Sharon town budget plan shows 2.04% rise

SHARON — After multiple budget workshops that scrutinized each expense line, the Board of Selectmen approved the final draft of a proposed Sharon budget for the 2022-23 year at their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 8.

Carrying a 2.04% increase in net expenditures, the proposed budget was scheduled to be presented and detailed at the Board of Finance regular meeting on Tuesday, March 15, beginning at 6 p.m., after this issue went to press. The meeting was scheduled to be held in person at Town Hall and on Zoom.

The proposed budget anticipates total expenditures of $4,330,454, an increase of $86,383 (2.035%) over the current year.

Selectman Dale Jones said he was pleased with the net bottom line and Selectman Casey Flanagan termed the increase “reasonable.”

“We focused on being sure that employees’ wages kept pace with the market and also kept up the equipment replacement fund,” Flanagan added.

With no bids having been submitted for a project to renovate Community Hall in response to the town’s request for bids, the selectmen agreed that Parks and Recreation could contact local contractors directly to attract proposals for the project. The bid process is intended to provide a cost estimate to guide decisions on details of the work.

Sharon Classic May 7

The Sharon Day Care Center’s Sharon Classic road race is on for Saturday, May 7, but with a new route planned. Stacy Hudson, representing Sharon Day Care, reported that the race will begin and end at Veterans’ Field. Departing from the town garage driveway, runners and walkers will proceed to the tavern and turn left to proceed to the Millerton Road for a short distance. They will make a left onto Mudge Pond Road, turn onto Drum Road and return to Veterans’ Field.

Responding to the selectmen’s initial concerns about safety for those participating in the race, First Selectman Brent Colley explained that the new route has fewer miles along state roads and that by using Veterans’ Field there will be more space for race day activities for children and adults. The race has traditionally started and ended on the town Green.

To ensure safety, Hudson added that more route signs will be posted and that the Sharon Fire Department will provide volunteers to help with traffic control in places where the road narrows.

Latest News

Stephen S. Myers

LAKEVILLE — Stephen S. Myers, 82, of Lakeville, (formerly of New York City, Almond, New York, Kane’ohe, Hawaii, and Fair Oaks, California) passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 30, 2024. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” (Phelan), his two sons Matthew and Shepherd, two nephews and three nieces.

Stephen was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, on Oct. 29, 1942, the son of the late Elwood Mosman and Donnie Marguerite Myers. Growing up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Stephen struggled with dyslexia in multiple high schools, ultimately graduating from Avon Old Farms High School in Avon, Connecticut.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ella L. Clark

WEST CORNWALL — Ella L. Clark, 83, a social worker, writer, and lover of nature and the Post Office, died Nov. 7, 2024 at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, after an acute stroke. Her family was with her in her last week.

Ella was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin S. and Charlotte L. Clark, her brother, Benjamin Clark, and her sister Tib Clark. Ella is survived by her daughter, Cristina Mathews of Fort Bragg, California, and her husband Jason and son Milo, her son Alexander Mathews, of Newton, Massachusetts, and his wife Olivia and children Ariana, Damian, and Torey, her daughter Jessica Meyer, of Pacific Palisades, California, and her husband Tim and children Ione and Nikos; and her sister Charlotte de Bresson of Paris.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Graeme Townsend

SALISBURY — David Graeme Townsend was born July 23, 1930, in Mineola, New York, to Rachel Townsend (Maxtone-Graham) and Greenough Townsend. David and his older brother Antone grew up in New York City and Long Island. Some of his early life was spent in Scotland in his mother’s family home, Cultoquhey, which is near Perth in the Highlands. Here he enjoyed summers with all his Maxtone-Graham cousins. Many of these cousins would remain close with David for his entire life. One cousin, Charles Smythe, even came to America to live with David and his family during the war where Charles became like a brother to David and Antone. David went to St. George’s in Newport, Rhode Island for a while and then on to Lawrenceville in New Jersey. He finished high school at the Basil Patterson School in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Immediately after high school, David enrolled in the US Marine Corps and served two tours in the Korean War. He was always very proud of his military service. After his service David attended the Sorbonne University in Paris for two years and then the University of Madrid for one year. Even though David never finished his formal education, he always remained an avid student of history and language. In his travels his skill with foreign languages was sometimes a problem because he spoke with such a good accent that it was sometimes falsely assumed that he was fluent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Richard George Ralph

EAST CANAAN — Richard George Ralph, 84, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2024, at his home in East Canaan, surrounded by his family. Born on Sept. 23, 1940, in Cornwall, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Marie (Kennedy) Ralph Negri and George Yeaton Ralph Jr.

Richard was the proud owner and operator of Richard Ralph and Son Rubbish Removal for many years. Known for his strong work ethic and reliability, he built a trusted business that served the community. After his retirement, his son Richard took over the reins, continuing the family tradition. Richard’s friendly demeanor meant that there weren’t many in the area who didn’t know him, and all were met with warm greetings and hearty waves.

Keep ReadingShow less