Pop. growth modest, grand list booms

SHARON — The town report for fiscal 2008-09 was issued in early January and it includes interesting facts and figures.

In a 30-year period, the town has grown in population by only 658 residents. In fiscal 1969-70, an estimated 2,400 residents lived in Sharon; in fiscal 2009-10, an estimated 3,058 residents call Sharon home.

Despite the modest population growth, the town’s grand list has increased substantially in 30 years. In fiscal 1969-70, the grand list was $10,945,998; in fiscal 2009-10, the grand list was $837,360,422.

The town’s grand list also increased substantially from the previous year. In fiscal 2008-09, it was $558,016,740. In fiscal 2009-10, the grand list was $837,360,422, an increase of $279,343,682.

There were four town meetings held last year. The highest attendance at a meeting was on June 9, 2009, when 146 residents voted to accept the annual budget for fiscal 2009-10.

The lowest attendance was at a meeting Sept. 19, 2008; only nine residents voted to expend up to $46,799.25 for the Gay Street sidewalk project.

According to Town Clerk Linda Amerighi’s report, in 2008, 12 children were born, 31 residents died and nine marriage licenses were applied for.

Building Inspector Stanley MacMillan reported that five new homes were built, ranging in value from $200,000 to $2,000,000. He issued 585 building permits. The previous year, in fiscal 2007-08, MacMillan issued 688 permits.

According to the town’s registrar of voters, the number of residents who voted in the Nov. 4, 2008, presidential election was higher than normal: 1,556 voters turned out, which is 81 percent of registered voters.

As of Sept. 21, 2009, there were 629 registered Democrats, 577 registered Republicans, 674 unaffiliated voters and one resident who is registered as “other.�

The Sharon Volunteer Fire Department and Sharon Ambulance had a very busy year, responding to more than 150 fire calls and more than 200 ambulance calls.

Visiting Nurse and Home Care Northwest made 689 skilled nursing visits and 151 physical therapy calls.

Ella Clark, director of the Chore Service, reported that during fiscal 2008-09, the service helped 262 families throughout the Northwest Corner region. In Sharon, 44 families received 2,673 hours of service, while 31 Sharon workers earned more than $36,000 working for the service.

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