November 26, 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 7:35 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Minutes of November 21, 2002, as submitted.
Water Department Capital Projects - Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works
Eric Hooper was present to discuss a schedule of Capital Outlay Projects. He had prepared a Memorandum, dated November 21, 2002 and reviewed a five-year plan with the Board. He stated that revenue generated from the sale of water and the Water Reserve Fund will be used to fund projects. As stated in his Memo, the following projects were discussed as part of the proposed FY04 budget, and estimated costs were included:
• Continued future source exploration and identification ($100,000)
• Irrigation well exploration and installation ($100,000)
• Radio read meter system (year 1 of 2-year program at $650,000 per year)
• A/C pipe replacement in anticipation of Main St. project ($25,000)
• Replacement of 30-40 hydrants in anticipation of Main St. project ($32,000)
• A/C pipe replacement - Winslow/Gabriel/Stony Brook ($200,000)
• Depot/Billings Street main replacement ($75,000)
• A/C pipe replacement - Morse Street ($150,000)
• Closing loop between Pine St./Old Post Rd. and South Walpole St. ($180,000)
Of the above proposed projects, only the A/C pipe replacement for Morse Street is specific to the High Pressure Service District project and as such could be delayed allowing further extension of the Depot/Billings Street main. Replacing the main under Depot Street through the center of Town, while included as part of the HPSD program, is necessary to correct a distribution bottleneck within the present system and must be done prior to the North/South Main Street reconstruction which is presently scheduled by the state to begin sometime next summer.
Chair Garf requested that Mr. Hooper prepare a timeline of his Five-year plan for capital projects.
Evaluation of Wells #2 & #7
Mr. Hooper reviewed his Memo of November 14, 2002 with the Board. He recommended that the Town award a contract to Woodard & Curran for Engineering Services to perform necessary work to evaluate water quality issues at Wells No. 2 and no. 7. Items proposed:
1. Collect and review existing information available for both Wells No.2 and No. 7 regarding history, construction, subsurface geology and groundwater movement
2. Identify surface drainage direction and potential contaminant pathways.
3. Review the microparticulate sampling protocol and analysis interpretation and provide an opinion of the appropriateness of the conclusions.
4. Identify likely causes and identify probable solutions.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to award a contract to Woodard & Curran, Dedham, MA, for Engineering Services for the investigation of water quality issues at Well No. 2 and No. 7 Wellfield at a cost of $19,700, and to authorize Chair Garf to sign the contract on behalf of the Board.
Irrigation Wells at Playing Fields
Mr. Hooper reviewed his Memo of November 20, 2002 with the Board. He recommends that the Town award a contract to perform necessary work to evaluate the potential for installing irrigation wells at five locations: Deborah Sampson Park, Dr. Walter Griffin Field, Gavins Pond, East Elementary School and the High School playing fields. Mr. Hooper stated that this will tie irrigation into a separate system out of the Town’s treated drinking water and will take demand off that system. Scope of Services to include:
1. Under GZA's engineering direction, D.L. Maher will install two test wells at each location to evaluate the viability of irrigation wells at each site. GZA will be responsible for obtaining Dig Safe clearance and all required Board of Health permits prior to installation.
2. Under GZA's engineering direction, D.L. Maher will conduct one- to two-hour pump tests at each test site and evaluate the hydraulic capacity at each site.
3. GZA will evaluate the data obtained, estimate potential yield and recommend a location for the permanent irrigation well. GZA will also provide a refined cost estimate for installation each of the permanent irrigation wells.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to award a contract to GZA, Norwood, MA for engineering services as listed above in the amount of $30,000 and to authorize Chair Garf to sign the contract on behalf of the Board.
Town Water Hookup - 709 Massapoag Avenue
Mr. Hooper reviewed his Memo of November 20, 2002 with the Board. He discussed the request of a resident at 709 Massapoag Avenue for the opportunity to hook up to Town water. Mr. Hooper stated that the Town may consider at some future date extending the present main up to the Town line for inter-connectability with the Town of Easton in conjunction with reconstruction of Massapoag Avenue.
The Board directed that Mr. Hooper’s Memo be forwarded to the homeowner.
Railroad Station Concerns
Mr. Hooper reviewed his Memo of November 20, 2002 with the Board. He discussed concerns of the Police Department regarding the need for a traffic control device at the west end exit of the railroad station. Mr. Hooper is recommending a manual system that could be activated between the hours of 5:00 - 5:30 P.M. - similar to a blinking yellow light. The semi-automated light is estimated to cost $40,000. Mr. Hooper also responded to a request for “No Standing” signs and suggested that the Town wait until the traffic configuration is finalized and the jug handle entrance is open before evaluating the need. This Memo will be forwarded to the Transportation Advisory Board for its review.
Budget Review - Insurance - Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY04 Insurance Budget with a primary budget in the amount of $5,345,531. This represents an increase of $1,186,014 over FY03.
Mr. Puritz stated that this increase will use all of the 2 ½ % increase in property taxes allowed under Proposition 2 ½ and with decreases expected in state aid, he foresees reduction in services and staff.
Conservation Restriction - Lot 1, Massapoag Avenue
The Board reviewed a Memo from Conservation Commission, dated November 19, 2002 requesting the Board’s acceptance for a Conservation Restriction on a newly created lot, subdivided for an 18.25 acre parcel owned by Robert G. Morse, Jr., and classified as 61A.
The newly created lot will be fully assessed as a residential lot of record and the remaining 15.81 acres of Mr. Morse’s parcel will remain enrolled in the 61A Program.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Conservation Restriction on Lot 1, Massapoag Avenue.
Norwood Street Trust
The Board reviewed correspondence from the Norwood Street Trust, dated November 15, 2002 re: Property known and numbered as 361 Norwood Street, 363 Norwood Street and 80 Edgehill Road which notifies the Town of its “first refusal option.” The Board will meet with Town counsel to review this matter.
AT&T Broadband
The Board discussed the increase in fees for Cable TV as of January 1, 2003.
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 10:00 P.M.
Warrant No. 23A in the amount of $154,013.61, Warrant No. 23AA in the amount of $781,286.04, Warrant No. 23B in the amount of $482,448.51, Warrant No. 23BB in the amount of $223,620.31 and Warrant No. 23C in the amount of $175,193.76 were signed.
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