By, Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – Occurring at the same time as the Sherman Middle School End-of-Year Concert, the regularly scheduled meeting of the Sherman Board of Selectmen (“BOS” or “Board”) on Thursday, May 23 drew a scant crowd of four, excluding the press.  First Selectman Don Lowe jokingly asked whether the vast audience would be able to cram into the room, and thanked journalists for attending.  

Getting down to business, the BOS quickly dispensed with its administrative items, including setting the Town’s Mill Rate at 16.36 for the upcoming fiscal year (FY), which is down from 17.86 for FY ‘23/24.  Mr. Lowe noted the decrease in Mill Rate was due to an increase in assessment revaluation.  He further noted a two percent increase in the Town budget.  The Board voted to suspend collection efforts on $7,342.21 from the 2016-2022 grand list, representing 21 taxpayers.    

Following last month’s unanticipated vi sit from OSHA officials, the Town was fined $3,800 for items cited, including using the boiler room as storage.  Delivering the Town’s Financial review, Business Manager Liz La Via announced all items cited by OSHA were remedied. Nearing the end of the FY, everything is tracking as expected and budget overages are justified, La Via said.  Discussion ensued, with some jokes between the Board and audience members; however, the necessity of OSHA’s findings was acknowledged as justified.  The Board voted to bring to a Town Meeting a request for an amount not to exceed $10,000 for a shed to be placed on town property near Mallory Town Hall.  Selectman Joel Bruzinski perused The Barn Yard Shed & Garages for available sheds and feels the look is appropriate for the Historic Commission.

Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (“SVFD” or “Department”) Chief Chris Fuchs said the Department was very busy the days leading up to the meeting.  Year-to-date, the Department has responded to 149 emergency calls.  The Department’s EMS responders were recognized for National EMS week.  Currently, two members are enrolled in Firefighter 1 class and one member is enrolled in Firefighter 2 training.  Additionally, Chief Fuchs said several members are attending other types of training this month.  The SVFD is preparing for its annual Firemen’s Ball on August 3.  Tickets are $40 each and are available online or can be purchased through an SVFD member. 

Despite the absence of Public Works (“PW”) supervisor Kris Fazzone, the standing joke continued regarding the position of PW on the agenda.  Through a written report to the Board, Mr. Fazzone commented that PW was moved to its “proper place on the agenda – #2.””  He wrote, things were shaping up for the Town’s Memorial Day parade on Sunday.  Planned tree work was moved to mid-June due to weather issues.  Fazzone said the Town parks were “looking good.”  All the picnic tables were painted by volunteer students from Abbott Tech.  Chip sealing is complete on several streets in town.  Back sweeping of loose stone and the application of a seal will occur in the coming weeks, resulting in longer durability and a dark asphalt look.  PW has yet to schedule basin cleaning and noted the growing list of potholes it hopes to address soon. Fazzone ended by wishing all a great Memorial Day Weekend.  The First Selectman noted he discussed with PW the problem of dog feces in town parks.  Resident Ed Hayes questioned whether Sherman had a fine in place.  The Board pondered how best to address the problem. 

With respect to the proposed Sherman Senior Center, Lowe indicated the committee “probably had its best meeting” yet, at which the architect presented an organized floor plan with everything on the committee’s “wish list” for the building.  The First Selectman said the plan is not yet ready for public presentation but is close.  Next step in the process is pricing.  Mr. Lowe noted the committee hopes to stay within a three-million-dollar budget.  The committee expects to have a better idea at its next meeting. 

“Nothing but good news so far about that,” said the First Selectman regarding the pickleball courts.  The Inlands Wetlands Commission granted “administrative approval” of the Town’s application rather than its usual 2–3-month process.  The application is on the agenda for Planning and Zoning’s (“P&Z”) June 6 meeting.    

Discussion was had regarding the Board of Education’s (“BOE”) anticipated budget deficit in the approximate amount of $251,000.  Lowe noted that Dr. Cosentino and Pat and Tim Laughlin received a suggestion from the auditor that includes waiting until the end of the year “to see exactly where they are and whittle this down as small as they possibly can.”  Regardless, the budget shortfall will come from the Town surplus. The First Selectman said the BOS has authority to move surplus funds for the deficit without a Town meeting; there is nothing to vote NO on, bills must be paid.  However, Selectman Robert Ostrosky said transparency for the public should still be considered, maybe with a BOS Special Meeting.    

The Board voted to bring to a future Town Meeting a request from the Sherman School Building Committee (“SBC”) for an amount not to exceed $50,000 for its summer capital projects.  A list of projects was presented to the BOS by the BOE and Superintendent in a memo dated May 22, 2024, which projects will be justified to the public by the BOE at such town meeting. 

Mr. Lowe reviewed the standard AIA contract for the school’s roof recovery project, which he will sign so the project can begin moving forward.  He also advised that the Town was proceeding with Town Beach Doc k additions and redesign work and was moving toward the goal of applying to FERC.  Lowe said the work completed thus far is in the hands of First Light an d P&Z hands.  The First Selectman discussed the drawn maps for the proposed new docks.  Kayak racks and passive boating will be moved to one area, in an inlet; there is a total redesign of the area with dedicated areas for swimming and fishing area; some horticultural work.  While the wall will be costly, Lowe said the initial costs thrown out for the project were “unacceptable.”  

Other matters discussed included a proposal from IT Difference, a small IT company based in Ridgefield.  Mr. Bruzinski and Ms. La Via met with representatives to discuss the Town’s IT needs. Discussion ensued, including some dissatisfaction with the Town’s current IT provider – Logically, which became known for the Selectman during the generator project at Senior Center.  He will meet with a sales representative Logically during the coming week.  The Board voted to approve an increase to Park and Recreation’s current year expense funding by $35,000 to cover a $15,000 shortfall and $20,000 for anticipated needs through year-end, and to increase its revenue by the same amount. As a follow-up to the original approval of the part-time Park and Recreation position, Mr. Bruzinski requested feedback.  Mr. Ostrosky also requested feedback on “views” on the new Town calendar.  The Town continues in its efforts to curb speeding.  Only two “significant tickets were issued in the past month, both drivers were clocked around 74 miles per hour.”      

During public comment, Mr. Hayes thanked the Boy Scouts for putting up flags throughout town for Memorial Day without being asked.