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Region One widens public role in school study
Ruth Epstein
Sep 30, 2026
FALLS VILLAGE — Seeking broader community input on Region One’s organizational study, the ABC Committee plans to recruit residents from each of the region’s six towns to take part in the process.
At the committee’s Sept. 23 meeting, Sharon’s Philip O’Reilly said he had heard concerns from constituents that the study needed greater public involvement. The ABC Committee is made up of the chairs of the region’s seven boards of education.
Last spring, Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley proposed a comprehensive kindergarten-through-grade-12 study examining the region’s school structure amid declining enrollment and rising operating costs, including potential consolidation or regionalization options. The study is expected to continue through May 2027, with findings presented in June.
All six Region One towns agreed to participate. Brady-Shanley has emphasized that the study is intended to provide data and identify possible options, rather than recommend a mandatory course of action.
O’Reilly said he has heard concerns that if the study is conducted primarily by Region One’s central office, it may not be viewed as objective. He stressed the need for public support and proposed having representatives from each town participate, with the central office serving as a clearinghouse.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Brady-Shanley said. “I know there is lots of interest in the community. I’m absolutely open to that. I feel strongly it’s not just my voice, but townspeople should be heard.”
Iris Hermann of Cornwall agreed, saying, “Getting to people ahead of time will make it easier on us.”
Brady-Shanley suggested that each town’s board of selectmen and board of education name a representative. Interested residents could submit their names to the boards for consideration.
Patricia Mechare of Falls Village questioned having boards of selectmen choose. “They don’t really know what we’re doing,” said Mechare, a former first selectman.
Hermann disagreed. “Our Board of Selectmen has a real grasp of who is interested.”
When asked whether towns could determine their own method of selecting representatives, Amy Dodge of North Canaan said the process should be consistent throughout the region.
The committee agreed that each board of selectmen and board of education would seek a representative, preferably someone who does not serve on either board. Brady-Shanley said she would develop a plan explaining what would be expected of the representatives and hopes to have them named in October.
The discussion came as Region One awaits results of a survey sent to residents throughout the region seeking their views on the school system and the organizational study. The deadline for responses has passed, and Brady-Shanley said the findings will be released shortly and used to help determine which issues the study examines more closely.
“The results will drive the next steps,” she said.
Kent’s Heather Brand said some residents have concerns about the distance to Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Brady-Shanley said she has heard those concerns and welcomes community input.
“The more I can update, the better it will be to address concerns,” Brady-Shanley said. “The more information, the better.”
Brady-Shanley said she will provide updates at monthly board meetings and post information about the study on the Region One website.
Mechare also stressed the importance of involving school staff, whose perspectives, she said, may differ from those of parents.
“Their views may not be the same as parents,” she said.
“That’s why we’re taking a year,” Brady-Shanley replied. “This can’t be done overnight.”
Asked whether teachers would be represented, Brady-Shanley said educators from the elementary, middle and high school levels would provide input.
“Absolutely,” she said.
Brady-Shanley said the study’s findings will be driven by the data and that there are no preconceived conclusions about what Region One should ultimately do.
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Connecticut heating oil prices climb 86% from a year ago
Christian Murray
Sep 30, 2026
Connecticut households that heat with oil are facing sharply higher costs as winter approaches.
The statewide average price was $5.91 a gallon on Sept. 21, compared with $3.18 during the same week last year, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. That is an increase of about 86%.
At those averages, a 200-gallon delivery would cost about $1,182, compared with $636 a year ago — roughly $548 more.
The amount a household pays depends on its supplier, delivery size and payment terms.
Prices advertised by Litchfield County suppliers over the weekend were somewhat lower than the state survey average.
HomeHeat, a service that tracks advertised cash-on-delivery prices, listed an average of $5.69 a gallon among 17 county suppliers on Sept. 27.
Its listed prices ranged from $5.30 to $6 a gallon
The rise in heating oil prices comes alongside a surge in diesel prices stemming from the conflict with Iran.
The two fuels are closely related and face many of the same pressures on supply and price.
Connecticut’s average diesel price reached a record high last week, according to AAA figures. The price was $6.49 a gallon.
Heating oil was high at the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022. DEEP recorded a statewide average of $6.37 a gallon in May 2022.
For low income residents, applications are now open for the 2026-27 Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, which helps eligible residents pay their home heating costs Details are at CT.gov.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Lakeville Journal
Sep 30, 2026
Police Blotter: Troop B
John Coston
The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Crash in Sharon
On Saturday, Sept. 19 at approximately 11 p.m. Mark Davis, 32, of Goshen, was traveling eastbound on Route 4 in Sharon in a 2024 Kia Forte when he lost control of the vehicle and drove off the left side of the road. The vehicle struck a rope guardrail and was later towed from the scene. Davis was found to be at fault and received a written warning.
Disorderly conduct arrest
Troopers were dispatched to a residence on Eno Hill Road in Colebrook at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23 for the report of a suspicious 911 call hangup. During an on-site investigation it was determined that Timothy Lapp, 33, who resides at the Eno Hill Road address, was physically aggressive. Lapp was arrested on the scene on a charge of disorderly conduct and released on a $1,000 non-surety bond to appear in Torrington Superior Court.
Evading the scene
On Saturday, Sept. 26 at approximately noon, James Czaja, 73, of Goshen, was traveling westbound on the Sharon Turnpike Road (Rt. 4) in Goshen in a 2017 Ford C-Max hatchback. A second vehicle was traveling behind Czaja and collided into the rear of the C-Max, which pulled over and stopped. The second vehicle evaded the scene and was described as a gray pickup truck, possibly an older style Dodge Ram. No injuries were reported, and the Ford was driven from the scene. TrooperRandolph Howell requests that anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact him at Troop B (860-626-1820).
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Send mail to P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or send to editor@lakevillejournal.com
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North Canaan home sales rise; median price tops $350K
Christine Bates
Sep 30, 2026
This three unit income producing property built in 1877 at 121 Railroad Street sold on Aug. 24, 2026 for $335,000.
Christine Bates
NORTH CANAAN — The median sale price of a single-family home in North Canaan was $350,500 for the 12 months ending Aug. 31, up 25% from $279,900 a year earlier. The number of sales also rose from the previous 12-month period.
The median sale price was $235,000 for the 12 months ending August 2024 and has remained above $300,000 for the past year.
Twenty-seven single-family homes sold in the 12 months ending Aug. 31, compared with 20 in the previous 12-month period and 16 in the period ending August 2024. Annual sales peaked at 47 in the 12 months ending August 2021.
As of the end of September, eight single-family homes and one two-family home were listed for sale. The eight single-family listings represented roughly four months of inventory at the recent pace of sales. Two were priced below the $350,500 median, while five were listed above $500,000.
August Transfers
49 Reed St. - 3 bedroom/2 bath house on .32 acres transferred by Richard Knapp to Jovan Momcilov for $156,500
7 Locust Hill - 3 bedroom/1 bath on 4.62 acres transferred by Joseph Green to Taylor Allyn for $184,250
121 Railroad St. – 4 bedroom/3 bath/3 kitchen multifamily transferred by Michel Michels to Julia Ujvari for $335,000
14 Railroad St. – Restaurant currently Industry Kitchen transferred by Auro Properties LLC to SBPSG Reality LLC for $300,000
* Town of North Canaan real estate transfers recorded between August 1, 2026, and August 31, 2026, provided by North Canaan Town Clerk. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from Smart MLS and market data from Info Sparks. Note that recorded transfers frequently lag sales by a number of days. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
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Rain and wind fail to deter Salisbury CROP Hunger walkers
Patrick L. Sullivan
Sep 30, 2026
Rev. Erik Karas of Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield addresses the participants before the CROP walk.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — More than 100 people turned out on a blustery, wet afternoon for the CROP Hunger Walk in Salisbury and Lakeville on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Organizer Patricia Palmer said she had been watching the weather forecast and decided Sunday morning to go ahead with the walk.
Participants came from Salisbury and nearby towns, with sizable contingents from Salisbury School, Indian Mountain School and The Hotchkiss School.
The event, now in its 43rd year, supports Church World Service’s international efforts to end hunger and poverty, as well as local food pantries. Individuals and teams register for the walk, and donors sponsor them.
Palmer said she wouldn’t have a final amount raised for a week or so, but added that last year’s walk raised $49,571.
The walk began at the Congregational Church, followed the Rail Trail to Patco in Lakeville, then returned along Main Street to Brook Street, where walkers rejoined the trail and headed back to the church.
Adam Smedberg of Church World Service gave an example of how donations are used.
In a rural part of Cambodia, he said, the rainy and dry seasons each last about six months. Children in one village must cross a river to get to school, which requires a boat during the rainy season.
After a boat capsized and sank one year, villagers were reluctant to send their children to school despite the boat being replaced.
Church World Service provided life jackets and training in how to use and store them so they would last for years.
Smedberg said that gave the villagers the confidence to send their children to school again.
Palmer noted that 25% of the money raised goes to local food banks.
The Rev. Erik Karas of Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield said the CROP Hunger Walk is part of an ongoing effort to end hunger worldwide.
“It’s easy to forget when everybody has enough,” he said. “We’d like it to be one and done and the world is fixed. But it doesn’t work that way.”
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Kent town officials get first look at Emery Park’s proposed master plan
Alec Linden
Sep 30, 2026
“The goal here is to get the pool open.”
—Timothy Cermola, Cardinal Vice President
KENT — Bringing public swimming back to Kent remains the top priority for planners of a major upgrade to Emery Park, which took a step forward last week with the completion of a highly anticipated master plan.
Meriden-based Cardinal Engineering presented preliminary designs to the Parks and Recreation Commission at a special meeting Sept. 22.
The town commissioned the plan in May to guide improvements to the hillside park and make it more accessible.
Cardinal’s Roy Seeley, who oversaw the master plan, said it quickly became clear that reopening the swimming pond, which has been out of use for six years, would also require broader improvements to the park’s infrastructure.
The engineers recommended addressing accessibility early to avoid problems and added expense later.
Landscape architect Phil Barlow outlined a design featuring a reconfigured parking lot with an adjacent picnic area, an upper level with a redesigned playground built mostly from wood, and a lower level with an oval walkway encircling a lawn and a pavilion with room for 50 people.
The plans also call for two new buildings: one to house a Parks and Recreation Department office and another for pond-related facilities, including restrooms.
Since the site is hilly, the work would require grading to keep walkways at a slope of less than 5% for accessibility.
“Everything would be accessible,” Barlow said.
Cardinal Vice President Timothy Cermola, who also attended the meeting, said the swimming pond remains the focus despite the broad scope of the proposed improvements.
“The goal here is to get the pool open,” he said.
“And to make sure everyone can use it,” added Parks and Recreation Commissioner Heidi Wilson.
Architect Michael Fortuna outlined his proposal for the swimming pond. A natural brook feeds a smaller pond just above the approximately 8,500-square-foot swimming area.
“The more naturalized a filter you have the better,” he said. Fortuna suggested converting approximately 2,500 square feet of the deepest part of the swimming pond into a “regeneration zone,” where native wetland plants would filter the water in place of mechanical filtration or chemical treatment. The swimming area would have a maximum depth of five feet.
“If you can have a couple thousand less feet of swim area, this is your better way forward because it gives you cleaner water,” he said. “Aesthetically it would be very nice too.”
Fortuna said keeping the swimming area a pond rather than turning it into a pool would give the town more flexibility in its design and use. “The goal here is to keep it naturalized … keep it a pond,” he said.
“The idea of losing the entire deep end is disheartening,” Wilson said, “but the concept of natural filtration is a good thing.”
Earlier in the summer, the engineers were concerned that the pond’s entire foundation would have to be replaced. A subsequent investigation found it was sound and would need only resurfacing of the concrete shell.
Still, the overall project carries a substantial price tag: Cardinal estimates it would cost approximately $4 million. Cermola said the work would be phased, with reopening the swimming pond the first priority.
The plans remain general, Cermola said.
The next step is to submit them for review by regulatory agencies, including the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission and the state Department of Public Health. Details will be refined as that process moves forward.
The park remains open while planning continues. Beyond the central area covered by the proposed improvements, Emery Park has fields, other recreational areas and a rugged trail system with views over the village and the Housatonic River Valley.
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