By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – Before a scant audience, the Sherman Board of Selectmen (“BOS” or “Board”) met Thursday, August 27, for the last meeting of summer 2026.  After calling the meeting to order, First Selectman Don Lowe appointed Michael Conforti to the Candlewood Lake Authority (“CLA”) as Sherman’s representative for a three-year term expiring August 2029, which appointment was unanimously approved by the Board.

The Board listened to a presentation by Mike Wilson, a Senior Planner with the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (“WestCog”), John McGovern, the Principal-in-Charge, Accessibility Consulting, at WT Group AEC and Brett Gordon, Project Manager for the Town of Sherman.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) went into effect for over 89,000 units of state and local governments on January 26, 1992, and imposes new requirements including the obligation to evaluate “all existing sites for compliance with Connecticut Building Codes and the federal 2010 standards and create a transition plan that identifies deficits and recommends solutions to each.”

The study focused on more than just infrastructure; it also looked at how programs or opportunities are made available to people with disabilities and how policies are designed to be more inclusive and inviting.  Staff were questioned – “how does the Town invite, analyze and fulfill requests for reasonable modifications from people with a disability?”  Public facing policies and procedures were reviewed; programs – anything the Town thinks important enough to be publicly available, including picnic tables in the park, were considered.  Once evaluations are complete, the Department of Justice requires a transition plan with four requirements.  They are: One – identify every barrier to access, two – how will the obstacles be treated, three – when will the solution occur and four – who is responsible for implementation.

It’s important to note, fulfilling ADA requirements is an unfunded mandate, which means the Towns bears the cost of compliance.  The presentation, and report, went into greater detail than this article can cover.  The bottom line, the recommendations of the consultants for Sherman’s compliance total an estimated $2,291,107.  Following comments by Lowe, the report will be tweaked; the presenters may return to a future meeting for further discussion.

Business Manager Liz La Via briefly summarized the Town’s financials, noting for FY 2025/26, combined with the school, the return of $400/k+ to the general fund due in part to debt service being lower than budgeted.  The first of three annual audits is ongoing.  She reported that the budget is on track 2 months into FY 2026/27.  Town Treasurer Andrea Maloney said, “we are looking ahead on revenue as well” plus extra revenue from interest.  She anticipates more money being returned to the general fund.  Bonding was completed earlier in the month at a slightly lower-than-anticipated interest rate.   Mr. Lowe noted that the Town maintained its high bond rating.  He requested thanks to Ms. Maloney and Ms. La Via for all they do.

The First Selectman relayed the written report submitted by Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (“SVFD” or the “Department”) Chief Chris Fuchs.  To date, the Department has responded to 271 emergency calls.  Chief Fuchs said August was a busy month with “many ambulance calls “and several incidents on Candlewood Lake.”  The SVFD “proudly marched” in the Bridgewater Fair Parade on August 21 and brought home a trophy for Best Appearing Commercial Pumper.  Current members are training with the new mini-pumper and continue to build their search and rescue skills.  The SVFD welcomed three new members this month.  Lastly, Fuchs expressed the Department’s thanks for the Sherman Community’s support of its annual Firemen’s Ball earlier in August.

Public Works Supervisor Kris Fazzone reported that his department just registered with govbid.com, an online auction to sell items owned by  the Town.  He said there are no fees to the Town in selling; it is the buyer who pays a fee.  Ms. La Via commented that this platform provides a “much better process than what the Town usually does” to sell unwanted items.  Discussion ensued.  Mr. Lowe motioned to approve the use of govbid.com, which passed unanimously.

Lowe reported that the Sherman Senior Center Building Committee chose Christopher Williams Architects AIA (New Haven) out of 13 groups that applied.  The contract is currently being drafted.  Mr. Williams is expected to attend the committee’s next meeting on September 8.  “We’re really off and running,” Lowe said.

Regarding the Town Beach dock slips, the First Selectman recently met with CLA Executive Director Mark Howarth to discuss the Town’s potential use of CLA docks.  He said the Board will continue to work on this through the winter. Selectman Bob Ostrosky said he hopes the CLA keeps an open mind as they move forward with this path.  “Everyone needs to just keep an open mind.”  Lowe’s goal is to submit the Town’s original application to FirstLight with the addition of the CLA docks, which would leave the Town with options.

The Board and those in attendance continued the discussion on scam awareness and  Mallory Town Hall Security.  Mr. Ostrosky would like future agendas to include town security camera discussions, which came about after discussion of an overturned port-a-potty.   Mr. Fazzone mentioned one camera in existence near where the incident happened, and his intent to review footage.

The next Board of Selectman’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m.