January 7, 2003
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Acting Chair Norman Katz and Selectman Walter Joe Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of December 10, 2002, including Executive Session.
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of December 17, 2002, including Executive Session.
Spring Valley Country Club - Change of Manager for Liquor License
The Board interviewed Scott Thibault for the new Manager for the Liquor License at Spring Valley Country Club. Mr. Thibault stated that he was aware of the local rules and regulations pertinent to the liquor license.
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted unanimously to approve Scott Thibault as the Manager for the Liquor License at Spring Valley Country Club.
Massapoag Yacht Club
The Board reviewed correspondence, dated January 1, 2003 from the Massapoag Yacht Club requesting permission to place markers and/or buoys on Lake Massapoag as are deemed necessary in accordance with the provisions of the State Uniform Markers System.
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted unanimously to approve the request from the Massapoag Yacht Club for markers and/or buoys on Lake Massapoag during 2003.
Approve Banners
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted unanimously to approve banners as follows:
Friends of the Sharon Public Library - May 12 - May 18, 2003
Sharon Garden Club - May 12 - May 18, 2003
Teen Center - March 14 - March 21, 2003
Martin Luther King Day - January 14 - January 21, 2003
Request for Exemption from Junk Car Bylaw
The Board discussed correspondence by resident Don Rovaldi who has racing cars located on his property and is seeking a change in the Junk Car Bylaw to allow for unregistered hobby vehicles. The resident has been advised to prepare a petition article by next Monday, January 13, the closing of the warrant date.
Resignations - Water Management Advisory Committee
The Board accepted the resignations of Fred Clay and Herb Gould with regret and best wishes. Letters of appreciation will be sent to both for their seven years on this Committee.
Annual Town Meeting Petition Articles -Affordable Housing - Leslie Koval
Leslie Koval was present to discuss proposed Warrant Articles for the Annual Town Meeting. She stated that she wished that the Selectmen would sponsor certain articles re a Comprehensive Permit Moratorium and inclusive zoning. She praised the Board’s efforts in its letter to Representative Kafka, wherein the Board states:
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;
current statue/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;
affordable units, by definition, 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.
Ms. Koval presented certain literature from the Town of Cohasset and the Town of Norton with examples of warrant articles to establish a moratorium on new 40B projects and to create an affordable housing plan. She further requested that the Board join with the Town of Norton in supporting a non-binding referendum for a five-year moratorium on 40B projects.
As there was not a full board present and Monday is the Closing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, the Board advised Ms. Koval to prepare these articles as petition articles so that they will be on the warrant.
Snow and Ice Budget Status
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to discuss the status of the Snow and Ice Budget. He stated that at this time, “approximately 70% of available budget has been expended.”
Questions were asked as to funding available for this item. It was stated that there is no expectation that there will be emergency funds from the state. Ben Puritz stated that this was one item where one could “deficit spend” or if monies are available, we could have a reserve fund transfer.
Other items discussed included overtime and use of outside contractors re snow plowing. Mr. Hooper also reported on cost savings measures that are being used to limit expenses.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) 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.
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