Making sidewalks better in Kent

There are few things in life as enjoyable as watching workers work, especially those who are now out in such great numbers in the region doing new or rehab construction. Thankfully, there are plenty of people, including official inspectors, who are willing to keep close watch on the quality and process of work being done all over. One project that is benefitting from such scrutiny is the one in Kent, where new sidewalks are finally becoming a reality after years of careful, rigorous planning and discussion in the town.

Of course, for the workers out doing what they’re being asked to do, it can be difficult to hear criticism as they proceed with a project. But catching any glitches while the work is being done could prevent the necessity of dismantling and redoing that work down the line.

Our reporter, Leila Hawken, has been covering the meetings where lengthy analysis of the ongoing work has been happening in the past weeks, at both special and regular meetings of the town Board of Selectmen. (See the Lakeville Journal issues of Sept. 1 & 8.) This kind of local news coverage benefits town projects like the Kent sidewalks as much as the evaluation of those watching the work come together. If any potential problems are out in the open, it’s much more likely they will be solved before they become too thorny.

Some of the complaints by the observers, including Streetscape Committee Chairman Mike Gawel and others on the committee, included incorrect compaction of gravel, varying thickness of concrete curbing, faulty application of concrete, and more. Gawel also felt there had been less frequent inspection of the work than there should have been.

As many added their thoughts to the ongoing discussion on the sidewalk quality, the town and construction company are going through checking the boxes to be sure questions are sufficiently answered and problems addressed. Yet the change in granite supplier to one in North Carolina, which meant a different color than would have been expected from a New England company, surprised the Streetscape Committee members. Still, during this time of supply chain issues continuing for all kinds of construction materials, any post-COVID project has to expect changes and delays during its implementation.

Because the residents and committee members in Kent have been willing to keep track of the sidewalk as it is being built, the end result will be better than it would have been without their close watch. Thanks to all who made sure the $500,000 state grant is used well and will lead to a better, safer walk in downtown Kent. They set a good example for other watchdogs of municipal projects.

Latest News

Fallen trees injure man, destroy fences at dog shelter

Two uprooted locust trees still lie in the yard in front of Animal Farm Foundation’s original kennels where they fell on a fence during a storm on Thursday, June 19.

Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Fallen trees, uprooted and splintered during a thunderstorm, injured a man, destroyed fences and damaged a dog kennel at the Animal Farm Foundation facilities in Bangall.

Isaias Nunez was cleaning along a road on the property with Marco Ortiz, another employee of the dog shelter, when the storm rolled in on the afternoon of Thursday, June 19.

Keep ReadingShow less
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

Keep ReadingShow less
Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit millertonnews.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

Keep ReadingShow less