Greetings!
The Board of Selectmen Report follows up on topics we shared with you last month and things we've been working on and discussing since then. If you have a specific topic that you want to know more about, feel free to call 860-364-5789 or email me at
brent_c@sharon-ct.org.
What's Happened Since Our Last Newsletter-
Town Hall Technology Upgrade Planning
We held our first Technology Committee meeting last week and last night the Board of Selectmen approved the group's suggestion to request third party proposals to conduct an overall IT assessment of Town Hall. The language for this RFP is presently:
"The Town of Sharon CT is seeking a third party to conduct an overall
IT assessment: including (but not limited to) current computers,
computer software, WiFi, email, cyber security, network architecture,
IT governance, broadband service, business continuity, and system equipment location."
Town Hall Parking Lot Planning
WMC Consulting Engineers' initial parking lot layout plan has been shared and discussed with town employees and abutting residents. Thoughts and ideas are currently being considered. From these discussions a second preliminary plan will be prepared.
Sharon ARPA Advisory Committee
The ARPA Advisory Committee's submission date for initial funding has ended. The Board of Selectmen were updated and advised at our meeting last night on the committee's opinion of the initial requests that were submitted. No action was taken.
Broadband Improvement
As of this moment we do not have an update on Sertex LLC's engineering analysis. We hope to present their findings and have a Sertex LLC representative available for questions and answers at our next meeting on February 8, 2022.
For the most recent task force updates, sign-up for the Sharon Connect Task Force Newsletter it contains everything you want to know about the broadband improvement efforts here in Sharon.
Affordable Housing Steering Committee
The Sharon Housing Plan Steering Committee has started work on developing a plan to address the housing needs of current and future residents and workers in our town as required by State statute. This Housing Plan will lay out strategies that the town and its partners can take over the next five years to address the housing needs of those who live and work in Sharon.
We need your input on Sharon CT housing. Please take 5 minutes to fill out this Housing Survey.
The first Affordable Housing Steering Committee Public Forum is February 24th at 7 p.m.
Sharon's Town Affordable Housing Steering Committee members are Dale C. Jones, Larry Moskowitz, Pat Whelan, and Bob Whelan. Jocelyn Ayer is our consultant.
Things To Be Aware Of-
Town Meeting tomorrow night at 6:30pm
The Hotchkiss Library's request for Town funding vote is Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 6:30pm. Location is Sharon Center School Gymnasium.
Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station Website
Up-to-date information is now available via the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station website.
Thank you to the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station Recycling Advisory Committee (TRAC) for providing this very helpful resource.
Sharon Energy & Environment Commission Solar Array Project
The Sharon Energy & Environment Commission (SEEC) continues pursuing the opportunity to install a Solar Array at Sharon Center School via Connecticut Green Bank's "SolarMap" program. Work began on this project in December of 2020 and has continued throughout 2022. We will update what's transpired since our last update at our next board meeting on February 8th.
Speed Hump Request Update
There will be a public discussion on this when we can meet in large groups.
Sharon Fire Department, Inc. Engine 3
The Sharon Fire Department is currently fundraising to replace Engine 3.
Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 357, Sharon CT 06069.
Town Information & Events
COVID-19-
COVID Information
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Road Work and Maintenance-
Maintenance
Town Trees
- The crew continues working on dead trees as the weather permits.
- Our Tree Warden continues working on dead trees (currently his crews are on Fairchild Road).
- Lewis Tree Service (Eversource contractor) continues working on dead trees (currently they are scheduled to trim and cut across the entire town).
History Share-
Hotchkiss Library, completed in 1893, was gifted to the Town of Sharon by Maria Bissell Hotchkiss, in memory of her late husband, Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss.
On the recommendation of Timothy Dwight, then President of Yale, she chose Bruce Price as the architect.
Price designed the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, several other Canadian Pacific Hotels and numerous buildings at Yale. He also designed the Tuxedo Park Library.
As our library was being built, Mrs. Hotchkiss’ involvement was extremely detailed, to the point where she even picked the stones for the exterior, rejecting the first two samples that were submitted to her. She chose well.
The Hotchkiss Library is a beautiful building, as strikingly unique as the woman who provided it to us. Equally striking is the image below captured by a woman that many may not know now but will be introduced to soon when her gift is presented (shared) via our historical society just steps to the south.
We live in a special place.
