Litchfield County real estate information, local events and more.

We have all heard of the cuts made to heating assistance programs by the Federal Government. After what we went through in New England last year it doesn't make sense to me, but then again, nothing does. I know many who make hard choices lately because the cost of heating their homes has risen while their incomes have fallen. According to the town of New Milford, last year, $850,000 in heating assistance was given out to residents that qualified, this year, due to the cuts, they anticipate only $510,000 to be available. More people have less money these days, the costs associated with heating homes has risen.... it is a terrible situation.

The Town of New Milford is committed to raising money for our own Fuel Bank program. This Sunday, January 8th, is the Walk for Heating Assistance Fund Raiser, a 5K walk to raise money. The walk begins at 1:00 pm at the Richmond Senior Center on Main Street. To join the walk you need to give at least $10, but get people to sponsor your walk in order to raise more money! Registration begins at 12:30 in the Richmond Center dining room.

There will be prizes to the highest adult and youth pledge collectors! They are hoping to raise $20,000 with the walk, which is a drop in the bucket, all things considered. They want to load the streets of New Milford with walkers for this event, so come on down! (It was noted that this is a walk, not a run.)

This event is organized by New Milford Social Services, New Milford Senior Center and New Milford Parks & Rec department. The major sponsors of the event are ABC Fuels, Norbert Mitchell & Company and Marandola Fuel Service. Leahy's Fuels and Superior Plus Energy Services are also sponsors of the event.

So come on down, have some fun, join in and fill the streets of New Milford with people walking for a very worthy cause!!!! It might be your neighbor, a friend, a family member who goes without heat this year because of these budget cuts. No one should go cold, no child, no senior, no person in our town should go without heat. Yet many will, I have no doubt of that. Do what you can, even if it is just the $10 donation!

For more information and for pledge envelopes you can contact the New Milford Social Services Department at 860.355.6079 or New Milford CT Senior Center at 860.355.6075.

(Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.)

Here in Connecticut we have two power companies, Connecticut Light & Power, a division of Northeast Utilities, and United Illuminating. I have the (dubious) pleasure of only being able to use CL&P, UI does not cover this part of the state. Northeast Utilities and CL&P are under intense fire right now after the October snowstorm and all the power outages that occurred as a result of the storm. Or more precisely, their response time to the disaster.

So one would think they would be more careful with the poll of public opinion. For instance, more careful to give the appropriate credit to those that were without power. But no.... you have to call and ask for your credit. (Calling the power company is an exercise in patience if you ask me, but I digress.)

I ran across someone today that was fuming over an encounter Connecticut Light & Power. She has been a customer for 32 years, never been late with her bill. She has been paying her bill online at the CL&P website for quite a while now, until today that is. The bill is in her husbands name, but he has never paid a bill as long as they have been married, just to set the stage.

She logged into their CL&P account online and tried to pay the bill. A popup came up and said they wanted the social security number of the account holder. She opted out, and because of that was not able to pay the bill online. She called, and was told they needed the social security number, they could not allow her to use the online bill pay without it. BUT... she was told she could send a check in and bypass the question. Interesting..

She asked why they needed it. They insisted it was for security, to make sure no one else was paying her bill online. OK, that gave us all a laugh. IF someone wants to pay my bill for me, why should CL&P care? Or perhaps they have had a rash of terrorists paying our bills. Not that I would complain about that. I guess it would be an awful thing if someone paid your electric bill for you, terrorist or not. Wouldn't it? Just sayin...

They also offered to allow her to pay over the phone... for a $3.00 fee. Without giving out the SS#. (I love it when a company charges me money to pay my bill, NOT!)

They locked her out of the online account for failing to give the social security number by the way.

She called the complaint number on the back of the bill, it is apparently a company who runs interference for CL&P. The woman who took the complaint even agreed that she would never give her SS# out like that. If you already have an account (for over 32 years mind you) why the heck would they require it now, and ONLY if you were paying the bill online?

I think CL&P needs to start all over again. We are in the top 5 in the nation for highest electrical rates. When you pay top dollar, you expect good service. All the way around. That includes not harassing existing customers for social security numbers you don't need. And.. providing the best electrical service in the country, ok.. the 5th best. That would mean no power outages... no making your customers beg for the refunds you should have given them on the bills automatically. And I should never, ever lose power just because of a storm.. not for that kind of money.

CL&P eee UUUU... you really DO stink!

PS.... CL&P has NO problem starting service on a relocation home, ordered by a real estate agent without anything but a "Hi, this is Roxy the Realtor... can you change over the service at bla bla bla". Without a Social Security number mind you... very interesting if you ask me. Next Christmas you think Santa will bring me a windmill? Wonder if I have to provide him with my SS# in order to get one...

Here are a few scenes of Christmas around Litchfield County. I hope everyone has a magnificent day!!!!

Merry Christmas to all!!! I hope your day is filled with all things wonderful, and that the New Year will bring you good health, lots of laughter and love!

Neapolitan Crèche in Gaylordsville, CT.

There is still time, make the trip to Gaylordsville, CT to see the lifesize Neapolitan Crèche by local artist Dayle Elsesser. The display is magical, and the faces are friends and family of Dayle. Normally the display is lit until 11:00 pm, however on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve until 1:00 am.

Grab your camera, take your family and show them a unique local show by the very talented local artist Dayle Elsesser. We took the 4 year old grandson last night, he was truly amazed at the display! From the jugglers to the elephant, it is a magnificent scene indeed!

The Neapolitan Crèche is located at 48 Gaylord Rd in Gaylordsville, CT. Bring your cameras, a thermos of hot chocolate, your holiday spirit and enjoy!

Wonderful opportunity to live in the sought after neighborhood of Fox Ridge Rd in New Milford, CT! 4 bedroom colonial, great floor plan, wonderful commute location, take a look and see for yourself!

Fantastic Opportunity 4 Bedroom Colonial in Southern New Milford

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood

$405,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Partial Bathroom Interior: 3,129 sqft Lot: 1.98 acre(s) Location 6 Fox Ridge New Milford, CT 06776 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Andrea Swiedler, Swiedler & Adams Prudential Connecticut Realty (860) 355-2646 X 19 andrea@andreaswiedler.com http://www.andreaswiedler.com Listed by: Prudential Connecticut Realty

Our recent listings Fantastic Opportunity 4 Bedroom Colonial in Southern New Milford 3 Bedroom Colonial in Southern New Milford Intown Washington Depot Antique For Sale Country Estate in Roxbury CT Opportunity Knocks in New Milford CT Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

Beautiful Washington Depot turn of the century antique for sale. If you are looking for that special getaway in Litchfield County, look no further. The Swiedler & Adams team is proud to present 39 Cook Street in Washington Depot for sale.

This home has been restored from top to bottom by the current owners, from a new roof to the interior, there is really nothing left to do but choose your decorating scheme and move yourself in. Walk to the Depot, close to everything that is Washington, CT, come and enjoy life in Litchfield County at 39 Cook Street in Washington Depot.

Intown Washington Depot Antique For Sale

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood

$469,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms Interior: 2,500 sqft Lot: 0.75 acre(s) Location 39 Cook St Washington Depot, CT 06794 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Andrea Swiedler Prudential Connecticut Realty (860) 355-2646 X 19 andrea@andreaswiedler.com http://www.andreaswiedler.com   Listed by: Prudential Connecticut Realty

Our recent listings Intown Washington Depot Antique For Sale 3 Bedroom Colonial in Southern New Milford Country Estate in Roxbury CT Opportunity Knocks in New Milford CT New Milford CT Rental Close to Town Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Washington Depot, CT real estate for sale

I know how busy Santa is these days, making a list and checking it twice, this is crunch time for him. However we have managed yet again to get the jolly old elf himself to take the afternoon off from his busy schedule and come to New Milford! We are getting closer, Sunday December 18th from 1-3 pm Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the bandstand on the Village Green in New Milford, CT, enjoy a horse drawn hayride around the green, have some hot chocolate and don't forget to bring your camera's!

Every year I have the privilege of being a part of Holiday on the Green, our office has sponsored this event for a long time. Together with Housatonic Valley Insurance, Prudential Connecticut Realty of New Milford proudly presents Holiday on the Green. Come and enjoy the fun with us! This event is free for all, our gift to you.

Here is a slide show of last years Holiday on the Green. I do hope to see you there.

The Christmas trees are standing at the ready for this years Festival of Lights on the green in New Milford. The festivities begin at the south end of the green this Saturday, November 26th at 5:00 pm with Christmas karaoke, (new one on me), tree lighting at 5:30 along with readings, singing and a visit from Santa Claus!

2011 marks the 45th year of this wonderful tradition on our beautiful village green. The trees are donated by the New Milford United Methodist Church and the event is sponsored by the Village Center Organization. Come on down and join everyone for a good old fashioned time.

Enjoy a night of shopping, dining, or just enjoying the sites. Help to kick off a great holiday season in New Milford, CT at the Festival of Lights on the most beautiful village green in all of Connecticut!

We live plugged in, and for many of us in New England we have been painfully aware of just how much we depend on power. The number of those without power drops daily, but not fast enough for those who are still without.

Watching the news since the storm, the tone shifts from one of commenting on the sheer volume of those without power to questioning CL&P about their effectiveness. I cannot blame the public for their frustration. I was lucky as I had a place to go, many others either did not, or could not leave. Thankfully the days brought us warmer temperatures, but the nights were cold. We are not prepared to live without power, certainly it stressed people out.

The talk of more aggressive tree trimming is all over the news too. More aggressive tree trimming will translate to a higher electric bill. I am no dummy. Connecticut is one of the most forested states by the way, according to State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

"Even though Connecticut is one of the nation's most densely populated states, it is also one of the most heavily forested - nearly 60% of our landbase is in forest.  Of that 1.8 million forested acres, a full 95% is owned by private forest landowners - individuals, families, land trusts, municipalities and industries." (from the State of CT DEP website)

(map of New Milford, look at all those TREES!)

As I drive around it is obvious that even those who do not own a forest or a large tract of land have trees planted too close to the power lines. Either put there on purpose by the home owner or Mother Nature, or by Nutsy the Squirrel, these trees are clearly on private property. If Connecticut Light & Power is solely responsible for the tree trimming of these privately owned trees, the consumer pays the price for the trimming at the end of the day with higher utility rates. There is no way around that. And we do complain about the high cost of electricity!

Some will say that if we bury the power lines it will fix everything. It may solve the problem of trees falling on power lines, but at the end of the day, it will still cost the consumer to do so. I would love to see power lines buried, for purely aesthetic reasons, they often get in the way of my photography!

There is no easy solution. I do not know if CL&P was at fault for taking too long to restore power. The numbers were mind numbing of just how many people were without power, I couldn't imagine how they would get it done quickly. Especially as I drove around and saw entire trees down that took down lines, limbs entangled in the lines, etc. The one theme that resonated in my head over and over again as I witnessed the damage was one of more responsible tree maintenance by the homeowner and municipalities.

This is certainly a topic we will wrestle with for the foreseeable future. Looking for someone to blame will not solve the problem, coming together with the power company and working towards a more responsible tree maintenance and planting program will go a long way to solving this very complex issue that our love of trees has caused us. As I watch the news, Governor Malloy and CT Attorney General Jepsen are poised for attack against Connecticut Light & Power. I am not happy about this, spend the resources to solve the problem, which is a very complex one indeed. I think there is enough blame to go around. But the cost.... well... we know that it will cost the consumer at the end of the day. I can say one thing for sure, it wasn't MY tree that fell on that power line!

But to answer my initial question, who is the most important person in CT right now?

THE TREE WARDEN!

My house is without power. My town is a bit luckier than many around us who are at 100% without power. According to Connecticut Light & Power right now 53% of us in New Milford are without power, down from yesterday's 65%. I am also lucky that my daughter has power at her house, so we piled in the car, took the dog with us, and stayed warm and informed for the night.

The other inconvenience was that our cell phones weren't working yesterday, all day! I could see I had messages, I could read emails and texts, but I could not call out, respond to anything or get on the web. I was blind! Today it seems to be working better though.

Many of us do not have alternative heat sources in our homes. It is clear that living in the modern age has not taken into account that Mother Nature could care less if we don't have alternative heat sources, if we don't have electricity, if it is October and not mid winter. She will do as she pleases and we are at her mercy.

Over the next day or so I will be throwing most of my food away, (which really hurts) clearing the mess that is in my back yard, and being grateful that none of the branches and limbs hit the house or our own wires into the house. Driving down to my daughters yesterday was an event, dodging tree limbs, downed wires, etc. Just from what I saw this should take a very long time to clean up and get everyone back up and running.

I also drove past corn fields that had not yet been harvested. This is a total disaster for the local farmers. What a mess indeed!

It would seem that the modern world has sent me back to the ice age. I have to figure out a way to get an alternative heat source in my house, and oh boy is it going to be a long, long winter (again). What I used to think was beautiful... well... today... not so much!