The Board of Selectmen Report follows up on topics we shared with you last month and things we've 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 [email protected].

What's Happened Since Our Last Newsletter-

Town Hall Parking Lot Planning

With the help of the building department/land use office, a rough draft drawing was created and presented at our last Board of Selectmen meeting showing the locations of seven "down facing" parking lot lights, two electric vehicle charging stations (capable of charging 4 cars) and one additional drainage catch basin at the far right of the parking lot that would tie into the existing two basins. At the suggestion of an attendee of the meeting, a catch basin located in front of or just above the satellite dish that would feed water down to the catch basin at the base of the parking lot will be considered, as will the other storm water management best practice solutions that were discussed in the meeting.

Once the final engineering plan is complete, the plan will go before the Historic District Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission.

Sharon ARPA Funds

The Selectmen recently began reviewing the fourteen first round allocation applications submitted to us by the ARPA Advisory Committee. The assistance this committee has provided our Board is substantial and deeply appreciated. The reports they have provide us and the access to their ZOOM meetings are fabulously informative to us and many others.

Because allocations and allocation amounts are up to the Board of Selectmen, we discussed and voted on as many as we could at our May 24th meeting. We meet again on June 1st for an allocation specific Special Meeting at 5:30pm.

Approved on May 24th were:

- Individual #1 $2,500

- Individual #2 $1,484

- Housatonic Youth Services $15,000

- Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals $10,000

- Housatonic Valley Association $5,000

Acoustical Analysis of the Chapin Conference Room

Big thank you to Kent McCoy and David Moore for coordinating the meeting and study of the Chapin Conference Room by Chris Jasinski, PhD of the University of Hartford and his students. Without the both of you we would not have this opportunity nor information.

This Chapin Room topic one that is very special/meaningful to me because the very first letter I received as First Selectman was from Harry Hall (long-time resident, Sewer and Water Commission member, my neighbor), a man I respected and knew well. The letter was Harry telling me that the situation with the Chapin Conference Room was a top priority, it was important that people understood what was being said, especially in town meetings where important decisions were being made. "It's an echo chamber... fix it!" was how the letter ended.

The Chapin Room is an echo chamber and Hartford University's Acoustical Analysis shows us why. Every word reverberates 1.5 seconds. Consider how many words are spoken in 10 seconds and it's not too difficult to understand the issue.

The link above is the complete analysis and it's well done but in short, Chris Jasinski and his students came up with three recommendations ranging from $6,300 to $20,068.40. The "good" option is to install sound absorption panels in the ceilings (colored white so no one sees them) and bass panels; the "better" option is to add sound absorption carpeting to the above; the "best" option was to add all of the above and additional bass panels across the peak of the ceiling, as well as sound absorption curtains on the windows facing Main Street and the dentist's office.

Town Sidewalks

The Historic District Commission submitted a letter pertaining to the sidewalk replacement discussion. HDC members were unanimously in favor of recommending concrete over asphalt. The letter was in response to the Board of Selectmen's preliminary application submitted last month. Full details of the HDC minutes (under New Business).

At the May 24th Board of Selectmen meeting, resident Mr. Nadeau spoke on mitigation for the root systems and using porous pavement/asphalt. He also suggested reaching out to other towns to see what they have done.

Things To Be Aware Of-

Town Informational ZOOM Meeting (tomorrow) Thursday, May 26th at 7pm

The Sharon Housing Plan Steering Committee invites you to its next community feedback forum on Thursday, May 26th at 7pm via Zoom. The Committee will present specific goals and strategies that have been developed to meet Sharon's housing needs and will be polling attendees to hear which goals and strategies they support.

- Click here for ZOOM link

Memorial Day Parade

Monday, May 30th at 10am. Parade path is North Main Street > Main Street > South Main Street. Ceremony at the War Memorial following the parade.

Those wishing to participate in the parade can park at Sharon Center School. The line-up begins at 9:30am in front of Autosport.

Beach Passes will be available June 13th

Mark your calendars! Beach passes are due to arrive at the Selectmen Office on Monday, June 13, 2022. Transfer Station passes will not be available, see below.

Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station

Up-to-date information is available via the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station website.

Transfer Station passes will not be available until July and due to increased diesel fuel prices and other rising costs transfer station sticker fees will be higher than last year. Check the Transfer Station website for details and updates.

Sharon Energy & Environment Commission Solar Array Project

The Sharon Energy & Environment Commission (SEEC) continues pursuing the opportunity to install a Solar Array at Sharon Center School via Connecticut Green Bank's "SolarMap" program.

We are waiting on the Planning and Zoning and Board of Education's review.

The Sharon Energy and Environment Commission's Newsletter

Sharon Fire Department, Inc. Engine 3

The Sharon Fire Department is currently fundraising to replace Engine 3.

Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 357, Sharon CT 06069.

Horses (things to be aware of)

Motorists:

- Pass wide and slow

- Do not flash your lights

- Do not toot your horn

- Do not allow children to yell or scream at horse from car window

- If the horse appears to be upset... STOP and allow the rider/driver to gain control

Walkers/Cyclists/Joggers

- If coming from behind... let the rider/driver know you are approaching

- If you are pushing a stroller know that horses cannot identify strollers. Please stop and work with the rider/driver

- Ask before you approach a horse. Not all horses enjoy attention.

- Control or leash your dog(s)

Town Information & Events

Visit- https://www.sharonct.org/

COVID-19-

COVID Information

Stay informed!  Opt-in today to receive COVID-19 alerts and updates.

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.

Road Work and Maintenance-

Maintenance

- Gravel road grading

- Crack Sealing (Low Road, and Jackson Hill Road will be first)

- Guard Rail work on Mudge Pond Road.

Town Trees

- Our Tree Warden continues working on dead and/or dying trees. Work is currently being done on Skiff Mountain and Keeler Roads.

- Lewis Tree Service (Eversource contractor) continues working on dead and dying trees (currently they are scheduled to trim and cut across the entire town).

- We appreciate the help residents are providing to this effort. Eversource and Lewis Tree will contact property owners prior to any work and have been great about meeting with property owners in person to discuss what work is being proposed.

- Mitchelltown Road and Pinch of Rocks Road have been selected for Eversource's "Resiliency program." Sharon is one of only 15 Towns in Connecticut that have been selected for this program. All property owners will be contacted shortly by Eversource.

Paving Projects

Sharon Valley Road is this year's paving project. We, assisted by B. Metcalf Paving, will complete the northern section of Sharon Valley Road and begin the southern section of Sharon Valley Road. Last year drainage improvements were made, and the northern section was reclaimed and paved. This year the northern section receives its final coat of pavement, and we begin the southern section leading out to Amenia Road (Rt. 343).

Within the southern section project is a realignment of where Sharon Valley Road meets Amenia Road. To prevent cars, trucks, and large vehicles from entering Sharon Valley Road at high speeds we have applied for a realignment permit which will allow us to alter the entrance to Sharon Valley Road from Amenia Road that forces them to slow or stop prior to entry. Rough diagram of concept.

History Share-

Special Town Meeting May 20th, 1965- Item 3

Pursuant to the Warning a Special Town Meeting was held at the Sharon Center School at eight o'clock, on Thursday, the 20th day of May, 1965.

The Town Clerk, Violet Cunningham, called the meeting to order and read the Warning. She then called for the nomination for a Moderator for the meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. R. Carley nominating Mr. George Lamb as moderator, and the motion was seconded by Mrs. Carol Robinson. It was voted in the affirmative and Mr. Lamb took the chair. He called for a Motion for a Secretary and a motion was made to appoint Violet Cunningham as secretary, seconded and voted.

Item 3:

Item 3 was read "To authorize the expenditure of $37,500.00 for the spraying of approximately 15,000 acres of land in the Town of Sharon for the purpose of controlling and eradication of the Gypsy Moth."

A motion was made and seconded to so authorize. Before any discussion ensued Mr. R. Carley, the First Selectman, stated that he had received a figure that was lower than anticipated and he therefore made a Motion to amend the figure to $30,000.00 for the expenditure instead of $37,500.00. which was in the motion already on the floor, which amended motion was seconded.

A lengthy discussion followed pro and con for spraying and especially as to the use of Sevin, its advantages and disadvantages. The highlights of the discussion are not "quotes" but in substance are as follows.

A question was asked if the spraying should be done every year and what the cost would be. Mr. Carley said it was advisable to spray each year and the cost would be about $500 after the first year.

Dr. Haydock spoke in length regarding Sevin being a toxic drug and the danger it could do to animals, wildlife, and possibly humans. He also stated that spraying with D.D.T. was also dangerous. He felt that the need of spraying for Gypsy Moths was not so great as to take such a risk.

Dr. Moore and Dr. Fowler spoke against the spraying along the same lines as Dr. Haydock and stressed the danger of using the pesticides mentioned. Also Dr. Fowler said he saw no point in upsetting the balance of nature.

Other speaking against the spraying were Mr. Stanley Quickmire, a member of the Audobon Society who stated there were other things that killed trees and also expressed his concern regarding the use of Sevin and the harm it would do. Not only Gypsy Moths would be destroyed but also other insects on which the birds feed. He also stated that if tree farmers were so concerned they should spray their own land.

Mr. James Buckley also felt that individuals that owned tree farms should have them sprayed themselves. He spoke further against spraying.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hutchinson read articles regarding sprays, one of which was non-toxic.

Mr. Holland read articles from the Harlem Valley Times regarding the dangers of spraying with Sevin and he also felt that the persons who wanted their trees sprayed should bear their own expense.

Those speaking in favor of Spraying were Mr. Rudolf Modley who said he was a Conservationist of long standing and spoke in length regarding the good that resulted from spraying and he had been informed Sevin was harmless expect for the bees. He felt that the people had a choice of two evils, either to have the forests destroyed by the Gypsy Moths or take the risk of spraying and his choice was spraying. He also stated he had 200 acres.

Mr. Warren T. Douglas told of his experience on the property he owned in Long Island, which was infested with Gypsy Moths and resulted in no bird life. After spraying with D.D.T. for nine years the moths were gone and the birds returned in great numbers and so did the bees.

Arthur Houghtaling asked Mr. Modley if it were true that the infested trees would die after two years. Mr. Modley replied, "Yes, except the evergreens would die in one year."

Mr. Bromel said that he had never heard of anyone who had died from the result of spraying but that more people had died from taking aspirin. He has one tree he keeps spraying and he would not trade it for all the birds in Sharon.

Mr. John Murtagh made a motion that the vote be taken by electors check list and the assessment list. However, there was a previous motion on the floor regarding the amendment so a vote on the amendment was taken which resulted in the affirmative.

Mr. Murtagh then reiterated his motion which was seconded and voted in the negative.

Mr. Lamb then asked how they wanted to vote, by ballot or show of hands.

The question was voted by raise of hands which resulted in 58 votes for and 70 votes against. The motion "To authorize the spraying of approximately 15,000 acres of land in the Town of Sharon for the purpose of controlling and eradication of the Gypsy Moth." was defeated.

Coldwell Lawn Mower Co.

The Coldwell horse drawn lawnmower had a built-in roller to flatten the hoof marks left by the horse. Coldwell Lawn Mowers of Newburgh, NY eventually merged with other companies and became part of the Toro.

Locally, the Coldwell push mower was used in the 1900's to cut the entire mile and one-half mile Sharon Green by "keeper of the Green" Jim Way. You can see Jim and his push mower just outside the Selectmen Office via our Marckres' photo display.

I highly doubt our current "keeper of the Green" Waz would be happy if we asked him to go back to horse or push mowers in the present day buuuuut... if gas prices continue to rise... ;).