Don Lowe First Selectman Column 10/14/24
The State DOT sent out a directive that they will remove political signs, or any signs, placed on the State’s right-of-way on its highways. The DOT crews have been removing some of the signs recently. This is understandable in most cases although there is often a fine line between what the State’s right-of-way is and what is abutting private property. A few sign removal mistakes have happened, but to my knowledge they were rectified. Except where private property signs have been removed (human error, not prejudice for one candidate or the other I am confidant in sharing), I commend the spirit of this. I am supportive of the State DOT as they have been helpful and friendly to Sherman in maintaining our State roads.
Speaking of the State DOT, our Sherman School beat out all the other Connecticut schools for a “naming of the plow” contest. The students of Sherman School came up with “Fast and Flurrious” and now a new DOT snowplow trucks has a name! Last week, I had the pleasure, along with our State elected officials and members of our Board of Education, to attend the ceremony. Big congratulations to our excellent students for coming up with such a fun and creative (and winning!) name for the truck and plow.
Absentee ballots for the November 5 General Election can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s office during regular Town Hall business hours. Information on all aspects concerning voting in the General Election can be found under the “registrars” section on the Town website. Early voting for the General Election begins on Monday, October 21 with further details (days, times, etc.) available, as I stated, on the Town website.
Just to clear up a couple of rumors, no, our YOUR SPEED signs do not give out tickets. Nor do they record anything private on the cars that go past them. The only data they record is frequency of cars and the speed of cars in general. In other words, we are able to see a chart showing how many cars and the average speed of cars over a chosen duration of time. But no specific information of cars or drivers, and no automatic computerized tickets.
A reminder, as I do from time-to-time, to sign on if you haven’t already to the Town-wide message service, NIXLE. It’s easy to do. Simply text our zip code (06784) to the number 888777. And you’re on!
I’m remiss in not mentioning this in an earlier column, but we regret the loss of Ann Smith Chiaramonte who passed away on September 13. Ann volunteered on our Zoning Board of Appeals and also on the Board of Assessment Appeals along with being active in Sherman on many fronts. Ann possessed a sparkling personality and expressed herself with humor, grace, and wise insight. We miss her greatly.
