Housing grant request incomplete, denied by Sharon selectmen

SHARON – The Sharon Board of Selectmen voted against approving two applications for ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds from the Sharon Housing Authority due to incomplete information.

At the Sept. 10 meeting, the Board of Selectmen reviewed two applications for ARPA funding from the Sharon Housing Authority intended to gather funds to perform maintenance on the Sharon Ridge moderate income affordable housing complex. The total funds requested in these two applications amount to $79,500.

Specifically, the applications state the funds would be used to pay contractors who had done work on the development to prepare for the winter months, as well as pay off a loan from NBT Bank. The applications are careful to note that all contractors under the Sharon Housing Authority’s employment are local small businesses, and that the Housing Authority requires outside funding to adequately maintain the property since rent increases are limited.

The Board of Selectmen had previously requested further information from the Housing Authority, but at the time of the Sept. 10 meeting had not gotten a response, and so could not approve the applications. “We asked for follow up,” said First Selectman Casey Flanagan. “Which was not received.”

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law by President Biden in 2021 to provide pandemic relief funding to all states, cities, and towns in the United States. These funds are allocated by municipalities based on applications that demonstrate the need for assistance due to pandemic-inflicted stress.

The Sharon Housing Authority was previously awarded $50,000 in 2022 to rebuild sidewalks and update its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Flu clinic

A flu shot clinic will be held at Town Hall on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon, as announced at the Sept. 10 Board of Selectmen meeting. As the weather cools, the risk of flu sharply rises, so early fall is a great time to get ahead of the virus.

Latest News

Paul Winter to celebrate the winter solstice at Saint James Place

The Paul Winter Consort will perform at St. James Cathedral in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Saturday, Dec. 21.

Photo by Matthew Muise

Seven-time Grammy winning saxophonist Paul Winter, with the Paul Winter Consort, will return to celebrate the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 21, with sold out shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

A uniquely intimate solstice celebration, in contrast to the large-scale productions done for many years in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, it promises to deliver everything audiences have come to love and expect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Developers withdraw application to expand Wake Robin Inn

Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.

Photo by John Coston

LAKEVILLE — Aradev LLC has withdrawn its application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a special permit to redevelop the Wake Robin Inn.

In a letter submitted to P&Z Chair Michael Klemens on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 17, law outfit Mackey, Butts & Whalen LLP announced its client’s withdrawal.

Keep ReadingShow less
North Canaan antique mall fills resale niche

The 403 Group is located at 403 Ashley Falls Road, where the old This N’ That for Habitat used to be.

Photo by Robin Roraback

NORTH CANAAN — The 403 Group Antique Market is “A hidden secret, a little off the beaten path, but worth the drive,” said Carey Field, who has a booth called “Wild Turkey” there.

“It’s a really fun group of dealers,” Field said. “A really eclectic group of antiques and the prices are reasonable.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Shooting the breeze with Christopher Little

Martin Tandler

Little with his dog, Ruby.

"What I really feel lucky about is having had the chance to meet and photograph so many people who had a real impact on our lives,” said Christopher Little whose new memoir, “Shooting the Breeze: Memories of a Photojournalist” was just released. The book is as eclectic and colorful as the man himself and offers an intimate look into Little’s globe-trotting career spent behind the lens, capturing some of the most iconic figures, events, and human stories of the past half-century.

In 2021, the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas acquired Little’s photographic archive.

Keep ReadingShow less