Don Lowe First Selectman Column 03/09/2026
My office fielded complaints about a dysfunctional traffic light – we only have one, thankfully – for Route 37 East that also serves traffic coming off of Brinsmade Lane, Jericho Road S, and Holiday Point. We contacted the State DOT as this is in its purview and received a prompt and good response. The DOT addressed the problem and fixed it. The problems were the indicators (lights) for the three roads I just mentioned, not on the main road, Route 37. So, if any of you who live or travel on the other three roads experience further troubles, please let my office know and we’ll get it in the proper hands.
The Board of Selectmen and all team members continue with budget workshops this week on Monday and Wednesday evening. As I have stated before, this budget will be our most challenging in eight years as prices for fixed costs have risen. We are also going to fulfill a new $94,000 request from our emergency services to ensure that we have 24/7 on-call staff for ambulance service. But the main driver is the new Sherman School repair/renovation project bonding debt, which will be at its highest this year and next year. (After 2028, we will begin to experience debt-service reductions.) Nearly 70% percent of voters see the value for Sherman in this project and voted for its approval.
I want to call attention to all of the volunteers who serve on Sherman boards and commissions. The work that you do on behalf of this town, the time and effort that you spend, is invaluable and Sherman couldn’t function without your service. And your good faith efforts can sometimes put you in the crosshairs of critics, but don’t be dismayed. Just keep doing your excellent work and please accept my deepest thanks for what you do.
The Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WESTCOG) in conjunction with our social services department has been sponsoring a comprehensive checkup of Sherman’s efforts and compliance towards ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. I welcome this and look forward to the report on this. We are always looking to improve and to accommodate this important law in the best ways possible. More to come on this.
As I write this column (Monday) the temperatures have soared to above 60 degrees and the sun is shining brightly. Wow, does that feel good! This has been a tougher winter than most and I offer my heartfelt thanks to our public works crew who spent long hours plowing and maintaining our roads. We all really appreciate the extra effort it took to keep our roads clear. So, thanks guys!
