Wake Robin hearing continues without intervenor contribution

Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.
Photo by John Coston

LAKEVILLE — While William and Angela Cruger, Wells Hill Road neighbors of the Wake Robin Inn and staunch opposers to the redevelopment project currently under review, were expected to join the public hearing for the expansion as intervenors last week, it was announced at the Aug. 20 meeting that they would not.
The Crugers, who currently have a lawsuit pending against the Planning and Zoning Commission for a May 2024 zoning change that allowed for Aradev LLC’s application in the first place, joined as intervenors during the first round of public hearings in the fall of 2024. As intervenors, the Crugers were allotted space during the hearing process to present their own information and findings with the same right to time as the applicant, bringing in their own slate of expert consultants to dispute Aradev’s own findings.
The Crugers’ attorney Perley Grimes announced in an Aug. 18 letter on behalf of the Crugers that they would not seek intervenor status during this round of hearings. The decision came after Grimes and William Cruger faced pressure at the previous week’s hearing continuation on Aug. 14 to present experts in a timely manner and with new information.
During the Aug. 20 continuation of the hearing, William Cruger said, “We agree with the sentiment that very little has changed here,” reflecting a frequently voiced opinion during this hearing process that the revised application changes little about the scale and intensity of the development. He said many of his experts’ talking points would be similar to last year as the same issues remain, and that he doesn’t want to take time away from residents to contribute their own input.
He said that despite not filing a formal intervention, he will continue to correspond with the experts as the hearing continues and submit new information into the public record. “It shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that we continue to consult,” he said.
P&Z member Allen Cockerline praised 2024’s intervention, saying it “really elevated the discussion.” He agreed, however, with P&Z Chair Michael Klemens that any new information must be filed promptly so that both the Commission and the public have time to digest it: “It can’t be 11th hour.”
During the meeting Aug. 20, Aradev announced it would be removing all-day outdoor music at the proposed seasonal pool, which proved to be a highly unpopular aspect of the revised application.
A comparatively abbreviated public comment session saw several familiar complaints about the scale and intensity of the redevelopment.
Elyse Harney, who founded a successful real estate company in Salisbury nearly 40 years ago and has been a vocal detractor of the application, spoke as a professional in the field, she said: “There’s not a question in my mind it will diminish property values.”
The hearing was continued to Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m., and under the current schedule it must close by Sept. 9.
CORNWALL — At the recommendation of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, on Jan. 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to move forward with the purchase of two new trucks.
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was chosen as the manufacturer. Of the three bids received, Greenwood was the lowest bidder on the desired mini pumper and a rescue pumper.
CVFD’s Ian Ridgway sat on the truck committee and said Greenwood was not just chosen for the price, but also for the design of each vehicle. He said their models had a shorter wheelbase and more ground clearance, as well as extra storage space on board, compared to the next best bid.
After $100,000 in discounts offered by Greenwood, the combined purchase price for both vehicles was shown to be $1,200,408. The delivery time was estimated at 15 months.
CVFD raised $600,000 during its recent fundraising campaign, of which $500,000 will be given to the town to buy the trucks. That figure will be paired with $720,000 in town truck fund reserves. The additional donated funds will be used to outfit the trucks with equipment and tools.
“I want to praise the town of Cornwall,” said CVFD President Dick Sears. “We’re able to buy these beautiful new pieces of equipment courtesy of the tremendous citizenry of this town.”
FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.
She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.
Robin loved the beach, sunshine, and gardening, and was known for her strength, humor, and unwavering support of those she loved.
She is survived by her daughter, Sierra R. Zinke, and brothers, Darren Roy and Todd Roy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sharon Thomkins Roy and Robert Roy, and her brother Nevin Roy.
No services will be held at this time.
SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.
At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.
“Mike” loved the sun, sand and water and spent many summers at Westport Point, Massachusetts with the kids and their best friends, the Bauers.She was the consummate hostess, and a wonderful cook.She also appeared in several plays with The Sherman Players and also a show or two on special occasions at The Kent Community House.She took enjoyment from working outdoors doing chores around her home in North Kent.She lived in that house until she sold it and bought a condominium on North Main Street in Kent in May of 2003.She lived in the condo until 2018 after which her light began to fade and her last 8 years were spent comfortably at Noble Horizons.
“Mike” leaves behind her children, Richard (Susan) of Lakeville, her daughter Nancy Rutledge (Jim) of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Chandra Gerrard (Sean) of Litchfield, Matthew (Larissa) of Lakeville; three great grandchildren, Addison, Emilia and Everett, all of Lakeville.
She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Caroline in 2020.
All services are private.The Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in charge of arrangements.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.
Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in June. Memorial contributions may be made to Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury and Scoville Memorial Library.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.