Selectmen move ahead on River Road study and Housing Trust lease

SHARON — Continuing momentum to find a solution for the significant erosion along a stretch of River Road, the Sharon Board of Selectmen discussed the need for a comprehensive engineering assessment at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

First Selectman Casey Flanagan reported that Cardinal Engineering has performed an initial assessment and recommends the next step of taking field borings to determine the presence of stabilizing ledge beneath the surface. Cardinal estimates that borings on the east side of the road, the Housatonic River side, would cost $21,000 to complete, but they also recommend similar borings on the west side of the road for an additional $7,500.

If the stabilization is to be done on the east side that is eroding away, plans could call for a retaining wall structure, but if underlying ledge can be found on the west side of the road, away from the river, then the road could be shifted a bit to the west. A stumbling block to that plan is that boring work would need to occur on a patch of private property, a vacant lot, where the town has been unable to locate the property owner for access permission.

Flanagan recommended pursuing the study on both sides of the road, expecting that the town will continue efforts to reach the property owner.

An option to lease the Community Center property for one year to the Sharon Housing Trust was approved by the selectmen, who sent the proposed contract on to the Board of Finance for review.

Flanagan explained that the lease option would afford the housing trust a year to develop estimated costs of renovation to the building if it is to be converted into four affordable housing apartments.

Seeking to clarify how the town enters into contracts in general, the Board of Finance has moved to study the process of how contracts are awarded.

Finance board vice-chair Jessica Fowler had created a list of questions inviting responses from the selectmen.

“We want to support you with a better understanding of the town’s contracts,” Fowler said, indicating that the finance board wants clarification on existing town contracts, suggesting a future joint meeting between the Board of Finance and the selectmen to cement that understanding.

Flanagan sought a definition of “large impact” contracts. “Different contracts carry different impacts,” he said, citing a yearly fuel contract as opposed to something like Town Hall upgrades.

“It’s all impactful,” Fowler said, suggesting that the discussion begin with the selectmen’s replies to the list of questions.

“It’s about transparency,” Selectman John Brett said, praising the effort.

“This is sensible,” agreed Selectwoman Lynn Kearcher, who expressed concern that a new process might become cumbersome and create a bottleneck.

Latest News

Swinging into spring sports at HVRHS

HVRHS sophomore Wyatt Bayer will suit up for the Mountaineers' varsity baseball team.

Photo by Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — With the arrival of warm weather, so too comes a new season of athletics at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

The Mountaineers will field teams in five different sports for the spring season: baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis and track and field.

Keep ReadingShow less
Northlight art show opens at Historical Society Gallery
One of a dozen artists participating in the Northlight Art Center’s 14th annual student exhibit is Cathleen Halloran, above, who paused for a photo by one of her several works on display. The opening reception at the Sharon Historical Society’s Gallery on Saturday, March 15, brought out a robust group of local art fans.
Leila Hawken

Fans of fine art filed into the Sharon Historical Society’s gallery on Saturday, March 15, for the opening reception of student works from the Northlight Art Center in Amenia, New York.

Northlight was founded in Sharon by Pieter Lefferts in 2010 and later moved to Amenia. This is the 14th year of the annual student exhibit.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Urinetown’ makes use of brand new HVRHS auditorium

Tess Marks as Little Sally and Jackson Olson as Officer Lockstock in the Housatonic Musical Theatre Society production of "Urinetown."

Tom Brown

Last week’s Housatonic Musical Theatre Society production of “Urinetown” featured strong performances and superb choreography.

The remodeled auditorium at Housatonic Valley Regional High School made a big difference as well. New seats were a welcome addition, and the increased technical capability meant that the show was flawless from a production point of view.

Keep ReadingShow less
Race Brook Lodge: A timeless haven for music, art, and community

Race Brook Lodge

Lety Marcos

Tucked away on Under Mountain Road in Sheffield, Massachusetts, The Stagecoach Tavern dates back to the mid-18th century and offers fine dining in an enchanted setting. It also serves as the portal into the Race Brook Lodge, which harbors unique spaces for entertainment, lodging and wellness.

Intimate outdoor gathering areas are illuminated by strings of lights. A cluster of mid-century bungalows can be rented by guests who come to spend the weekend and attend concerts and retreats, which typically take place in the barns farther back in the woods.

Keep ReadingShow less