By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – Meeting earlier due to Thanksgiving and for the first time as the “newly re-elected” board, the Sherman Board of Selectmen (“BOS” and/or “Board”) convened for its monthly meeting on Thursday November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Mallory Town Hall.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Town Business Manager Liz LaVia congratulated First Selectman Don Lowe, and Selectmen Robert Ostrosky an d Joel Bruzinski on their re-election to the Board saying she was “glad to still be working with them.”  She went on to note the Town’s finances were tracking as expected and a calendar for the 2024 budget cycle meetings would be presented at next month’s meeting.

Mr. Lowe advised that the Town did not receive a $270,000 community connectivity grant for which it applied from the Connecticut Department of Transportation; however, its application will remain for consideration if additional funding for the program is received in 2024.

Retiring Town Treasurer Eric Holub was presented with a plaque from the Town for his eighteen years of service.  Mr. Lowe also presented Mr. Holub with a personal gift; both gestures and recognition of service brought forth the applause of residents.

Jared Bonner was unanimously reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) for a five-year term.  Mr. Bonner, a former ZBA member, had to step down from his position during his campaign for first selectman.

Reading from a report submitted by Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (“SVFD” or “Department”) Chief Chris Fuchs prior to the meeting, Mr. Lowe relayed the Department’s activities for the past month.  Accordingly, the SVFD responded to 415 emergency calls year-to-date, and members conducted training for search and rescue in a burning building.  The Department’s CPR instructors held a community CPR class at the firehouse on November 4.  Now that the holiday season is upon us, so too are the SVFD annual fundraisers.  The Department held its Christmas tree pre-sale on November 24. Its pancake breakfast with Santa is scheduled for Sunday, December 3 from 8 to 11 a.m. and Santa’s Express will make its way through Town on Sunday, December 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Residents can register to have a present delivered to a child by Santa in “his” Christmas express firetruck.  Chief Fuchs’ closing message was a reminder to residents to change batteries in their smoke detectors every six months.

A representative from Logically (formerly Network Support) attended the meeting to explain its services and answer questions regarding renewal of the Town’s IT contract.  Effective January 1, the cost for IT support moves to a flat monthly rate for unlimited help – excluding on-site support which will be billed at $175/hr.  When discussing multi-factor authentication, it was recommended that the Town switch to Office 365, then such authentication is easy to im plement. 

As the year is nearing an end, the need for resident approval of funding for various items continues.  The Board unanimously voted to bring to a town meeting the following: (i) for an amount, not to exceed $10,000, from the capital non-recurring fund for the purchase of computers for senior center staff, (ii) the sum of $70,000 from the capital non-recurring fund, or ARPA, or a combination, for the resurfacing of Wakeman Hill Road, Meadow Lane and Bridgeworth Lane, (iii) for an amount, not to exceed $66,500, from the capital non-recurring fund for Phase I of plan to add 14 dock slips in Sherman Town Park – such amount includes the cost for an RFP, design services, a survey and project administration, (iv) for an amount, not to exceed $11,000, from the capital non-recurring fund to outfit PW Truck 4 with a sander, and, mindful of need for Historic District Commission approval, (v) for an amount, not to exceed $13,500, from the capital non-recurring fund for the purchase of a generator for the senior center.  Ms. LaVia noted, such expense – or perhaps a portion – qualifies under the LoCIP grant.   In other matters, the Board approved an emergency capital expenses for a heating/cooling unit at the Scout House and will move forward with a bid from Mitchell Oil.  

Keeping his monthly report brief, Public Works (“PW”) Supervisor Kris Fazzone summarized PW’s progress. Road patching for the season is complete and Eversource is working on trees on Hardscrabble Road and other areas. The docks are out of Candlewood Lake for the season and Truck 7 has arrived and is ready to go!

Mr. Bruzinski reported on the recent School Building Committee (“SBC”) meeting.  He advised that billing was closed out and the SBC seeks to learn its new/current charge.  In the meantime, there are repairs that need immediate attention.

Mr. Lowe seeks feedback from the Board and community regarding ways to commemorate the naming of “Carol Havens Way,” which is being done to honor Town employee Carol Havens.  PW will order signs denoting the new street name.

Continuing from last month’s discussion about Sherman Commission for the Arts’ (“CFA”) desire to implement a CivicLift calendar for the CFA, Mr. Bruzinski summarized his conversation with a representative from Civic Lift, and took it further – a town community calendar.  Based on what was learned – a possible town community calendar and website (redesign) from one vendor, the Board voted to table a request to fund a redesign of the Town’s website by Revise, which was slated for the November 21 Town Meeting.  

Providing an update from Trooper Wayne on traffic enforcement, Mr. Lowe indicated that “more and more, high speeds are the exception.”  “Keep it going,” Mr. Ostrosky said.

Lastly, Mr. Lowe noted, the primary discussion to be had by Senior Center Committee members at their November 29 meeting is the “timing of moving forward.”  The B oard wished all in attendance a Happy Thanksgiving.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday December 21, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in Mallory Town Hall.