Rain, rain and Rice on agenda for BOS

SALISBURY — The process of rebuilding the Long Pond dam is underway, despite the recent inordinately wet weather, according to First Selectman Curtis Rand.

Rand reported on dam progress at the monthly meeting of the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, Sept. 6.

A temporary or “coffer” dam  is now in place to keep water in the pond while excavation and rebuilding goes on below.

Keeping the water levels up was necessary for two reasons: to protect the habitat for creatures that live there, and to keep Long Pond viable for recreational activities. Camp Sloane YMCA depends heavily on the pond for its programs.

The coffer dam also keeps the building site dry — at least, when it’s not raining.

Other business

The selectmen announced that Jean Bell will take over from Denise Rice as tax collector. Rice retired last week after 38 years of service.

And while they were at it, the board approved the last batch of tax refunds from Rice’s office, for a total of $1,204.36.

Rand announced that Heather Bartram is the new school crossing guard, at Main Street and Lincoln City Road.

And Rand thanked Selectmen Bob Riva and Jim Dresser for their work during Tropical Storm Irene, as well as the town’s emergency services volunteers. Rand was in Alaska on a back-country fishing trip during the storm.

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