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Selectmen agree Silly Putty Fund could support community newsletter, raise questions about editorial control
Summary
John Brett asked the board to fund an initial $5,000 printing and mailing for the Sharon Sentinel from the Silly Putty Fund. The board agreed use of the fund was appropriate but raised transparency, editorial oversight, and incomplete postage/printing estimates; First Selectman Flanagan will meet with the committee.
John Brett, on behalf of the Sharon Sentinel committee, asked the Board of Selectmen for $5,000 from the town’s Silly Putty Fund to print and mail an initial quarterly newsletter produced by Sharon residents. Brett said future issues could be supported by merchant advertising and the committee may seek 501(c)(3) status.
Selectmen agreed the use of the Silly Putty Fund was appropriate but voiced several concerns: the board wants the ability for editorial oversight; the committee supplied only one printing quote rather than multiple bids; the postage estimate did not include mailings to Cornwall Bridge and West Cornwall addresses; and the minutes reflect questions about potential legal or ethical issues if town funds pay for a locally produced newsletter. First Selectman Flanagan offered to attend the committee’s next meeting to discuss the board’s concerns and requested a more detailed printing estimate and updated postage costs.
The minutes note the Auditor’s guidance that, for transparency, the BOS would vote to request the Board of Finance review and then a town meeting if the BOF approves the request. The board did not record a final appropriation; the request remains at the discussion/administrative-referral stage pending additional estimates and BOF consideration.
