Don Lowe First Selectman Column 12/01/2025
The referendum vote for a new Senior Center is on Saturday, December 6 from 10am to 8pm in Charter Hall. Absentee voting continues today and Friday, December 5. Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s office from 9am to 4pm. We have had many public informational sessions, there’s been written information in this paper, a mailing went out, and all the information including FAQ’s, building specs, and site plans are available on the Town website.
We are asking for approval to build this facility because Sherman needs it to better serve its Seniors and the Town in general. The current Senior Center, which is used by Seniors and 12 other groups in Town, is basically a one-room 750 sq. ft. facility and is largely inadequate. Not only does it lack appropriate space, but there is woefully little parking space, the building has ADA concerns, and it’s not a safe place for our Seniors to use. Most people using this building must cross a busy Route 37 to access it, and safety is a major concern. We must improve this situation for the Town of Sherman. But here’s the thing: the proposed new Senior Center, that I hope that you vote YES on, may not be exactly what you want – and let me explain!
In our building committee’s public outreach, we have heard comments concerning the size, functionality, design, color, location, cost (some people want to spend more; others less), the community aspect, the groups it serves, the building’s placement, “why isn’t there a basement?”, and many, many other comments. All of this is understandable, normal, and in fact, desirable, that citizens take such an interest. Sometimes the people making these comments don’t realize that the building committee, an extremely diligent group of Sherman citizens, has been going over these questions for three years, weighing “this” against “that” along with staying within a budget set by the Board of Selectmen. So, this is why I say, it’s likely you won’t get everything you want. But I think you can realize how impossible “pleasing everyone” would be. The main thing is: the new building is a vast improvement over what we currently use as a Senior Center/community facility.
Consider recent Sherman building projects such as the firehouse and library. Both were contentious, had detractors, and many people “knew better” about many aspects of the projects. Yet, both buildings are huge improvements over the facilities they replaced and are extremely valuable to Sherman. The Town improved. So even if you didn’t get exactly what you wanted, the SVFD and the Sherman Library patrons and several ancillary Town entities are better served because of these projects. I am grateful to the people who saw these projects through and to the voters who voted YES to enable them to be built! And I am grateful to my Senior Center building committee members who have served Sherman marvelously by putting together this plan. Please vote YES on this. You will be glad that you did.
The holiday season kicks off Saturday with Sherman Library Gala “Fire and Ice” the evening of December 6. Earlier in the day the Historical Society open house is on both December 6 and 7 from 1pm to 4pm. The Sherman Tree Lighting is on December 7 from 4pm to 6pm at the Town Green. The Sherman Artists hold its Open Studios from 10am to 4pm on December 6 and 7 at various Sherman locations – a brochure is available to let you know locations. And the White Silo Winery is holding a holiday bazaar and fundraiser on December 13 and 14. This event will be accepting donations --- monetary and non-perishable items -- to the Sherman food pantry. In fact, you will be rewarded with a complimentary wine tasting if you do! I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving! There’s so much to be grateful for.
