Sherman – Before a scant gathering, and without Selectman Joel Bruzinski, the Sherman Board of Selectmen (“Board” or “BOS”) met for its regularly scheduled board meeting, Thursday, April 27 at Mallory Town Hall.   

Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (“SVFD” or “Department”) Chief Chris Fuchs provided the Board with the Department’s monthly report.  Year-to-date, the SVFD responded to 134 emergency calls.  Its Marine 7 rescue boat is back out on Candlewood Lake for the season.  During the month of April, twelve members completed water rescue, refresher, and most new training, while ten members were in the process of completing a technical rope rescue class and two members are scheduled to begin Firefighter I training in May.  Chief Fuchs reported that one new member is in her Emergency Medical Responder class; Chief Fuchs expects to have this member certified later this spring.

Chief Fuchs reported on the Department’s struggle for adequate EMS coverage during the workday.  “Our members have been doing a fantastic job covering our nighttime calls, our weekend calls, but we are still struggling daytime, Monday through Friday, 6am to 6pm.”  Despite the Department’s efforts at bringing new members in, getting them medically trained and certified, the Department simply lacks available personnel. Chief Fuchs indicated the Department will continue working on its recruitment and retention efforts.  He thanked Kris Fazzone and “his crew” who help when they can with fire calls.  Selectm an Robert Ostrosky and Mr. Lowe assured the Chief of the Town’s support of and commitment to the SVFD doing its job and doing it “right.”    

The Board voted to bring to a Town Meeting a capital request from Public Works (PW) for an amount not-to-exceed $26,000 from the capital non-recurring fund for a 200,000 BTU Renzor propane hanging heater and a 400-gallon upright Roth oil tank for PW’s property.  Fire Marshall Dave Lathrop reminded the Board that the waste oil tanks currently on the property were tested and are “not hot,” which means they can be pumped, and the oil disposed of.  He went on to advise that the oil tank currently in use has reached its life expectancy and needs replacing. PW Supervisor Kris Fazzone added that the new 400-gallon tank is designed for installation outdoors.  

It also voted to revise the PW union contract to allow PW employees the option of using their $275 annual boot allowance for other types of work-related clothing and gear. 

Mr. Fazzone provided an update on PW projects, including tree-cutting and road paving.  Eversource was expected to commence with removal of a downed tree at the Town Park and “monster trees” on Gelston Road within the next week.  Mr. Fazzone reported that Eversource recently approved an eight-month long project of tree-cutting and wire installation from Route 55 into Town; after which Sherman will have two main sources of power coming into Town.  He also briefly touched upon planned future work by and a future request for PW.  

In other news, Mr. Lowe indicated further discussion is necessary on the proposed repairs to two buildings at Sherman Town Park – the white building and the red building on the hill.  He also provided an update on Town bids.  The largest bid, expected to be sent early May, is for resurfacing and painting, along with lesser repairs, of all seven buildings located at/on Happy Acres Farm.&nbsp ; This, Mr. Lowe noted, is part of a $200,000 STEEP Grant, which excludes the silos on the property.  The barn is also in need of “safe electrical.”  The Town Business Manager, Liz LaVia, noted the grant requires the Town to pay a portion of the costs. 

Progress at the Scout House is slow, at best.  The Town received a $20,000 grant for an architectural study of the property/house, which study, when completed, was a mere 11-pages.  Before bids, the State Historic Commission has asked the architectural firm for a more comprehensive proposal.  No changes are contemplated, just shoring up the roof and preserving the building.  Mr. Lowe said the Town was holding off on The Town Beach bids.  Lastly, he reported WESTCOG accepted the Town’s grant application for the Old Greenwoods Extension Bridge.  Competing with other small towns for a “pot of money,” if awarded the money, Sherman can receive $1,450,000 for this project.            

In Mr. Bruzinski’s absence, Mr. Lowe gave a brief update on the Sherman School Building Committee, which is in a “lull” as the committee considers what an “acceptable proposal” for the project is.  The committee has its eyes set on a September referendum.  Both Mr. Lowe and Mr. Ostrosky mentioned outstanding questions posed to the committee, including whether a grant application for reimbursement from the State was planned. 

Mr. Lowe also said the Town was “a little lax” in traffic enforcement – due to vacation and a grant snafu, but that was about to change.  The Town has approximately $45,000 to spend through year-end on trooper overtime for enforcement.   Resident Terry Hahn asked the Board whether traffic reports/enforcement information could be made public.

The newly formed Sherman Senior Center Building Committee will meet for the first time in May.  All five workshop members, as well as four “new” members, make up the committee.  However, Mr. Lowe chose to hold off on announcing the names of the new members until acceptance confirmation was received from all four.  Mr. Lowe noted the committee’s plan to set forth a proposal for the town to vote upon.         

During public comment, Ms. Hahn provided an update on the cell tower, reiterating that the tower, and the property on which it sits, is privately owned, and will be privately maintained.  Ms. Hahn noted there are some who do not respect the “do not enter/private” sign(s) and “sightsee” on Coote Hill Road.  She reported transformers were delivered and completion of the installation necessary for the tower to “go live” will proceed accordingly.  Mr. Lowe mentioned that the SVFD emergency transmitting equipment will also be installed, free of charge.    

The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 25, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in Mallory Town Hall.

By Michelle L. Santoro