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Dear {First Name},
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-
Sharon Center School Solar Project
The Sharon Energy & Environment Commission (SEEC) and Town of Sharon BOS continue to pursue the Sharon Center School Solar Array Project at 64 Hilltop Road.
Planning and Zoning held a public hearing for this project on October 11th. Read the Sharon Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes for full and exact details.
At our October 24th meeting we voted to send a request to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a review & report under CT State Statute 8-24 as to whether the solar project at 64 Hilltop Road complies with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development.
The Future of 99 North Main Street as Affordable Housing
The Board also voted at our October 10th meeting that per CT State Statute 8-24, the Planning and Zoning Commission review Sharon Housing Trust's proposal to convert the building into four affordable apartments in order to submit a report as to whether it complies with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development.
Town Hall Parking Lot
There was a site visit held by P&Z on October 11th to discuss lighting locations and options with Apex Lighting salesman, Mike Cole. Mike explained our options for lighting that would be dark sky compliant and minimize light trespass offsite. Read the Sharon Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes for full and exact details.
Comcast Build
Comcast contractors have begun attaching aerial wires to utility poles after months of waiting to receive the necessary approvals from Frontier Communications and Eversource, which co-own the poles. Comcast project managers believe construction will move more quickly now. During the last few months, Comcast concentrated on the time-consuming process of trenching along roads without utility poles, where it buried its wires in conduit underground, while it awaited approval of its pole applications.
River Road One-Way and Plan of Action
Road Foreman Jamie Reid was present at our October 10th meeting to discuss a rather urgent situation on River Road. Due to the current weather conditions, the steep embankment on the Housatonic River side of the road has become dangerously eroded and pavement close to it is beginning to crack. As this is not safe for public travel, he followed Cardinal Engineering's plan to close the road down to one-lane and placed temporary stop signs on either end of the barriers. In order to get a better understanding of our repair options, Mr. Reid asked Cardinal Engineering Associates for an engineering services proposal.
We decided to accept the proposal for a preliminary River Road slope stabilization study from Cardinal Engineering Associates for up to $21,000 with the cost to come out of Town Aid Road (TAR) funding from the State of Connecticut.
Town Hall Human Resources Consultant
At our October 24th meeting, the we hired Xcelerate Talent as a Human Resource Consultant for an initial investment of $1,500 for four Success Metrics: current state organizational chart clearly outlining primary and secondary roles along with reporting relationships; gain key best practices from similar sized towns in CT that could provide a blueprint for the Town of Sharon; Audit of job descriptions and outline the gaps; and outsourced HR expertise with employee relations issues that occur ad hoc.
Special Town Meeting Result
All items were passed by unanimous vote.
Things To Be Aware Of-
Sharon's Halloween
- Tuesday, October 31st- Halloween Gathering at the Sharon Fire House
- Doors open at 5:30pm, costume judging at 5:45pm
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Sharon Audubon hosts a Pumpkin Trail from today until November 5th
Halloween Trick or Treating normally takes place between 5pm and 7:30pm and it is usually focused on the Sharon Green stretch from the Clocktower to Sharon Center School (Main Street/Upper Main Street/West Main Street/North Main Street. Town constables and the first selectman help with road crossing areas and overall public safety.
The November Elections
This year's Municipal Election is Tuesday, November 7th. The polls will be open from 6:00am to 8:00pm at the Sharon Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Sharon CT. To make sure everything goes smoothly you can check your voter status, register to vote, change your voter status or change voter information using the link below.
Town Alert Sign-up
Sign up to receive emergency alerts that could impact you and your family. The Town of Sharon is now able to send emergency alerts via text message, email, pager, or voice mail (in extreme cases), based on your preferences. It is important to collect this contact information because many households no longer utilize traditional land-based telephone lines.
The Emergency Alert system is intended for emergencies as well as non-emergency incidents that may have significant impacts to our residents. Emergency Alerts could be related to specific hazards that require some kind of action such as evacuation, shelter, and health issues concerning air/water. Non-emergency alerts may include closure of roads due to road work, prolonged impact with significant ongoing police or fire activity. This list is not meant to be all inclusive and demonstrates that this system will not be used for routine information. In addition to receiving information on your wireless device, you may also receive notification on your land telephone line (if you have one) depending on the type of incident or event.
Please provide your address and preferred method(s) of contact. Adding your address will allow tailoring so you do not receive alerts that don’t pertain to your geographical area.
These alerts are provided free of charge, however standard text messaging rates and other charges may apply.
If you wish to subscribe to SMS text messages only, Text: SharonCT to 38276. There is also a mobile app available.
2023 Property Revaluations
The State of Connecticut requires its Cities and Towns to revalue all real estate on a periodic basis in order to equalize values and distribute the tax burden in a fair and equitable way. Vision Government Solutions Inc. has been hired by the Town of Sharon for the October 1, 2023, Revaluation.
Other important dates from the Assessor's office:
- Personal Property Lists due November 1, 2023
- Farm Land and Open Space Applications due December 30, 2023
- Forest Land: Certified Forester’s Report must be dated not later than October 1, 2023 and the Application to the Assessor is due December 30, 2023
- 2022 Grand List Motor Vehicle Exemption for Active Duty Members of the Armed Forces is due by December 31, 2023
Town Health Department & Health District
The Town of Sharon is a member of the Housatonic Valley Health District. Casey Flanagan is our representative on the Housatonic Valley Health District Board.
Fuel Assistance
Applications are now open for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) for the 2023-2024 Fuel Assistance Season. For help with this program contact Melia Hill (she/her) Social Service Agent/Municipal Agent, Town of Sharon
860-364-1003.
Veterans' Field Walking Group
Monday's and Wednesday's at 10am, come enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Veterans' Field Track walkers!
For info call 860-364-1400 or email sharon.rec.ctr@snet.net.
Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station
Up-to-date information is available via the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station website.
For Town Information, Meeting Dates, Agendas, Minutes & Events
Visit- https://www.sharonct.org/
COVID-19-
COVID Information
Stay informed! Opt-in today to receive COVID-19 alerts and updates.
Text COVIDCT to 888-777 or sign up at http://ct.gov/covidupdates. This is the best way to stay up-to-date and current.
Sharon Center School-
The SCS Mural Project is Complete!
This project was backed with Town approved Silly Putty Trust funding.
Road Work and Maintenance-
Maintenance
- Grading gravel roads
- Pothole repair
- Roadside mowing
- Tree clean-up
- Leaf blowing
- Drainage work
- Truck & vehicle repair
- Snow season prep
Town Trees
- Eversource contractor Lewis Tree Service continues to remove dangerous trees on West Woods Road #1.
Town Road Paving
- Weber Road is currently prepped for paving.
- Caray Hill Road will be prepped for paving shortly.
- Northrup Road and Kings Hill Road will be crack sealed to prevent further road damage shortly.
History Share- The November 3, 1981 Town of Sharon Municipal Ballot.
First Selectman- Susan Vann Hoag (D); William A. Wilbur (R)
Selectman- Kenneth L. Bartram (D); Reed B. Gillette (R)
Town Clerk- Anna M. Johnson (R)
Town Treasurer- Katherine Walters (R)
Tax Collector- Jean E. McKee (R)
Agent of Town Deposit Fund- Laura Hamlin (R)
Board of Finance- Anthony Costa (D); Charles D. Brooks (R); Austin L. Jackson (R); Robert T. Cunningham
Board of Education- Norman S. Eklund (D); James W. Palmer (R)
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