March 2, 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. and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 24, 2004 with the following corrections:
Page 2 Under: Net School Spending Agreement
Last Line: The figures as previously reported to the State have been accepted and approved.
Add to: but included no debt amount.
Page 3 Under: Net School Spending Agreement
Delete First Sentence that reads:
“Selectman Grasfield stated that there is a discrepancy in the reporting of debt as to what was already submitted to the State and as to what is included in the Agreement as signed by School Committee Chair Sam Liao and Assistant Town Accountant Eileen Generazzo.”
Page 6 Under- Morse Street Project:
Para 7:
Change: “Selectman Grasfield questioned whether it might be worth doing this project earlier as a solution to the pressure problem in the Hampton Road area.”
To: “Selectman Grasfield questioned whether it might be worth doing this project earlier as a solution to the historic level problem in the Hampton Road Tank.”
Page 8 para 3:
Change: “Mr. Hooper stated that this is just a section of pipe and that it will not make a difference on the entire distribution network only as part of the project for the High Pressure Service District.”
To: “Mr. Hooper stated that this is just a section of pipe and that it will not make a difference on the entire distribution network, but would make a difference for the High Pressure Service District.”
Page 8, para 5:
Residences at Old Post Road
Change 3rd Sentence: “He had originally asked for a change in the draft letter to reflect that support for additional information.”
To: “He had originally asked for a letter to be drafted in support of Mr. Hooper’s request for that additional information.”
Executive Session Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session minutes of February 24, 2004 as presented. The Executive Session Minutes of February 10, 2004 will be corrected within Executive Session.
White Goods Fees - Continued Hearing
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to discuss this matter. He stated that he wanted to thank Ed Ruvich for his making the DPW take a look at the disposal of White Goods Fees, which includes appliances, TV’s, computer monitors and other recyclable goods. Research into the disposal of Freon has resulted in a contractor being found that will extract Freon for $7 per unit but requires a minimum of 40 units to be stockpiled before making a service call. Mr. Hooper thinks he can negotiate that minimum number. After the Freon has been extracted, the appliances can then be disposed of as scrap metal for only hauling labor and cost. As a result, the cost for disposal of a Freon containing appliance has been reduced from $25 to $15.
Additionally, a contractor was found that charges $.19 cents per pound delivered for TV’s an computer monitors. A revised cost schedule for TV’s and computer monitors based on estimated labor and delivery costs has been established based on size.
Mr. Hooper discussed the fact that though this is not a very big part of what the DPW does, it is important to people who need to dispose of a large appliance and that we are the last resort. He also stated that they are going to be going out to bid for a new three-year contract and there will be an alternate bid for scheduled pickup of white goods and other bulky items.
The Board has requested an updated list to include everything. Mr. Hooper stated that it is his intention to post the list at the DPW, Sharon Town Offices and on Cable TV.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to accept the list as written by Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works in his Memo of February 19, 2004.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to close the hearing on White Goods.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Board interviewed Henry B. Greenberg as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Greenberg has made his home in Sharon since 1997, and he is an attorney. The Board thanked Mr. Greenberg for his interview. Selectman Roach stated that we will be making a decision in the next few weeks. One candidate has withdrawn for this position and the Board had previously interviewed Lee Wernick. Selectman Roach asked that the correspondence be checked as he thought there was another letter of interest.
Historical Commission
The Board interviewed Brent L. Gundlah for a position on the Historic Commission. Mr. Gundlah has recently purchased the historic Aaron Fisher House on North Main Street.
Police Officer Candidate - Jeffrey Derosa
Chief Bernstein introduced Police Candidate Jeffrey Derosa. Mr. Derosa has already completed a full police academy and has been employed as a Boston Municipal Police Officer since 1998. The Board reviewed background information. Chief Bernstein recommended that the Board make a Conditional Offer of Appointment based upon successful completion of the remainder of the hiring process, which includes medical and psychological fitness for duty evaluation.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to offer Jeffrey Derosa a Conditional Officer of Employment.
Request for Banner - Sharon Historical Society
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Historical Society for the dates of June 1 - June 7, 2004.
Salamander Crossing - Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
The Board reviewed the annual request from Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, dated February 22, 2003 to close Moose Hill Street from Moose Hill Parkway to Route 27 to allow the Yellow Spotted Salamander safe passage from its denning and winter area to the vernal pools associated with the Kendall’s pond. Chair Katz proclaimed, “let them cross.”
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to allow for the street closing up to three times during the warm spring rains and salamander migration.
Award Bid - DPW Uniforms
The Board reviewed Memo from Marie E. Cuneo, Business Manager, dated March 1, 2004. Because of the extraordinary low price offered by the low bidder, Ms. Cuneo recommends that the contract be awarded to that company for one year, to be extended to the second and third year contingent upon performance.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to award the bid for DPW Uniforms to the low bidder Unifirst, Dorchester, MA, for one year, to be extended to the second and third year contingent upon performance.
Norfolk County Retirement System
Selectman Roach noted the FY’05 appropriation of $1,392,482 for FY’05. Town Administrator Puritz stated that this number has been factored into the revenue forecast. The Board asked questions re unfunded liability. Adjustments will be made for two years (FY’05 & ‘06).
Historical Commission and Historic District Commission
The Board noted Letter from the Historical Commission and Historic District Commission, dated February 26, 2004 requesting that the Board approve moving Deborah Pitman from an alternate position to a full member and to move Reese Schroeder to an alternate position. The Board will check on how the expiration terms will be affected. This will be scheduled as a General Business item next week.
Senior Property Tax Relief
Selectman Grasfield noted correspondence from Norma S. Fitzgerald, dated February 26, 2004 with a two-page summary on a Senior Property Tax Relief Package on a bill reported out by the Senate. He would like to invite Ms. Fitzgerald and/or members of the Council on Aging Board in to discuss Property Tax Relief.
Regional Fire and Rescue Dispatch Center
Selectman Roach noted language sent by Canton Fire Chief re article for Annual Town Meeting
The Estates at Borderland
Town Administrator Puritz discussed an Environmental Notification Form stating that this project requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report on the full 339 acre parcel. Certain rare and threatened species habitats have been documented. This is the same site that is being proposed for a 40B Development by the Striar family.
North and South Main Street Project
Town Administrator Puritz announced that this project is scheduled for this construction season.
Personnel Board
Town Administrator Puritz announced that the Personnel Board is desperate for new members.
Wireless Communications
EMail from Joel Tran was noted re language for an Annual Town Meeting or Special Town Meeting article.
Rattlesnake Hill
Mitch Blaustein announced that the debt exclusion override for Rattlesnake Hill had passed at today’s Special Town Election. Selectman Roach requested that our state legislators be contacted for participation from the State for funding the purchase of this property.
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 to adjourn at the conclusion thereof.
Roach, aye; Grasfield, aye; and Katz, aye.
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