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Sharon Board of Finance approves $60,000 allocation to Sharon Housing Authority; motion carries 5-1
Summary
The Sharon Board of Finance voted 5-1 to send a proposed $60,000 allocation from the Undesignated Fund to Town Meeting for the Sharon Housing Authority to address vendor bills and fund a needs assessment; mechanics of a reserve release mean the SHA would receive roughly $15,709 under the current plan.
The Sharon Board of Finance voted on June 16 to approve presenting a $60,000 allocation from the town's Undesignated Fund to the Sharon Housing Authority (SHA) at the upcoming Town Meeting, a move intended to help the authority pay outstanding vendor bills and commission a needs assessment to support future grant applications. Mrs. Toppan moved the proposal; Ms. Fowler seconded. The motion carried 5-1 (Fowler, Bartram, Pastre, Hecht and Toppan in favor; Ms. Flaton opposed).
The SHA's board members told the finance board that the two developments the authority oversees, Sharon Ridge and the Sharon Ridge Expansion, are in "fair condition" but that routine maintenance has lapsed because of cash shortfalls. SHA members said an immediate infusion is needed to address vendor obligations and to complete a needs assessment that would strengthen future grant and funding applications.
Board members discussed the mechanics of funding. One option reviewed was releasing part of a previously approved $100,000 reserve for the SHA. Under the scenario explained to the BOF, the Treasurer would reduce that reserve to $55,709.45, re-allocating $44,290.55 back to the Undesignated Fund. Because of that accounting step, the net funds that SHA would receive under the present proposal were described as approximately $15,709.45, not the full $60,000 figure referenced in the motion paperwork.
Selectmen Brett and Kearcher spoke in support of the SHA request. First Selectman Flanagan said the town has provided support in the past, including ARPA funds, while also noting the town is not strictly obligated to fund the authority's needs. BOF members agreed that, if the allocation is approved at Town Meeting, it would be appropriate for SHA representatives to present the authority's finances and plans directly to voters.
The BOF recorded the vote after discussion about sustainability and next steps. The board also noted that the SHA's board is developing a strategic plan aimed at making the complexes more self-sustaining under current rent levels. The motion on the floor was to present the $60,000 allocation at Town Meeting; the BOF passed that motion 5-1.
