November 21, 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 7:36 P.M.
Interview for Transportation Advisory Board
The Board interviewed Nancy Rubenstein for appointment to the Transportation Advisory Board.
Police - Consultant re Communications Systems Improvements
Sharon Police Chief, Joseph Bernstein, discussed the importance of a Townwide communications evaluation of the radio communication systems. The current communications equipment varies in age among departments and have all been in service beyond life expectancy. What is essential is that all Town Departments/Schools must have direct radio communications, which is not the case at the present. It would benefit the Town if a consultant could be hired to complete a Townwide radio communications study. Chief Bernstein at this point in time introduced Richard St. Louis of Crest Associates. He formally worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Public Safety. Mr. St. Louis assists communities when they are in need of updating their radio communication systems. He seeks grant funding and recommends that the Town of Sharon move forward with an RFP for system design with specifications plan. The sooner a plan is prepared the better chances are for qualifying for grant
funding.
Minutes
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Minutes of November 12, 2002, as submitted.
Unemployment Charges/Need for Reserve Fund Transfer
The Board reviewed a request for a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $40,000 to avoid interest and penalty charges in the Unemployment Charges.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to petition the Finance Committee for $40,000 Reserve Fund Transfer to Unemployment.
Request for acceptance for Conservation Restriction Plan, Lot 1, Massapoag Avenue
This item has been rescheduled to be placed on the November 26, 2002 agenda.
Response to Representative Kafka re proposed 40B changes
The Board of Selectmen reviewed and discussed the letter to be sent to Representative Kafka’s in re his October 30, 2002 letter relative to Chapter 40B in which was stated the following comments: 1. communities should be provided the opportunity and technical assistance/incentive to develop housing diversity strategies complimentary to the patterns of development within that particular community, as contrasted with the existing system, which overrides local zoning and often results in punitive imposition of dense development at inappropriate locations on marginally developable land; 2. current statute/regulations, at the very least, should be amended to limit the total number of new
units under 40B permit(s) per year to 1% of the total housing units in the community __ __ this suggestion is intended to allow a community sufficient time to plan for and properly manage the services required as a result of new development; and, 3. affordable units, by definition, will generate lower property tax revenues than market rate units; therefore, financial assistance from the state, developer, financing entities etc. should be provided to the community to offset said revenue shortfalls.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to sign letter to Representative Louis Kafka.
Civil Defense Director Appointment
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to make the following appointment: Michael Polimer as Civil Defense Director, term to expire September, 2003.
Close Annual Town Meeting Warrant
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, Monday, January 13, 2003 at Noon.
MGL Chapter 54, Section 16A - Endorsement of Article
The Board reviewed and discussed the memo from Marlene B. Chused, Town Clerk in which she submitted the following Article for presentation at the Annual Town Meeting, 2003. The Article reads: That the Town Clerk has the authorization to appoint election workers to fill vacancies on the day of the election for any election worker who is unable to work.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to endorse the above Article authorizing the Town Clerk to appoint election workers to fill vacancies on the day of the election for any election worker who is unable to work.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss matters of Zoning Board property negotiations, collective bargaining and pending litigation, and at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:45 P.M.
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