Don Lowe First Selectman Column 11/10/2025
On this Sunday, November 16 at noon, will be the ribbon cutting for the recently restored Scout House or “Center School” as the more historically minded call it. Expect to have some light refreshments and a brief ceremony along with an opportunity to see the renewed condition that this venerable building is in now. Our Board of Selectmen is very pleased with the work that went into this, which was mostly paid for by a state STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program). Thank you, Joe Beatty, for the excellent contracting work! And thank you Liz LaVia for the executing the administration of the grant – no small feat. Sherman paid 20% of the project ($46,000) and the State paid for the rest ($230,000).
Also on November 16, at 2pm, in Charter Hall is another proposed new Senior Center informational forum. This will last no more than an hour and will present another opportunity to ask questions, make comments, and learn more about this important project. The referendum for the proposed new Senior Center is on Saturday, December 6 from 10am to 8pm. Absentee ballots will be available on Tuesday Nov. 25, Nov. 26, Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec. 4, and Dec. 5 from 9am to 4pm at the Town Clerk’s office in Mallory Town Hall. I am on the building committee for this with some amazing people who have worked hard to put this together. I hope this passes as it will be good for Sherman – good for its Seniors and good for all populations as it offers another place for events and activities to take place.
Be on the lookout for information on The Festival of Lights event. There will be a list of Sherman homes, lit for the holidays, that are on the tour and people will have time all through the holidays to drive around and look at them. Finally, a winner will somehow be decided. This is a first-time event, and I will offer better, more specific information as soon as I can.
Veterans Day will have already occurred by the time you read this column, but it doesn’t mean that we all can’t take time to think of the military veterans in our lives and show appreciation for their work and sacrifice. Because of the school renovation and the lack of a gymnasium, the Sherman veterans this year were honored in a drive-by parade organized by the Sherman School. Thank you, Veterans, and thank you Sherman School for always showing such great respect for our veterans!
If you see a group of us walking around Sherman on Friday afternoon, it’s part of the “Connectivity” study that we are receiving at no cost from our Western Council of Governments (WESTCOG). The hope, after we analyze our trails, sidewalks, and streets, is to decide on some possible new trails or sidewalks to better connect us as pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, this includes a safety study wherein we can possibly make some adjustments to slow down traffic through Sherman and all-around Sherman. This study, which as I mentioned is free of charge, will go a long way for us to be able to receive grant money for the types of projects I have just listed.
THANK YOU for electing me to my fifth term as your First Selectman. I am equally thankful that Bob Ostrosky and Joel Bruzinski are continuing to be on the Board of Selectmen. Both fellows are very good for Sherman and the three of us work exceedingly well together. We plan to continue what we have been doing all along: to work agreeably for the betterment of Sherman.
