Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Two Sharon Plans in Running For $9 Million in River Funds


SHARON — Two proposals for Housatonic River basin natural resources restoration projects in Sharon have cleared the first hurdle in getting a chunk of the almost $9 million available.

The Trustee Sub Council for Connecticut Housatonic River Basin Natural Resources Restoration ("The Trustees") published its findings on which of the 92 submitted proposals were deemed eligible for further consideration on the Web site Monday. The announcement was made at a meeting at Kent Town Hall Tuesday evening, Feb. 27.Frost Family Land

The first Sharon proposal involves about 20 acres of undeveloped land along the Housatonic off River Road, near the junction of routes 7 and 4. The proposal, developed by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the Sharon Land Trust, features a conservation restriction on about 15 acres of river frontage, a small island, and open fields owned by the Frost family. The land trust will also acquire a 5-acre parcel owned by Connecticut Light and Power.

These properties are immediately north of the Appalachian Trail and will augment five miles of permanently protected waterfront on both sides of the river, land owned by the National Park Service, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, HVA and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Elaine LaBella of HVA said the desire of the Frost family to conserve their land from further development and the availability of almost $9 million in funds from a settlement with General Electric coincided nicely.

"The Frosts had been considering options for conserving the farm, and it isn’t often there is a source of money for protecting riverfront land."

The area is in the Housatonic Trout Management Area, prized by fly-fishermen. LaBella said the Frosts have agreed to an "informal" trail for anglers and hikers, and hope that neighboring landowners will voluntarily continue the trail to the north.Programs at State Park

The second project is a proposal for more effective presentation of interpretive programs at the Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground on Route 7.

Gary Nasiatka, DEP’s park supervisor there, envisions an outdoor amphitheater with permanent projection equipment and a stage to replace the current makeshift arrangement of a portable movie screen, a picnic table, a lot of extension cords and nowhere to sit.

Nasiatka said the DEP’s interpretors, naturalists and other guest speakers and presenters that frequently lecture or make presentations in the park would make the most use of such a facility.

And, he added, he hoped the new facility would bring in better presentations and bigger audiences.

An array of programs are offered at Housatonic Meadows on weekends from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. They are open to all, not just to park visitors and campers.

"Some local families do bring their children to see the presentations even when they are not camping," said Nasiatka, and such venues have proved popular elsewhere, such as the Zion National Park in Utah.

The trustees determined the proposal to be eligible without any additional comment other than "the construction of an ampitheater would enhance the recreational uses of the river’s natural resources and services."

The proposals deemed eligible now undergo a rigorous evaluation phase; project sponsors may be asked to provide additional information. Applicants whose proposals were deemed ineligible have until March 12 to respond and appeal. For more information and the complete proposals see housatonicrestoration.org.

For a story on which proposals from Kent made the first cut, turn to page A6.

 

 

 

 

Latest News

Climber dies after 40-foot fall at St. John’s Ledges in Kent

The view from St. John’s Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent (photo provided)

KENT–A 30-year-old Great Barrington man died Thursday after falling approximately 40 feet while rock climbing at St. John’s Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police responded to the area at around 2:30 p.m. off River Road and announced the man’s death later that day.

Keep ReadingShow less
Four generations: Perotti & Sons to mark 100 years

William Perotti & Sons plumbing and heating business will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a party on Sept. 18. Among the family members are Frank Perotti, seated, and Charlie, Mary and Jean Perotti standing.

Madi Long

NORTH CANAAN – It is a story that combines the realization of the American dream, the strong bonds of family, and a love of community.

It began 100 years ago, when William Perotti opened a small plumbing shop in a barn on Lower Road. A century later, William Perotti & Sons is a flourishing enterprise run by his descendants, including members of the fourth generation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modular homes at Cornwall housing site are headed elsewhere

The second of two modular homes awaited relocation from the proposed Millard Brook affordable housing site on Route 7 to its permanent site on Dark Entry Road on Sept. 2.

Ruth Epstein

CORNWALL — The sight of two new modular homes at the Millard Brook property on Route 7, led some passing motorists last week to wonder whether the proposed affordable housing development on the site was becoming a reality.

But the homes, which were still wrapped, were headed elsewhere.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Camp Brook Greenway reopening likely pushed to spring 2027
Camp Brook Greenway, where volunteers are preparing the property for a likely spring 2027 reopening.
Madi Long

NORTH CANAAN — The planned fall reopening of Camp Brook Greenway, a 27.45-acre town-owned recreation area behind Caddie Shack and State Line Pizza, will likely be postponed until spring 2027 as volunteers continue preparing the property for public use.

First Selectman Jesse Bunce said the town had hoped to reopen the greenway this fall. Volunteers, however, would like to continue working through the fall to ensure the property is ready before welcoming visitors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Three seriously injured in Lakeville cybertruck crash

First responders prepare the landing zone for LifeStar at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Madi Long

LAKEVILLE — Three people were seriously injured when a Tesla Cybertruck went off Lime Rock Road about 1,000 feet west of White Hollow Road around 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, according to Lakeville Hose Company Chief Jason Wilson.

One occupant was flown by Life Star helicopter to Hartford Hospital, while another was taken by ambulance to Waterbury Trauma Center and the third to Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wassaic Project co-founder Eve Biddle presents her “Field Notes”

Artist Eve Biddle and Tremaine Gallery Director Terri Moore.

D.H. Callahan

On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the Tremaine Gallery at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville opened its new show, “Field Notes,” with works by multidisciplinary artist Eve Biddle.

Biddle is best known in the area as one of the founders of the iconic Wassaic Project in the hamlet of Wassaic, New York. The project, which is part art incubator, part gallery, part studio and a whole lot of community, is housed in an old converted grain elevator right next to the Metro North train tracks. It’s credited by many as the spark that revitalized the hamlet, which now boasts a craft bakery, a curated wine and liquor store, a pizza hot spot, the Lantern.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.