By, Michelle L. Santoro

 SHERMAN – The Sherman Board of Selectmen (“BOS” or “Board”) met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 26, in Mallory Town Hall.  Following Budget workshops on March 4, March 9, and March 11, the BOS, acting as the Board of Finance, voted unanimously to approve the proposed 2026/27 Town and Board of Education (“BOE”) budgets.  The Annual Town Budget Meeting, at which residents can question and comment on each of the presented budgets, is set for April 18 at 10:00 a.m.  Following adjournment of this town meeting, residents will approve or disapprove the budgets at a referendum on May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  After a brief discussion among the Board, First Selectman Don Lowe signed the Referendum Warning.  Voting by absentee ballot is available for two weeks prior to the referendum.  

 The proposed budgets are: $7,934,192 (Town) and $10,095,148 (BOE), for a total of $18,029,340. 

The Board will schedule a second town meeting, likely immediately preceding the Annual Town Budget Meeting, at which residents will be asked to approve three items for Happy Acres Farm, including a retroactive emergency expense, possibly a Sherman Playhouse power upgrade, and changes to the Land Use Office’s fee schedule.  Town Business Manager Liz La Via confirmed that town approval is required for fee changes for Planning & Zoning, the Inland & Wetlands Commission, Building Department, and Health Department.

With respect to Happy Acres Farm, upon motion, the Board approved to bring the following requests to a town meeting: (1) to authorize an additional appropriation of $10,000, funded from the accumulated cell tower revenue, for farm related maintenance and operating expenses through June 30, 2026, from the Happy Acres restricted fund, (2) to retroactively authorize an appropriation of $6,397.53 from the Happy Acres Farm restricted fund for the emergency purchase and replacement of a leaking fuel tank in the yard of Happy Acres Farm; and (3) to authorize an appropriation, not to exceed $11,000 from the Happy Acres Farm restricted fund, for fencing to secure the parameters on the western wall.  Following these three motions, the Board discussed needed repairs to the farm’s residence.  Mr. Lowe intends to prepare bid specs for a later meeting.

Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (the “Department”) Chief Chris Fuchs submitted correspondence regarding the Department’s activities during the past month.  Thus far this year, the Department responded to seventy-two emergency calls, with the Chief noting that the past month was “particularly busy.”

Recently, the Department’s Apparatus Committee traveled to Illinois to conduct a final inspection of the mini pumper, which the Department will take delivery of in several weeks.  They welcomed one new member.  EMS responders underwent skills training, including using the EKG monitor, administering intramuscular injections and Narcan, while the firefighters familiarized themselves with the Department’s new thermal imaging cameras that can detect heat within walls, locate victims trapped in a fire and search for missing hikers at night.

Mr. Lowe announced the arrival of the Hometown Heroes Banners.  An “unveiling” is planned for May 16 at 11:00 a.m. on the Town Green, where the banners will hang.   Food will be provided.  

Public Works (“PW”) Supervisor Kris Fazzone provided an update on the department, including the completion of winter tasks and the hope that winter is over.  He discussed the repair and maintenance of PW equipment, including mowers and blowers, as the department readies itself for the spring season.  Mr. Fazzone advised that cold patch patching of potholes has commenced.  He said, “Some roads need some love.”  Fazzone and the Board discussed Anderson, Wakeman and Holiday Point Roads, and plow damage to private property.  The Department is preparing for sweeping – if residents want to push sand into the road, PW will sweep it away.

In other news, both Mr. Lowe and Town Treasurer Andrea Maloney have done walk-throughs at the Sherman School and said the renovation project is “really coming along.”  The erection of steel commenced.  Mr. Lowe said, there is “generally good sentiment by all regarding progress.”  A “Laying the Big Beam” ceremony was planned for April 1.  At the Board of Education meeting earlier in the month, Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino noted that beams were to be signed by students and staff before placement in the new building.  Selectman Joel Bruzinski awaits a third bid for the Sherman Playhouse power upgrade.  Mr. Lowe anticipates sending out a Request for Proposal for an architect for the Sherman Senior Center project.   

Ms. La Via reported that the Town’s IT provider does not think cyber insurance is necessary with the safeguards in place.  Both Mr. Lowe and Selectman Bob Ostrosky were comfortable with the assessment.  The Board awaits clarification on HRRA member ordinances.  Mr. Lowe said, it’s “much ado about nothing so far.”

The Board voted to approve the appointment of Laura Jagodzinski to the Commission on Arts as a full Commissioner for a three-year term ending January 1, 2029.   Ms. La Via reported that everything is tracking smoothly nine months in.

The next regular Board of Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for April 23 at 7:00 p.m. in Mallory Town Hall.