Candidates for first selectman: Q&A

Thomas Bartram

Age and party: 55, Democrat

Number of years in town:

Lifetime resident

Profession:

Architectural representative at Herrington’s in Lakeville

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years:

Sharon Board of Selectmen (selectman), Sharon Housing Trust (director), Long-range Planning Committee, Sharon Fire Department (training officer), St. Bernard R.C. Church (trustee).

What can the selectmen do to revitalize the economy of the town?

As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I appointed a bi-partisan Economic Development Study Group. This group has interviewed many of the businesses and landlords in Sharon. Findings include the need to create a business association, leveraging our current health care and tourist industries, expanding Internet services, upgrading the town Web site, addressing municipal parking, and determining an appropriate location for business expansion outside the present Local Enterprise District.  

As first selectman, in conjunction with my board and town commissions, we would work together to address these issues. The town also needs to decide if a permanent Economic Development Commission is needed.

What can be done to maintain and upgrade the town’s infrastructure, especially at a time of diminishing state and federal grants?

 Sharon, like most towns in Connecticut, has let its infrastructure suffer in order to fund more pressing issues.

As a  selectman, I participated in hiring two engineering firms to seek solutions to three pressing problems.

Grant and loan opportunities outside the state and federal bridge programs are being pursued, but eventually, the selectmen and board of finance with town meeting approval, will likely need to bond money for at least some of the repairs.

As first selectman, I will initiate and then implement a vigorous program to monitor the water crossings and roads, making timely minor repairs to avoid major issues.

How do you define “affordable housing� and what can the selectmen do to increase it here without impacting the rural nature of the town?

Affordable housing to me means that citizens, regardless of income level, might find a suitable place to live in Sharon. As first selectman, I would make my office a clearinghouse for information regarding Sharon’s housing initiatives.

The expansion of Sharon Ridge and supporting the Housing Trust’s efforts are critical to increasing Sharon’s affordable housing stock.

We are working with the Regional Planning Collaborative to create accessory apartments within our towns, especially in areas serviced by the municipal water and sewer system. These initiatives would have minimal impact on Sharon’s rural nature but are vital to maintaining our volunteer forces.

Robert J. Loucks

Age and party: 66, Republican

Number of years in town: 55

Profession:

Electrical contractor

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years:

Sharon Board of Finance (vice chairman), Long-range Planning Committee (co-chairman), Sharon Historic Hillside Cemetery (president), Housatonic Valley Regional High School Standing Building Committee.

What can the selectmen do to revitalize the economy of the town?

Sharon needs the convenient access to goods and services, the jobs and the stable tax base that appropriate economic development brings. Four new businesses have recently opened in town, but the vacant downtown storefronts tell the real story: established businesses closing and survivors struggling.

The selectmen can lead by working with our boards and commissions, the Economic Development Study Group and others to make Sharon friendlier to new and existing businesses, and by forming a Sharon Business Association.

This can be done without compromising our rural character and I intend to do it.

What can be done to maintain and upgrade the town’s infrastructure, especially at a time of diminishing state and federal grants?

Over 90 percent of Sharon’s 41 bridges and culverts have problems and many of our roads are in disrepair. Not just a matter of inconvenience, this involves public safety. School buses, ambulances, fire engines and the rest of us use these roads and bridges daily.

We need to get started on simple repairs and a few larger projects before our infrastructure deteriorates further. State and federal funding will undoubtedly be reduced. Therefore, we’ll need to ask voters to approve borrowing the money. Sharon has an excellent credit rating, so paying off a long-term loan will have minimal impact on our mill rate.

How do you define “affordable housing� and what can the selectmen do to increase it here without impacting the rural nature of the town?

I define “affordable housing� as housing suitable for moderate-income earners such as teachers, tradesmen and service providers. It is priced below prevailing market values or rental rates; state and federal formulas determine eligibility.

Sharon’s Housing Authority owns 20 rental units at Sharon Ridge for mixed ages and family sizes and is considering an expansion. The Housing Trust has built one affordable single-family home for ownership on donated land and is looking for additional land.

The selectmen can advise and support these housing organizations. To retain the town’s rural character, I would encourage the building of individual houses on sites scattered throughout Sharon.