Hello Linda,

The Selectman's Report follows up on topics shared with you last month and things the Board of Selectmen have 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 casey_f@sharon-ct.org.

What's Happened Since The Last Newsletter

Sharon Center School Solar Project/Referendum

An informational Town Meeting was held on November 29th to discuss the proposed solar project at 64 Hilltop Rd. A referendum will be held at Sharon Town Hall January 5, 2024 from 12:00PM to 8:00PM to determine if the Town should lease land to the Connecticut Green Bank for the purpose of constructing a solar array. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in 2022, contains the details of the lease between the Town of Sharon and Connecticut Green Bank. As stated, the proposed arrangement is a lease; the property will remain in Town ownership. The PPA can be found on the town website: https://www.sharonct.org/home/news/ct-green-bank-sharon-center-school-ppa-amendments-updated

If voted in the affirmative, the plan needs to receive the applicable permits.

Please visit: https://www.sharonct.org/home/news/referendum for more information on voting.

Region 1 Referendum

The Region 1 referendum will be held January 8, 2024 from 6:00AM to 8:00PM on the proposed $5.6 million dollar bonding package for 12 projects at the high school. Each town’s assessment is based on students attending the high school. 

Appointments

The Board of Selectmen made various appointments to many Town boards. Thank you to all the residents who graciously volunteer their time to serve Sharon.

Comcast Build Update

Jill Drew, co-chair of the Sharon Connect Task Force, gave the Board of Selectmen an update on the COMCAST project. They anticipate the project will be 50% complete by the end of December. The Town will pay the first half of the project cost at that time from the Undesignated Fund. The BOS and BOF will discuss funding options for the remaining balance. The ARPA Committee is anticipating applying for a grant from the ARPA Capital Project Fund. 

Mudge Pond Update

Selectman Kearcher gave an update on the Mudge Pond study which was paid for with Silly Putty Funds. The good news is that no hydrilla was found but the lake is impacted with milfoil, curlyleaf pond weed, common stonewort and waterlily. Additionally, three protected species and two endangered species were found. When the final report is submitted, it will be shared with Town Officials, Board of Finance and the community.

Long Range Planning Committee

The Selectmen would like to re-activate the Long Range Planning Committee. Residents who are interested in joining the group are encourage to reach out to the selectmen. Areas for this group to look at would be: town owned properties with their current uses and possible future uses; town resources; roads and bridges; town structures; recreational and programing needs. This would be an advisory group to the BOS that would focus on short and long term issues. 

Things To Be Aware Of

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

Although the average assessment increase for residential real estate is 46% there is variation from house-to-house. Please remember that a revaluation is a revenue neutral process. The total amount of taxes that a town needs to collect is independent of the revaluation. Your tax bill will not increase the same percentage as your assessment, that is determined by the mill rate. The mill rate will be set in May after the town budget is approved. If the Grand List increases significantly and the budget change is minimal the mill rate will most likely decrease. For more details about the Revaluation process please read the documents posted on the Assessor’s page on the town website: www.sharonct.org/assessor.

There is an Elderly and totally Disabled Tax Relief Program available for those who are below the qualifying income levels set by the State of Connecticut. Please contact the Assessor’s office after the first of the year for more information.

Other important dates from the Assessor's office:

• 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

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.

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

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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.