October 8, 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 October 1, 2002 including Executive Session, as written.
Candidate for Historical Commission
The Board interviewed Robert S. Young for an appointment to the Historical Commission.
Budget Review -Elections/Registration - Marlene Chused
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Elections/Registration in the amount of: $77,129 primary. This represents a decrease from the current year as fewer elections are scheduled.
Budget Review - Sign Committee -Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Sign Committee in the amount of: $50 primary.
Property Tax Recommendation
The Board discussed the extra state aid of $515,000 and its property tax recommendation. Discussion included estimated receipts contained within the recap sheet that may provide the extra revenue needed for the current fiscal year. It was the consensus of the Board that the extra state aid should be used to reduce the tax rate (approximately 27¢)
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Assessors the tax rate of $19.46 (the amount reduced .27 by the $515,000 in extra state aid).
Stabilization Fund
It was the consensus of the Board to add, as a priority, money to a Stabilization Fund, and to place money in the fund as appropriate. This will be added to the list of Selectmen’s Goals.
Budget Review -Veterans Services - Paul Bergeron
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Veterans Services the amounts of: $17,177 primary, $18,895 plus and $16,318 minus.
Budget Review -Graves - Paul Bergeron
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Veterans Graves the amounts of: $2,640 primary; $2,904 plus and $2,508 minus.
Budget Review -Community Celebration - Paul Bergeron
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Community Celebrations the amounts of: $1,885 Primary, $2,074 plus and $1,791 minus.
Request for Noise Abatement Wall - Michael Kahn
Michael A. Kahn was present to discuss a request for a Noise Abatement Wall. The Board reviewed a letter from Michael A. Kahn, 27 Reeves Road, Sharon, MA, dated September 22, 2002 with enclosed petition from his neighbors requesting erection of a noise abatement wall parallel to and adjacent to the western property lines of Lot #17, 27 Reeves Road, Sharon, and the immediate northern and southern adjacent lots.
The Board discussed the process of reviewing such a request and that state and federal agencies will likely be involved.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to direct the Town Administrator to move forward to assist the residents in this noise abatement wall request.
Fire Department Capital Outlay Projects
Chief Dennis Mann was present to discuss his Capital Outlay Requests for FY’04. Items include: (1) Deputy Command Car - $41,000; (2) Military Tanker - $15,000; and (3) Plymovent Exhaust System - $20,000. The upgrade of the radio for Fire and Police communications will be included in the Police Department’s Capital Outlay requests.
The Board discussed the elimination of the Fire Substation as part of the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program. Chief Mann did not think it was practical at this time of fiscal restraint to request this needed project. The Board suggested that cost estimates be made for a Fire Substation as part of the proposed new Water Tank and as a stand-alone substation.
Selectmen’s Goals
This item has been deferred until the next meeting. The Stabilization Fund will be added.
Historical Commission Budget
The Board reviewed a letter from Chair Shirley Schofield, dated September 30, 2002 requesting that the line item for registration fees be increased by $100. It was the consensus of the Board to revise the FY04 Historical Commission Budget to show an increase of $100 for a total of $250 in the Plus Budget.
Contract for Woodard & Curren - Water Department Source Evaluation Project
The Board reviewed a Memo from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated October 4, 2002 recommending that a contract be awarded to Woodard & Curren to begin a project to perform an evaluation of the potential for locating a production well in the vicinity of the Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery, the Scope of Works lists two Tasks as Task A and Task B.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to award a contract to Woodard & Curren in the amount of $7,000 to allow this project to begin.
Request for Banner - Sharon High School Theatre Company
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a Banner for the Sharon High School Theatre Company for the dates of November 18 - 24.
Dedication of the Daniel J. Dabreu Memorial Bridge
The Board will prepare a Proclamation to read at the ceremony on Veterans’ Day.
Recess
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into a five-minute recess.
The Board recessed at 9:15 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 9:20 P.M.
Request for Conservation Restrictions
Peg Arguimbau, Chair, Conservation Commission, was present to discuss the request for Conservation Restrictions within two subdivisions. These restrictions were agreed upon during the hearings before the Planning Board.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Conservation Restrictions as follows:
a. Christina Estates - Portions of Lot 23, Lot 38, Lot 37 and Lot 40 - Inca Trail.
b. Johnson’s Hollow - Portions of Lot 10, Lot 11, Lot 13 and Lot 13A, Lot 14, Lot 14A- Burnt Bridge
Executive Session
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Collective Bargaining and Pending Litigation, and at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:25 P.M.
| 
