay As You Throw towns of Mansfield (pop. 25,000), Stonington (pop. 11,300), and Stafford (pop. 18,000) all have lower recycling rates than Salisbury and Sharon, which have a combined population of about 6,400. In pounds per capita, Mansfield recycles 241 pounds, Stonington 256 and Stafford 116. Salisbury-Sharon comes in at 275 pounds per capita.Likewise in the bottles and cans category: Mansfield recycles 97 pounds per capita, Stafford 59, Salisbury 109. (Data from Stonington was unavailable.)Adding West Hartford, a densely populated suburban area that is not PAYT, to the mix, and looking at scrap metal recycling, Salisbury handles 75 pounds per capita, and West Hartford just 12.In electronic waste — obsolete computers, etc. — Salisbury again is far ahead with 27 pounds per capita, compared to Stonington’s six pounds and West Hartford’s two.On the other hand, Salisbury-Sharon recycles far less yard waste (leaves) than other, more urban towns, by design. Palmer said that residents are not encouraged to bring leaves and yard waste to the transfer station. “We want it in the woods.” Looking to the future, the building of a new transfer station, and the CRRA contract, the question emerges: Should Salisbury-Sharon try selling more recyclables?Palmer said it would be prudent to start thinking about this now, rather than after a CRRA contract is signed.Pros include enhanced recycling rates and generating enough revenue to lower user fees; cons include costs of specialized equipment and, possibly, additional manpower, and the volatility of markets for recyclables.Salisbury First Selectman Curtis Rand said it would be interesting to get a consultant’s take on the matter, but wondered if there was enough time before finalizing the CRRA contract, probably in June.
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Turning Back the Pages - November 12, 2026
Norma Bosworth
125 years ago — November 1901
When Judge William Travers Jerome arrived in Lakeville on Tuesday evening, he was tendered a royal reception and a hearty welcome. About 400 citizens were gathered at the depot, and when the Judge stepped from the train, a roar of applause went up that denoted the enthusiasm and delight of his host of friends, while the surroundings were a blaze of red fire. After shaking hands with a number of friends the Judge and his party were driven to his residence where they dined and enjoyed a brief rest. At 2 o’clock a message from President Roosevelt was received, congratulating the Judge upon the splendid fight and victory.
SALISBURY — James R. Harrison has closed his house for the winter and the family will spend the winter at the White Hart Inn.
SHARON — At the Barnes place workmen are busy digging a cellar drain of eight feet in depth, at the starting point near the house. It is to cross the road and will extend nearly across the field in front of the house, and must necessarily be quite an expensive job.
James Martin this week moved his family to Stockbridge where he is to take charge of a mining plant.
SHARON — Uncle George Cole is in town for a few days.
Last Sunday night a couple of worthless curs got into the large flock of sheep belonging to the Belcher sisters on the Lime Rock road and before they were discovered they had bitten and badly wounded forty sheep, the most of them so badly that it will be necessary to kill them. The owners of the dogs are not known. The next night one of the dogs returned to put the finish on his work, but a bullet soon put an end to his miserable existence.
Delbert Blass who has been working in Ancram for several weeks has returned to his home in Ore Hill.
Gertrude Adeline, aged two years and eight months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward McCarrick of this village died shortly after one o’clock on Saturday morning of spinal trouble. The funeral was held at the home on Monday afternoon. This is the third bereavement Mr. and Mrs. McCarrick have sustained, and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to them in their sorrow.
100 years ago — November 1926
SALISBURY — Elbert Cane of Tenefly, N.J., spent the week-end with his mother, Mrs. Charles Cane. On Saturday evening 26 children and grandchildren of Mrs. Cane gathered at the home and had an enjoyable party. There was a fine supper, games and other amusements.
We have often wondered why so many theatres were named “Strand” or “Capitol.” Do you suppose it is because so many bad actors get stranded in the capitol?
Wedding bells are to ring in Lime Rock soon.
LIME ROCK — Archie Lynch and Eugene Eggleston are wiring cottage No. 5.
The ground frozen quite solidly on Wednesday night, marking the first real wintry weather of the present fall.
50 years ago — November 1976
The first substantial snow of the season hit the Northwest Corner unexpectedly Wednesday morning, snarling school buses and causing hazardous driving conditions generally. Two inches had fallen in Lakeville by 10 a.m.
A Northwest Corner physician and pharmacist confirmed separately this week reports of a local outbreak of scabies. State Health Department officials have become concerned about a state-wide increase in the number of cases. Recently, Torrington area school officials reported several elementary school cases.
SALISBURY — The Planning and Zoning Commission voted Monday night to append a “notice of illegal conveyance” to land records pertaining to property sold to various parties by Northwest Lumber and Supply Co. The notice will carry a warning that the subdivision of the company’s property on Under Mountain Road was made without the necessary approval of the commission. The PZC approved plans for the subdivision, after the properties had been sold, but later found that the lot boundaries recorded on the deeds did not conform to the boundaries on the plan it had approved.
LAKEVILLE — Robinson Leech Associates, the real estate firm which has been in Salisbury for many years, has moved to new quarters in the former Becket and Wagner law building on Main Street, Lakeville.
State transportation commissioners James F. Shugrue of Connecticut and Raymond T. Schuler of New York have jointly urged Conrail to immediately take steps to restore rail freight service over the Poughkeepsie Bridge in New York. The railroad bridge across the Hudson River has been out of service since it was damaged by fire in May 1975.
CANAAN — The irresponsible actions of some youths apparently have endangered the future of Halloween in Canaan. Discussion at Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting centered around the possibility that Halloween may be banned for older children next year.
We aren’t sure, but members of The Lakeville Journal’s staff are willing to bet that the Canaan news office must be one of the smallest in the world. The little building, which was formerly the watchman’s shanty along side the railroad tracks, measures only six feet by eight feet. It now rests in the little island by Collin’s Diner and is open for business on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Norfolk Ambulance Service, sponsored by the Lions Club, has received new plectrons for its radio system, it was reported last week.
25 years ago — November 2001
The future of the historic Canaan Union Station may still be uncertain, but most of the businesses it housed before the Oct. 13 fire that destroyed half the depot are
Americans went to the polls
Kathy Herald-Marlowe
“I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.”
—Thomas Jefferson
Millions acrossAmerica assembled at four No King’s Rallies in 2025 and 2026 in over 12,000 locations with more than four million Americans attending.On November 3, 2026, a massive number of Americans mailed in, voted early, stood in long lines to cast their vote in the mid-terms – one of the highest turnouts in the history of the country.Americans went to the polls:be they of any skin color, be they of any religion, of any land of ancestry, of varying levels of education, in all 50 states and Washington DC (not territories).
Many voted as they have for decades and many dramatically changed their vote –they didn’t/wouldn’tvote for the policies that deprived them national and personal status/results ushered in by a grotesque, profane-laden falsifier – the one who boosted he was elected in 2024 with a landslide-he won by 1.5% over Harris – he garnered 2 million votes more than Harris, he himself having won the electoral college votes in 2016 and lost the popular vote to Hillary by 3 million votes. Trump never won a majority in either 2016 (46.4%) or 2024(49.4) let alone amassed a landslide (defined as a10 point win)–that was Johnson, Nixon, Regan, of course FDR. Trump has never been reliable about elections as he has rarely been reliable/truthful about most aspects of his administration.
So Trump has never been a trusted President, even his Congress in 2024 held a meager advantage: 6 Senators of 100 and 5 Representatives of 435.With the mid-term last week, any slight Trump advantage has been forfeited:Democrats Representatives 259 to 179 GOP, 54+ Democratic Senators to 44 GOP.
I am reluctant to acknowledge the mid-term outcome as a color – Blue- thought this one is as a cloudless, summer sky.I prefer to call this election substantially what it is:Americans reclaiming decency, refuting cruelty, standing up for democracy – they clear that this country, the White House are the people’s not a tenant’s for four years. Trump rants on about his Ballroom, about naming the Reflection Pool after him, persists in making vanity projects his priorities.This all in a time of war, high inflation, the reduction of the standard of living for middle and lower level voters–his pledge is Benefits to Billionaires. Our military is kept at sea on ships under-serviced, unsupplied, unmaintained while most US bases in the Middle East are without overhead protection, they are flimsy, often canvas. The best of the best treated as the worst of the worst.
Winning Senators and Representatives fill their acceptance speeches with “We” not “I”, with unity not hate, a promise and commitment to all to attend to everyone’s needs not just those of partisan voters.These newly electeds don’t defend the killing of US citizens by ICE, don’t demean the differences of their opposition as to religion, don’t speak of disgust for persons condemning tasteless, pro-abuse ads. The resounding message of the elected across the nation is to make needed improvements to the lives of all: “This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in.” Theodore Roosevelt.
For awhile there I had begun to doubt that I was living in the country I grew up in. I was dismayed by the imprisonments, inhumane treatment and in some cases the deportation of immigrants to countries where they had no connection not even language. Was this America? It wasn’t, it isn’t for me nor millions of my countrymates. Its two years until who is wanted out is out yet law and order, decency, generosity, and attention to our military will be returning with sincerity.Not fast enough.
Kathy Herald-Marlowe lives in Sharon.
Kent man charged after slurs, spitting at Walmart
Christian Murray
Matthew Colby, 32, of Kent, faces charges stemming from a Nov. 1 disturbance at a Southington Walmart, police said.
SOUTHINGTON — A Kent man was arrested after police say he threw merchandise, damaged vehicles and spat in a customer’s face while shouting racial and homophobic slurs at him at a Southington Walmart.
Matthew Colby, 32, was arrested Nov. 5 in Newington following an investigation into the Nov. 1 incident at Walmart, 235 Queen St., according to Southington police.
Officers responded after receiving numerous reports of a man causing a disturbance inside the store and in the parking lot. Police said Colby threw merchandise from shelves before confronting a customer and spitting in his face while directing slurs at him.
Police also alleged that Colby damaged multiple vehicles in the parking lot before driving away recklessly and failing to stop for responding officers.
Witness videos of the incident circulated on social media. Police said investigators identified Colby through witness interviews, surveillance footage, digital evidence and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
An arrest warrant was approved Nov. 5, and officers took Colby into custody that afternoon without incident, police said.
Colby was charged with second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias; second-degree breach of peace; second- and third-degree criminal mischief; reckless driving; engaging police in pursuit; failure to obey an officer’s signal; and failure to display registration plates.
He posted a $25,000 court-set bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court Nov. 19.
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Author explores farms and food with Region One students
Patrick L. Sullivan
Author, educator and environmentalist Nancy Castaldo met with Region One students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School Friday, Nov. 6.
FALLS VILLAGE — Is popcorn really corn? Young Region One students put their knowledge of farms and food to the test during a visit from author, environmentalist and educator Nancy Castaldo on Friday, Nov. 6.
Castaldo held three sessions at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, beginning with children in pre-K through second grade.
A Chatham, New York, resident who has written about 25 books on environmental subjects for young readers, Castaldo opened her “Good Farms = Good Food” presentation by describing the working farms she passed on her drive to Connecticut.
“I saw one that had animals called alpacas,” she said. “And another one with cows.”
She introduced the children to different kinds of farms, drawing them into the discussion with a series of true-or-false questions about where food comes from.
“People eat most of the corn grown in the U.S. How many think that’s true?” she asked.
A handful of children raised their hands.
“How many think that’s false?”
Most of the children stuck their hands up and waved them enthusiastically.
The answer was false. Most U.S. corn is used for livestock feed and ethanol production.
Sticking with the corn theme, Castaldo offered another statement: “Popcorn is not really made of corn.”
This time, the audience was split, with about half choosing true and half choosing false. The answer: false.
“Popcorn is made of corn, but it’s not the same as the corn on the cob we eat in the summer,” Castaldo said. “It’s a different variety.”
Castaldo also met with students in grades 3-5 and 6-8. A virtual presentation for HVRHS students is scheduled for later this month.
Author, educator and environmentalist Nancy Castaldo.Patrick L. Sullivan
Sharon Memory Tree to honor loved ones, aid responders
Patrick Stachniak
SHARON — Residents can honor loved ones while supporting local emergency responders through two holiday fundraisers: the Sharon Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary’s annual Memory Tree and the ambulance squad’s “Lights of Love” display on the town Green.
The auxiliary is accepting $5 donations for ornaments bearing the names of family members, friends and loved ones. The Memory Tree will be displayed at Town Hall from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31.
Tina Pitcher, an auxiliary member and Sharon’s town secretary, said she proposed the fundraiser in 2014 after Sharon Hospital stopped offering a memory tree.
The auxiliary uses proceeds from the tree and other fundraisers, including bunco games, to help meet equipment needs at the fire department and ambulance squad, Pitcher said.
The group has four or five members who also provide food and coffee to firefighters and other emergency responders at incident scenes.
Pitcher said the holiday displays offer residents a simple way to remember someone while supporting the volunteers who serve their community.
“If they want to do a little bit in memory or in honor of a family member,” she said.
Separately, the Sharon Fire Department Ambulance Squad is accepting orders for its Lights of Love fundraiser. Luminarias bearing the names of people being honored or remembered will be displayed around the Sharon Green on Saturday, Dec. 5, the day of the annual town tree lighting.
The luminarias cost $10 each, and orders are due Nov. 30. According to the squad’s fundraiser notice, proceeds help pay for a new stretcher, automated external defibrillators and replacement equipment used to care for patients and protect crews.
For Memory Tree ornaments, forms are available from the Selectmen’s Office at 860-364-5789. Donors may also mail a check payable to Sharon Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary to P.O. Box 794, Sharon, CT 06069, with a note listing the names to appear on the ornaments.
For luminarias, order forms are available on the town website, sharonct.gov. Completed forms and checks payable to SFD Inc. – Ambulance Squad should be mailed to P.O. Box 357, Sharon, CT 06069. For information, contact Thalia MacMillan at 917-742-7287 or sharonambulancect@gmail.com.
New climbing gym opens in Great Barrington
Alec Linden
Berkshire Boulders, a long-awaited climbing gym for the Berkshire and Taconic regions, opened its doors on Friday, Nov. 6, for a well-attended first evening in business.
GREAT BARRINGTON — Climbers of all ages and ability levels filled Berkshire Boulders on Friday, Nov. 6, as the new rock climbing gym celebrated its grand opening just north of downtown on Route 7.
As the crowd began to build at 4 p.m., founder Nick Friedman said it was gratifying to see the long-planned project finally open to the public.
“It’s a bit surreal but it feels good,” he said. “It’s this idea that’s been percolating in climbers’ minds for decades.”
The type of climbing on offer is bouldering — a short but often powerful and technical form of the sport, usually practiced on walls less than about 14 feet tall.
Mats cushion falls, and climbers use no harnesses or ropes. Beginners need only a pair of climbing shoes and some chalk, available to rent for $7, making bouldering a popular entry point to the sport.
In addition to climbing, the gym offers a fitness room with exercise equipment, a shower, and a back porch and picnic tables overlooking the Housatonic River valley. Registration for youth and adult programs is available on the Berkshire Boulders website, and Friedman said the gym may eventually offer a competitive team.
While the region has abundant outdoor climbing opportunities, access challenges have limited the sport’s visibility even as outdoor tourism has grown. Before the opening, climbing gyms — often a newcomer’s first exposure to the sport — were more than an hour’s drive away for many in northwest Connecticut and western Massachusetts.
Friedman hopes the new gym will become a community hub for experienced climbers and newcomers while building awareness of rock climbing in the region.
“I want people to come in and try the sport in a safe and controllable way, learn, and then meet others who are also interested in it,” he said. “Then together they can go outside.”
To help make that possible, Friedman said, the business is channeling its profits into efforts to open and preserve public outdoor climbing locations in the area and strengthen the community around them.
Accessibility also means ensuring the entire community has an opportunity to participate, he said. To help address the cost of the sport, the gym offers a financial hardship program that subsidizes membership fees for eligible applicants, covering as much as 100% of the cost.
“It should be an all-gender, all-age, all-socioeconomic sport,” he said. “That’s the goal: that people from any walk of life can fall in love with this.”
Friedman grew up in nearby Sheffield and said he wishes he had had a local gym while learning to climb on the region’s natural rock.
“Climbing is not a fringe sport anymore,” he said, “but if you don’t have a place to come give it a shot, you’re only going to hear about it and never get to actually experience it.”
Climbing can mean many things to people, Friedman said — exercise, community building or even just a way to clear a bad mood.
“There are so many things that I think it can do,” he said, “and I wouldn’t want that to be exclusionary.”
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