Selectmen set budget workshop dates, approve motor vehicle refunds; updates include nascent "Sharon Gazette" and animal pound refurbishment plan

The Sharon Board of Selectmen set dates for budget workshops and approved two motor vehicle tax refunds during its Jan. 27 meeting, and members heard community updates including a volunteer effort to form a local paper and plans to refurbish an historic animal pound.

The board scheduled budget workshops for Feb. 17 at 10 a.m., Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m., and March 3 at 10 a.m., ahead of submitting a recommended 2026–27 budget to the Board of Finance after its March 10 meeting. The minutes note more workshops can be added if needed.

The Tax Collector submitted two motor vehicle refund requests: Leah Brady for $51.63 and Lillian Simons for $87.65. Mr. Brett moved to approve the refunds; Ms. Kearcher seconded and the motion was recorded as approved with all in favor.

Under community updates, Mr. Brett reported a volunteer group is assembling a community paper, provisionally called the "Sharon Gazette," and will meet in the coming weeks. Ms. Kearcher outlined a project to refurbish the animal pound at 5 Sharon Mountain Road: she has obtained property-owner permission, arranged for tree removal by an arborist, contacted the State Archeologist who agreed to conduct a dig at no charge, and plans a fundraiser to cover stone-wall repair and reconstruction work. The minutes say two other historical pounds in town may be refurbished later.

The minutes do not record funding authorizations for the pound repairs or a schedule for hiring contractors; they record permissions, planned fundraising and the State Archeologist’s offer to investigate the site at no cost.