Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a recycling sticker?
Recycling Stickers are available in the Selectmen’s Office during the week and in the Town Clerk’s Office on weekends. There is a $10 fee per vehicle, which helps to defray the Town's cost for the use of the Recycling Center. You will be asked to provide the license plate number for each vehicle requiring a sticker as well as your name, address, and telephone number.
The New Milford Recycling Center is located on Young’s Field Road in New Milford. The Center accepts glass, plastic, and metals containers, which can be intermingled, as well as newspapers, cardboard, business paper, and other items. Larger items can be disposed of for a fee. A list of accepted items is available in the Selectmen’s Office. Questions can be directed to New Milford Public Works at 355-6040.
The Recycling Center is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
For comprehensive information about recycling in Connecticut, visit Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority.
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When are my taxes due?
Taxes are assessed on the Grand List beginning in October 1st of each year, and are billed the following July 1st and January 1st.
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How do I get a tax refund for a car I no longer own?
Pleasego to Departments/Assessor for instructions on how to let us know that you no longer own your car.
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Is there any form of tax relief from elderly or disabled residents?
Do veterans get an exemption on property taxes?
A small exemption on the assessed value of real property (or, if no real property is owned, on the assessed value of a motor vehicle) is provided for veterans. The original discharge papers (Form DD214) must be filed with the Town Clerk by October 1st to be eligible for the exemption, which will be applied to the Grand List for the subsequent year. Once the initial application is approved, it continues to be valid. Sherman veterans who meet certain income requirements are eligible for additional veterans exemptions. For further information, contact the Assessor's Office at (860) 355-0376.
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Where can I get a beach pass?
Beach passes for Sherman residents are available in the Park & Recreation Office, located in the Sherman School. A guest pass will be issued at the same time. You will be asked to provide a license plate number.
Beach passes are issued just prior to Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer until Labor Day, when the Town Beach closes.
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Where do I get a fishing license?
Where do I get a hunting license?
Who should I call about dead animals in the road?
To report deer or other large animals that have been killed on the state highway system (Routes 37, 39, and 55), call D.O.T. at 354-4253. If the animal is killed on a Town road, call the Public Works Department at 350-5514. If the animal is killed on private property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove the deer. This applies to animals killed on private roads.
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Should dead birds and bats be reported to anyone?
During the summer months, when West Nile virus is a threat, report dead birds to the Health Department at 355-0166, which will determine whether action is necessary. The Health Department is not performing routine testing of dead wild birds for avian influenza at this time.
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Who should I call about stray or injured dogs?
Who do I call about dead trees?
The Town is responsible for removing trees on Town property that present a hazard to pedestrians or motor traffic. Call the Selectmen’s Office to report such trees. Your call will be referred to the Tree Warden, who will inspect and evaluate the tree. Trees involving electrical wires are the responsibility of C.L.& P. The D.O.T. is responsible for trees on State property. The Selectmen’s Office will refer the call to the appropriate office.
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Where do I get a dog license?
How do I apply for a passport?
Applications are available from the Town Clerk, who maintains a list of passport agents. Passports applications can be processed at the Post Office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Call ahead to be sure the agent is available. The number is 354-6191.
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Where can I get a marriage license?
Can be obtained from the Town Clerk of the town in which either the bride or groom is a resident or where the marriage will be held. There is no waiting period and no blood tests are required.
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Do I need a permit to burn brush on my property?
Yes. You must apply to the Fire Marshal (350-4063) for an open burning permit.
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Do I need a permit to put in a driveway?
Yes. Application forms are available from the Planning & Zoning Office. You will be asked to submit a site plan with your application. The work must be approved by the Land Use Enforcement Officer, Ron Cooper, who can be reached at (860) 355-1821. A bond may be required for driveways that require an asphalt apron.
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Do I need a firearms permit?
Absolutely! Connecticut has a two-tier permit system. You must first obtain a Temporary State Permit from the Resident State Trooper (35403715) before you may apply for a State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers. State law requires your to submit to fingerprinting and a criminal history check. The cost for a Temporary State Permit is $35.00 to the local issuing authority plus $24.00 for the FBI to process your fingerprints. The Temporary State Permit is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance and may not be used to purchase firearms. Once you have received your Temporary State Permit, you may apply to the Department of Public Safety for your State Permit. The cost of the State Permit is an additional $35.00. It is valid for a period of five years. You must have your photograph taken upon application and renewals.
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How to I arrange a permit to have my septic system pumped?
Pump-out of existing systems requires a permit before the work is done by a private contractor. These permits can be obtained from the Building Department. The cost is $85.00/1,000 gallons. Checks must be made payable to the Town of Kent, the location of the landfill where the effluent is taken. A copy of the permit is filed with the Building Department, so that a record of the pump-out is kept with the file on your residence.
Installation of septic systems and repair of existing systems is overseen by the Health Department, which requires a permit for these activities.
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Are bazaar permits required?
Yes. The permit application can be obtained at the Selectmen’s Office.
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Are raffles regulated?
Yes. Applications for a raffle permit can be obtained at the Selectmen’s Office. In most cases, the Town can issue permits for local raffles. Some raffles require state approval.
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Where is the police department?
Sherman participates in the Resident State Trooper program. At least one Trooper is on duty 24 hours/day. However, events in surrounding towns may require the Trooper to leave Sherman temporarily to respond. Call 911 in an emergency. Otherwise, the Trooper can be reached at 354-3715.
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When does the Town pick up garbage?
There is no municipal garbage pickup. Residents must contract with a private hauler for this service. For a list of licensed haulers visit Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority.
Household garbage can be disposed of at the New Milford Recycling Center for a fee, if you have a recycling sticker. Stickers can be obtained from the Selectmen's Office during Town Hall hours and from the Town Clerk on Saturday mornings. The fee is $10.00.
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When are municipal elections held?
Most municipal officials are elected for a two-year term. Certain positions on elected boards and commissions carry a longer term. Elections are held in the odd-numbered years. Vacancies to elected positions are generally by appointment effective until the next scheduled election.
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I'm registered to vote in another town or state and don't want to change. Can I vote in Sherman?
You must be registered to vote in Sherman in order to vote in municipal elections for Town officials. As a property owner, you may vote at Town Meetings and on referendums that involve budgets, special appropriations, bond issues, and spending authorizations.
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Where can I register to vote?
Application forms to register to vote are available from the Registrars of Voters, the Town Clerk, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Library, and the Post Office, but must be returned to the Registrar of Voters office in the town in which you are registering to vote. You may download forms from the Internet at
www.sots.state.ct.us
The Registrars are generally available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call the Registrar at (860) 350-4694 for hours the office is open.
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Where can I get an absentee ballot?
Can be obtained from the Town Clerk, approximately 30 days before a regular election.
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Does Sherman have a Probate Court?
The Sherman Probate Court is merged with the New Fairfield Court, and is located in New Fairfield Town Hall at 4 Brush Hill Road. The Court can be reached at (203) 312-5627.
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When is the Town's Annual Report available?
The Town’s annual report is presented to residents at the Annual Town Meeting, held in October. The report contains the complete audit of the prior year’s budgets as well as a summary of department activities during the past year. Copies of the Annual Report are available in the Selectmen’s Office.
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When is the budget presented to the Town?
Town budgets are presented in two components: one supporting municipal activities and the other funding education. Budget preparation begins in January, with public hearings on budget requests conducted in March. The Board of Selectmen acts as the Board of Finance in finalizing the budgets that are presented to voters in May.
Registered voters and property owners are eligible to vote on the budgets, which are considered separately. Once budgets are finalized, they are mailed to all residents. They will also be posted on-line. Copies of the budget also are available in the Selectmen’s Office.
Sherman’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.
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Where can I get information about the Freedom of Information Act?
All meetings of Town boards and commissions are open to the public, with the exception of those held in executive session for reasons permitted by law. Warnings of all meetings are posted on the general bulletin board in Town Hall. Most meetings are taped recorded, with copies of the tapes available for a fee. Requests for tapes or documents under the Freedom of Information Act should be directed to the Administrative Assistant in the involved department. General questions about the Freedom of Information Act can be directed to Ruth Byrnes at 355-1139.
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How can I express interest in serving the Town?
Members on several boards and commissions are appointed by either the First Selectman or the Board of Selectman. Additionally, opportunities exist to serve on various area community groups that serve Sherman. These appointments are made in November or December of each year to fill existing vacancies. Persons interested in serving on an appointed board or commission or as a Sherman representative to an area group should contact the Selectmen’s Office.
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How can I contact our state representatives?
Mary Ann Carson is Sherman's State Representative for the 108th District..
Home: 37 Fleetwood Drive, New Fairfield, CT 06812 Phone: (203) 312-5070
Office: Room 4082, Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 240-8700
E-mail: MaryAnnCarson@housegop.state.ct.us'
David Cappiello is Sherman's State Senator for the 24th District.
Home: PO Box 2544, Danbury, CT 06810 Phone (203) 778-0138
Office: : Room 3501, Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 240-0474
E-mail: David.Cappiello@po.state.ct.us
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How can I contact our federal representatives?
Christopher Murphy is Sherman's representative to the U.S. House of Representatives.
District Office: One Grove Street, New Britain, CT 06053 Phone: (860) 223-8412 Fax: (860) 827-9009
Office: 501 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4476 Fax: (202) 225-5933
Christopher Dodd is one of Connecticut's two U.S. Senators.
Home: Putnam Park, 100 Great Meadow Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109 Phone (860) 258-6940
Office: Russell State Office Building, Room 448, Washington, D.D. 20510 Phone (202) 224-2823
E-mail: senator@dodd.senate/gov
Joseph Lieberman is one of Connecticut's two U.S. Senators.
Home: One State Street, 14th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103 Phone (860) 549-8463
Ofrfice: Hart Senate Office Building, Room 706, Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4041
E-mail: senator@lieberman.senate.gov
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How can I find out about social services available in Connecticut?
INFOLINE provides information on thousands of services available to help people in Connecticut. Just dial 2-1-1. You may also consult the Town's Director of Social Services, Beth Trott, at (860) 354-2414.
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Who do I contact about a burial plot?
There are two active cemetries in Sherman. The North Cemetry is located on Church Road adjacent to the Congregational Church. The contact is Paul Voorhees at (860) 355-3614. The Coburn Cemetry is located on Leach Hollow Road across from Mauweehoo Hill. The contact is Al Tiebout at (860) 354-7239.
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