October 5, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach and Selectmen David I. Grasfield, William A. Heitin and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:33 P.M.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of September 21, 2004 as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 21, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 7, as printed.
Melissa Talevi was present and introduced to be the new Manager for the Liquor License at Bickford’s Restaurant. She stated that she is aware of all the rules and regulations relating to the Liquor License. Mr. Steve Bowen was present to request permission to have individual or small groups of musicians to perform, to add more atmosphere to its outdoor dining and perhaps inside dining too.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve Melissa Talevi for the new manager at Bickford’s Restaurant. This will be forwarded to the ABCC for its approval.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the request for live music at Bickford’s Restaurant.
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’06 Budget for Elections/Registration in the amounts of $77,970.00 (level) and $79,118.00 (plus). Based on one election, one Fall Special Town Meeting and one Annual Town Meeting, the level budget reflects a decrease of $7,124.
The Board discussed the savings realized with election workers who voluntarily participate in the tax work-off program.
Ms. Chused announced that the last date to register to vote for the November election is October 13, 2004. She stated that the Town Clerk’s Office will be open until 8 PM on Friday, October 8, as this is the last date to register for the Special Town Meeting to be held on October 18. She mentioned additional parking that will be available all day during the election at Temple Israel and Memorial Beach (for students in the a.m.).
Selectman Heitin discussed the upcoming bond sale and updated the Board with a meeting with the investment banker and Town Treasurer Rob Uyttebroek. The Town is looking to issue bonds in the amount of $3,095,000 with interest rates in the range of 3.6 – 3.7%. He further stated that the Town will remain with an AA rating (low reserves and dependence on resident tax base keeps it from being AAA). Mr. Heitin requested that the Board authorize the Treasurer to sell bonds next week.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Treasurer to sell $3,095.000 through negotiated bond sale (general obligation municipal bonds).
Mr. Kramer canceled his appointment.
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’06 Budget for Town Report in the amounts of $10,500.00 (level); $9,975.00 (minus); $11,550.00 (plus) and $13,527.00 (requested). It is anticipated that the next few years will see lengthier reports due to increased articles in the Annual and Special Town Meetings and additional schedules that will be provided in the warrant and, therefore, reproduced in the Annual Town Report.
School Budget Transfer – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to delay taking a position. This will be scheduled again
Community Center Repairs – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to delay taking a position. This will be scheduled again.
Design of Free-Standing - Senior Center
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Wilber School Transfer – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Regional Dispatch – Selectmen
This item will be indefinitely postponed. The Board took a negative position.
Recreation Department Sup Article – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Rattlesnake Hill Negotiations - ConCom/Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article
Historic Building Demolition - Historical Commission
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article 2 – 1 (Heitin Negative) Selectman Heitin expressed concerns with placing an undue burden on the property owner by extending the demolition moratorium to 12 months.
Article re Schedules – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Discharge Detection Bylaw – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Storm Water - Construction Bylaw – Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Stormwater Zoning Bylaw Changes - Planning Board
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Overlay District - Planning Board
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Flood Hazard Zoning - Planning Board
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Subsurface Disposal - Fines - Board of Health
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
Septic Program Correction -Treasurer/Selectmen
It was the sense of the Board to take a positive position on this article.
17. Bramble Lane Street Acceptance - Planning Board
The Board took no position on this article.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to release to the public the Executive Session Minutes from May 2003 – May 2004, with the exception of the following that have not yet been reviewed: August 4, 2003, September 9, 2003, and January 22, 2004.
Selectman Grasfield requested that a list of Action Items be made up to circulate to the Board members.
Chair Roach stated that both Anne Carney and Pat Zlotin would like to remain on this Committee.
Selectman Grasfield expressed concerns that the representatives of the Board of Selectmen do not share the Board’s stated focus. He believes the Government Study Committee is heading in a different direction toward replacing or changing the form of government while the Board has expressed improving what we have. He feels, however, that the proposed creation of a charter is neutral. He stated he would support both Anne Carney and Pat Zlotin even though he had expressed the desire to serve as the Board’s representative himself with the understanding that they represent the Board’s position.
It was suggested that a meeting be set up with members of the Government Study Committee so that they understand all the positions of the Board. Board members expressed concerns about the move to an annual Fall Town Meeting as recommended by the Government Study Committee.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Anne Carney and Pat Zlotin to the Government Study Committee as representatives of the Board of Selectmen. Appointments to expire: September, 2007.
Little House/Teen Center
Majorie Mitlin and Nancy Rae were present on behalf of the Teen Center. Several representatives from the Hockomock “Y” were present, including President Ed Hurley. Ms. Mitlin discussed a commitment from the “Y” to take over the operations of the Teen Center in 2005. They have also agreed to share present on-going operating expenses, including rent and some staff, and to help finance ($10,000) the move of the “Little House” to the Deborah Sampson site. Other items discussed included:
· continued fundraising so that the Town will not need to allocate the full $25,000 from the Recreation operating budget for the current year pending the vote at Special Town Meeting;
· “Y” will lead fundraising effort for the Teen Center;
· “Y” looking for 15-year lease of Little House;
· “Y” looking to have long relationship with bringing programs to the Town;
· “Y” would welcome being part of both a new recreation building with swimming pool at Deborah Sampson and the proposed senior center;
· no fees will be charged for participants of the teen center;
· present teen center fundraising up to $ 21,000;
· developer implied that deadline for moving “Little House” not absolute;
· looking for in-kind services and other donations;
· need to receive input from neighborhood;
· will be reviewed by the Recreation Advisory Committee;
· fundraising even at Saphire Manor on October 21; and,
· representatives from the “Y” will make a presentation at the Special Town Meeting.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion items of pending litigation and real property acquisition and at the conclusion thereof the adjourn for the evening.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board left open session at 9:05 P.M.
| 
