March 30, 2004
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 David I. Grasfield and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
Next Meeting
Because of the Passover Holiday, the Board will reschedule its next meeting to 7:30 P.M., Wednesday evening, April 7, 2004.
Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session as presented and the Minutes of March 23, 2004 with the following corrections:
Page 1, Under Town Administrator Employment Agreement
Para 4:
Change: Attorney Gelerman stated that it was not marked “draft” and he had thought it was in final form.
To: Selectman Grasfield stated that it was not marked “draft” and he had thought it was in final form.
Para 5:
Correct: from “the Selectman do things in harmony.”
To: “the Selectmen do things in harmony.”
Page 3, Vulnerability Assessment/Emergency Response Plan
Correct punctuation in last sentence from colon to period.
Page 7: Public Forum “Improvements to Town Meeting”
Correct: In closing, Chair Katz stated that he will take notice of all the suggestions and plans to have another forum on this topic in the further.
To: In closing, Chair Katz stated that he will take notice of all the suggestions and plans to have another forum on this topic in the future.
Beach & Boat Stickers - Change in Fees
A hearing was open on an increase in fees for beach and boat stickers. This hearing met the three-week advertisement requirement. David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, was present to recommend that the Board increase its fees as follows:
• Resident Boat Launch Sticker _ $10.00 increase
$50.00 (2003) $60.00 (2004) 134 boats
• Non_Resident Boat Launch Sticker _ $10.00 increase
$70.00 (2003) $80.00 (2004) 83 boats
• Resident Beach Sticker _ $5.00 increase
$50.00 (2003) $55.00 (2004) 706 stickers
• Non_Resident Beach Sticker _ $5.00 increase Community Center Beach only
$60.00 (2003) $65.00 (2004) 26 stickers
Increases would mean approximately $5,830.00 additional revenue to the waterfront program.
David I. Clifton stated that these funds are deposited in a revolving fund to pay for staff for the waterfront program. He spoke about concerns with weather on the impact of sticker sales and the need to insure sufficient funds to pay for the staff from this revolving fund. He mentioned discounts for seniors to the beach, free admission for children under the age of 12 and accommodations available for families who cannot afford the sticker fees. He expressed regret that there were no available funds for a full-time staff person at the Boat Launch area. In answer to the question by Selectman Roach, Mr. Clifton replied that the Lake Testing budget line item in the amount of $4,500 has been transferred to the Recreation Budget and will need to be paid through this revolving fund. In answer to questions by Selectman Grasfield, Mr. Clifton gave a history of the increases of the fees.
Marc Bluestein suggested that the Board should consider charging mooring fees to all boats docked along the Lake. Mr. Clifton stated he would take the suggestion to the Lake Management Committee. Selectman Roach thought an opinion should be sought from Town Counsel.
There was a brief discussion about capital improvements needed at the Boat Launch site. Selectman Roach suggested that DPW could possibly do some work there.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Recreation Advisory Committee and approve the recommended increases for boat & sticker fees.
Concession Stand Lease - Memorial Park Beach
David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, was present to request that the Board approve the Third Year Lease Option for Matt Melaugh. A price list of items to be sold was attached to Mr. Clifton’s Memo of March 23, 2004. Mr. Clifton stated that next year this will be going out to bid.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the renewal of the lease by Matt Melaugh at the bid price of $1,800.
Reserve Fund Transfer
David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, was present to discuss his Memo of March 22, 2004 requesting a reserve fund transfer of $1,616.45 in order to fund retroactive hourly rate change for the Assistant Recreation Director from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. The rate change represents a correction of an error in the rate per the MP contract agreement.
It was the consensus of the Board to support this Reserve Fund Transfer. Mr. Clifton will meet to discuss this matter with the Finance Committee.
Senior Tax Exemptions - Mark Mazur, Board of Assessors
Mark Mazur, Assistant Assessor was present to discuss the Overlay Account and Senior Tax Exemptions and his letter of December 5, 2003 addressed to the Board with estimates for New Growth, Overlay to be Raised and Overlay to be released. Additionally, Mr. Mazur provided the Board with a statement, New/Revised Exemptions being Presented at 2004 Annual Town Meeting. Items discussed included:
the estimates used in the setting of New Growth ($200,000), Overlay to be Raised ($750,000) and Overlay to be Released ($500,000);
if the amount of $300,000 remaining from FY’04 overlay ($799,999), but not used for 41C senior exemptions, could be carried over to the coming fiscal year FY’05 for this purpose;
not allowed to co-mingle funds from prior years without permission of Town Meeting;
monies could be set aside from prior year’s appropriation in a different year overlay account, but Town Meeting could not direct its use or set aside for a specific purpose;
overlay monies released from the prior year will go back into general revenues, and if these funds can be made available for use as senior tax exemptions for the new fiscal year;
the Overlay is the responsibility of the Board of Assessors;
the reason for lowering the estimated exemption amounts from the previous year is based on history and the fact that some exemptions are still pending legislation and may not be available;
the effect on revaluation on the estimated amount of abatements for ‘04;
the estimate for motor vehicle excise taxes re tax recap and tax rate setting;
why the Assessors number of 1.9 million for excise taxes was shown as 2.5 million on the revenue forecast;
lower estimate for vehicle excess tax allowed the Town to increase the property tax rate; and,
revised estimates for the proposed increased and new exemptions.
The Board discussed ways of getting the word out to eligible seniors to maximum the use of available exemptions. Mr. Mazur stated that they have funds available to cover additional exemptions and increases in the Property Tax Work Off Program and that “no one will be refused.” Mr. Puritz stated that the figures or changes to the estimates in the revenue forecasts were carefully scrutinized and analyzed by the Priorities Committee. There was some debate between Selectman Grasfield and Mr. Puritz as to what events transpired within Priorities Committee and what the duties of the Priorities Committee are. Mr. Puritz referred to a record of the vote at Town Meeting re responsibilities and duties of the Priorities Committee. Resident Marc Bluestein asked for further explanation
as to the excise tax number. Mr. Mazur stated that the Assessors base the estimated motor vehicle taxes on what is actually estimated.
Chef’s Classic - Coriander Bistro
Jill Crawley was present to discuss the Second Annual “Chef’s Classic” Fundraising Event to fund medical research for Rhetts Syndrom. The Event, scheduled for May 16, 2004, will include a Road Race, Walk and Chef’s Tasting Tables. Information for sign-up is available at www.chefsclassic.org.
Household Hazardous Waste Day
Resident Alice Cheyer was present to discuss her suggestions to combine a “Get Rid of Old Gadgets” Day with the Household Hazardous Waste Day. Other items discussed by Ms. Cheyer, included:
Norma Fitzgerald, Director of Council on Aging, agreed to establish a COA call list of seniors and disabled who need help in disposing of small and large gadgets;
Ms. Fitzgerald will liaise with Community Service to get students to pick up large items that have disposal fees involved;
a postcard to be sent to all residents adding to the Hazardous Waste Collection list the “Get Rid of Old Gadgets–Free Disposal–Recycle” notice; and,
suggestion that the Board waive the fees for larger items, such as TV and computer monitors and air conditioners for this one day to make it much easier and encourage more people to get rid of such items properly.
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present and he stated that he supported the waiver of the fees for gadgets for this one day. He stated that monies from the recycling revolving fund could be used to fund the disposal of gadgets during the Household Hazardous Waste Day. Selectman Roach supported waiving the fees for gadgets for this year on a trial basis and Selectman Grasfield also supported the concept.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to grant Alice Cheyer’s request to add “Get Rid of Old Gadgets” to the Household Hazardous Waste Day, to advertise with that mailing and to waive the fee for the Gadgets for that one day.
Canton Street Well Exploration - Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to discuss well exploration at the Canton Street Site. Mr. Hooper gave a brief history of testing at this site and results from 2 ½ inch test wells that resulted in concerns with water quality at this site. He recommends pursuing further testing at this time before proceeding to the more expensive $50,000 - $75,000 8-inch test. In answer to the question by Selectman Roach, Mr. Hooper stated that there are definite steps to go through with DEP for permitting of a production well. Selectmen Grasfield noted that Lealdon Langley of the Water Management Advisory Committee had stated that, in regards to steps from DEP, he did not see it as an issue.
Contract for Engineering Services - Amory Engineers
The Board was asked to authorize Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works to sign the previously approved contract with Amory Engineers, Duxbury, MA for Edge Hill Road/Tiot Street Watermain Replacement.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize Eric R. Hooper to sign the contract in the initial amount of $34,000 with Amory Engineers for Watermain Replacement.
Mr. Hooper stated that this watermain replacement would be done on a compressed schedule with work to be completed before the winter.
Interview for Zoning Board of Appeals
This item will be rescheduled as applicant did not show.
Deputy Fire Chief Compensation
The Board reviewed information provided by Chief Dennis Mann, dated March 19, 2004 wherein he recommends a salary adjustment for the Deputy Chief in the amount of 4% plus $3,000 to total $72,202. Selectman Grasfield requested that additional salary comparison information, including years of service, be provided to the Board. Mr. Puritz suggested that the Deputy Chief be brought up to parity within two years. Selectman Grasfield stated that, based on reviewing additional information, he would like to revisit and perhaps recommend bringing the position up to parity this year. It was the consensus of the Board to wait for a full Board before acting on this matter, to get the additional information and place this item back on the agenda.
Community Preservation Act - Warrant Articles
Selectman Grasfield referenced the previous vote of the Board to not place this on the Annual Town Meeting. Ben Puritz suggested that Selectman Grasfield’s requests for additional information about an agenda item or questions, be brought to his attention beforehand. Selectman Grasfield replied that getting the agenda 24-hours ahead, does not always allow sufficient time to read everything and that he had requested a change in this policy.
Mr. Puritz stated that he was asking the Board to reconsider placing two articles for the Community Preservation Act on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant at the request of George Bailey. Approval at the Town Meeting will allow it to be brought forth to the voters at the November election as a separate ballot question. Information was provided from George Bailey that included:
If Sharon accepts the law at the November 04 statewide election, it can begin receiving matching funds also for Jan 1, 2005 – a year earlier than if the acceptance did not occur until May 2005 election.
Selectman Grasfield stated that he is inclined to stick with the previous consensus of the Board. He further added that it was late to place a large complex article on the May Town Meeting Warrant and that it was decided by the full Board last week to wait until the Fall Meeting. Town Administrator Ben Puritz stated that the October 18 meeting is too close to the November election and, though he had recommended this item be deferred last week, he would not want to defer given the above information. Mr. Puritz stated that he was certain that Chairman Katz would support this. It was the consensus of the Board to defer action until next week.
Sequencing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Town Administrator Ben Puritz explained that with the election scheduled for after the Town Meeting, it would no longer be listed as Article 1, but listed without number at the end of the Warrant Articles. A discussion took place for the need to adhere to deadlines, and everyone agreed that improvements need to be made in the process in order for both the Selectmen and Finance Committee to have ample time to review and discuss all articles. The Warrant is scheduled to go to print on April 6, but the printer will be contacted to see if there could be additional time.
Request for Zoning Article - John Lee
The Board reviewed a letter from John Lee, dated March 25, 2004 requesting that the Board consider an additional article for the May Town Meeting to rezone property to allow for a conventional subdivision at the Old Post Road site currently under consideration for 40B development.
There was a discussion of how zoning articles were to be placed on the Fall Town Meetings and that a zoning article needs to be presented by the Planning Board. Selectman Grasfield stated that there could be a Special Town Meeting with a petition of 200 signatures for a Special Town Meeting and 100 signatures for the article.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to consider placing this article for a zoning change (Old Post Road) on the Fall Town Meeting.
Room Occupancy Revenue Report - Department of Revenue
Ben Puritz noted that the Town received $93,184 on Room Occupancy tax for 2003.
Morse Street Pipe - Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC)
Selectman Grasfield noted EMail correspondence from Rory McGregor, WMAC, stating that they had voted in favor of including the upgrade project for the Morse Street pipe in the FY’05 budget. Town Administrator Ben Puritz reminded the Board that the majority of Board voted for this project for FY’06. This will be put on next week’s agenda for further discussion.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Collective Bargaining and/or pending litigation and to adjourn at the conclusion thereof.
Grasfield, aye; Roach aye.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:00 P.M.
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