Sharon solar project at crossroads

SHARON — First Selectman Casey Flanagan attended a meeting held by the Board of Finance on Tuesday, May 21, to discuss an update on the ongoing project to install solar energy panels on property adjacent to Sharon Center School.

The project has come to a halt with Connecticut Green Bank determining that the school’s current air-source heat pump is in danger of being damaged if the project moves forward, as the system is not equipped to handle the peak load of the heat pumps.

Several options were considered on how to move forward, including getting the original engineer for the school to communicate with Connecticut Green Bank. The electricity could also be upgraded from 1,200 amps to 1,600 for an estimated sum of $100,000, or a breaker could be added to the system for $40,000.

There is the possibility of reducing the system size, wherein the heat pumps would exclusively be used for air conditioning.

Another suggestion was reaching out to Emphase, a company specializing in energy management technology that offers solar energy for businesses that has a program titled the Connecticut Energy Storage Solutions Program.

Flanagan stated that this halt in development was “not good” and did not leave him with “a great deal of confidence in the project.”

Resident Anne Stettner attended the meeting to express her displeasure with how the solar project has progressed since the town initially voted in it favor, stating, “I understand we want to get away from fossil fuels, but not at the cost of a mistake that won’t end up saving anyone any money.”

Latest News

Foreign exchange students reflect on a year in the U.S.

Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

Anna Gillette
“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

What has been your favorite part of your exchange experience?

Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS students bring back student newspaper
From left, Ibby Sadeh, Anna Gillette, Nathan Miller, Maddy Johnson and Caitlin Hanlon proof the pages of HVRHS Today at the Lakeville Journal office while Shanaya Duprey teleconferences in on Thursday, May 29.
James H. Clark

Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School wrote and produced the inaugural edition of HVRHS Today, a new publication by and for students in the Northwest Corner.

This inaugural issue of HVRHS Today marks the first student-led journalism effort at the high school in several years. The program is a collaboration between the Lakeville Journal, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the 21st Century Fund.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers take second place in WCLC

WATERTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse played Watertown High School for the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference championship Wednesday, May 28.

The cold, rainy game went back and forth with three ties and three lead changes. Watertown was ahead when it counted and earned a 6-4 victory to claim the league title.

Keep ReadingShow less