By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – With Election Day less than one week away, the Town Tribune caught up with Briana E. Grenier, who petitioned to run against incumbent Don Lowe for Sherman’s First Selectman.

When asked what called her to public service, why she “threw her hat in the race,” Ms. Grenier responded as follows:  

 I was called to public service by a deep love for Sherman and a desire to address the gaps I’ve experienced firsthand. Growing up here, serving in the military, and caring for aging and terminally ill parents showed me how often systems meant to help residents fail. I’ve also seen well-intentioned environmental policies cause unintended damage, highlighting the need for practical, accountable leadership. Real solutions often start locally, not in distant agencies. I am committed to being a leader who listens, acts, and holds systems accountable — ensuring Sherman residents are supported, our environment protected, and our town serves as an example of effective, community-focused governance. Like the military taught me, problems are best solved at the lowest level — starting here in Sherman.  

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?

As First Selectman, I want to restore the community Sherman was once known for. My priorities include improving transparency in town government, supporting small businesses, protecting our natural resources, and making Sherman affordable for families, seniors, and future generations. I will explore tax benefits for residents who live in Sherman year-round, like New Milford, and encourage the restoration of existing homes rather than building new.  Public safety is also a top priority — our seniors should never fear crossing the road. We don’t need more signs, cameras, or radar; we need real traffic-calming solutions that force drivers to slow down naturally. Sherman deserves safer roads, stronger community connections, and leadership focused on preserving what makes our town truly special.

What would you change about the Board of Selectmen and/or Sherman?

If elected, I would work to make the Board of Selectmen more transparent, accountable, and focused on the needs of all Sherman residents. We need leaders who make responsible decisions for the good of the town, not just for one or two individuals, who aren’t afraid to have difficult conversations, and who don’t go silent when real problems arise. I would prioritize practical solutions over inaction, ensuring issues like traffic safety, senior accessibility, and affordable housing are addressed effectively. Policies would support restoring existing homes, small businesses, and long-term residents. My goal is to make Sherman and its full-time residents the priority, fostering a Board that listens, acts, and plans responsibly for the town’s future.  

Ms. Grenier is a Coast Guard Veteran, a 200-ton Boat Captain, and a “leader in blue economy workforce development.”  When asked what experience she would bring to the Board, she says,

strong leadership, accountability, and a safety-first mindset to the role of First Selectman. A captain’s primary duty is the safety of the crew, vessel, and environment — requiring foresight, calm under pressure, and sound decision-making. I bring that same approach to community service. I have no problem having those difficult and uncomfortable discussions and saying the quiet part out loud.

Ms. Grenier is an active volunteer with the Fire Department, who serves on the Conservation Commission, and a volunteer at the Sherman School, Library, and Senior Center giving lectures and workshops.  According to Ms. Grenier, she wears many hats, but says,

Behind every role is a common thread: first-hand experience, understanding and adapting to systems, creating practical solutions, and sharing my experiences. Each hat informs the others, shaping how I approach problems, connect with people, and make an impact in my community and beyond. You will hear me joke, I am a boat captain so I can afford to be a [ocean] scientist, and I am French, so I have expensive hobbies, and I am Irish so I teach them all. Over 20 years ago, I started working summers on Block Island in tourism and winters teaching snowboarding. After serving in the Coast Guard and while attending university, my mother became terminally ill with neurological Lyme disease. I needed a flexible schedule to care for my parents, choosing family over a traditional career. I adapted and overcame. At the heart of everything I do is I transfer skills and turn them into action that benefits both the community and the environment.