Town Tribune Article,  October 5, 2017. As I write this, our nation is once again confronted with a senseless mass killing in Las Vegas, this time the largest one in our history. In the coming days, many issues will come into play as the shooting’s facts are revealed. We will again seek answers for the motives behind this horrifically violent event, but time and again they remain beyond comprehension. Here in Sherman, we must remember that the smallest acts of kindness, the consideration and generosity of our neighbors, can make all the difference in the quality of life in our community. I am proud to see how good we are to each other, delivering meals to families who are grieving, driving those who can’t drive themselves, finding ways every day to reach out and lend a hand to those in need. In an election year, it is no small thing to be reminded that while we may disagree on certain issues, we are all in this together, and we are very lucky to live here in Sherman.

In the spirit of those who help others, Sherman is blessed to have an outstanding Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD). These super dedicated men and women are first on the scene for residents’ emergencies and that’s reassuring. Having dedicated emergency service volunteers is not only a positive for our safety and well being, but it’s a tremendous cost savings for the town. I had the privilege last week to witness a car fire drill and have it explained to me by Chris Fuchs. a firefighting professional who devotes time and good energy to the SVFD. My goal is to learn all I can about the SVFD in order to better serve them whether I win the race for First Selectman or not. We can all support the SVFD through donations and also by filling out an application to join the organization. If you join. you’ll meet some of the nicest people in Sherman.

For the coming weeks you will hear the phrase “pay as you go” by my fellow Board of Selectmen members. Clay and Bob tout this frequently. It’s in reference to managing the funding of town capital projects. Both Clay and Bob are fine fellows and can be excused for ginning up an issue or two during election season. In reality, however, this is a false claim. There has been nothing in Clay’s six years that the town wouldn’t have paid as we go. In six years, we have had only two primary capital projects and not very lofty ones at that. One is the wash station up at public works. The BOS had to go to the taxpayers, hat in hand, and ask for an extra $100,000 to complete that one. ( I voted “no” on the extra money hoping we could discipline ourselves to build it with the original state grant.) The other capital project was refurbishing the tennis courts. Even as a Selectman I still don’t know how much we paid for that. No transparency. We did pay nearly $27,000 for 312 hours of engineering to complete the project, which was advertised to the public as “pre-engineered.”

The solution to the mix-up with both projects is to communicate clearly with all parties before the project begins, follow through, and then be transparent with the process at every stage so that taxpayers can understand where their money was spent. I will do that. Of course, we’re lucky: These aren’t huge capital projects. But we might have one in our future depending on what voters decide to do about the K-Wing portion of our Sherman School. This is why I am delighted to have Kevin Keenan as my running-mate. As a professional builder with infrastructure expertise across the board, Kevin will be the most talented Sherman Selectman on capital projects since Mr. Ken Grant. Together, Kevin and I are prepared to successfully manage whatever projects come Sherman’s way.

At the last BOS meeting, I made my proposal for an ad hoc Reliable Cell Service Committee. Clay and Bob needed more time to think it over before voting on whether to approve so it’s in limbo. The committee will be comprised of the diligent Sherman folks who have researched this issue and made recommendations to our present First Selectman. The purpose of the committee, which I will serve on, is to make sure that the good work of the reliable cell service people is followed up on and acted upon. If you elect me as your First Selectman, “Following up and acting upon” will be the hallmark of my term in office and a big improvement to the town. I have no other higher political aspirations: the office of First Selectman will be my job, not a stepping stone to higher political office.

Town Tribute July 17, 2017

Summer is in full swing and the Board of Selectman is weeks into the new fiscal budget year, which began July 1. We held a Town Meeting on Saturday, July 15 and the voters in attendance (about 30 folks) approved all of the agenda’s items unanimously. These included up to $10,000 to paint the exterior of the Senior Center, $43,000 for the ongoing replacement of docks (5 of them) at Town beach, $8,400 to replace the chain link fence at the basketball courts, the yearly $20,000 appropriation for Happy Acres to be used on non-capital repairs, $52,000 to the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) for a much-needed Ford F-350 pick-up truck, and also $9775 to the SVFD for repairs on Engine 5 and Tanker 8. These approved expenditures totaled $123,175 and that leaves $642,113 in the capitol non-recurring fund.

Referring to the Sherman Fire Department and Emergency Services, I can’t say enough about its members’ commitment to the safety and well-being of Sherman residents. And you can show your appreciation for these amazing people by purchasing tickets to the FIREMAN’S BALL, which will be held on, Saturday, August 5th at 6 pm on the Sherman Green. Scrumptious food, music, dancing, and neighborly nattering with a lot of fun folks all for a good cause! Please come out! This is a special 75th Anniversary Celebration and, again, it’s a wonderful way to show support and have some fun while you’re at it.

On Saturday, July 22 at 9 a.m. we are having a ribbon cutting ceremony for the repaired tennis courts at Veterans Field. The project appears to have come out looking great and the new courts will add a lot to the town’s character. The entire Board of Selectman is pleased and I know that a lot of local tennis players are overjoyed, too. Supporters of this project owe thanks to the Sherman’s Park and Recreation Commission for its steady commitment over the years to refurbishing the tennis courts, which were initially bequeathed to the town by the late Mary Hadlow. Ms. Hadlow, both in life and upon her passing, was a generous benefactor for many lovely matters in Sherman.

This is a critical time for the Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA) and the area’s economics as it seeks a replacement for Larry Marsicano who served exceptionally well as Executive Director for 14 years. Larry once said at an annual gathering of Candlewood Lake stakeholders and interested parties, “There are three primary threats to the lake: milfoil, zebra mussels, and politics.” It is my hope that politics doesn’t cloud the search for Larry’s replacement. Right now there is a small faction — many of the same people (and a few extra cronies) who advocated for herbicide to control milfoil (they were defeated but still persist) — that want to change the standard hiring practice of the CLA in order to favor hiring someone who better supports their agenda. This could have dire circumstances for the lake. For example, the new executive director might appease this group by being less eco-friendly than Larry was or the new executive director might not push for draw downs, which are effective in controlling both zebra mussels and milfoil. So it’s important for anyone concerned about the lake to stay current on the players involved in this hiring situation. Phyllis Schaer, CLA chairperson and lake volunteer extraordinaire, is a wonderful resource. Also, find out who your town’s CLA lake delegates are and ask them their opinion. And who should be concerned? Yes, lake residents and area business owners, but also every area homeowner. Along with being a recreational gem, Candlewood Lake is a vital gear in the economic engine for the five lake towns. There is a lot at stake here.

I had the good fortune of seeing the Broadway smash, Hamilton, two weeks ago. Along with exquisite entertainment, the show serves as a profound reminder of what a precious miracle our great country’s inception was. I followed the show with a lot of reading and refreshing about our country’s origin. It’s easy to take for granted the American way of life, our unique government, our rights, and our freedoms. But to examine the framework from which it all began – so much of it born of reasonable and passionate discussion measured with compromise — is valuable and makes one appreciate the United States of America even more.

Please feel free to contact me with questions and concerns. dlowe@townofshermanct.org and at 860 778 3394. Thanks!