September 17, 2002
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Allen Garf and Selectmen Norman Katz and Walter Joe Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Minutes of September 10, 2002 including Executive Session, as written.
Property Tax Work Program
Norma Fitzgerald, Council on Aging Director and Susan Edinger, Volunteer Coordinator, were present to discuss the Property Tax Work Program for Senior Citizens. Items discussed included:
The amount of allowable tax relief may double for the next year.
The program now operates as a volunteer program with an amount deducted from the property tax bill and not subject to state income taxes.
Program available for those over 60 years of age with no income guidelines or for those under 60 with disabilities.
Program now has approximately 37 applicants.
New committee formed with Roni Thaler as Chair working toward legislative changes for additional tax relief programs for senior citizens.
Budget Review - Civil Defense
Mike Polimer was present to discuss the Civil Defense Budget for FY’04.
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Civil Defense in the amounts of:
$9,000 primary; $9,900 plus and $8,550 minus.
Property Tax Classification Hearing
This item is rescheduled for the meeting of September 26, 2002.
Budget Review - Law
Ben Puritz presented the Law Budget for FY’04. The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Law in the amounts of: $95,000 primary; $104,500 plus and $90,250 minus.
Review of Selectmen’s Policies and Procedures
Consistent with the Section IV, Policy I, of the Board’s Policies and Procedures, the Board reviewed its Policies from I - XVII.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to adopt the following changes to the Selectmen’s Policies and Procedures:
Policy I -
VI. Modernization of language - change Executive Secretary to Town Administrator
VI.A. Delete “serving as health agent.”
VII.A Change the Board of Selectmen shall meet every “Thursday” to Tuesday.
VII.H Delete Section that read: No item that does not appear on the agenda shall be discussed at a weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen unless the Selectmen unanimously vote to consider it at that time.
VII Modernization of language - change Executive Secretary to Town Administrator
Water Department Contracts
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated September 13, 2002, wherein he recommends that a contract be signed with Metcalf and Eddy for hydrant flow testing and hydraulic model updating and calibration in the amount of $36,500. The Memo also recommends that a contract be signed with Weston and Sampson to perform a needs assessment and cost evaluation for replacement of existing water meters with radio read meters in the amount of $5,200.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Mr. Hooper to award a contract to Metcalf and Eddy, Wakefield, MA, to perform six tasks as listed below in an amount not to exceed $36,500:
Task 1 Create Accurate Baseline Model
Including flow testing 12 locations and data
modifications (adjust C values etc.) 118 hours
Task 2 Assess High-Service Area Alternatives
Reexamine the scenarios assessed by H&W 46 hours
Task 3 Examine systemwide improvements 36 hours
Task 4 Prepare Cost Estimates 36 hours
Task 5 Prepare Draft & Final Report 122 hours
Task 6 Presentation to DPW/WMAC 20 hours
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Mr. Hooper to award a contract to Weston & Sampson Engineers, Peabody, MA, and to authorize Chair Garf to sign on behalf of the Town.
The Contract is in an amount not to exceed $5,200 to perform the following:
1. Collect information from the Town on the size, number and type of meters that are in use.
2. Review and compare the options for meter replacement, including meter types and a cost-benefit analysis for replacing water meters.
3. Review the options for a master plan of retrofitting all residential meters in the system, including new replacement meters with automated meter reading systems. Automated meter reading systems to be evaluated include walk-by (off-site), drive-by (mobile) and fixed network types. Compare and contrast total costs and the option of purchase and installation of meters under one or two contracts.
4. Review the experiences of other New England water systems that have recently upgraded to an automated meter reading system.
5. Summarize the findings, costs and recommendations for the meter replacement program in a letter report and attend one meeting with the Town to discuss the report.
The work described in the Scope of Services shall begin within ten (10) days of execution of this letter agreement and shall be completed within 45 days thereafter.
40B Training Seminar
The Board announced that there will be a 40B training Seminar scheduled at the Board of Appeals meeting at 7:30 P.M. on October 9, 2002, in the downstairs Hearing Room.
40B Application - King Philip Estates
Information has been received that a new application has been filed for a 40B development with MassHousing. Plans are for 24 houses to be constructed in the spring of 2003.
Storage Tank and High Pressure Service District Public Input
The Board reviewed a Memo from Eric R. Hooper, dated September 16, 2002. There is tentatively scheduled a round table discussion and open forum for Thursday, October 17, at the Sharon Town Offices.
Recess - Executive Session
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to recess to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of pending litigation and collective bargaining and to reconvene in open session at 9:00 P.M. The Board recessed at 8:45 P.M.
The Board reconvened in open session at 9:00 P.M.
Additional State Aid
Members of the Finance Committee and Members of the School Committee were present as follows: Superintendent Claire Jackson, School Committee: Sam Liao, Chair Mitch Blaustein, Jane Furr, Andrew Nebenzahl, and Suzanne Peyton. Finance Committee: Colleen Tuck, Chair; Paul Pietal.
The Board reviewed a Memo from Ben Puritz, dated September 15, 2002, re: Criteria for Use of “Set Aide” or Stabilization Fund Monies.
Discussion included:
Whether to use the additional $515,889 in state aid to reduce the tax levy or to place the funds in a Rainy Day Fund;
Ben Puritz’s remark that funds placed in a Stabilization Fund would be for unforeseen or disaster response events;
Revenue projections for next year - way below this year;
Finance Committee not wanting to see an override for next year;
Establishing Stabilization Fund that would require 2/3 Town Meeting vote to authorize expenditures;
Stabilization funds not be used for operating expenses;
Residents supported the override in good faith with the expectation that every cent was needed;
The Town’s fiduciary responsibilities;
Suggestion to use the money to provide tax relief to senior citizens;
Expectations that there are huge increases in health insurance coming;
Budget shortfalls can be brought back to the taxpayers for their decision; and,
Creating a bullet list of appropriate use of reserve funds.
Next week it is the Board’s intention to consider the effect of the use of these monies on the tax rate, need for reserves, etc. Input from the Finance Committee and School Committee is expected prior to the Board’s action re this subject.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Negotiation Strategies with members of the School Committee and Finance Committee and then to discuss items of Collective Bargaining and Pending Litigation, and at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:45 P.M.
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