Sharon selectmen hire Land Use Administrator, approve $60,000 housing stabilization request and set June 18 special meeting

The Sharon Board of Selectmen on May 26 hired Nichole Blass to the Land Use Administrator position effective July 1, 2026, approved forwarding a $60,000 stabilization request from the Sharon Housing Authority to the Board of Finance for placement before a Town Meeting, and set a special town meeting for June 18 to consider an ordinance on signs, expenditure of opioid settlement funds and election of a Region 1 Board of Education representative.

First Selectman Flanagan presided over the meeting. Selectman Kearcher moved to adopt the agenda as amended and Selectman Brett seconded; both the agenda and three sets of minutes (May 12, 19 and 20) were approved unanimously. The hiring followed interviews for two candidates. The Board voted to hire Nichole Blass and then set her starting salary at $62,000 after discussion; Selectman Kearcher had proposed $62,500 and recommended the town provide short-term support for onboarding during the first three months.

Representatives of the Sharon Housing Authority and the Sharon Ridge Expansion Corporation, led by Chairman Castonguay, described a 32-unit complex operating as two entities that is behind on vendor and management payments and faces ongoing state-required testing and monitoring of a private water supply. The authority said rents do not cover operating costs and that it has contracted with Housing Enterprises, Inc. to pursue grants. The board requested one-time stabilization funding of $60,000 and discussed a possible one-year budget commitment of $48,000 to help stabilize operations. After discussion, Selectman Brett moved to approve the $60,000 request and forward it to the Board of Finance for approval to a Town Meeting; Selectman Kearcher seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board agreed to set a special town meeting for Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to consider three agenda items: a proposed ordinance on signs on the Green, expenditure of opioid settlement funds as approved by the Board of Finance, and the election of a Region 1 Board of Education representative. The Board also noted final interviews for Building Official and Fire Marshal positions were scheduled for May 28 with decisions expected soon and agreed to post the Building/Land Use Office Support position in the Lakeville Journal on June 4 and June 11 and on the town website, with applications due June 15 at 4:00 p.m.

Selectman Brett moved to approve a real estate tax refund of $948.03 for Holly Leibrock as submitted by the Tax Collector; Selectman Kearcher seconded and the motion passed unanimously. With no further business the Board adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Hire Land Use Administrator (Nichole Blass): motion by Selectman Kearcher, second by Selectman Brett — approved (all in favor). - Set Land Use Administrator salary at $62,000: motion by Selectman Brett, second by Selectman Kearcher — approved (all in favor). - Forward Sharon Housing Authority $60,000 assistance request to Board of Finance for Town Meeting: motion by Selectman Brett, second by Selectman Kearcher — approved (all in favor). - Set special town meeting for June 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.: motion by Selectman Kearcher, second by Selectman Brett — approved (all in favor). - Approve real estate tax refund for Holly Leibrock ($948.03): motion by Selectman Brett, second by Selectman Kearcher — approved (all in favor).

The Board recorded routine community updates, including an art show and an open application period for the Tom Levine Scholarship for the Performing Arts. The meeting minutes were submitted by Town Secretary Tina Pitcher.