Housing plan moves forward

SALISBURY — The application by Wendy Hamilton to create two units of affordable housing on her property at 19 East Main St. was the subject of a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Town Hall.

The hearing was well attended. John Harney Jr., speaking for Hamilton, fielded questions from the commission, particularly about pollution at the site, which was used in the past as an unofficial dump.

Harney submitted a report from Pure Earth Environmental, Inc. of Waterbury. The report states that the company found soil on the site that was “impacted from the deposition of small amounts of ... solid waste.�

Harney said the company removed some 200 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris, and took eight additional samples to test for further contamination. The results of the testing will be available sometime this week and will indicate if more soil needs to be removed.

The soil was piled up and covered with plastic. It will be disposed of at an off-site facility.

During the public comments, neighbors Jane McGarry and David Elwell expressed concern about the contamination while maintaining general support for the idea of affordable housing on the site. Elwell noted that approval of the application could set a precedent for future affordable housing efforts in the town, and wondered why, “with so much beautiful land, the only site proposed is a dump.�

Dana Scarpa, who rents the existing home on the site with her husband and two children, said it is families like hers who are the face of affordable housing efforts. “We lost everything we had in the restaurant,� she said. (The couple ran the former Cheffrey’s in Lakeville.)

“We have four college degrees — and that’s all we have. We are one of the families in need here.

“I want to know, why are we worried about dumping now?�

Planning and Zoning Chairman Jon Higgins gave Harney a list of issues to be resolved, one being the development of legal language to ensure the proposed homes remain affordable. Attorney Amy Schuchat of Sharon is working with Hamilton.

The public hearing was continued to Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

Harney took this reporter around 19 East Main St. on Oct. 8. The walk from Harney’s Academy Street office east on Railroad Street and then along the old rail line to the site, took about seven  minutes. Establishing affordable housing in walking distance to shopping in the village is one of the goals of the Northwestern Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative and the town’s affordable housing advisory committee.

Harney pointed out the pile of plastic-covered contaminated soil and an area that periodically fills with runoff water and has debris in it. There is also a small bottle dump on the southwest corner of the property. These areas require attention as well.

Harney is not getting a fee for his help. “That’s a big part of this,� he said. “It’s an effort by all kinds of people to make this happen.�

Other professionals have also offered services for free or at a reduced rate, including  an engineer to help with soil erosion concerns.

Hamilton said she has a long-time interest in affordable housing. She was a member of the board of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut, and said she has been frustrated by “how slowly it moves in this town,� adding she is “optimistic� the application will eventually be approved.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less