January 28, 2003
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 7:40 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of January 21, 2003, including Executive Session.
Council on Aging - Property Tax Relief
Norman S. Fitzgerald, Director Council on Aging was present to request that the Board increase the amount of tax reduction available to seniors through the Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program. The present maximum reduction is $500.00 per fiscal year. Reductions are funded through the Overlay Account of the Board of Assessors. The State has increased the amount of such tax reductions to $750.00 and a vote of the Board can increase the amount for the Town.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to increase the maximum figure for a tax rebate for the Property-Tax Work-Off Program for each individual from $500 to $750 retroactive to July 1, 2002.
Ms. Fitzgerald reported that there are presently 41 participants in the program and there are sufficient funds in the Overlay Account to cover the increase.
Council on Aging - Fuel Assistance
Norman S. Fitzgerald was present to discuss fuel and other assistance that is available and provided through the Council on Aging to all residents that are in need regardless of age.
FY’04 Consolidated Budget Recommendations
Ben Puritz presented to the Board the Budget Recommendations for FY’04 based on a reduced budget from FY’03. All Selectmen’s budgets have been level funded, except for Data Processing which was increased through Priorities Committee to offset increased MUNIS related costs; Elections and Registration Budget which has a reduction (Senior Property Tax Program offset for election workers with transfer of funds to Town Clerk Budget); and Ambulance Revenue which has been increased. The Board intends to negotiate in good faith for a wage freeze for all groups, including the Executives. Those employees who have contractually negotiated step increases will continue to receive them. Ambulance Reserves are being used to balance the level-funded budget and to
maintain the present level of services. The total budget of $6,920,210 represents a total cut of 5.88% over two successive fiscal years.
There was a discussion concerning present police salaries as being out of sync with other communities and the intent to provide an adjustment at some point in the future for this group.
It was the consensus of the Board to forward the budgets to the Finance Committee for its review.
Delivery of the 2002 Annual Town Report
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the bid of Troop 95, Boy Scouts of America of $1,100 for the delivery of the 2002 Annual Town Report.
Proclamation for Red Cross
Selectman Katz read the Red Cross Proclamation as requested by the organization.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to proclaim March as Red Cross Month.
Increase in Community Center Rental Fees
The Board reviewed a Memo from David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, dated January 27, 2003, recommending along with the Recreation Advisory Committee an increase in rental fees as follows:
Resident Rental Fees
Main Ballroom Fundraising Non-Fundraising
$200. $100.
Dining Hall $120. $60.
Non-Resident Rental Fees
Main Ballroom $400. $200.
Dining Hall $240. $120.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the increases in Rental Fees as requested.
Spelling Bee Fundraiser
The Board read a letter from the Sharon Education Foundation, dated January 20, 2003 announcing its lst Annual Spelling Bee Fundraiser on Sunday, May 4, 2003. They are hoping for broad community involvement with corporate sponsorship and teams made up of three individuals representing businesses, community organizations, municipal government departments, schools, etc.
Agreement between the Town of Sharon and AFSCME
Ben Puritz outlined the highlights of the agreement between the Town and AFSCME with a 3% increase for the current year, a wage re-opener for years two and three, increases in longevity and a reopener for health insurance.
VOTED: (Katz/Roach) Voted unanimously to ratify the agreement between the Town of Sharon and AFSCME for the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005.
Wilber School - Preliminary Design
The Board reviewed preliminary design drawings for four variations of combined Town Offices, Library and Senior Center in the Wilber School Building. Chair Garf requested that the Standing Building Committee be requested to give a presentation to the Board.
Post Office Square Committee
It was announced that there will be a meeting on February 5, 2003 to review expansion plans from a major property owner.
Rattlesnake Hill Acquisition
Ben Puritz discussed recent developments on the State’s moving forward with strategies for the acquisition of Rattlesnake Hill.
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 entered into Executive Session at 9:00 P.M.
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