November 4, 2003
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Acting Chair Walter Joe Roach and Selectman David I. Grasfield and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
Blue Star Presentation - Family of Don Williams
Paul Bergeron, Veterans Agent, presented a Blue Star Flag to Police Officer Don Williams’ wife Joanne. Officer Williams is serving on active duty as a Major in Iraq.
Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the regular session minutes of October 28, 2003 as corrected:
Page 2 –Under -- Well Source Exploration - Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works
Change:
“In answer to the question, Mr. Hooper stated that the costs for a test hole is approximately $10,000.”
To:
“In answer to the question, Mr. Hooper stated that the cost for two test holes is approximately $10,000.”
Under Sale of Municipal Bonds
Add at end: “Selectman Grasfield stated that this amount could be reduced with the expectation of grant money for the police project and with a better borrowing rate”
Ben Puritz stated that, in fact, the amount of the bond issue is $1,550,000.
Tax Classification Hearing - Mark Mazur, Board of Assessors
Assistant Assessor Mark Mazur and Paula Keefe, Richard Gordon, members of the Board of Assessors were present to explain the function of the Board of Assessors in relation to the setting of the Tax Rate for the Town of Sharon. It was noted that the setting of the Tax Rate is the responsibility of the Board of Assessors through its filing of the tax recapitulation documents to the state. Assistant Assessor Mark Mazur was present to make certain recommendations to the Board.
The Board reviewed and asked questions about the Total Assessment by Class for the past two years. Residential assessments account for 93.71% of the assessments. There was a significant increase (from 1.29% to 1.72%) in the Industrial Class due to one new business off Route 1.
Mr. Mazur announced that beginning next year, assessments will be based on full market value. Selectman Grasfield asked about how other Towns shift taxes onto the Commercial class. Mr. Mazur stated that because of the small percentage of commercial property that a shift would have a significant impact on that class with a minimal impact on the residential class.
Ms. Keefe, who is also an Assistant Assessor, in the Town of Stoughton, cautioned that a shift in the commercial tax base could scare off business. She stated that business will look to move to Sharon if the commercial rate becomes too high in Stoughton. She also recommended that a Town have commercial property of close to 25% of its total assessed value before considering a shift. Mr. Mazur added that an increase in assessment values is a positive thing for the Town. Ms. Keefe said that the same increases have been experienced within the Town of Stoughton.
Residential Factor
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to choose a Residential Factor of “One” for Fiscal Year 2004.
Residential Exemption
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to Not adopt a Residential Exemption for Fiscal Year 2004.
Small Commercial Exemption
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to choose Not to adopt a small Commercial Exemption for Fiscal Year 2004.
Tax Rate
Ben Puritz stated that the tax rate will be set before Thanksgiving.
Budget Review - Police Department - Joe Bernstein
Chief Bernstein, was present to review the preliminary FY’05 Budget for the Police Department in the amounts of $2,241,817 primary, $2,440,917 plus and $2,129,727 minus. Chief Bernstein spoke about being understaffed with no place left to cut. He spoke about two major concerns re staffing levels and the need for competitive salaries. He stated that these two items impact the services we give to the community. Chief Bernstein stated that based on national standards, we are short at least five sworn personnel. He stated that without competitive salaries, we lose trained officers (at a training cost of approximately $20,000 per officer ) to other Towns. When Sharon was paying better salaries a few years ago, we received trained officers from other Towns; and, it is the
Chief’s goal to get to “parity” with the comparable Towns. Questions were raised as to how a reduction in crossing guards would impact the schools and how the department would work with a reduction in overtime. Selectman Roach asked that Chief Bernstein prepare a budget showing the impact of hiring five additional officers. Selectman Grasfield agreed that the matter of appropriately funding the Police Budget should be brought to Finance Committee and Priorities Committee. Chief Bernstein also spoke about the loss of a grant, not being able to have an officer assigned with the school for youth activities, and a reduction in funds for training and personnel to cover training.
Chief Bernstein noted his appreciation to his Department with quick arrests made to a robbery at Shaw’s, and a mail-order drug arrest.
Financial Information Page on Website
Selectman Grasfield spoke about his suggestion for a Financial Webpage for interested residents. He stated that the Revenue Forecast, even without hard numbers, would be of interest; and, we could place notations on those items that are known factors vs place holders. Ben Puritz stated he would speak to Don Hillegass, Data Processing Manager, about constructing this page starting with the Revenue Forecast. Capital Planning items have also been mentioned for this site.
Deadline for Petition Articles - Annual Town Meeting
The Board reviewed a draft scheduled for the May 2004 Annual Town Meeting. In accordance with the 2003 Annual Town Meeting vote, the Board will need to select a date for a fall 2004 Special Town Meeting by January 15, 2004.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to set the deadline for the closing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant for petition articles to January 12, 2004.
Government Study Committee Update
Anne Carney was present on behalf of the Government Study Committee. Ms. Carney reported that the Government Study Committee is seeking more public input as to the form of governance. She stated that they are also looking at ways to make the present form of open town meting more efficient in the short-term. Items discussed included: (a) use of Web to get more information out to the public, and (b) the need for a well-advertised “open forum”
Ms. Carney stated that the way the secret ballot was handled during Annual Town Meeting was the proper way to do it. It was also stated that limits on speaking during town meeting are the Town Moderator’s “call.”
Selectman Grasfield suggested that there be an “Open Forum” on ways to improve Town Meeting scheduled before the Special Town Meeting. It was stated that this could possible be part of the Pre-Town Meeting Meeting scheduled for December 2, 2003. Selectman Grasfield will follow-up with Moderator Bouton regarding this above item.
Borrowing Policy
The Board reviewed a number of documents provided by R. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer.
Selectman Grasfield referenced information contained from Government Finance review, October 1997, “Elements of a Comprehensive Local government Debt Policy.” Selectman Grasfield stated that having a written debt policy would have a positive impact on the costs of borrowing. Seven major categories were identified by the content analysis: 1) conditions for debt issuance; 2) restrictions/limitations on debt issuance; 3) debt service limitations; 4) limitations on outstanding debt; 5) characteristics/terms/provisions of debt issuance; 6) debt issuance process; and 7) other forms of debt. Selectman Grasfield further recommended that as part of the debt policy it could stipulate that a percentage of debt should be repaid within so many years.
Selectman Grasfield recommended that to start to form a debt policy that a subcommittee be formed with members of Finance Committee and Selectmen. Selectman Grasfield also referenced a box from the Moody’s article entitled, Defining Moody’s Watchlist and Outlooks. He stated that though the Town enjoys a very good bond rating at present, our combined debt is “already high.” He cautioned that this may effect our bond rating.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to establish a subcommittee for establishing a debt policy for the Town to consist of representatives of the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee and to hold public meetings and discuss the information we receive.
Resident Alice Cheyer began a discussion as to whether or not the subcommittee should have a beginning and ending date or that there be language to state that the subcommittee be dissolved at the completion of its charge. Selectman Grasfield stated that for various reasons, we establish this committee quickly as we can.
Sharon Lions Club
The Board reviewed a request from the Sharon Lions Club, dated October 29, 2003, for permission to solicit donations from traffic in the center of Town, on Saturday, November 15, 2003 and Sunday November 16, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to grant permission to the Sharon Lions CLub to solicit donations from traffic in the center of Town, on Saturday, November 15, 2003 and Sunday November 16, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, subject to any conditions of the Police Department.
Water Management Advisory Committee
The Board reviewed letter, dated November 3, 2003, from Roger P. Thibault seeking reappointment to the Water Management Advisory Committee.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to reappoint Robert P. Thibault to the Water Management Advisory Committee, Appointment to expire September 04.
Application of Old Post, LLC
The Board reviewed Memo from the Board of Appeals, dated October 29, 2003, relative to comments from the Board of Selectmen re the proposed 40B development of Old Post, LLC.
This would be a 66-unit, residential condominium development consisting of apartment-type units in two buildings. The Development is proposed as age-qualified housing. The Board plans to submit its comments.
Department of Housing & Community Development Grant Alert
Selectman Grasfield asked if we had any programs that would qualify for a Community Block Grant. Ben Puritz stated that the Town has pursued and received this grant in the past with the Adcour Building, but that we did not have any programs that would qualify for funding at present nor do we have the staff to fully pursue additional projects.
Open Forum - Town Meeting Process & Structure
Selectman Grasfield requested that the letter from Arthur Stein be included in an Open Forum that the Selectmen would host for Discussion of Town Meeting Process & Structure to find ways of making town meeting more efficient and effective and that this be held before the Special Town Meeting. Selectman Roach felt that this was more appropriate for the Government Study Committee to host. This will be discussed when a full board is present. Ben Puritz reiterated that it’s possible that this could be discussed at the pre-town meeting for the December Special Town Meeting.
Well Source Exploration
Selectman Grasfield stated that he would like to see this scheduled again on the agenda. He is hoping that the Town will test more well sites.
Special Town Meeting - Article 1
Selectman Grasfield discussed a possible flaw in the legal language. Ben Puritz stated that this could be corrected within an amendment to the article through a motion at the Special Town Meeting.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Collective Bargaining and Legal matters and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Grasfield, aye.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 9:50 P.M.
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