KENT, Conn.— The America 250 Subcommittee, which is planning for a town-wide celebration marking the Semiquincentennial of the United States in 2026, decided on Jan. 21 to broaden its outreach to include the public in generating ideas for events.
Vice Chairman Melissa Cherniske’s suggestion that ideas from the public should be entertained was warmly received. It was suggested that an open meeting should be held soon, and a target date of April 2025 was proposed.
The committee has developed an ambitious schedule for a three-day celebration around July 4, 2026, that ranges from an 18th-century costume ball, to period re-enactors, a bell ringing and parade, a barbecue cook-off, fireworks (or a laser show) and more.
Sarah Chase reported that she had met with the KVFD Firemen’s Ball Committee to discuss the possibility of combining the annual Firemen’s Ball with the 18th Century Ball in 2026. The issue was brought before the full membership, which endorsed the idea.
“They asked if a member of the Fire Department could join our committee because of the scope of the project,” Chase reported. “They were very enthusiastic about what we are doing. They also have fun ideas for what they would like to do, for instance, what was firefighting like in the 18th Century.
Committee members? said they would ask the selectmen to change the resolution establishing the committee to include an extra member.
Marge Smith said she had been in contact with the Upper Housatonic Heritage Area, which will help with funding for the celebration. She said she had also received a promise that some older Revolutionary War re-enactors will donate their time to demonstrate soldierly activities that weekend.
However, Sarah Marshall reported that the Kent Quilters are reluctant to take on the task of creating a quilt. “They feel it is more than they can take on,” she said.
A similar quilt was created in 1976 for the Bicentennial. Cherniske suggested a display of historic quilts in its place.
Andrew Rowand, administrator of the Eric Sloane Museum, said his museum would be continuing its summer program on early artisans and would specifically demonstrate smelting iron.
The Northwest Corner was long an iron-producing region and contributed heavily to armaments in the Revolution. Rowand said 2026 will mark the 200th anniversary of iron production at the Kent Iron Furnace.
The committee accepted “with regret” a letter of resignation from Ellen Corsell, the representative from the Chamber of Commerce. Her seat is filled by Phillip Fox, chamber president.
The committee decided to meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. for the remainder of 2025.
Four-minute meeting conducts annual town business
KENT—In a town where meetings often take hours to conduct its business, it took exactly four minutes for the annual town meeting this year—including electing a moderator.
Lorry Schiesel, who was elected to that post, deftly handled the meeting on Jan. 17, introducing item number one, authorizing the first selectman and the town treasurer to borrow money from time to time to meet the town’s needs.
The formality elicited no questions from the nine residents attending and was passed unanimously.
The second item appointed members to the Park and Recreation Commission, again unanimously.
Named were Jordan Iovino, Claire Love, Rufus de Rham and Heidi Wilson to terms as full members and Miranda Lovato and Mary Gawel as alternates.
“That’s the end—four minutes past seven,” said Schiesel. “That’s it.”
Trooper reports Kent was peaceful over holidays
KENT—Resident Trooper Vicki Donohoe has listed State Police activities in town for the period of Dec. 17 through Jan. 23.
During that time there were 43 patrol checks, 12 traffic services, 16 periods of enhanced school security, and six citizen assists.
There were three suspicious incidents, two community trooper liaison activities, 17 alarms, one medical assist, two times the police assisted other agencies, nine traffic accidents, and 22 traffic stops.
There were no assaults, disturbances, burglaries, larcenies, criminal mischief or K9 assists.
