Norwalk River Valley Trail Opens New Section
The newest section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail is officially open. After only a little more than two months, the trail blazing work on the third section of the east-side “Wilton Loop” was finished slightly ahead of the Labor Day prediction by the NRVT organizing committee.
With an announcement on the NRVT Facebook page letting supporters and followers know the trail is open, the committee thanked supporters “for their donations, time, effort, and simple encouragement,” and the Timber & Stone trail crew who built the trail.
The newest section of trail runs .5 miles from Sharp Hill Rd. to near Twin Oak Ln..
The opening of this newest section means that, since November 2013, 1.6 miles of the east-side loop have been completed (from Rte. 7 at Wolfpit Rd. to near Twin Oak Ln.). The trail is now long enough, out and back, to host a 5K run. “The trail is a great resource for the Wilton High School cross country and track teams,” says coach Jim Gerweck.
Since the opening of the first section of the Loop in April 2014, community use of the trail has grown impressively. “Cliff and I are always impressed by the number of people we see on the trail. It has become a real focal point of the community, a place to meet and exercise at the same time,” says Norma Fox, a donor with husband Cliff to the new section of trail.
The focus of the Wilton Loop project will now move on to extending the east-side loop as far as Skunk Ln., a project that will involve construction of a 200-foot-plus boardwalk over wetlands.
Two recent challenge grants from local donors have provided a significant foundation for the funds needed to extend the trail to Skunk Ln. If an additional $250,000 can be raised, construction of this next section may begin in the fall.
The organization also asked anyone who uses the trail, “If you like it, please tell you friends. If you’d like more, please [visit the website to donate]. All donations, whatever their size, will help us move forward.”
Contributions to the NRVT are tax-deductible and also may be sent to “The Friends of the NRVT,” P.O. Box 174, Georgetown, CT 06829.
Rep. Lavielle Achieves Perfect House Voting Record for Fifth Consecutive Year
For the fifth consecutive year since she was first elected to state office, State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) has achieved a 100-percent voting record for all roll call votes taken on the floor of the State House of Representatives during the 2015 Regular Session. The House Clerk’s Office released the data on members’ votes this week.
“I am pleased to have cast all 379 votes in the House this session,” said Lavielle. “It is my priority to be present in Hartford for my constituents in Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport. There are always many long hours during a legislative session, but it is essential to me that the residents of the 143rd district are represented at the Capitol at all times.”
A release from the representative’s office stated, “Perfect attendance and voting is very difficult to achieve, and only one third of Rep. Lavielle’s legislative colleagues were able to attain it this year. A perfect voting record — particularly throughout multiple years — is indicative of deliberate dedication and commitment.”
Lavielle represents Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport. She is Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Education Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. She is also a member of the Appropriations and Transportation Committees.
The next regular session of the General Assembly will convene in February of 2016.
Kiwanis to Hold Ceremony to Honor Deceased Members
The Kiwanis Club of Wilton will be holding a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 12:15 p.m. to honor and memorialize Tom Brody and Bob Siebert, two members who died during the past year.
In a tradition that started in 1999 after the death of beloved Kiwanis member Patti Craw, the club began annually honoring members who have died during the previous year. At the ceremony, plaques for Brody and Siebert will be added to the many that already adorn the support posts of the pavilion at Kiwanis Park (at the Wilton YMCA).
Family members are invited to join the club at the ceremony and club members are invited to share a few words in remembrance to help honor their memory.
UPDATED: This item was updated to reflect a change in date and time.
