22 June—The United States has been sinking deeper and deeper in the indefensible mire of court-sanctioned theocracy thanks to the Supreme Court’s unreasonable deference to religious overreach even before its unconstitutional Carson v. Makin decision announced yesterday. But I’ll stay local today.

At a meeting following a surprisingly spirited hearing on dealing (with) marijuana in town, Litchfield’s Board of Selectmen finally appointed a committee to study the consolidation of the totalitarian Borough of Litchfield (BOL) and the democratic Town of Litchfield (which doesn’t need an initialism).

That followed another pitch by Town Facilities Review Committee chair Sam Olmstead to save and renovate the architecturally and aesthetically deficient Breuer Bauhaus Bantam School for continued and possibly increased town use. Sam mentioned in passing that the old firehouse on the Green was on the market, as a possible annex for the town office building just about a hundred yards away.

The old firehouse is an exquisitely ugly late Victorian building that fits perfectly with the exquisitely ugly Regency-period but architecturally timeless former county jail next door and the exquisitely ugly late Victorian commercial buildings and somewhat less ugly former courthouse across the Green.

The old firehouse stirs fond memories of clothiers Outdoor Traders, followed by Tweeds & Tees, and finally the 1884 House (named for the wrought-iron date on the building’s façade). I still wear and treasure their schmattas, all of which I bought at clearance sales. Of course. Outdoor Traders’ 75-percent-off sales almost half a century ago were especially appealing. And who can forget the bowling alley in the basement? Who knew about it?

Sadly, the old firehouse probably wouldn’t work as a town-office annex for any number of reasons. But Cramer & Anderson, next door, could expand their law offices. Or a property developer could make it into another unneeded boutique hotel or giant B&B or overpriced boutique retail shops.

Or deadbeat blockbuster Chabad Lubavitch of Litchfield County Inc. could add the old firehouse to its shameful collection of deteriorating Victorian buildings intended to reduce property values in Litchfield.

Getting back to consolidation, redoubtable Planning & Zoning chair Carol Bramley, a former BOL resident, reminded the house that the BOL was established in 1818 and asserted that even though she’s a veteran she didn’t approve of the nasty yellow ribbons on the Green and in all events the ribbons were a silly reason to kill the BOL.

I reminded Carol that consolidation efforts preceded the ribbons and Selectmen Jonathan Torrant, committee organizer, reminded her that the BOL had been established as a village and wasn’t incorporated till the late nineteenth century. I’d have added that the village was one of only two ever in the state. And some other irrelevant stuff.

P&Z commissioner Burke Gibney, educated as a lawyer but evidently too honest to practice, opined that instead of a consolidation commission, a collaboration commission should be empaneled. So I couldn’t resist reminding him that the Borough of Litchfield Board of Warden and Burgesses (BOLBOWAB—an acronym rather than an initialism) has obdurately and consistently refused to collaborate or cooperate on virtually anything. Ever. Including the study committee.

The Consolidation Study Committee is a gratuitous extra step in the process. But at long last it’s a step in the right direction . . .