Budget Plan Goes to electors at May 22 meeting

CANTON – While the town’s proposed $37,767,987 million budget represents a 0.58 percent increase in spending, taxes would increase 2.45 percent under the plan.

The new mill rate would be 30.49. Each mil represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed property. In this case, homeowners pay $3,049 for every $100,000 of assessed property. The “average” taxpayer, with a home assessed at $238,832, would receive an annual tax bill of $7,282, or $174 more than in fiscal year 2016-17.

If there’s no petition for a referendum, town electors will vote on the plan during the annual budget meeting at 7 p.m. May 22 in the Canton High School auditorium.

At least 150 need to be present for the budget to be validated. The reason the tax increase is greater than the rise in spending is due to Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposed cuts in town aid. See more in the May 4 edition of The Valley Press.

Memorial Service for Lucille Battles Cecon is May 5

Submitted 

Lucille Battles Cecon, a long-time resident of Canton, died April 4 at Brookdale Managed Care Facility in Farmington.

On Friday, May 5 at 2 p.m., there will be a Memorial Service at St. Patrick Church in Collinsville. Father Ronald May the former Pastor of St Patrick”s will officiate. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

Lucille had been an active member of St Patrick’s and served with many of its ministries.

Amongst other ministries she was Parish Council President for 2 terms and felt deep devotion to the service that the Haiti Team provided.

Midnight Snack Band to Play Outdoor Concert in Collinsville May 7

Your Silent Neighbors: Walter S. Case, Longtime Postmaster

Walter S. Case is buried in the Baptist Cemetery on Canton Springs Road, Canton.

By David Leff 
Town Historian 

Walter S. Case (1859-1941) took over the Canton Center General Store from George Lamphier in 1893 and became postmaster in 1898, a position he was to hold until 1940.  He was born in Barkhamsted and married Susie Church in 1890.  They were the parents of three sons and a daughter.  He was an avid Republican in politics and a Mason.  In his later years, he was a distinguished old fashioned-looking gentleman who wore glasses with round lenses and smoked a pipe.  He died a couple days before he and his wife were to celebrate their fifty-first anniversary.  After he retired, sons Gordon and Byron took over the store with the former as postmaster.  Case’s funeral was held at his Canton Center home with the pastor of the Canton Center Congregational Church officiating.

Walter S. Case is buried in the Baptist Cemetery on Canton Springs Road, Canton.

“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  It will appear on the first and fifteenth of each month.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.  Any suggestions, questions, or corrections should be addressed to Town Historian David Leff at onktaadn@comcast.net

Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk Set for May 7

COLLINSVILLE _ The Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Rails to Trails starting and ending near the Crown and Hammer Restaurant and Pub.

Doyle lost her life at age 13 on April 24, 2016 due to a tragic accident.

“Ally was an amazing and talented 13-year-old Canton Middle School student,” her family wrote on the event website. “She had a great love for gymnastics, field hockey, academics, spending time at the beach, and being silly with her friends and family.”

Ally and her family, and their dogs, loved to walk on the trail. Proceeds will benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars Ally Doyle Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $25 and online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. May 5.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/TheAllyDoyleMemorialFunWalk.

Walkers can also register at the event.

Moose sightings stir up excitement in Canton

A young moose photographed in Canton. Photo by Colleen Plaskett

CANTON – It wasn’t an oversized bunny or a life-altering religious experience, but residents were excited to see a young moose Easter morning.

Following sightings in Winchester, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and other parts of Canton, several residents witnessed a young, male moose in a field and wooded area on Olson Road, near the intersection of East Hill Road on Easter Sunday. Several more sightings followed in the next few days.

Wildlife experts say it is not uncommon to see young moose by themselves in the spring.

To see what a local expert and a state Department of Energy and Environmental Department biologist had to say about the moose in Connecticut, see this week’s Valley Press.

Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk set for May 7

COLLINSVILLE _ The Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Rails to Trails starting and ending near the Crown and Hammer Restaurant and Pub.

Doyle lost her life at age 13 on April 24, 2016 due to a tragic accident.

“Ally was an amazing and talented 13-year-old Canton Middle School student,” her family wrote on the event website. “She had a great love for gymnastics, field hockey, academics, spending time at the beach, and being silly with her friends and family.”

Ally and her family, and their dogs, loved to walk on the trail. Proceeds will benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars Ally Doyle Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $25 and online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. May 5.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/TheAllyDoyleMemorialFunWalk. Walkers can also register at the event.

Also on May 7, in the morning, is the second Burlington to Collinsville Classic 10K, sponsored by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. See more at http://hartfordmarathon.com/burlington-to-collinsville-classic/

Canton Chamber of Commerce Seeks Golfers and Sponsors for Annual Golf Tournament

Early Bird Pricing Extended

Submitted Release 

The Canton Chamber is pleased to announce its 24th Annual Golf Tournament, being held on Monday, June 5 at Simsbury Farms Golf Course in West Simsbury. The tournament is open to the public and a portion of the proceeds fund the Chamber’s annual scholarships to Canton High School seniors seeking higher education in business or pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor. … Continue Reading

Taste of Farmington Set for April 27

FARMINGTON — The Taste of Farmington, which will feature some 27 food purveyors, is set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 27

The event, which takes place at Farmington Gardens at 999 Farmington Ave., Farmington benefits the Farmington Food Pantry. Cost is $50

Trevor Gilbertie, manager of Cure Restaurant and Bar, in Unionville, is the coordinator of the inaugural event.

“We saw it was a good opportunity since Farmington hasn’t had a good event like this, of this size for a couple of years now,” Gilbertie said.

See more in the Valley Press.  … Continue Reading

Police Identify Person Killed in Route 44 Crash

CANTON – Police have identified the woman killed in a two-car crash on Route 44 Saturday afternoon.

Donna Young, 60, of Norfolk, the lone occupant of one vehicle, was killed in the crash, police said. The driver of the other vehicle, Eric Davis, 33, of Canton had serious, but non-life threatening injuries, police added.

Police said they received multiple 9-1-1 calls about the two-car accident at 1:46 p.m. Saturday. Davis was trapped and had to be extricated by members of the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, before being transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle, police said.

The town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, Canton Police, New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance, Life Star and the North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Team were all at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, which is under investigation, is asked to call Canton police at 860-693-0221.