Sharon to share generator cost

SHARON — After a debate about responsibilities of landlords and tenants, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved sharing the estimated $13,800 cost of replacing the failing generator at the town-owned building at 67 Main Street, adjacent to the Town Hall, at a regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The town leases the space to Tri-State Communications, the home of Robin Hood Radio. The selectmen’s discussion centered on a proposed 50/50 split of the cost of generator replacement.

Under the arrangement, the town will pay its half from the lease-fed fund that supports that building’s ordinary repairs, and the radio station will be expected to pay its half in installments over the course of its two-year lease.

A brief debate ensued on an issue raised by selectman Casey Flanagan who asked whether the town is responsible for ensuring a power supply to a business.

“We are not installing a generator, we are replacing an asset,” selectman Dale Jones responded.

“The town is willing to pay half,” Flanagan said, “and we’re giving them an interest-free loan for the balance.”

“The generator allows them to stay on the air in the event of a power outage,” Jones said.

The selectmen also set a date for a special town meeting to be held on Thursday, March 16, 6 p.m. at Town Hall. The agenda includes three actions: to approve the 2022-23 town financial report, to adopt an amendment to the ordinance governing the Sharon Energy and Environment Commission increasing the number of commission members, and to allocate $15,000 from the Silly Putty Fund in support of the Sharon Center School’s outdoor mural project.