From the Desk of the First Selectman

Don Lowe First Selectman Column 7/15/24 

Last week’s P&Z meeting, as billed, was a marathon, but a successful one. The Catholic Church’s site and building plan for a new chapel was approved. The Holy Trinity Church is such an important part of our Sherman life and it’s a relief that it will continue. The chapel itself is quant and tasteful, and will be a nice addition to Sherman’s infrastructure. Also approved were the new pickleball courts to be built up at Volunteer Field. Construction will start as soon as possible, probably in mid to late August.  

Just so you know, the YOUR SPEED signs that have enveloped the Route 37 entrances into Sherman were borrowed at no cost from the State so that we could try them out before purchasing them ourselves. The State DOT is collecting them this week so you won’t see these any more. However, at the July 25 Board of Selectman (BOS) meeting, we will decide if we want to purchase our own YOUR SPEED signs. We hope to receive some feedback on the signs that we had borrowed before we decide to buy our own. Personally, I am torn: I think they have helped reduce speed so I am inclined to buy our own. But I also feel that they are an eyesore and I wish they weren’t necessary. What do you think? 

We held a more than satisfactory School Building Committee Meeting last week and I am confident that Sherman is on the right track towards restoring our school facility. I could devote this whole column to what was presented, but instead I will direct you to both the Sherman School and the Town websites for specific info. Meanwhile I’ll try to encapsulate the high points in this column.

Basically, this entire process has been a comprehensive vetting of options and ideas to where we are faced with two options. And soon, we will narrow that to one option. Those two options are 1. Repair the school over a period of time and 2. Renovate and repair the current building. In a nutshell, to fix over time – and that period is 6 years – it will cost about $38.6 million (if we keep the K-wing), with a state reimbursement of, at its best scenario, of about 12.5%. Overall Town cost is at $33.7 million. Option # 2, to renovate as new, comes in at $42 million but has a State reimbursement of at least 30% bringing the Town’s cost to $29.5 million. This plan is complete in two years. The Board of Ed will be choosing between these two plans on July 23 and the BOS will ratify the BOE’s choice at its July 25 meeting. 

Also examined and presented were “build-new” costs. To build a new school on the present site is estimated to be nearly $48 million and to build new on a different site would cost more than $60 million. In addition, last month the BOE presented its findings with regard to changing Sherman School to a K thru 5th grade model. Financially, there is no advantage, and since there are many other drawbacks, that option will no longer be considered. We will remain, as I had hoped, a K thru 8 district. Much more will be presented on this subject, but this gets the ball rolling as we move forward. In the week following the July 25 BOS meeting, we will be offering concrete numbers as to what this project means to your tax bill.

On July 27 from 7 to 9pm at the Sherman Church, a Christian rock group called The Blameless Project will perform its brand of unique music and spread its good message. This should be a fun evening of music with a spiritual aspect. More details can be found on the church’s website: www.shermanchurch.org. Admission is free for this wonderful community event.

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Fireman’s Ball to be held on Saturday, Aug 3 starting at 5pm!

Lastly, let me mention the weekend’s assassination attempt of our former president. To have the nation’s political process, people freely attending to listen to a candidate express him or herself, interrupted by violence is sad and disturbing.  Gun violence is all too frequent in our great nation and to see it played out so vividly is a reminder of how much work we have in front of us to stop gun violence. We also need to soften our political rhetoric and learn to solve problems together. I’m relieved Mr. Trump survived and is ok, and my heart goes out to the family of the man who was killed and to the others who were injured by this senseless act.