RNWALL CHRONICL VOLUME 7: NUMBER 10 NOVEMBER 1997

ole, Anyone? built to withstand hurricane winds up to 85 restructuring. Efforts miles per hour, said an AT &T spokesman. other the state, Cornwall is last winter by OEMS to require volun­ Moreover, monopoles crumble in on them­ teer ambulance services to provide trying to minimize the impact of t~e new selves; they won't topple on adjoining prop­ paramedic-level emergency medical service telecommunications towers that will soon erties. generated outrage against yet another un­ appear in our area. . AT&T has identified two suitable sites: On September 20, representatives from funded mandate from Hartford. Area ambu­ the Peter Van Doren property on Popple AT&T met with town officials to discuss sit­ lance squads and the public argued long and Swamp Road and Merz land near the Com­ loud last spring that the proposed regula­ ing of a monopole antenna in Cornwall. Al­ wall Bridge Firehouse. The Van Dorens do though the Mohawk Mountain tower serves tions were uneconomical and unrealistic not wish to proceed without input from town cellular phones in part of the town, another given the region's rural character. At the officials. Bernice Merz, concerned about both tower is needed in the Cornwall Bridge area. same time, the argument ran, the new re­ visual impact and encroachment, does not Since such towers are federally mandated, quirements would open the door to private want to lease any of her land. towns must cooperate with those wishing to for-profit ambulance services that might re­ fu a recent letter to FM Technologies (con­ erect them. The AT&T representatives re­ place the volunteers. sultants to AT&T) First Selectman Gordon minded the selectmen and other officials that OEMS Director Michael Kliner and his Ridgway has noted that both locations "will "We will not proceed oblivious to local P&Z deputy have both resigned and OEMS's be controversial." He also requested more in­ regulations, but we don't need to file an ap­ structure and procedures are under legisla­ formation regarding "comprehensive plans plication or follow town rules." tive review. -Earl Brecher for the town and region, tower heights, other Placement of towers is under the jurisdic­ potential users of the tower, and specific envi­ Library Gears Up for Move tion of the State Siting Council. By law, AT &T (or any other carrier) is required to follow a ronment impact analysis." Furthermore, he At a special Cornwall Library Associati~n urged that as an alternative to a new tower, meeting on September 9, trustee David pre-siting process: after ~fficial ~otific~ti?n is additional equipment be put on existing tow­ Grossman presented a resolution creating a given to the town, filing IS req~Ir~d Within ?O ers. "We're waiting to hear," said Gordon. days with the "applicant providmg the chief negotiating task force for the move the li­ So are we all. -Ken Keskinen elected official with technical reports con­ brary contemplates to the Monroe-Bodkin building. The resolution also called for a cerning the public need, the site selection Ambulance Fight Won ... For Now process, and the environmental effects of the building and long-range planning task force proposed facility." Thanks to the strong public outcry in Corn­ and a fund-raising task force. The Cornwall Bridge installation would wall and throughout the Northwest Corner, After passing the resolution, the Board of consist of a monopole antenna at least 100 the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medi­ Trustees picked October 23 as the date for feet high, along with an equipment shed cal Services (OEMS) is in the process of major these committees to present to the board re­ measuring 20 by 12 feet. Such towers are ports describing initial plans and ap­ NOVEMBER 1997 (continued on page 2) SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Nov. 3 is the cut-off day for voter registration r .r_·----. ~ 1 by the following persons: those who have become citizens; Jl>:",-~1'·-r.... ,,f"'~Ji ": --· ., .... ( ... • those who have reached the age of 18; and (I. those who have just moved to town. (:f-l~~i.i~ ~~:t_~ Check with the Town Office. ~ ---::;~···' - .. ~..... --~ d(t.: . J!Jf!."' ~, tr Nov. Art Show, Nat. Iron Bank 2 3 Com. Br., Nona Coffill (p.4) 4 ELECTION DAY 5 Parent-Teacher 6 7 08 Conferences at CCS (p.4) Parent-Teacher ... Voter Regis!. cut·off (see above) Polls Open 6 A.M.-8 P.M. Preschooler Story Hour Cornwall Play Group Conferences at CCS (p.4) Bd. of Selectmen 10 A.M. Library i1t Parent-Teacher Conferences 10 A.M. St. Peter's Agricultural Advisory Comm. 7:30P.M. Town Hall at CCS (p.4) Stretch Exer. Class, 5 P.M. Lib. 7:30P.M. W. C. Firehouse Monday Skating starts, Salis. Sch. Park & Rec. A Rink 7:31l-8:30 P.M. (p.4) 7:30P.M. Town Office Inland Wet. 7:30P.M .. Town Hall

9 10 11 Dem. Town Comm. 12 13 14 @15 Cornwall Library Art Show Cornwall Play Group .. Deadline for 7:30P.M. Town Hall Preschooler Story Hour December Chronicle copy Harvey Offenhartz 10 A.M. St. Peter's 10 A.M. Library through 12/13 (p.4) Republican Town Comm. 7:30P.M. CCS Cont. Room Stretch Exer. Class, 5 P.M. Lib. Park & Rec. Game Night Cornwall Association P&Z 7:30P.M. Town Hall Housatonic River Comm. CCS PTA, 7 P.M. CCS Library 7-9 P.M. W. Cornwall 4 P.M. Town Hall A 7:30P.M. CCS Library Firehouse (p.4) 16 17 18 19 20 21 (t22 Region One i1t Bd. of Selectmen Cornwall Play Group Cornwall Bd. of Ed. ... Board of Education 9 A.M. Town Hall 10 A.M. St. Peter's 5 P.M. CCS Library Preschooler Story Hour 7 P.M. HVRHS Library Stretch Exer. Class, 5 P.M. Lib. Bd. of Finance 10 A.M. Library 7:30P.M. CCS Library A 23 2 25 26 27 THANKSGIVING DAY 28 29 ~ ~A 8 P.M. Town Office Cornwall Play Group Thurber Documentary by 10 A.M. St. Peter's Adam Van Doren (World Stretch Exer. Class, 5 P.M. Lib. Premiere) 5 P.M. Cornwall 30 Library (p.4) Cornwall Fire Department lA 8 P.M. W. C. Firehouse 2 CORNWALL CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 1997

(continued from page 1) 1000 feet elevation and stretched north from the moose spotted last month at the bottom proaches. David Grossman was chosen as the Coltsfoot Valley all the way to Vermont. of Music Mountain and have traced it north the negotiator for the board. Ella Clark and For all its dramatic history, the cave is elu­ of Torrington. However, when asked Norma Lake will assist him. Members of the sive. "You never knew exactly where the whether another animal of interest, the building and planning task force include cave was," recalls Phoebe Prentice, "so it was North American cougar, inhabits our area, John Calhoun, Lynn Cheney, Phyllis Nauts, always exciting, always a great find. And it Peter stated that he will believe it when and Terry Carlson. Hector Prud'homme will would change; sometimes it was scary, some­ someone shows him the photograph. serve on the fund-raising task force as will times not. Go in alone? No way!" Peter Begley lives in Cornwall, is a gradu­ Lisa Simont and Montgomery Hare. Before With Peter Feboriello as guide, and with ate of the University of Massachusetts with a moving the meeting into executive session, the kind permission of landowner Erwin degree in soil science; he has worked with Audrey Ferman, President of the Library's Edelman, your Chronicler was finally able to DEP since his graduation in 1969. Board of Trustees, emphasized that Kay Penn locate the cave in a grand tumble of blunt -Earl Brecher would be much needed as an advisor. boulders and Blistered Rock Tripe (a lichen). . It was apparent to all that a great deal had The opening is narrow and dark of entry, and ...,. been accomplished and that discussions on exhaled a surprising cool breath of under­ this issue had reached a new phase. ground into the sunny air. The entrance pas- . . · -Anne Zinsser sageway is confining. Suitable only for the • ~ slim and agile-bats, raccoons, teenagers. At' last one stands up in a wide room that glis­ tens with moisture and mica. The flashlight beam moves along the floor, picks up the Good-bye to Friends gleam of broken glass, wanders up the shin- James Cooley ing walls to the roof, which is subtly banded in white, gray, pink, rust, black. Not so subtle Barbara C. Dakin are the sloppily painted graffiti. "These don't Chester E. Lyman hurt the cave itself too much," says Peter, Lotte Goslar Seehaus "but they hurt our sensibilities, the environ­ ment, and certainly they hurt the Thomas H. Whiteside basidiomyces fungi that might be useful in medical research. By the way, you should al­ Land Transfer ways bathe well after caving to wash off the Gunther C. Hepprich and Ursula Dinneen cave fungi that eat hair and nails of dead-or to John D. and Rita Repas, house and 2 acres living-animals." on Kent Road for $142,000. I reported on my trip to Polly Calhoun, who was glad to hear the cave was alive and What a Lovely Fair! well-and accessible. "We loved going On September 20, the Cornwall Green was there," she said. "I am delighted." filled with typical fair activity. Animals, in­ Cornwall Cave Persons -Ella Clark cluding two goats, a huggable calf, and a Baldwin Cave lurks in the Waramaug For­ strutting show-off turkey, filled one tent. mation on the southern flank of Coltsfoot Sixty-nine local exhibitors signed in at the Mountain. It is formed of sillimanite-garnet registration table, 14 more than last year. quartz-feldspathic biotite gneiss, and has for Flowers, baskets of produce, baked goods, many years attracted wanderers, Marvel­ and jars of preserves filled another tent. A wood students and Congregationalists. craft tent, machinery corner, and working Polly Calhoun tells of a church picnic ., sawmill were great attractions. Children about 1875, when her husband Frank's father tumbled in a hay pile looking for pennies, would have been 15: "They all went in on tossed big bubbles into the air, and lined up hands and knees carrying lit candles in their for horse or pony cart rides. They vied for teeth, and got a fire going. If you built a fire turns to crank the butter churn and cider in one particular place, the smoke would presses. Samples for all. come through the roof. But one girl was late. When you hear shooting on a Sunday, dis­ An award for excellence goes to our Not only late, but stout. She got stuck in the cover an unwanted hunter on your property, judges for their ability to look authoritative passageway, and so blocked the circulation or see strange lights floating through the for­ and to resist bribery. The children's table was of air that the cave started to fill with smoke, est at night, accompanied by gunfire, what filled with blue ribbons earned by 15 young whereupon someone tried to pull her in. A do you do? Some years ago I saw those lights exhibitors. Twenty-five people entered gar­ smarter person suggested they push her out, and knew they belonged to jackers using den produce. Did you see all of Hector which they did. She had to do without the flashlights to hypnotize deer. The beam of Prud'homme's blue-ribbon entries? How picnic, which was too bad. I believe the en­ light makes the eyes of a deer gleam like twin about Pat Polk's plentiful and perfect pick­ trance has been blocked off now." rubies; a perfect target. In this circumstance, les! Thanks to all who exhibited. Baldwin was shaped partly by a combina­ not wanting to become a target myself, I di­ Winner of the grand prize ($1,300) in this tion of water erosion and "spalling along the aled 1-800-842-HELP for assistance; Peter year's cow chip lottery was Mike Hanke, plane of foliation" (the flaking of metamor­ Begley, fish and game patrolman, responded. who also won two of the $25 second prizes. phic rocks), according to Peter Feboriello of Since then, Peter has been promoted to Other runners-up were Susan Link, S. Ripley, Torrington, cave scientist and member of the sergeant, with two patrolmen assigned to Kirsten Michaels, J. Harding, and Kevin National Speliological Society. The glacier of work under him. Together, in the Northwest Hubbard (two $25 prizes). -Cilia Mauro 10,000 years ago did not gallop away, but Corner towns, they primarily perform a law­ settled, as sensible characters do, in Corn­ enforcement function for the Department of Conservationists Convene wall. Millennia of melting caused torrents of Environmental Protection (DEP), but they Action on two conservation fronts marked water to pour down; a turbulent whirlpool also deal with many aspects of work with the annual meeting of the Cornwall Conser­ probably sucked the contents of the room fish, wild animals, and forest lands. For ex­ vation Trust on October 5. Chairman Ralph down to the glacial lake that then existed at ample, they have continued to keep tabs on Gold announced plans to purchase the NOVEMBER 1997 CORNWALL CHRONICLE 3 Rogers property in North Cornwall. This prime piece of land, adjacent to the church, is bounded by Cogswell and Rattlesnake ,..­ Roads. Ralph said that over $100,000 of the Letters to , $120,000 price of the property had been raisedi Gold said the trust was confident that the Chronicle the rest would be in hand by the October 30 closing date. The meeting's other focus was the Cathe­ PRAISE FOR A BIG CHANGE dral Pines. Using slides, Michael Gannett re­ In recent weeks, the Cornwall Planning and counted the history of the pines, quoting the Zoning Commission has taken steps to eliminate Reverend Ezra Stiles, who noted in 1762 that the industrial/residential zone in Cornwall through some narrow I had extruded some of Cornwall's pines were "180 feet tall, Bridge and replace it with a residential zone. my billfold from my pocket. A lengthy search seven feet in diameter, and that the height to There are people in town who are convinced was unavailing. the first branch was 70 feet." that this change will lead to a loss of opportunity So the wallet is, presumably, still there, com­ Michael reminded his listeners that the and jobs for our community. THIS IS NOT SO. plete with driver's license, credit cards, cryptic 20th century Cathedral Pines are not the rem­ P&Z is formulating an alternative plan to en­ notes on scraps of paper, and about $75. Anyone nant of a primeval forest, but a later growth courage thoughtful commercial and manufactur­ finding it is, of course, welcome to the cash; I'd started about 220 years ago. In 1967 it was the ing opportunities in town, employing a strategy just like to learn it had been found (672-6296). largest stand of white pine and hemlock east known as a "floating zone." This type of zoning -Charles Osborne of the Mississippi. In that year, the Calhoun will permit the commission to consider proposals family, which had owned the wooded tract, for commercial enterprises or light manufactur­ CHEERS FOR LITTLE LEAGUE gave the 42 acres of mixed white pine and ing throughout Cornwall, but will also provide Look around at our Cornwall Little League hemlock to the Nature Conservancy. it with a regulatory capacity to ensure that any folks! We've gone from a team with one win and The meeting adjourned to the sunlit Ca­ proposal remains sensitive to residential and 14losses in 1992 to being the champions of the thedral Pines, where Judith Preston, of the environmental concerns. Other towns have Tri-town League two out of the past three years. Connecticut Nature Conservancy, walked adopted the floating zone concept successfully. Enthusiastic players and coaches and the dedi­ the group through the area to see the changes In fact, Cornwall considered such an idea during cated direction of our own Commissioner of that have occurred since the 1989 tornado. its 1987 town planning process, but never fully Cornwall Baseball, Mark Pastre, have built our Preston said that a study of the site before developed the concept. baseball program into something to be proud of and after the storm reveals careful manage­ It was clear to the commission, as well as to Coach Rick Lynn attributes some of the suc­ ment of its development. Over the years many of us in town, that the I/R zone was creat­ cess to the "start 'em early" structure that Mark hardwood trees had been harvested, and in ing more problems than it was solving, an~ that Pastre and Park and Rec. have worked hard to 1953 some white pines were cut for use as it made no sense for the community of Cornwall create. A thriving T-ball program and growing pilings for the Tappan Zee Bridge. She noted or for the environment along the Housatonic minor league teams give Cornwall youth oppor­ that in colonial times trees of this caliber River. tunities to learn to play and love the game before were known as "King's Trees." I would like to thank P&Z and Tom it's time for Little League. Rick also emphasizes After the devastation of 1989, the Nature McGowan, the town planner, for their judicious that Cornwall coaches have striven to defuse the Conservancy decided to clear only a 50-foot examination of the issues, and for a wise and winning/losing aspect of Little League: "We tell strip on either side of the road, and leave the forward-thinking decision. them, remember, these are your friends out there. rest as a kind of laboratory for observing the I would encourage anyone excited or con­ Have fun and play your best game." The result dynamics of recovery and forest succession. cerned about this change to study the Town has been a group of players whose sportsmanship Preston pointed out marked lots-grids for Plan, come to commission meetings, and offer and teamwork make them a joy to work with. organizing studies of the recovery process. thoughtful commentary. But don't forget, there would be no team to work She spoke of "nurse trees" and "tip-up" -Jed Struckus with without the steady support of parents who mounds made by the root balls of fallen faithfully bring players to practice after practice, trees, which bring nutrients to the surface. A HAPPY SCHOOL VOLUNTEER as well as sell and buy hot dogs to raise extra Throughout the afternoon, Preston re­ I want to express my joy in having decided to money for the program, and provide the neces­ minded her audience that incidents like the become a volunteer at the Cornwall Consolidated sary "Go team Go!" at the games. tornado should not be viewed as disasters School last year. It is such fun to work with both Cornwall baseball players, coaches, and fans for the forest, but nature's way of rejuvenat­ the students and the staff I started last year want to maintain this golden era of baseball. ing it. ~ ,.. -Julia Scott with some trepidation as I was not sure how a Our baseball field is in need of attention on an '\ white-haired older lady would be received by the annual basis and our pool of faithful coaches \ students. I worked with the fifth grade and the who enjoy the kids as much as the sport needs eighth grade and both sets of kids were just replenishing. If you want to show the love of the great. They were polite and thoughtful and al­ game to the upcoming ranks of Cornwall play­ ways helpful. I could not wait to do it again this ers, why not contact Craig Simons (672-0111) year. I urge anyone with a little spare time to and volunteer to be a coach? At present, there volunteer. It does not require any special talent are NO coaches preparing to work with next and is very rewarding. If you can help, call year's Little Leaguers. Also, currently there is Jamie Monagan at 672-4815 and join me at the no Cornwall Babe Ruth League team, which elementary school. Your help will be appreciated. means our seventh and eighth graders have no -Janet Gold team on which to compete. This sets them back A Burning Issue: We Win significantly when they reach high school and At the end of September, Cornwall's select­ A LONG-LOST WALLET want to play ball. Community support is needed men and Salisbury's First Selectman Robert During one of a number of famiJy expedi­ to find a home field and people to help build a Smithwick met in Cornwall with State De­ tions to the Baldwin Cave (see "Cornwall Cave team for our most experienced players. And partment of Environmental Protection Com­ Persons," p. 2) during the late '60s and early here's something everyone can do-next spring missioner Sydney J. Holbrook to settle the 70s, I emerged from my explorations for lunch, make plans to come to the games and cheer question of whether the two towns could re- brushed myself off, and discovered I no longer Cornwall on to glory again! (continued on page 4) had my wallet. It appeared that in squeezing -Deirdre Fischer 4 CORNWALL CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 1997 (continued from page 3) Events & Announcements sume burning of brush and scrap lumber on -... town property. Salisbury had a major brush Northwest Comer Chore Service (NCCS), problem resulting from the April 1 snow­ which helped its first client in Cornwall in storm. In September, Cornwall was ordered, 1992, has served 24 Cornwall families this as a pollution-control measure, to stop burn­ year with $19,112worth of housekeeping, ing clean scrap lumber at the town landfill. yard work, and other tasks that help older These DEP stop orders caused significant people stay independently at home. NCCS inconvenience; in Cornwall, officials were pays workers $9.50 an hour; clients contrib­ forced to raise fees at the landfill to cover the ute whatever they can. We regret that we had estimated annual $10,000 cost of carting only 12 Cornwall workers in 1997 (they away material that had formerly been earned $5,840); we need more. Help your Lots of Book Sale $$$: After tireless Friends burned. neighbor and get paid for it! Call Ella Clark of the Cornwall Library toiled as sorters, First Selectman Gordon Ridgway made at 364-1003. haulers, packers, unpackers, and sales­ an effective case for Cornwall before the people, eager book lovers snapped up $1,454 commissioner as well as Representative An­ Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on worth of merchandise at the Columbus Day drew Roraback and Senator Del Eads, who November 4, 5, and 6 at CCS. Classes will be sale. That was $271.60 more than was raised also attended the meeting. Commissioner dismissed on these days at 1 P.M. at last year's sale. Holbrook, who had taken the trouble to James Thurber's Life and Hard Times, a The Little Benefit Shop at the railroad sta­ come out from Hartford, assured both towns documentary film by Adam Van Doren, will tion in West Cornwall needs volunteers to that changes could be made. Cornwall, un­ have its world premiere at a Friends of the work in its thrift shop, Tuesdays and Thurs­ der supervision, will be able to resume burn­ Cornwall Library gathering Friday, Novem­ days from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., to benefit the Little ing at the landfill. Bulky-waste fees will re­ ber 28, at 5 P.M. at the Library. Supported by a Guild of St. Francis for the Welfare of Ani­ main at the new rate, but there will be no National Endowment for the Humanities mals. Please stop by or call 672-6534 during charge for burnable material. business hours. The Little Benefit Shop also -Earl Brecher grant, Adam has filmed interviews with Ed­ ward Albee, John Updike, Marc Simont, Fran needs clean, good quality items of clothing, Bradford Scholarships Liebowitz, and others. Refreshments and bric-a-brac, hardback books, china; silver, drinks will follow the showing. Tickets are linens, collectibles, and small antiques. Con­ The Cornwall Board of Education has an­ $35 a person and will benefit the Library. Seat­ tributions are tax-deductible, all proceeds nounced the recipients of the Bradford Schol­ ing is limited so those interested are urged to benefiting the Little Guild of St. Francis, a arship for the 1997-98 academic year. This act now. Send checks to the Friends of the non-destroy shelter located on Route 128 scholarship is derived from a bequest to the Cornwall Library, Box 126, Cornwall, CT, next to the West Cornwall Firehouse. The University of Connecticut and is awarded to 06753. Questions? Call Lisa Simont, 672-2659. shelter is open to the public Tuesdays and Cornwall applicants entering UConn at Saturdays from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Storrs. Fun & Games: Looking for some Friday Jonathan Daley has been awarded $1,000 evening fun? Park and Rec. will be sponsor­ for each of four years, and Eric Augustyn, ing Game Night at the West Cornwall Fire­ who is entering UConn at Storrs as a junior, house one Friday per month during the win­ has been awarded $1,400. The awards are ad­ ter. November 14 will be our first night, 7-9 ministered through the financial aid office at P.M. Scrabble, gin rummy, Monopoly- UConn. what's your favorite? Use our games or bring your own. We'll have refresh­ ments.

Sharpen Your Ice Skates and join your neighbors at Park and Rec.'s Monday night skating at the Salisbury School Rink, 7:30-8:30, one dollar per person. Soft hats are required. The program will run from November 3 until mid-Febru­ ary. Art in Cornwall: The folks at the Na­ ...... :::~ .. Talking Turkey tional Iron Bank in Cornwall Bridge would CORNWALL CHRONICLE like to thank Treasa Pattison for stepping into ILLUSTRATIONS Robert Parker There are no holidays in the news-gathering the breach and showing her paintings at the NOVEMBER EDITORS game, and when our readers are walking off bank in October. In November, Nona Coffill Philla and Charles Osborne Earl Brecher the big bird, Chronicle editors will be putting will be showing watercolor landscapes at the DECEMBER EDITORS the final touches on the December issue. Not bank. Bob and Ginny Potter Ella Clark that we're asking for sympathy, but you Beginning November 10, at the Cornwall DIRECTORS: know what we do ask for in this space. If you Tom Bevans PRESIDENT Library, Harvey Offenhartz will be exhibit­ Spencer Klaw VICE PRESIDENT • Barbara Klaw PUBLISHER remember us the next time you pick up your ing pastel landscapes inspired by Cornwall. Edward Fennan SECRETARY • Robert Beers TREASURER checkbook, we'll be most thankful. Hendon Chubb • Cheryl Evans ------, Audrey Fennan • Charles Osborne • Susan Williamson CORNWALL CHRONICLE, INC. Bulk Rate Yes, I want the Chronicle to continue. 143 CREAM HILL ROAD, WEST CORNWALL, CT 06796 Car-Rt Sort Here is my tax-deductible contribution of: $ _____ E-MAIL: [email protected] U.S. Postage Nrune ______FAX: (860) 672-2643 PAID West Cornwall, CT Address ______Permit No.6

City/St/Zip ------CORNWALL RESIDENT 0 Mail the Chronicle to the out-of-town address above: $10.