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Ken Gloss took a look at books for Mary Sullivan and Jody Potter (left) after his talk at the Scoville Memorial Library on April 17.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — Ken Gloss, proprietor of the Brattle Book Shop in Boston and a fixture on public television’s “Antiques Roadshow” entertained a bevy of bibliophiles at the Scoville Memorial Library Wednesday, April 17 with stories from the book trade.
He also gave quick assessments of books to about a dozen people after his remarks.
The Brattle Book Shop has had a somewhat peripatetic existence since its founding in 1825, with seven different locations. It has been run by the Gloss family since 1949, when Ken Gloss’ father George took over.
Gloss said the Brattle moved to a location on West Street in Boston which burned in 1980. Undaunted, Gloss moved the shop to its present location a few doors away, and Bostonians (including Mayor Kevin White) donated books to restock.
Gloss said he and his staffers go out on buying trips almost daily.
Some destinations are opulent Some are humble. And there’s no telling what awaits.
One call was to an elderly woman in a small house with peeling paint. Gloss took a look at the books, which were nothing special.
Then he noticed the watercolors. “Oh, those are nice.”
“Oh yes” said the elderly lady. “They’re all [J.M.W.] Turners.”
Gloss said he or his staff get hundreds of calls about books.
“Most are routine, I can give them an answer off the top of my head.”
But every so often there’s a call like the one from the woman who announced, “President Kennedy slept with me!”
Turned out the woman worked for the Kennedy family as a nurse. The infant JFK did indeed sleep with her in her professional capacity.
“She had handwritten letters from the President,” Gloss said, explaining that for collectors handwritten letters are particularly prized.
“As far as I know they still have them. They can’t sell them. They’re part of their life.”
George Gloss died in 1985, and Ken Gloss took over, and in the process hired a young man who seemed promising.
A customer entered, browsed around and asked for an item they did not have in stock but could likely obtain.
The customer said he would come back and left.
The new assistant remarked, casually, “That was J.D. Salinger.”
Startled, Gloss asked how he knew.
“I used to date his daughter.”
Gloss said he enjoys doing the television program and traveling to parts of the country he might not otherwise get to.
He revealed some insider information, such as this tidbit:
“We don’t get paid. At all. And there’s no guarantee we’ll get on TV.”
An ideal day on the Antiques Roadshow trail has him rising early, spotting someone with a promising item, alerting the producer, and filming the encounter.
“So by 9 a.m. we’re finished. It makes the day go easy.”
On the other hand, “if by 4 p.m. we haven’t taped, we’re probably not going to.
The element of surprise remains constant from book shop to TV, however.
One man came into the TV taping and explained he had worked as an airplane pilot for Pope John Paul II. He had a photo of the Pope signing his Bible to prove it.
This was moderately interesting.
Then the man added, offhandedly, “Oh, I’ve got the Bible, too.”
After his remarks, Gloss examined books and other items from about a dozen people, most of whom came away happy.
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Housing group seeks approval of land transfer
Apr 24, 2024
KENT — The plan to develop about 10 units of affordable housing on town land inched forward this week following a lightly attended April 12 public hearing concerning the transfer of 1.16 acres of land from the town to Kent Affordable Housing (KAH).
The hearing gave residents a chance to comment on a conditional approval for the transfer, which would be done at no cost to KAH. The proposal still faces a town meeting vote.
The conditional approval would stipulate that KAH obtain all necessary approvals and that it, or some other agency dedicated to affordable housing, operate the new development. If KAH cannot get the necessary approvals, the land reverts to the town.
First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer gave an overview of the steps taken by the town since the 2022-2027 Housing Plan identified the parcel as an appropriate area for expansion of affordable housing. An assessment by Cardinal Engineering determined the parcel has sufficient water and sewer capacity to support the housing.
The proposal quickly progressed through several levels of review, including a needs assessment, negotiations with Park and Recreation about that agency’s needs, a survey, discussions with the Selectmen, and getting a positive 8-24 review from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
“On Dec. 14, Planning and Zoning reviewed the proposal and determined it met all the requirements of the Plan of Conservation and Development. They sent it back to the Board of Selectmen,” Lindenmayer told the audience at Town Hall, emphasizing “how many times we have discussed this.”
KAH President Justin Potter told his audience that KAH currently owns and manages 37 units of affordable housing—24 at South Commons, adjacent to the proposed site. He said a minimum of 10 units would be developed on the new land, but that there is no intention to “push the envelope” and create greater density than at South Common.
Potter noted the configuration of other facilities in the region, including the tennis courts’ parking lot and Swift Lane. He said these areas would not be affected by construction traffic, with access being through the transfer station or the Public Works site.
He said there is a “tremendous need” for affordable units in the town. KAH currently has 64 households on its wait list, and, on average, it is 37 months before a unit opens up. In response to a question from Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington about using the additional housing to attract younger families, Potter said it is a matter of getting them to put their names on the wait list for that long.
“South Common was built for young families, but getting them to apply is key,” he said. “We need to let them see a path to a future.”
Another person asked whether, if the town donates the land, it would give priority to Kent residents seeking housing. When governmental funding is used to develop such properties, rentals must be opened to residents of other towns.
There is a different tranche of funding for workforce housing, however, that could be restricted to people working in town. For instance, the Kent Volunteer Fire Department has met with Kent Affordable Housing’s architect to discuss creating affordable housing on its campus.
The properties KAH is considering for this project—the KVFD Ambulance Barn and office space in the back of the firehouse—could be converted for rentals for department members if the state agrees. This could allow KVFD to have a member or two dedicated to responding to alarms through the inducement of lower rents.
Potter was asked about handicap accessibility on the Kent Common site, and he responded that this would be taken into consideration. “We have too many stairs,” he conceded, referring to previous developments.
Assuming the conditional approval is passed at the April 26 town meeting, KAH will bring in an architect to create conceptual plans that would be brought to the town for discussion.
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Legal Notices - 4-25-24
Apr 24, 2024
LEGAL NOTICE
FOR AREAWIDE
Records Disposal
In keeping with state and federal regulations on records retention and disposal, school officials plan to destroy records of Special Education and 504 students who left or graduated from Regional School District No. 7, Barkhamsted Elementary School, Colebrook Consolidated School, Botelle School in Norfolk or Hartland School on or before June 30, 2017 or were born before July 1, 1999.
Please be advised that records may be needed for Social Security benefits or other purposes. The destruction is scheduled to take place after July 1, 2024.
Anyone wishing to review his/her records or obtain the original may do so by calling Quentin Rueckert, Director of Shared Services, at 860-379-8583, before June 4, 2024.
04-25-24
LEGAL NOTICE
TAX COLLECTOR
TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2022 is due and payable on April l, 2024. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2024. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2024, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2022 will be LIENED on JUNE 3, 2024. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 3,2024 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-4pm. Closed 12:30pm-1:30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 11th day of March 2024.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-21-24
04-04-24
04-25-24
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing to amend the Town of Salisbury Zoning Regulations related to hotels and motels. Amend Section 205.1 “Table of Uses - Residential Zones” and Section 205.2 “Table of Uses - Rural Enterprise; Commercial & Industrial Zones,” add Section 213.5 “Hotels in Residential Zones,” “ amend Section 703.11 “Table of Parking Requirements,” and revise definitions of “Hotel” and “Motel.” The hearing will be held on Monday May 6, 2024 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The proposed amendments have been posted, and agenda and meeting instructions for participation will be posted at least 24 hours before the meeting at www.salisburyct.us. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the proposed amendments may be reviewed at the Town Clerk’s Office in the Salisbury Town Hall during regular business hours (9:00AM to 12:30PM and 1:30PM to 4:00 PM) Monday through Friday.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-25-24
05-02-24
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2024-0243 by Allied Engineering for a Detached Apartment on a Single Family Residential Lot at 249 Undermountain Road, Salisbury, Map 19, Lot 4 per Section 208 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The owner of the property is Sallie Ketcham. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to aconroy@salisburyct.us. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-25-24
05-02-24
NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF SALISBURY
MAY 8, 2024
7:30 P.M.
The electors and others entitled to vote in Town meetings of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut, are hereby warned that the Annual Budget meeting of said Town will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, Connecticut and via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. To act upon the budget and any supplements thereto for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, which budget has been prepared and recommended by the Board of Finance; said budget is available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office immediately.
2. To act upon the following items, which are customarily considered at the Annual Budget meeting for approval:
a. To authorize the Board of Selectmen to borrow any sums of money they deem necessary to meet the Town’s indebtedness and current or authorized expenditures, and to execute and deliver the Town’s obligations therefore;
b. To see if the First Selectman will deliver on behalf of the Town all documents that may be necessary for carrying out any of the items in the budget;
c. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept and expend any funds allocated to the Town of Salisbury the Connecticut Department of Transportation for repairs and maintenance of roads and bridges during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and extending to June 30, 2025, as recommended by the Board of Finance; and
d. To authorize the Board of Finance to transfer funds from surplus to cover shortages in various line items in the 2023-2024 budget.
3. To consider and act upon a resolution to set Wednesday, February 5, 2025, as the date for the Annual Town Meeting.
4. To consider and act upon a resolution to set Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as the date for the Annual Budget Meeting.
The Board of Selectmen will post a notice on the Town’s website (https://www.salisburyct.us/) not less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the Town meeting providing instructions for the public on how to attend and provide comment or otherwise participate in the meeting via Zoom.
Dated at Salisbury, Connecticut this 18th day of April, 2024.
Curtis G. Rand,
First Selectman
Christian E. Williams, Selectman
Katherine Kiefer, Selectman
04-25-24
05-02-24
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Planning & Zoning Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 15, 2024:
Approved - Special Permit Application #2024-0241 by owner Fransam LLC, for Parking Flexibility, Retail, Multifamily, and Personal Service in accordance with Sections 205.2 and 703.8 of the regulations. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s Map 54 as Lot 20 and is located at 20 Main Street, Salisbury.
Any aggrieved person may appeal these decisions to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §8-8.
Town of Salisbury
Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-25-24
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