July 29, 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, David I. Grasfield and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 P.M.
Health Insurance Status - Peter Kenney, Cook & Co.
Chair Norman Katz introduced Peter Kenny of Cook & Company, Inc., Health Plan Management Group to update the Board of the status of the Town’s Health Insurance. Cook & Company administers the Town’s group medical insurance. Also, attending the Selectmen’s meeting was Rob Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer and members of the Finance Committee to discuss the status of the Town’s medical coverage. Mr. Kenny stated the Town is self-insured and its health plans operate through a Trust Fund and that the Town offers five separate health plans, which include HMO Blue, Blue Care Elect, VIP 2000, HMO Blue Sr. and Medex of which there are 570 individuals enrolled in various plans. Employee contributions for the current fiscal year are estimated to be $1.6 million for a total shared
cost for health coverage of $6.5 million for fiscal year 2004. Mr. Kenny reviewed with the Board of Selectmen “Cash Flow Summary”for the first two months of the current fiscal year 2004, in which he stated that the withholding charges were less than the contributions to the Trust Fund. Mr. Kenny conveyed that this was good and that a positive balance is showing. Rob Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer conveyed to the Board that there is a balance of $553,00 as of June 30, 2003 in the health insurance Trust Fund.
Mr. Kenney proceeded by saying that this is a very encouraging result. However, ongoing monitoring is required in order to derive a higher confidence projection.
Selectman David Grasfield and individuals from FINCOM asked questions re:
the size of the surplus three years ago and the health insurance trust and how it was spent down to a deficit during the past few years;
the dramatic increase in the premiums we are charging ourselves, since we are self-insured, and the affect on the taxpayers; and,
what was driving the increases between enrollment growth and premium increases.
Interview for Reappointment to the Historical Commission
The Board interviewed Gordon Hughes for reappointment to the Historical Commission.
Interview for Reappointment to the Historical Commission
The Board interviewed Shirley Scholfield for reappointment to the Historical Commission.
Interview for Reappointment to Council on Aging
The Board interviewed Elliot Feldman for reappointment to Council on Aging.
Interview for Reappointment to Council on Aging
The Board interviewed Ellen Bender for reappointment to Council on Aging.
Interview for Reappointment to Council on Aging
The Board interviewed Robert B. Maidman for reappointment to Council on Aging.
Interview for Reappointment to Council on Aging
Marilyn J. Stewart and Reuben A. Herman were unable to attend the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting for an interview to Council on Aging. A date for an interview will be re-scheduled.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to accept the Minutes of July 15, 2003, including Executive Session.
Special Police Appointments
The Board reviewed the memo from Joe Bernstein, Chief of Police, dated July 22, 2003, recommending Lawrence Phaneuf and James Keating to be appointed to the Sharon Police Special Police Force and also recommending Kelly Fitzpatrick for the position of Special Police Officer.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to make the following one-year appointments, to expire September, 2004:
Special Police Special Police Officer
Lawrence Phaneuf Kelly Fitzpatrick
James Keating
Request for Exemption
The Board reviewed a memo from Joe Bernstein, Chief of Police, dated July 22, 2003 in which he requests an exemption for Frank Lee to hold two part-time positions. Mr. Lee currently works part-time as a custodian for the Department of Public Works maintaining the police station. Mr. Lee has filed an application to fill a vacant part-time dispatcher position and was chosen after completing a competitive hiring process. Chief Bernstein stated that “there is no employee of the Sharon Police Department who can provide the services requested as part of his/her regular duties,” and requested that the Board of Selectmen approve the exemption.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve exemption for Frank Lee to hold two part-time positions with hours not to exceed twenty hours per week (regularly scheduled) and approve the exemption from Section 20(f) (M.G.L. c.268A) for this employee.
Radio Consultant - Grant Authorization to Sign Contract - Chief Bernstein
The Board review correspondence from Joseph Bernstein, Chief of Police, dated July 28, 2003 requesting authorization to sign the attached proposal from Crest Associates, Boston, MA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Town of Sharon’s municipal radio communications system, including schools, for the amount of $10,000. Funds have been appropriated through the Capital Outlay process and Town meeting vote.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to authorize Chief Bernstein to sign the proposal from Crest Associates, Boston, MA in the amount of $10,000.
North Main Street & South Main Street Agreement Number 9794 (NPA)
The Board reviewed the North Main Street & South Main Street Agreement Number 9794 (NPA) between the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Town of Sharon recommending approval in the amount of $557,400. Chapter 90 funds will be utilized for the above. Selectman Grasfield asked questions re total amount, source of funding, sufficient funding, Town Meeting Vote re Chapter 90's.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve and sign the
North Main Street & South Main Street Agreement Number 9794 (NPA) in the amount of $557,400.
Request for Outdoor Liquor License Location
The Board reviewed a letter from the American Legion, dated July 17, 2003 requesting permission for outdoor liquor license location for their summer Horseshoe League.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the outdoor location for liquor license for the American Legion at 727 South Main Street on August 5, 2003.
Persons with Multiple Town Appointments
The Board briefly discussed the subject of various town residents holding more than one town committee or board position. Attorney Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel for the Town of Sharon, was present and reviewed the process/options re multiple Town Appointments. Attorney Gelerman stated that he would address such appointments as an individual case and interpret the applicable state law that applies in certain situations. It was the consensus of the Board to bring forth this matter at a future date. Mr. Gelerman will prepare an informational memorandum re this subject.
Construction of watermains and appurtenant work -Winslow/Gabriel/Stony Brook and Depot Street
The Board reviewed correspondence from Eric R. Hooper, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works dated July 23, 2003 in re construction of watermains and appurtenant work - Winslow/Gabriel/Stony Brook and Depot Street. Ten (10) bids were received, ranging from $311,276.76 to $445,661.81, for the contract for the construction of watermains and appurtenant work and opened on July 16, 2003 with Dave Masciarelli, Water Department Supervisor, and the Town’s consultant, Amory Engineering, present.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to award the contract to the low bid of $311,276.76 to McLaughlin Brothers Contracting Corp., 120 Clinton Street, Brockton, MA.
Proposal for Water Meter and AMR Purchasing Engineering Services
The Board reviewed a memo from Eric R. Hooper, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works, dated July 23, 2003, in re contract recommendation for preparation request for proposal for water meter and AMR purchasing engineering Services. At the May, 2003 Annual Town Meeting it was voted to approve a phased approach in which approximately 1/6th on the present meters would be upgraded to AMR type. As a result of the Town Meeting vote, Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. were approached to prepare the RFP to initiate phase 1 of the project. The RFP prepared at this time would also be used to implement future phases to complete the estimated $1.3 million upgrade project. It is the recommendation of Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, that the Selectmen award the contract to Weston & Sampson
Engineers, Inc. for the amount of $14,720.00.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to award Contract for Water Meters and AMR purchasing engineering services to Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $14,720.00.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
The Board briefly discussed correspondence from Cliff Towner in reference to the steadily increased water consumption and the need for related systems improvements. A meeting will be set up with the Water Management Advisory Committee and Selectmen for open discussion.
The Board briefly read over the memo sent from Kim Matland in behalf RHOSA proposing 80 units and other conditions dated July 28, 2003, regarding the pending Mountain Street development. The Board requested that Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator, contact Edward Hershfield, Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, regarding presenting information/comments from the Board of Selectmen relative to the above general topic.
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 9:58 P.M.
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