Don Lowe First Selectman Column 08/19/24
Our region experienced extraordinary flash flooding on Sunday evening, and while Sherman was spared any significant damage, some of our neighboring towns suffered horrific property loss and road closures. More profoundly, two individuals lost their lives. In the midst of this tragedy our Sherman Volunteer Fire Department was called to service in Southbury and performed an amazing water rescue of more than 100 people stranded due to the fast rising waters. Their life-saving work was the product of the SVFD’s ongoing training, dedication, discipline, and modern equipment. All of Sherman is proud of how our emergency service volunteers serve this town. We are fortunate to have the SVFD!
The Historical Society held a fun gathering honoring the Old Store and gave a photography show and talk on how that business – which sold “pert near everything” -- transitioned into the IGA that we know and enjoy today. Our IGA is certainly the centerpiece of our business community and wouldn’t be so without the able management of Mike Luzi its proprietor. Mike not only runs a business that is crucial for the well-being of our lifestyle, but he is a strong supporter of about “everything” here in Sherman big and small. His goodwill towards a variety of organizations in Town knows no bounds and the IGA serves as an example of how important our business community is to us. So be sure to support him by shopping there and don’t forget to shop at all of the Sherman businesses so we can keep them here! Of yes, the Old Store is still in business (check the hours) and still full of interesting goods.
I’m hearing a lot of positive comments from Sherman citizens about the Sherman School restoration/repair project that we will hold a referendum vote for on Oct. 5. (Absentee ballots will be available prior from September 24 to Oct. 4 and can be picked up in the Town Clerk’s office at Mallory Town Hall.) In general, whether people have children in the school or not, they don’t want to own a home or property in a Town with a broken down school facility. They’d prefer to see it fixed and they see the value in doing so. This is my feeling as well.
Different than the last vote, the building committee has done a full examination of any possibility of simply repairing what is wrong. I had hoped, actually, that we could possibly do it this way. We cannot. Or at least we cannot do it by any means that makes financial sense. It’s also six years of invasive building repairs that would be a hindrance to the educational process. So the plan we have, is really “the plan.” Another difference from the previous vote is that our financing plan is tighter and better planned making the tax impact less than the previous plan that was turned down in vote, And, of course, our dispensation for this project from the State is significantly higher this time around and that’s a real good thing for the tax impact.
The Sherman School is a vital part of Sherman’s culture and its value. When it’s broken, the Town is broken. Analogous would be, say, Candlewood Lake. If the lake became unusable for whatever reason, even the most landlocked Sherman resident would be profoundly affected. The lake, for example, represents over 30% of our gross local product and that includes property values. So, like we tend to our lake (and emergency services, and Seniors, and our Library, etc.) we need to tend to our school.
Speaking of the Lake, I had a wonderful meeting with the Candlewood Lake Authority heads including Sherman resident and Chairman, Martin O’Connor, and received an excellent report on the state of the lake. There are some wild rumors floating around about the water quality and weeds and other issues, but most are dripping with untruths. Please go on the CLA website and review the facts of what is happening on Candlewood Lake presently and the efforts to keep our lake in fine shape. Thank you Martin for stepping up, and thank you CLA for your good work!
