November 12, 2002
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Allen M. Garf, Selectmen Norman Katz and Walter Joe Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted 2-0 (Garf abstained) to accept the Minutes of October 29, 2002, as submitted.
VOTED: (Roach/Garf) Voted 2-0 (Katz abstained) to accept the Minutes of November 5, 2002, as submitted.
Council on Aging Raffle
Mindy Kempner and members of the Council on Aging were present to draw the 14 winning raffle tickets.
HUGS Program - Barbara Offinga
Barbara Offinga and Andrea Lavender were present to discuss a new program for the Town to assist with problems of domestic violence. They will work in conjunction with the Police Department to raise funds and provide various services, education and programs to victims of domestic violence. EMail address is HUGSharon@aol.com.
Budget Review - Department of Public Works - Eric Hooper
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for the Department of Public Works in the amounts of: $1,854,501, primary; $2,043,521, plus; and $1,761,776, minus.
Budget Review - Water Division - Eric Hooper
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for the Water Division in the amounts of: $2,857,546, primary; $2,935,380, plus.
Budget Review - Street Light - Eric Hooper
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for Street Lights in the amount of: $ 168,300 proposed.
Interviews for Civil Defense
The Board interviewed Michael Polimer, Deputy Director, for the Director of Civil Defense.
The Board interviewed Peter Bickoff for the position of Director/ or member of the Civil Defense.
Budget Review - Police Department - Joe Bernstein
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’04 budget for the Police Department in the amounts of: $2,241,817, primary; $2,444,847, plus; and $2,129,727, minus.
Agreement - Management Professional Association
This item was deferred until the next meeting.
Award Bid - DPW - Multi-Purpose Tractor
The Board reviewed correspondence from Marie Cuneo, Business Manager, dated November 7, 2002, recommending that the contract to furnish the Town with one four-wheel drive articulating oscillating multi-purpose tractor be awarded to the sole bidder.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the bid for Multi-Purpose Tractor to C.N. Wood of Woburn, the sole bidder, at a cost of $69,130.00
Approve Request for Anchor Guy Wire - Route 1 - Boston Edison
The Board reviewed the recommendation by Peter M. O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated November 4, 2002 that the Boston Edison Request for guy wire be approved.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the request of Boston Edison Company d/b/a NStar Electric to construct a guy wire and anchor as specified:
General Edwards Highway - Northwesterly side, approximately 260 feet southwest of Commercial Street One (1) anchor guy @ pole (99/54).
Mountain Street Recreation - Grant Agreement
Chair Allen Garf recused himself from this discussion stating that his daughter owns property on Mountain Street. He then left the room.
The Board reviewed correspondence from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, dated November 4, 2002 announcing a grant of $250,000 in state Urban Self-Help Program assistance for development of a recreation area on the landfill site.
It was the consensus of the Board to hold another public hearing on this subject before signing the agreement.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Chair Allen Garf returned to the room.
Tax Bills
Chair Garf read a statement regarding increases in the property tax bills, the effect of overrides passed, the extra $500,000 in state aid, lack of commercial tax base, and efforts being made by the Board to reduce/abate taxes for our Senior Citizens.
Transportation Advisory Board Concerns
The Board reviewed correspondence from Arthur Stein, dated November 4, 2002 Transportation Advisory Board, identifying two major concerns:
1. Traffic Control Device - needed at west end of the train station - alert drivers that cars may be entering/leaving from the west end of the train station parking lot.
2. Town Ordinance - needed that no standing be allowed at the train station between 7:00 - 8:30 am. and signs placed signifying this area is for discharging passengers only and no standing allowed.
This matter has been referred to Joseph S. Bernstein, Police Chief and Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works for their review and comment.
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
The Board reviewed correspondence from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, dated November 1, 2002 with notification as to accepting applications for projects to be undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers. Selectman Roach suggested that the Town consider this assistance for water resources projects. This will be forwarded to Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works for his recommendation/follow-through.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Garf) 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 7:53 P.M.
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