Sharon Housing Trust urges action on 99 North Main

SHARON — Facing a deadline just a week away, the Board of Selectmen agreed unanimously at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 23, to draft and sign a letter of intent to be provided to the Sharon Housing Trust.

The letter of intent is a first step in the process of applying for a state CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) to support the costs of renovating the former Community Center building, converting it into 4 affordable housing units.

Also discussed was the “Option to Lease” agreement that is now in final stages of review by attorneys for the town and the housing trust. The agreement would establish a 99-year lease for the 99 North Main Street property.

“We want to get this done, but there is a process,” said selectman John Brett, recognizing the pressure of the deadline.

“The CDBG grant is not dependent on the lease option,” said Bob Whelan, housing trust board member, stressing that the timing is critical.

“We have only a week before the CDBG deadline,” Whelan said, asking for a way to expedite the process. He pointed out that if the deadline passes, then there would be a year’s wait for the next grant application cycle to begin.

First Selectman Casey Flanagan agreed that a special meeting within days could occur.

“We want to support moderate income housing,” Flanagan said, noting however that transparency within the process is important. He noted that the lease agreement contains significant changes and that the selectmen need to honor their commitment to the Board of Finance regarding the entering of significant agreements.

“I trust the process, even if it takes another week,” Brett said.

Annual meeting

In other action, the selectmen scheduled the date of the annual town meeting for Friday, May 10, to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Latest News

Wake Robin developers reapply with P&Z
Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.
Photo by John Coston

LAKEVILLE — ARADEV LLC, the developer behind the proposed redesign of Wake Robin Inn, returned before Salisbury’s Planning and Zoning Commission at its May 5 regular meeting with a 644-page plan that it says scales back the project.

ARADEV withdrew its previous application last December after a six-round public hearing in which neighbors along Wells Hill Road and Sharon Road rallied against the proposal as detrimental to the neighborhood.

Keep ReadingShow less
Housatonic lax wins 18-6 versus Lakeview
Chloe Hill, left, scored once in the game against Lakeview High School Tuesday, May 7.
Photo by Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse kept rolling Tuesday, May 6, with a decisive 18-6 win over Lakeview High School.

Eight different players scored for Housatonic in the Northwest Corner rivalry matchup. Sophomore Georgie Clayton led the team with five goals.

Keep ReadingShow less
Troutbeck Symposium 2025: the latest chapter in continuing a vital legacy

Participating students and teachers gathered for the traditional photo at the 2025 Troutbeck Symposium on Thursday, May 1.

Leila Hawken

Students and educators from throughout the region converged at Troutbeck in Amenia for a three-day conference to present historical research projects undertaken collaboratively by students with a common focus on original research into their chosen topics. Area independent schools and public schools participated in the conference that extended from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2.

The symposium continues the Troutbeck legacy as a decades-old gathering place for pioneers in social justice and reform. Today it is a destination luxury country inn, but Troutbeck remains conscious of its significant place in history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roaring Oaks Florist launches self-serve flower market

Terence S. Miller, owner of Roaring Oaks Florist in the new self-serve area of the shop.

Natalia Zukerman

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Roaring Oaks Florist in Lakeville has launched a new self-serve flower station next to its Main Street shop, offering high-quality, grab-and-go bouquets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week — including Sundays when the main store is closed.

Owner Terence S. Miller, who bought the shop 24 years ago at just 20 years old, calls the new feature “a modern twist on an old-school honor system,” with some high-tech updates.

Keep ReadingShow less