February 17, 2004
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.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to make the corrections to the Executive Session minutes within Executive Session and to approve the minutes of February 10, 2004 with the following corrections:
Under Page 1, Minutes:
To correct the Minutes of February 3, 2004 as follows:
Page 6, Para 3, Last Sentence:
Replace:
Change: “...vote of this Committee to keeping this on line for the FY’06 schedule.”
To: “...vote of this Committee to keep Morse Street on line for the FY’06 schedule.”
With:
Change: “...vote of this Committee to keeping this on line for the FY’06 schedule.”
To: “...vote of this Committee to encourage keeping Morse Street on line for the FY’05 schedule.”
Page 3, Para 6:
Under Residences at Old Post Road
Delete the word: Office “....and that we may get in trouble with the State Office by providing the solution as opposed to just asking for more information”
Page 4, Para 7:
Under Citizen’s Petition re: Recreation Gymnastic & Dance Program
Change: Selectman Grasfield noted that the seniors have been seeking something for a number of years and that we should get both parties to come to an agreement so that a decision could be made.
To: Selectman Grasfield noted that the seniors have been seeking something for a number of years and that we should hear from both parties and come to an agreement so that a decision could be made.
Special Town Election - Two Election Ballots
This item will be rescheduled as Town Clerk Marlene Chused is feeling ill. She requested that the Board announce that this Friday, February 20, 2004 is the last day for voter registration and that the Town Clerk’s Office will be open until 8:00 P.M. this evening.
Use of Community Center Building
This item has been rescheduled at the request of David I. Clifton, Recreation Director.
Residences at Old Post Road - Approve Letter to ZBA
The Board reviewed two versions of a letter addressed to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) re the Board’s comments on the project Residences at Old Post Road. Selectman Grasfield stated that the 4 (2) version was, at his request, a change in the middle paragraph from the 4 (1) original version. He referenced comments by Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works in his letter to the ZBA as to how the development could change and requesting additional information be provided from the developer.
MOTION: (Grasfield) to accept Version 4 (2) as listed in the agenda packet, sign and send.
MOTION NOT CARRIED.
Selectman Roach stated that he preferred the original version of this letter that supports the conclusions of Mr. Hooper. Selectman Grasfield differed by stating that the Board of Selectmen should not suggest directly to the developer how they could eliminate the concerns expressed by Mr. Hooper, but should support Mr. Hooper’s request for additional information to come to certain conclusions. Selectman Grasfield stated that “to reduce buildings is not our place to say.”
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to postpone this item and have Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, come in to clarify before the Board signs the letter.
Net School Spending Agreement
Selectman Grasfield noted additional information provided on the Supplemental Agenda, plus a full copy of Schedule 19 as previously submitted to the State. Selectman Grasfield was satisfied that the information he requested was provided within the documents, including the amounts for School Construction Debt & Interest. Selectman Roach stated that he had spoken to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Barbara Dunham today and that this was not “time sensitive.” He stated that Chair of the School Committee Sam Liao had signed the Net School Spending Agreement on behalf of the School Department.
It was the consensus of the Board to defer voting on this matter until further review of the information provided this evening.
Sharon Friends of the Public Library - Request for Insert
The Board reviewed a request to place an insert by the Friends of the Public Library in the 2003 Annual Town Report
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to permit the Museum Pass Program insert to be delivered within the 2003 Annual Town Report
Sharon Rotary Club - Request to hold Annual Carnival
The Board reviewed a request from the Sharon Rotary Club, dated February 10, 2004 for permission to hold its annual carnival at the Deborah Sampson Park on May 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2004.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the Annual Carnival of the Sharon Rotary Club for the dates of May 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2004 at Deborah Sampson Park.
Request for Banner - Sharon Rotary Club
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Rotary Club for the dates of May 24 - May 31 in the Second Position.
Declare as Surplus - 1969 Fire Engine - Chief Mann
The Board reviewed a request from Fire Chief Dennis F. Mann, dated February 11, 2004 to declare a 1969 Farrar/Duplex Fire Engine as surplus.
Selectman Roach requested that notice be sent to all Departments asking if they had surplus vehicles or equipment to be disposed of by auction. It was the consensus of the Board to wait until this information is received before acting on Chief Mann’s request. The entire list would be considered for a vote as surplus items to be disposed of by auction.
Coriander Bistro - Chefs Classic
Correspondence from Coriander Bistro, dated February 20, 2004, was reviewed. The Board would like to invite Jill Crawley from Coriander Bistro to come in to discuss plans for the 2004 Chefs Classic 10K & Celebration of Food for Sunday, May 16. This will be scheduled as a future agenda item.
Blood Drives - Help to Promote
Selectman Grasfield discussed the proclamation for the month of March as Red Cross Month. He thanked Linda Rosen of the Board of Health for researching already-scheduled Blood Drives in Town and volunteering to help the Board of Selectmen to promote them.
Morse Street Pipe - Paul Lauenstein
Paul Lauenstein of the Water Management Advisory Board was present to read a Minority Opinion as to a recommendation to replace the 6" water main on Morse Street with larger pipe this Spring. Later that evening Mr. Lauenstein stated that he was prepared to make a larger presentation with maps of this project. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Lauenstein should return next week with other members of the Water Management Advisory Board to discuss this project.
Tax Relief for Seniors
Selectman Grasfield stated he would like to address this issue early so that there would be time to set aside monies for reallocation for expanded tax relief for seniors. He requested that Assistant Assessor Mark Mazur and/or members of the Board of Assessors be invited to come before the Board to discuss the actual experience with examples of this past years experience with additional exemptions for seniors and to make recommendations re expanding existing exemptions and consideration of new exemptions pending before the legislature.
Forum to Discuss Improvements to Town Meeting
Information was reviewed that Town Moderator Paul Bouton would be available to attend an Open Forum on improvements to Open Town Meeting on March 23rd. The Ballroom at the Community Center is available that evening. It was the consensus of the Board to schedule and post the meeting at the Community Center Building for March 23 and to advertise this forum.
Farewell Speech - Norman Katz
Chair Katz made a lengthy and emotional speech stating that after 35 years it’s: “Time for a Change.” He thanked numerous family members, former colleagues, friends and Town Employees and citizens and voters of the Town for giving him the opportunity to serve all these years in public service. Words of appreciation and admiration were expressed by Selectmen Roach and Grasfield.
It is understood that Mr. Katz will not be seeking re-election, but will continue to serve as Chair until the May 18 Town Election.
Executive Session
MOTION: (Roach) to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of making corrections to the Executive Session Minutes and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
MOTION NOT CARRIED.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
Roach, aye; Grasfield, aye; Katz, aye.
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