By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman –  The Sherman Board of Selectmen (“BOS” or “Board”) met for their final meeting of the summer on August 22.  First Selectman Don Lowe presided over the nearly two-hour long meeting, which was also available to the public on zoom.  Selectmen Joel Bruzinski and Bob Ostrosky were present.

Town Treasurer Andrea Maloney shared hand-outs on both bondin g scenarios previously agreed upon by the Board as preferable for the Town in the event the Renovate-to-New School Building Project is approved by voters.  Discussion ensued.  Board of Education (“BOE”) member and Budget Chair Tim Laughlin  then spoke about estimated costs for the project, noting that costs were broken down into two separate projects as the central administrative space (“CAS”) is not considered part of the school.  The total cost for the project is $42,631,325—$190,068 of which is allocated to the CAS.  Discussion about the timetable for return of retainage ensued.  The total project cost, inclusive of financing, is $42,781,325, which is rounded up to $42,800,000 for the below resolution, with the Town’s responsibility rounded up to $32,075,000 for authorization purposes.  

After reading into the record resolutions  for appropriation of funds for the project, the issuance of bonds and referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a report pursuant to state statute, the Board voted in favor of the language.  It then voted to approve and submit the appropriation and bonding resolution for the project to a Special Town meeting scheduled on Saturday September 21.  Then, the resolution is set for referendum on October 5th at Charter Hall (Emergency Services Facility) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

The question to be voted upon by residents is as follows:

              ‘SHALL THE TOWN OF SHERMAN APPROPRIATE $42,800,000 TO RENOVATE AS NEW SHERMAN SCHOOL INCLUSIVE OF ITS CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE SPACE AND AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR NOTES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $32,075,000 TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION, OR ANY LESSER AMOUNT AS MAY BE NECESSARY AFTER DEDUCTING GRANTS TO BE RECEIVED FOR THE PROJECT?’

Absentee ballots will be available for residents in the Town Clerk’s office beginning September 24th through Oct. 4th, and on Saturday, Sep. 28th from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.   The Board discussed the need to create and send out to residents an unbiased, factual mailer.

In order for the Town to solicit state grants, Mr. Lowe read into the record the required resolution, which included authorization for the BOE to apply to and accept or reject a grant from the State’s Commissioner of Administrative Services.  These resolutions were unanimously approved by the Board.

Mr. Laughlin spoke regarding the anticipated BOE budget overage.  Once expected to reach $267,000, the BOE has worked to reduce the overage, which is now projected to be $217,930.17.  Reasons given for the overage include the addition of an additional bus to Shepaug to alleviate overcrowding and unanticipated special education  and transportation services expenses.

Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (“SVFD” or “Department”) Chief Chris Fuchs presented to the Board his monthly report.  To date, the SVFD has responded to 264 emergency calls.  Thirteen members assisted the Town of Southbury  as part of a swift water rescue team in the rescue of approximately 50 campers trapped at Lake Zoar as a result of the recent flooding.  The rescue effort took three and a half hours.  Members also assisted  with the rescue of 60 people trapped at Jackson Cove in Oxford.  Ch ief Fuchs praised the efforts of the SVFD members and noted the use of tri-band radios – purchased following approval to use American Rescue Plan Act funds, as instrumental in communicating with other agencies.  The Department hosted its annual picnic on August 25.

In other business, the Board retracted a July 27 motion approving a request for assessor’s online field cards due to an increase in price, which retraction passed unanimously.  Following the retraction, the Board approved a motion to send to town meeting a request for an amount not to exceed $16,000 from the capital non-recurring fund for the purchase of online assessor’s field cards with $5000 of that amount being approved retroactively because of a deposit.

Following Kris Fazzone’s monthly report on Public Works (“PW”), in which the supervisor advised that all prep work for the milling and paving projects on Wakeman Hill Road, Meadow Lane and Bridgeworth Lane were complete, the Board approved a motion to move to town meeting a request for funds not to exceed $8,000 from the capital non-recurring fund for a plow to go on PW Truck #4.

After discussion by Mr. Lowe regarding the Town reclaiming the Scout House project from state involvement, the Board voted to bring to town meeting a request to appropriate an amount not to exceed $3,000 from the capital non-recurring fund for the payment toward a structural engineer analysis of the roof of the Scout House. Bid specifications to contract for a structural engineering study of the roof need drafting.  During discussion, Lowe advised that the Town plans to reuse the architectural study previously paid for by the State and will seek approval from the Sherman Historic Commission for the work on this historic building.

The Board also approved a motion to bring to town meeting a request to change Commission for the Arts bylaws, expanding their membership from seven to nine.

Mr. Lowe discussed the need to appoint a third person to the Town’s Board of Assessment Appeals and nominated Lauren Weber, a local realtor, to serve until November 4 after which Ms. Weber, or any other, must run for this elected position.  The Board unanimously approved the appointment.  Ms. Weber currently serves as a member of the Conservation Commission and is an alternate on the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Given a change in the building inspector’s job – moving to a salaried position, the Board listened to and approved language for a new job description.  The job will be posted per standard hiring processes.  Bill Jenks, the current inspector, will soon retire.

The packed agenda included discussion about the proposed Sherman Senior Center and potential office moves/changes – including a request from Park and Recreation for a permanent restroom facility; a mid-September commencement for work on the pickleball courts; the completion and approval of project plans for the Town Beach dock additions and redesign work, which are to be submitted to First Light; the completion of repairs – in the sum of $2,000 – on the vehicle shared by the Senior Center and Land Enforcement Officer; and the problem of multiple geese at the Town Beach, lending to unsanitary conditions.

 This meeting was reported on by minutes and recording.  A Town Meeting was held September 3. An  In Person Educational Forum is scheduled Saturday, September 14th at 9:30 a.m. at Charter Hall.  A Virtual Education Forum via Zoom is scheduled Tuesday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. A second Town Meeting is scheduled on Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Charter  Hall.  The next regular Board of Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled on September 26 at 7:00 p.m.