Governor rewards Sharon housing efforts

SHARON — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy traveled to the Sharon Ridge affordable housing complex in Sharon on Friday, Dec. 30, to present state grant checks to the Sharon Housing Authority (SHA) and the Sharon Housing Trust (SHT).A group of about 30 people gathered on a lawn at Sharon Ridge, where a podium had been set up, for the brief ceremony.In addition to the governor, speakers were Sharon First Selectman Robert Loucks, 64th District Rep. Roberta Willis, Sharon Housing Authority Vice Chairman Lea Davies and Sharon Housing Trust Chairman Melinda Sweet.Willis, Loucks and Davies praised SHA Chairman Myron “Mike” Silverman for his long years of devotion and service to the group, from the earliest days of the planning task force that paved the way for the authority and Sharon Ridge development.Sharon Housing Authority was awarded a STEAP grant of $165,289 to be used toward construction of three new buildings at Sharon Ridge. That will add 12 new residences to the complex.“Some people like me, some don’t,”Malloy said. “But they pretend they do when I bring a check.” In response to a question, the governor said there will be more state grants for the Northwest Corner in early 2012.In her remarks, Willis said the new buildings at Sharon Ridge will have geothermal heating units that will reduce tenants’ operating costs.The Sharon Housing Trust was awarded a STEAP grant of $100,000, to be used toward the purchase of a new home the trust is buying.Also present and acknowledged by several speakers was Kathryn Shafer, project manager of the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development in Middletown, Conn., which has assisted Sharon Ridge’s expansion efforts.