White Hart approved for pizza nights amid permitting debate

The White Hart Inn is located in Salisbury.
Alec Linden

The White Hart Inn is located in Salisbury.
“If the paperwork’s not right, I’d love to see it get fixed,” —Cathy Shyer, vice chair Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission
SALISBURY — The White Hart Inn will once again run its pizza evenings on the lawn this summer, however, the Planning and Zoning Commission has lingering questions as to the permitting status of Provisions, the hotel’s café that runs the popular event.
After some debate regarding Salisbury’s Zoning Regulation 906, which deals with temporary permits, on May 19 the Commission voted to allow the Inn to conduct its outdoor pizza operation for the season. P&Z stipulated this would be the final temporary permit granted to the hotel.
Attorney Emily Vail, representing the Inn, first brought the application to the Commission at its May 5 meeting, where Chair Michael Klemens said that he was disappointed to see an application for a temporary permit. The Inn had been issued one last year, he explained, but was asked to return with an application for a broader special permit that would account for several outstanding issues with parking and the Provisions restaurant should it decide to use the pizza oven again.
Attorney Vail explained that the Inn was again seeking a temporary permit because site plans were still being drawn for the general application. She added that her client was taking precautions regarding potential fallout from an ongoing litigation against P&Z that would affect its ability to regulate hotels in the “rural-residential 1” zone, which the White Hart Inn is located in.
Klemens advised Vail to speak with P&Z’s lawyer Charles Andres “out of an abundance of caution,” and to return to P&Z on May 19 to review options.
When Vail appeared before the Commission again on May 19, she said that the Inn would still seek a temporary permit for this summer’s pizza oven operation as it remained the best option after her conversation with Andres. She also returned with a document that she alleged negated Klemens’ claims on May 5 that Provisions had been developed “entirely without any permits, and site plans.”
She presented a blueprint of the Provisions kitchen and dining area, which was stamped as received by the Planning and Zoning Commission office on May 13, 2016, and upon which a box for office use titled “Zoning Permit #” was filled in with the letters “NR,” which Vail interpreted to mean “Not Required.”
Land Use Administrator Abby Conroy said she could not accept the document as zoning approval, since there was no signature from the previous zoning enforcement officer, Nancy Brusie, or any other indication of a sign-off from the office.
Commission Secretary Martin Whalen noted that Vail’s reading of “NR” was only an interpretation, to which she conceded that it also could indicate “Not Reviewed.”
Vail reiterated that “the application was submitted for zoning review in 2016”; the Inn had done its due diligence. Still, the Commission continued to question the Inn’s lack of proper documentation.
Members of P&Z agreed that the conversation surrounding the Inn’s proper permitting — much of which revolves around whether Provisions qualifies as a “high-turnover” restaurant and subsequent parking implications — was best left for another time as the focus of the evening’s discussion was the temporary permit for the pizza oven.
Before moving on, P&Z Vice Chair Cathy Shyer, who acted as chair in Klemens’ absence at the May 19 meeting, strongly encouraged the Inn to work towards total site plan approval.
“I think we all feel very good about the services the White Hart offers and the community spirit that they’ve built over the years, there’s no question about that,” she said, “but if the paperwork’s not right, I’d love to see it get fixed.”
Vail said that the Inn was taking active steps towards that end, but that the process has been more complicated than simply submitting an application.
Responding to request for comment, Hotel Manager Daniel Winkley stated, “We are grateful to P&Z for supporting our efforts to bring pizza back to the green this year.” He declined to elaborate on the broader permitting situation.
The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) will host its annual Junior Jump Camp, a two-day introduction to ski jumping, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Satre Hill in Salisbury.
The camp is open to children ages 7 and up and focuses on teaching the basics of ski jumping, with an emphasis on safety, balance and control, using SWSA’s smallest hill. No prior experience is required.
The cost is $50 per child and includes instruction and lunch on both days. For more information or to register, visit www.skireg.com/swsa-camp or email info@jumpfest.org
Jesse Bunce, first selectman of North Canaan.
LITCHFIELD — The Northwest Hills Council of Governments welcomed six newly elected municipal leaders Thursday, Dec. 11, at its first meeting following the 2025 municipal elections.
The council — a regional planning body representing 21 towns in northwest Connecticut — coordinates transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development and other shared municipal services.
Barkhamsted First Selectman Meaghan Cook, Goshen First Selectman Seth Breakell, Kent First Selectman Eric Epstein, Norfolk First Selectman Henry Tirrell, North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce and Torrington Mayor Molly Spino were each elected to their post in November.
They filled the seats of their predecessors on the COG, who were each given a toast of appreciation: Nick Lukiwsky (Barkhamsted), Todd Carusillo (Goshen), Marty Lindenmeyer (Kent), Matt Riiska (Norfolk), Brian Ohler (North Canaan) and Elinor Carbone (Torrington).
COG Executive Director Rob Phillips said the outgoing members were given a going away mug that read “You’re living the dream still.” Members voted to appoint Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava to fill a vacancy on the Council’s Executive Committee. COG members voted by paper ballot, and LaCava defeated Burlington First Selectman Doug Thompson for the vacant seat.
Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.
HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.
By halftime the score was 33-8. Junior varsity players subbed in for the second half, but not before the starters got some in-game dunk practice. By the end Housatonic totaled 60 points to Pine Plains’ 22.

Nick Crodelle led the Mountaineers offensively with 13 points. Anthony Labbadia and Wyatt Bayer scored nine points each. Anthony Foley scored eight points. Owen Riemer and Ryan Segalla each scored seven points. Peyton Bushnell hit a three-pointer. Jaxon Visockis and Henry Berry each scored two points.
HVRHS begins Berkshire League competition on the road at Nonnewaug High School Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a 6 p.m. tip off.


Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci
KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.
Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.
“This is always so gratifying,” said Goodsell, noting that certain businesses, including High Watch Recovery Center, Wilson’s, and Kent and South Kent schools needed a “shout out” for all they’ve done. She said South Kent School focuses on gifts for older children, which is a group that often is overlooked.
Unwrapped contributions are sought for children 1 to 15 years old who might otherwise find little or nothing from Santa, they said. The bounty will be set up at the Community House on Thursday, allowing parents to come and take what they want. If there are still items left, grandparents are invited to “shop.”
The atmosphere was festive Saturday, as a stuffed dog began barking a Christmas tune whenever someone walked in front of it. A large decked-out bear posted at the parking lot entrance reminded passersby of the event. Visiting children were able to get a close-up look at the fire truck and walk through the firehouse if they wished.
Goodsell and Iannucci were very grateful to those who donated wood for the fire pit. “And so many asked if they could bring us coffee or hot chocolate,” said Iannucci.
Goodsell said many who came talked about having grown children who were recipients of the gifts when their families were struggling. “They are so glad to be able to give back,” she said.