A locomotive bell, engraved for the Bicentennial celebration, will be featured in Sherman’s Memorial Day celebration.

SHERMAN – Sherman Village Board members learned at their meeting this month that the village has received a $15,000 grant from the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, which enables the launch of the Downtown Streetscape Conceptual Design Project.

The Streetscape Design Project will assess existing conditions along Main Street in order to develop a plan to increase pedestrian safety, add ADA accessibility, modernize roadway and parking configurations, increase the appeal of business facades, and improve the connection to nearby trails and community destinations.

“The project will establish a clear roadmap for reinvestment in downtown Sherman,” said Village Mayor Colleen Meeder. “The outcome will position the downtown corridor to support increased economic activity, public safety, walkability and long-term community vitality.”

The Engineering Planning Report will include conceptual drawings, a project narrative, preliminary cost estimates and strategies for implementation, Meeder said. “We are very grateful for the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation’s commitment to the village of Sherman,” she said.

In other business, trustees approved a budget of $1,280,125 for 2026-27. The budget includes a tax levy increase of 3.6%. Because it was slightly above the tax cap, the increase required a super majority of trustees to vote affirmative.

The tax levy increase will add $9,511 in revenue, increasing the village tax revenue from $262,489 to $272,000. It is estimated that the tax rate will cost an average of $9.42 per $1,000 in assessed property value.

In another matter, during the Municipal Zoning Board meeting, trustees approved a motion to accept and record a FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request made by Karen Piszczek of 145 Main Street. The request was made for records involving the building permit for a garage at 143 East Main Street, owned by Greg Gormley, Village Enforcement Officer of Code and Zoning.

Meeder noted that the building permit for Gormley’s property was issued by Jeff Messenger, Village Code Enforcement Officer and Building and Safety Inspector. “The garage is within code and zoning specifications and is under the oversight of another code enforcement officer,” Meeder said.

Regarding the plans for the Memorial Day celebration, trustee Gary Emory brought in a bell that was made for a locomotive by General Electric. The bell was engraved in 1976 for the celebration of the Bicentennial and will be used in the Memorial Day ceremony, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Emory also arranged to have retired CIA member Mike Ganske from Clymer to speak following the Memorial Day parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at the school parking lot.