Don Lowe First Selectman Column 10/27/2025
The Sherman Annual Report was presented at the Annual Town Meeting last week and demonstrated the good financial health that Sherman currently enjoys. Our General Fund surplus is $6.1 million, our Capital Fund is $1.2 million, and the Happy Acres Restricted Fund is currently at nearly $2.5 million. The Happy Acres Fund, available for farm-related expenses, is significant because there was public worry when we, six years ago, redesigned the financial and care-taking management process there. Some residents worried that we would exhaust that fund. Instead, it progressively grew from $1.8 million when the new plan started to where it is today.
As another way to look at the General Fund surplus, we have a policy that it should stay, at minimum, between the level of 10% to 14% of the budget. Presently, our surplus, sometimes called the “rainy day” fund, is more than 37% of budget. That was a primary reason why Standard and Poor’s upgraded our financial rating to AA+, the highest level that a municipality of our size and grand list can hold.
The Halloween Bash is this Friday, October 31, on the Town Green. There will be lots of fun booths and activities where people of all ages can trick-or-treat. Bring your costume and enjoy the evening. The bash is from 5pm to 7pm.
The SPTO is holding its Harvest Fest on November 8 at the Town Green from 12 to 4pm. I think there is still time to register to be a vender for this cool event. A link to register is provided on the Sherman School website and also on Facebook (SPTO page). This is a terrific event and despite not having the usual space at the Sherman School due to the renovation, the SPTO is keeping it going and I’m very grateful for their efforts.
The proposed new Sherman Senior Center committee held a productive informational forum last Saturday. While I wish we had more people attending (there were nearly 20), those that did attend asked smart questions and made some great observations. Our committee is in full-speed-ahead mode to get the word out about this important project. We are having a presentation on Thursday at noon at the current Senior Center and everyone is welcome. The Friends of the Senior Center is sponsoring a mailing, so expect some informative material on this to arrive in your mailbox too. Meanwhile, there is another forum on Sunday, November 16 in Charter Hall from 2 to 3 pm. Information is available at the current Senior Center and on the Town website. In addition, there is a Facebook page for the plan where you can learn about the proposed new Senior Center. Please inform yourself. Or reach out to me if you have questions. The vote for this is on Saturday, December 6 in Charter Hall from 10am to 8pm. Absentee ballots will be made available two week before the vote.
Early Voting continues for candidates in the Sherman general election through the weekend and ends on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 6pm. On November 4, the polls open for regular voting from 6am to 8pm in Charter Hall. Your vote matters so exercise it.
