July 15, 2003
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Norman Katz, Selectmen Walter Joe Roach and David I. Grasfield and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted 2-0 (N. Katz abstained) to approve the Minutes of July 1, 2003, including Executive Session.
Deborah Sampson Park Conversion
Frank Sullivan was present to receive the approval of the Deborah Sampson Park/King Philip Rock Land Swap as received from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, dated July 8, 2003. The Board presented Mr. Sullivan with a Marriage Certificate of Deborah Sampson and King Philip in appreciation of the effort that he put forth in this regard and in recognition of the role he played in creating this land swap that will convert 3.03 acres of parkland at Deborah Sampson Park to non-outdoor recreation use. This land will be replaced with 91+/- acres of land known as King Philip Rock.
Affordable Housing Plan Update
Sam Solomon of the Planning Board was present to update the Board regarding the proposed Affordable Housing Plan for the Town. Items discussed included;
Affordable Housing Plan comes under Executive Order 418 with monies received for Affordable Housing, Commercial Development, Transportation Plan and Open Space;
an Open Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. at the Community Center on July 22nd to receive public input;
emphasis will be on creating more diversity in the Town’s housing stock, including affordable condominiums and apartments by encouraging or creating incentives for development of such;
will consider zoning changes so that the Town can be “pro-active” in the creation of affordable housing and will be able to reject projects under 40B; and,
Planning Board expects to have an Affordable Housing Plan with changes to zoning completed by next April/May for approval at the next Spring Town Meeting or the Fall Town Meeting.
Starbucks Music Program
This appointment was canceled due to illness and will be rescheduled.
Conservation Commission
The Board interviewed Peter Holden for reappointment to the Conservation Commission.
Reappointment of Registrar
The Board interviewed Ronald Rogers for reappointment as Registrar.
Request for One-Day Liquor License
The Board reviewed an application for a One-Day Liquor License submitted by Jennifer Aft.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a One-Day Liquor License for Jennifer Aft and Creative Catering Inc., for September 6, 2003 from 5:30 - 9:30 P.M., subject to confirmation that arrangements have been made for a Police Detail.
Accept Conservation Deed “Parcel B” - Shaw’s Plaza
The Board reviewed information for an acceptance of a Conservation Deed for Parcel B - Quail Ridge Cluster Subdivision. Selectman Grasfield had questions as to the status of hazardous waste that was found on this property and was assured that this issue has been “cured.”
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to accept the Deed for Parcel B originally granted to the Conservation Commission as part of the 1997 Skanco deed, and identified as follows:
Parcel B as shown on a plan entitled “Quail Ridge a Cluster Subdivision in Sharon, Mass., Lot Layout (Sheet 18 or 83)” dated July 1, 1987 (Rev. November 16, 1987), Scale: 1"=100,’ prepared by Norwood Engineering Co., Inc., and recorded with the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 363, Plan 1549 or 1987 (Sheet 5 of 22), containing approximately 6.851 acres.
Accept Conservation Restriction - Gridley Park Estates
The Board reviewed Memo from Sharon Conservation Commission, dated July 11, 2003 wherein it states that:
“This Restriction encumbers portions of lots within this subdivision which is located adjacent to the intersection of Furnace St. and Wolomolopoag St. Donation of the Restriction was negotiated as part of the Order of Condi-tions. Said Restriction will protect wetlands and upland Buffer. The sub-division is contiguous to existing Town Conservation land.”
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to accept the Conservation Restriction from A.G.M. Inc. of Hyde Park, MA, as identified as Exhibit A, which parcels are shown on a plan “Gridley Pond Estates, Sharon, MA Lot Layout” dated July 10, 2002, revised 2/17/03 by Miller Engineering, to be recorded herewith.
Request for Block Party
The Board reviewed a request to block off Grove and Lake Avenues for a neighborhood block party on August 24, 2003.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the request to block off Grove and Lake Avenues on August 24, 2003, subject to the conditions of the Police and Fire Departments.
Main Street Project Update/Contract Amendment
Paul Carter from VHB, the Consultant to the Main Street Project, gave an update to this Board. He presented a history of the project that began over five years ago, including problems with design requirements and the need to continually push for funding from the State. Items discussed included:
rehabilitation of the Roadway;
minor widening and some narrowing to create a uniform width;
upgrade of existing sidewalks and additional sidewalks;
intersection upgrade at E. Foxboro St and with new signalization at E. Chestnut Street
additional pedestrian crossings;
downtown Streetscape Improvements including period lighting, landscaping and brick sidewalks;
waiting for final PS&E (Plans, Specifications & Estimates);
plan to advertise before September 30th for construction to begin this calendar year;
estimate completion time of one-two years;
project to be funded through Chapter 90 funding and the Streetscape Grant; and
estimated costs will be 6.3 - 6.4 million.
The Board reviewed Memorandum from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated July 1, 2003 with a scope of additional services that are required as a result of additional MHD and FHWA comments to the 100% Resubmission/Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) submission.
Mr. Hooper was present and recommended that the contract with VHB be amended in the amount of $20,000 to include the attached scope of services.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve Amendment No 6 with VHB (Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Watertown, MA in the amount of $20,000 to provide engineering services necessary to advance the Main Street project through the TIP process in order to advertise the project this fiscal year.
Award Contract Amendment - Engineering Services for Watermain Installation
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works was present to discuss his Memorandum of July 8, 2003 to discuss the Scope of Services for engineering services for construction services, resident inspection and record drawings for the Second Phase of the contract previously awarded to Amory Engineers in April 2003.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to amend the contract with Amory Engineers, Duxbury, MA, for Engineering Services for Installation of 16-in. Watermain - Deport and Billings Streets, and Replacement of AC Watermains - Winslow, Gabriel and Stonybrook Roads in the amount not to exceed $30,000.
Award Contract - Preparation RFP for Water Meter and AMR Purchasing
This item was put on hold per request for Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works waiting for a revision to the Contract.
MP Association - Contract Amendment Number Two
The Board reviewed the Amendment to the Agreement with the Management/Professional Employee Association. Selectman Grasfield raised questions as to the stipends paid to three employees due to the unfilled vacancy for a Town Engineer. He suggested that the Town consider filling the position of Town Engineer to reduce the need for consultants or perhaps sharing a Town Engineer with another Town. Mr. Grasfield stated that funding for this position may be a better approach.
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted 2-1 (Grasfield Opposed) to approve Amendment Number Two of the Agreement with the Management/Professional Employee Association with provides stipends effective for the period beginning July 1, 2003 - through June 30, 2004, as follows:
Health Agent for Engineering $60.00 per week
GIS Coordinator $60.00 per week
Assistant Town Engineer $80.00 per week
Engagement Letter for Audit Services - Melanson Heath & Company, PC
The Board reviewed a letter from Melanson, Health & Company, dated June 9, 2003 to provide an audit of the financial statements of the Town as of and for the year ended June 30, 2003.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to award the contract to Melanson, Health & Company, Andover, MA. to provide an audit of the financial statements of the Town as of and for the year ended June 30, 2003, in the amount of $37,500.
Request for Banner
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for Cub Scout Pack 18 for the dates August 22 - August 29, 2003.
Government Study Committee
Selectman Grasfield stated that perhaps there should be another hearing scheduled on Improvements to Town Meeting with the Government Study Committee present as there were people who stated that they were unaware of the scheduled hearing and would like to attend such a hearing.
Revenue Projections and Update of Capital Outlay Borrowing
Selectman Grasfield requested that the Board start early looking at revenue projections for next year. He also requested that Rob Uyttebroek, the Town Treasurer, be invited in to update the Board re capital outlay borrowings for this fiscal year.
Municipalization of Electricity
Town Administrator Puritz discussed Legislation for Municipalization of Electricity pending as HB1468. There has been a request from Patrick Mehr from the Town of Lexington to support this legislation.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to support HB1468 for the concept of increasing the ease in which a municipality can “municipalize” its utilities.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) 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 9:32 P.M.
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