Sherman CT News

The 7% Selectman: What Sherman’s Glossy Budget Mailer Didn't Tell You

A forensic look at the town ledgers reveals hidden executive raises, phantom funds masking explosive debt, and a $1.16 million illusion designed to kick Sherman’s financial reckoning down the road.

Second Act Economy

Sherman presents as the quintessential retirement enclave, but raw census data shatters that assumption. Welcome to the "Second Act Economy," where traditional retirement has been quietly canceled.

Weekend Update: Vigilante Inspects the Town's Handiwork

Following our recent report on the U.S. Flag Code standoff at Veterans Field, the town hastily deployed extension cords and a stake light. This morning, the Vigilante arrived to inspect the compliance.

The Hubris of "Comfort"

Sherman's leadership publicly rejects cyber insurance despite managing tens of millions in public funds. Why this "comfortable" decision is an open invitation to disaster.

The Six-Letter Crucible: Why Sherman’s New Daily Puzzle Will Break Your Brain

Five-letter word games are too easy, so we built something with teeth. Meet ROGERD: a relentless six-letter daily puzzle featuring a semantic clue, an unforgiving live timer, and a strict point system. Here is your official field guide to beating the clock.

The Daily Dispatch: Introducing ROGERD

Think you know the secrets of this town? We’ve buried a new six-letter puzzle in the ledger. Decode the daily local clue, beat the clock, and secure your rank on the public leaderboard. Your mission begins now.

Decay of Veterans Field: Overflowing Waste, Stagnant Lakes, and the Strange Administrative Neglect of a Civic Artery

For weeks, waste receptacles at Veterans Field have overflowed and heavy winter plowing has carved massive divots into the walking track. It is a grim display of administrative neglect at one of Sherman’s most quietly vital public assets.

Vigilante of Veterans Field: A Civic Standoff Over Lumens, Loyalty, and the U.S. Flag Code

The American flag at Veterans Field keeps disappearing. It isn't vandalism; it's an ongoing cold war between a local resident enforcing the U.S. Flag Code and a town administration that can't figure out how to properly light a flagpole.

Let There Be Light: Architectural Splendor and Civic Irony in Sherman

When ordered to turn off their exterior lights, the Holy Trinity Chapel opted for a masterstroke of malicious compliance, exposing the deep hypocrisy of Town Hall’s $50 million megaproject.

Invisible Invasion: As Sherman Warms, the Black-Legged Tick Emerges

As Sherman warms, the black-legged tick emerges—carrying a terrifying cocktail of co-infections. Here is what is currently circulating in our local woods.

The Sparks of Spring: Mending the Weld at Veterans Field and the Blue-Collar Backbone of Sherman

As a broken safety gate at Veterans Field is finally welded back together, it serves as a powerful reminder: Sherman doesn't survive on administrative paperwork or political posturing, but on the skilled hands of its tradesmen and the Department of Public Works.

Sherman's Fiscal Failure: Paving Roads, Padding Salaries, and Sherman’s $50 Million Illusion

A forensic audit of Sherman’s budgets from 2013 to 2026 reveals a decade-long pattern of severe fiscal mismanagement. The public ledger shows that the administration hoarded a $2.3 million surplus, increased executive compensation by 78%, and prioritized paving beach parking lots—all while overseeing the catastrophic decay of the Sherman School, resulting in a $50 million infrastructure crisis.

$50 Million Ghost Ship: A Megaproject Without a Paper Trail, and a First Selectman’s Panic

As the Sherman School project balloons to a staggering $50 million, FOIA requests reveal a terrifying void of daily logs and oversight. When Sherman CT News pointed a camera at the site, Town Hall responded with police intimidation and a literal corridor

The Illusion of Stewardship: Bankruptcies, Budgets, and Sherman’s $42.8M Trap

A local administration manufactured a public safety panic over a drone. The real threat, however, lies in the town ledgers—where years of deferred maintenance and a hidden $2.3 million surplus quietly laid the groundwork for a generational tax burden.

Demolition by Negligence: The Banality of Sherman’s $42.8M Crisis

In municipal politics, we often mistake incompetence for malice. The true scandal behind the Sherman School bond is not that the administration engineered a crisis, but that they used a culture of fear to mask their complete oblivion to it.

2015 Question: The Leadership Failure Behind the $42.8M School Bond

A $42.8 million crisis is not an act of God; it is cultivated over time. As the town debates the staggering cost of the Sherman School, an uncomfortable question must be asked of the First Selectman's office.

The Sherman Caste System: The Quiet Weaponization of the Generational Divide

The American Dream promises that a property deed brings political enfranchisement. But in Sherman, the administration has mastered a different civic contract: pitting the town against itself to protect the status quo.

A Tale of Two Snowstorms: Transparency, Steel, and Sherman’s Missing Construction Logs

First Selectman Don Lowe uses winter weather to boast of construction progress to the press while simultaneously citing it as a legal defense to withhold public records from the state.

The Ultimate Wealth Filter: The Reality of Buying Real Estate in Sherman, Connecticut

It boasts pristine woods, no commercial sprawl, and a deeply guarded culture. Buyers venturing into Sherman are in for a bureaucratic shock, high energy costs, and an unparalleled retreat into traditional New England.

Taxpayers Are Not ATMs: Why a $42.8 Million Community Investment Demands Respect

Sherman taxpayers understand the value of a good school, whether we have children enrolled or not. We are all on the same side. But when we ask to see the ledgers for a historic $42.8 million bill, the administration treats us like outsiders whose only job is to write the check.

The "March Wall": Why Late Winter in New England is the Hardest Season

As February bleeds into March, New Englanders hit what psychologists call the "March Wall." Here is the science behind the late-winter slump and how to survive the hardest season without losing your mind.

Neglected Assets: Why is Sherman’s Premier Walking Track Still Buried?

Weeks after the last major snowstorm, the community walking track remains under packed snow and ice. The administration's refusal to prioritize a simple work order for the DPW reveals a glaring pattern of deferred maintenance.

Demolition by Neglect: The Engineered Collapse of the Sherman School

Imagine entrusting your home to a caretaker, only for them to return the maintenance checks and let the house rot. That is exactly how Town Hall engineered the $42.8 million school crisis.

A New Chapter for Sherman’s Catholic Community: The Completion of Holy Trinity Chapel

After years of planning, demolition, and construction, the newly rebuilt Holy Trinity Chapel has officially opened its doors, securing the future of the Catholic community in Sherman.

Calm Before the 20-Inch Storm: In Praise of Sherman’s Road Crews

Sherman braces for a historic 15 to 20 inches of snow overnight. As the town hunkers down, we look at the quiet, decentralized competence of the DPW crews working to keep our roads safe.

The Powerless Town Hall: Passing the Buck on a $42.8M Crisis

When it comes to calling the police on a drone, Town Hall is happy to flex its authority. But when it comes to inspecting a $42.8 million construction site, local officials claim they have no power. Read the official letters proving the Sherman Building and Zoning departments are punting oversight to the state and letting contractors run wild.

The FOIA Files: State Police Officially Clear Drone Flights

Town Hall claimed our drone flights over the $42.8M school project were illegal harassment. No state, local, or federal laws were broken. First Selectman is using 911 as private security to silence the press.

The Art of Demolition by Neglect: A $5.6M Surplus and a $42.8M Crisis

How does a town sitting on a $5.6 million surplus suddenly need a $42.8 million blank check? We expose the decade-long strategy of "demolition by neglect" that starved the Sherman School to build a political rainy-day fund—and the fiscal hostage situation that forced taxpayers to foot the bill.

Don Lowe vs. The Constitution: Weaponizing the State Police

Dispatching State Troopers to silence a lawful drone flight reveals a dangerous misunderstanding of our constitutional rights. We examine how First Selectman Don Lowe treats the town of Sherman like a private corporation—and treats taxpayers asking questions about a $42.8 million project like unruly employees who need to be disciplined.

The Cost of Denial: Bankruptcy, Blue Tarps, and a $42.8M Crisis

It began with officials denying obvious safety hazards. It escalated to crews frantically hanging blue tarps on a federal holiday. Now, as the $42.8 million Sherman School project demands more oversight, we uncover a troubling financial baseline: the First Selectman’s personal bankruptcy filing just weeks before his first election.

Intimidation at the Driveway: Weaponizing 911 in Sherman

It started with a drone photographing an exposed $42.8 million roof. It ended with a State Trooper parked in a private driveway. Sherman News reveals how town officials huddled at Town Hall to dispatch law enforcement and file baseless FAA complaints in a desperate attempt to silence transparency.

The Sherman Paradox: A $50M Crisis and a 55% Raise

A $50 million town asset left exposed to freezing winds. A residential neighborhood flooded with industrial light. And a First Selectman whose salary climbed 55% while the construction budget spiraled. We investigate the "White Lantern" anomaly and the fight for accountability on Sawmill Road.

The Militia Is Coming!

Under a flawless blue sky this Saturday, Sherman is stepping back in time. At the Sherman Historical Society’s Cobbler Shop Field, reenactors have assembled for “The Militia Is Coming!” a Revolutionary War reenactment.

Sherman’s Next Major Project: The $3.5M Senior Center

With the town already shouldering a chaotic $42.8 million school renovation, another major municipal building is poised to rise. The proposed Sherman Senior Center—a $3.5 million project—is now quietly moving through design and consultation. Why taxpayers need to watch this blueprint closely before the shovels hit the dirt.

Progress at Sherman School

From above, the scene at Sherman School tells a story of anticipation. Fresh aerial images taken by a professional drone pilot reveal the campus ringed by fencing, with industrial-sized dumpsters stationed like sentries around its perimeter.

Sherman's Trinity Church Nears Finish

After nearly two years of anticipation, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Sherman is approaching the finish line on its much-watched construction project. Now, as 2025 moves forward, the new structure is taking its final shape—an encouraging sign for parishioners and townspeople alike.

Sherman Weighs Extra $6.5M for School

Sherman voters will head to the polls on August 23 to decide whether to approve an additional $6.5 million for the “renovate as new” Sherman School project. The request comes after construction bids exceeded the original budget by millions, prompting concerns over the financial planning of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education.

Town Members Claim BOS Malfeasance

Sherman officials approved $4.3 million in school renovation spending at a hastily warned meeting, despite an $8 million budget gap and no voter approval. Critics call the move reckless, citing a lack of transparency, safety concerns, and legal violations. With the project already over budget and behind schedule, residents fear the town is beyond the point of no return—raising serious questions about oversight and public trust.

Short Term Sherman Rental Town?

In the evolving landscape of short-term rentals in Sherman Conn, what are the economic benefits and community concerns arising from platforms like Airbnb and VRBO? What are Sherman's regulatory measures, including zoning laws, the establishment of a Short-Term Ordinance Committee and relevant state-level developments?

Trinity Church Rises from Ashes

Sherman's Holy Trinity Catholic Church has undergone a transformative journey, as it evolves to meet the needs of its congregation. From leadership changes and a significant parish merger to the approval and construction of a new chapel, a lot has happened in a just a few years. The new structure aims to blend modern functionality with Sherman's architectural heritage, ensuring a welcoming space for worship and community activities.

Sherman Conn Tick Season Has Already Begun

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has reported early tick activity in the region. Goudarz Molaei, a research scientist and director of CAES's Passive Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance Program, noted that despite a relatively cold winter, ticks have survived and are now active. This resilience is attributed to their ability to hibernate under leaf litter during colder months.

Spring Forward: Barn Sale Donation Days Coming Soon!

Here's a heads up for all who like to plan in advance: The Sherman Historical Society will soon be accepting donations of much-loved but no-longer-needed goods for its annual Memorial Day weekend Barn Sale.

Donation days will be three Saturdays this year: April 26, May 3 and May 10, 9am-12pm ONLY, at the Society's big red barn at 10 Route 37 Center in Sherman. The Barn Sale itself will be held on Sat. and Sun., May 24 and 25.

2025 Sherman Children's Events have Arrived!

Looking for fun activities for your child in Sherman this year? From Tiny Tots Soccer at Colonial Field to Children’s Pickleball at Volunteer Park, Sherman is offering a variety of programs this spring to keep kids active and engaged. And don’t forget the ever-popular Sherman Summer Camping in June and August, where children can explore nature, make new friends, and create lifelong memories. With plenty of opportunities for sports, outdoor adventures, and community involvement, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for young residents.

Sherman Pickleball is Alive!

What started as a grassroots movement to tape down lines on a Colonial Park tennis court has grown into a full-fledged town project. With pickleball rapidly gaining popularity in Sherman and across the country, local players pushed for a permanent space to play—and the town responded.

Sherman has a Dock Rumors Problem

Sherman is planning a modest expansion of its Town Beach dock slips—from 53 to around 65—but misinformation has clouded public understanding. Rumors claiming the town is building 107 slips have spread within the Holiday Point community, sparking concerns about lake congestion and road safety. The situation highlights how fast rumors can spread—and how important facts and transparency are to Sherman’s decision-making process.