By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – The Sherman Board of Selectmen (the “Board” or “BOS”) met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Mallory Town Hall.  Sherman resident Jim Reilly was unanimously appointed Deputy Fire Marshall of the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (“SVFD” or “Department”).  First Selectman Don Lowe sang Mr. Reilly’s praises, referring to Reilly as a “wonderful emergency management director” and a “very consistent, reliable person” whenever there are power outages and road closures in Sherman.  SVFD Chief Chris Fuchs thanked the Board for the appointment of Reilly saying the Department is “desperately in need of a Deputy Fire Marshall.”

Chief Fuchs delivered a brief report on the Department’s activities during the past month.  Once again, the Department was busy with emergency calls, coupled with the storm that ravaged Sherman earlier in June, resulting in the Department having to respond to 10 emergency calls in a 3–4-hour period. On Monday evenings in June, SVFD members were out on Candlewood Lake training for water rescue, and members were preparing for their annual support and rescue training refreshers on June 27.  The Department welcomed one new member in June and is “excited about” two new applicants.

The Annual Fireman’s Ball takes place on Saturday, August 1 from 4:30 – 10:00 p.m. The Theme, peace, love and community support, will feature a “throwback” to the music of the 1960’s and 1970’s.  One Level Down will provide the entertainment, with a special  performance by Mr. Lowe.  Tickets are $40/pp and can be purchased through www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/92HLMJ82QKDSG.

Town Business Manager Liz La Via noted the need for the Board to review certain legislative updates that go into effect July 1, including those that will affect Planning and Zoning, as well as tax assessment.  With respect to housing, one major change is that “town and city zoning regulations are (now) limited to a summary review of ‘transit community middle housing developments’ as well as mixed-use developments on any parcel zoned for mixed-use or commercial development. Also, so-called manufactured homes, of any size, must be treated the same as other dwellings by local officials.” (More than 80 new Connecticut laws take effect July 1.  Here’s what changes, Ken Dixon, CT Insider [updated June 15, 2026].)

The Board voted to send to a future Town Meeting a request to change a Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority  (“HRRA”) ordinance.  Currently, the vote of each HRRA member municipality is proportional to the municipality’s population as a percentage of the population for the region.  The change will give each member town one vote regardless of population.  Also going to a future Town Meeting is a request to change a Park and Recreation ordinance concerning refreshment vendors, including food trucks. 

Regarding Public Works (“PW”), supervisor Kris Fazzone summarized the past month, including the collaborative efforts of PW and the SVFD in clearing trees downed by the recent storm.  Soon, fog-sealing will begin on roads that were chip sealed earlier in the year. It is proposed that the recent tree removal costs will come out of a Happy Acres Farm emergency fund; the trees were deemed dangerous. The topic of continued removal of trees prompted discussion of some public consternation received by the Board on the subject.

Discussion continued on a fuel management system, with a $2,500 annual software fee, and the Anderson Road resurfacing project, with an estimated cost of $550,000 that includes a 10% contingency.  The Sherman School renovation project is progressing, with an increase in the number of construction workers on site.  The First Selectman said,  “We’re going to be mighty proud of that (the school) when it’s done.”

The Sherman Senior Center Building Committee has a Request for Proposal out for architectural work; they aim to interview candidates by late July. 

Lowe reported that the Town Beach Dock Slips project is nearing approval with two plans under consideration.  There was much discussion about the project, including whether to consider long-term slip allocation to reduce resident stress over the current annual lottery. “It isn’t stagnant.  It is happening  and there’s a plan afoot.”

The Board moved on to discuss the rise in scams in Sherman, including door-to-door solicitation.  They want all residents to be aware of potential scams, and that it is illegal for anyone to solicit door-to-door without a permit from the First Selectman’s office.  Lowe was clear that he never issued such a permit; and he is not aware of any such permits being issued by his predecessors.  Residents should be cautious.

Security concerns at Mallory Town Hall were discussed; with more to follow at the Board’s July meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m.