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 are ready to form a volunteer technology committee to assist us with formulating a plan/path for technology upgrades and improvements at the town hall. If you have an interest in technology and wish to volunteer, please email Jill Drew, Meghan Flanagan, or Brent Colley. We plan to hold our first meeting in mid-January.
Town Hall Parking Lot Planning
WMC Consulting Engineers have submitted an initial layout drawing to us. We will review the initial layout at our January 11th meeting and set a date for a public discussion.
At our last meeting, Stan MacMillan recommended that the Board discuss adding to the Town Hall parking lot plans two electric car charging stations. The best location would be near the back of the building where the electric service enters the building. There was a discussion on whether two stations are enough. It was agreed that the plans should have conduits in the ground that would allow for two with the option to put in more in the future. The STEAP application did mention charging stations.
Sharon ARPA Advisory Committee
$8,026 in ARPA funds were approved at our December 14th meeting for a hybrid meeting video conferencing system.
Broadband Improvement
For the most recent 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. Most recently, Sertex LLC was selected to assist us with broadband analysis and is currently working on that task.
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.
There will be multiple opportunities for input from residents during the housing plan development process including a housing needs survey (coming soon!) and at least two community-wide forums over the coming months. If you are interested in more information, you can visit the Housing Plan Steering Committee page on the town's website. Please keep an eye out for announcements about the survey and community forums, we hope you'll participate.
The Affordable Housing Steering Committee next meets via ZOOM on Monday, January 3rd at 5:30 pm. Sharon's Town Affordable Housing Steering Committee members are Dale C. Jones, Larry Moskowitz, Pat Whelan, and Bob Whelan.
Things To Be Aware Of-
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) is 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 2021. The timeline thus far has been:
- Project Development (December 2020/January 2021)
- Non-binding Letter of Intent from Towns (May 2021)
- Zero Emission Energy Credit (ZREC) bidding (Summer 2021)
- Contractor site review and walk-throughs (Fall 2021)
- Review of final proposals from contractors by CT Green Bank (Winter 2021)
- Saving totals provided (Current)
Annual and 20-year savings totals have been provided by Connecticut Green Bank.
Sharon Center School-
- First Year savings $27,520
- Average Annual savings $35,778
- Term savings $715,565
SEEC members have reached out to and scheduled meetings with the Board of Education and Planning and Zoning to review/discuss the proposed site location.
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
- Culvert and drainage improvements have continued
- Leaf Blowing
- Gravel roads
- Beaver dams
Town Trees
- The crew has been working on dead trees for most of the Fall and Winter. The lack of snow has provided us with an extra month and a half and trees are the focus.
- Benton Hill Road and West Cornwall Road are two roads that have received a good amount of attention.
- Next week we will be working on Modley Road. All trees to be removed are currently marked.
Road Foreman Report
Road Foreman Jamie Reid reported the following to the Board on December 14th:
- With the wet weather we have had, there have been a lot of washouts and the Road Crew has been doing drainage upgrades, but some more extensive and challenging work still needs to be done – particularly in the Rolling Hills, Low Road, and Dug Road area.
- There have been a lot of repairs to town trucks and vehicles with the mechanics keeping up with the maintenance – however, in some instances they are having trouble getting parts.
- With newer vehicles that are bigger than what the town garage was built for – a cold storage facility (that has been thought about for years) is really needed - a 50 x 100 structure would be sufficient – an acceptable location needs to be determined – Tom Bartram and Bob Duncan have been working on this and revised cost estimates are needed.
- New plow vehicles are needed to replace ones that constantly need repairing. There has not been a replacement in nearly two years. A vehicle replacement plan is being worked on and will be provided in a format that is approvable by the Board of Finance.
- The water crossing on Kings Hill Road, just below Dunbar Road, will need to be looked at in the future.
History Share-
Sharon, Connecticut had a Ski Area! Located in the Ellsworth section of town, it was not large, but it was fairly popular as you can see from the photo below. This photo is taken from West Woods Road #2 looking toward Caroline Drive.
