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Letter to the Editor - 4-18-24
Apr 17, 2024
LED lights in Millerton
Millerton is well know for its rural character of welcoming shops and interesting eateries. LED signs are contrary to that ambience that welcomes citizens of our community as well as the many tourists that come to enjoy the benefits of our town. LED lights create an atmosphere of a strip mall and are distracting when driving into town. They are not necessary to attract business or to notify of events. The library, NECC and many of the Main street business, hotels and restaurants use simple letter and graphic signs which are very adequate. I urge the Village Board to vote, again, to ban LED lights use in Millerton.
Barbara Graham
Millerton
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Slope being cleared of trees at the junction of Route 44 and Old Colony Road in Norfolk as part of CT DOT Project 97-95
Jennifer Almquist
NORFOLK, Conn. — For the next five years, travel on Route 44 will be reduced to one lane in Norfolk, also known as Greenwoods Road West, for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) to replace existing retaining walls and stabilize the slope along the north side of the road for the safety of the highway.
Last week, DOT Project 97-95, as the extensive undertaking is called, was green lit to begin. Over time the stone retaining walls along the roadway have bulged from the pressure exerted by the angle of the slope and years of heavy rains. In 2010 a mudslide occurred in the affected section of highway which extends from just west of Memorial Green to east of Old Colony Road. In 2019 DOT installed temporary concrete bin blocks, or Mafia barriers (so-called because cement production of them used to be controlled by the mob), along the base of the existing walls due to their movement.
Amy Hare, head engineer for Project 97-95, emphasized the level of preliminary work necessary. Already one family has had to relocate, and their hillside home was just razed. Currently, the town’s water company, Aquarion, is analyzing and relocation of underground water pipes from that section of highway.
While many adjacent areas will be affected by the construction, DOT is exercising caution to avoid disrupting the cemetery on Old Colony Road. Established in 1757, Norfolk’s historic Center Cemetery is located on the ridge above the unstable slope. Care has been taken to ensure that the integrity of the sacred space will not be violated.
Traffic flow on Route 44 is already feeling the impact of the work. One lane will always be kept open wide enough for trucks to pass. An alternate 45-minute detour truck route was devised to move traffic south on 272 (near the Norfolk Library), to Route 4 to Goshen, to Route 63, then looping back up Route 7 to Canaan. Large interstate truckers can either use the suggested detour or go north to use the Mass Pike. Temporary illumination will be in place for night traffic.
The improved highway will have 12-foot-wide lanes.
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Celebrating art in the community, the Millbrook Library held an opening on Thursday, April 11, of a new exhibit featuring the paintings of Dr. Leon Nesis, left, a resident at The Fountains. A bouquet was presented by Ellen O’Shea, Arts Coordinator at The Fountains. The exhibit will continue until May 20.
Leila Hawken
MILLBROOK — Art was in the air as the Millbrook Library opened a new exhibit of the paintings of Dr. Leon Nesis of Millbrook, on Thursday, April 11, showcasing a selection of the artist’s works while celebrating the public role of arts in the community. This is the second exhibit of works by Nesis at the library.
Nesis signs each of his works “Loncho,” a childhood nickname in Argentina, where he was born. A significant part of his career was spent in the General Surgery Department at New York University Hospital. He and his wife, Bobbie, now reside in a cottage at The Fountains in Millbrook.
“Everyone who comes through the library has commented on how beautiful these paintings are and the variety of the subject matter,” said Gabrielle Esposito, adult programming director at the library. For the viewer, each painting has a story to tell.
“We are super lucky in our association with The Fountains,” Esposito added.
Nesis has pursued painting as a hobby for decades. The subject matter of this exhibit depicts scenes inspired by his travels throughout Mexico and Argentina, a few grazing cows and a group of abstracts, using a variety of mediums including water-based and oil-based oils and watercolors.
“When Leon retired, he started painting and had a successful studio in the Berkshires,” said Ellen O’Shea, Arts Coordinator at The Fountains.
“I just think he’s a natural, excellent with color,” said O’Shea, adding that Nesis likes the cadmiums, red and yellow.
“It’s a hobby I’ve always enjoyed,” Nesis said. “The colors make you feel warm,” he added.
“The exhibit is intended to celebrate Leon’s talent,” said Lisa Rieckermann, Community Life Director at The Fountains, “and to have it be exposed for the community’s benefit.”
It’s good to get it out into the community,” Rieckermann added.
The exhibit at The Millbrook Library will continue until May 20.
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