October 26, 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 7:32 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of October 5, 2004, including Executive Session and the Minutes of October 12, no Executive Session. The Minutes of October18 were held.
Capital Outlay Request - Council on Aging
Norma S. Fitzgerald was present to discuss her request for a free-standing senior center in the amount of $3,000,000. She discussed the Fall Town Meeting vote to transfer back $15,000 for the design and development plans for this building from the proposed Wilber School facility. She discussed the possibility of grant monies to partially offset the costs and reduce the total amount.
Capital Outlay Request - Data Processing
R. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer and Don Hillegass, Systems Administrator, were present to request funds for Internet Accessibility Enhancement in the amount of $34,000. The Internet Accessibility Upgrade Project will benefit both the Town and School side of Government.
Town Message Board Project - Boy Scout Troop 95
Len Zandrow and members of Boy Scout Troop 95 were present to update the Board on the design of a Message Board Project that will consolidate signs on the gateways into the Town, at the entrances of North and South Main Street and Route 27 near Coney Street. The Board will be approximately 4 ft wide by 8 ft tall stained in maroon and gold. There will be an area at the top that will allow for temporary announcements. Chair Roach requested that the first Board be placed at the North Main Street site near Cobb Corner, and requested that the Scouts coordinate the project with Kevin Weber of DPW re setbacks and plantings. He stated that the Town would pay for the materials involved. Mr. Zandrow stated that the North Main Street project would begin before the winter. Mr. Zandrow reminded the
Board that the Scouts are interested in pursuing other community service projects.
Capital Outlay Request - Civil Defense
Michael Polimer, Director of Civil Defense, was present with a request for $25,000 for Emergency Preparedness. This would include $15,000 for an Emergency Advisory Radio System; $5,000 for six 2-way radios; and $5,000 for two portable generators. Mr. Polimer emphasized that this is the first time that Civil Defense has made a Capital Outlay request.
Liquor License - Change of Manager - VFW
The Board was introduced to and interviewed Allen R. McKenna as the new Manager for the Liquor License at the VFW. Mr. McKenna stated he is familiar with the rules and regulations regarding liquor licenses.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Change of Manager (Allen R. McKenna ) at the VFW.
Capital Outlay Request - Police Department
Joseph S. Bernstein, Police Chief was present to discuss his requests for $63,000 for replacement of two front line cruisers, $12,000 for a new copier and $15,000 for a motorcycle.
In addition, he stated he would have another request for money $125,000 to supplement capital monies (currently approximately $80,000) from 2000-01 for renovations to the Police Station to address issues of security/heating/cooling/flooring/replacement windows and additional space.
The additional funding of $45,000 could be voted by town Meeting to come from monies encumbered at the end of the fiscal year. The renovation would not require any additional borrowing. Selectman Grasfield requested that Chief Bernstein provide a list of assets from his Department to include number of vehicles, age, depreciation, etc.
Capital Outlay Request - Animal Control Officer
Diane Malcolmson, Animal Control Officer, was present to discuss a request for a new vehicle in the amount of $27,000, that includes a laptop computer.
Budget Review - Diane Malcolmson
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’06 Budget for Animal Control in the amounts of $51,927.00 (level); $55,600.00 (plus); and $49,330.00 (minus).
Capital Outlay Request - Fire Department
Chief Dennis Mann was present to discuss his request for an ambulance in the amount of $175,000. This will allow for rotation of the first line ambulance every three years. There is also a request for $10,000 for a Jaws of Life Mounting Package, and $10,000 for Telephone System Replacement.
Public Hearing - Teen Center at Sacred Heart Property
Chair Roach declared the hearing open for the location of a Teen Center at the Sacred Heart property. Marjorie Mitlin, and members of the Foxborough Hockomock “Y” were present. Ms. Mitlin gave an update on the “Little House” with fundraising efforts to pay for the costs of moving the house. Chair Roach stated that over 100 abutters to the Sacred Heart site were notified of this Hearing.
Abutters Ann & Bill Therway of 48 E. Foxboro Street expressed concerns or raised issues as to a Teen Center located next to their property and near the residential neighborhood, that included:
noise that would keep them awake at night;
further disruption to a neighborhood that has all the noise from the ballfields, carnivals;
request first for consideration of a location in the center of Town;
request for consideration of a location further back in the parking lot and away from the neighborhood;
problem with kids hanging around after hours; and,
expected growth of teen center with numbers of participants and increased hours;
The area near the tennis court is ruled out as the land there is deeded for passive recreational use. The Director of the Teen Center was present and discussed the close supervision of the kids (20-30 on weekdays with up to 45 on weekend) in the program and that the present participants are very responsible and good neighbors. At this time, the Teen Center has limited hours (closes at 5:30 P.M., except for Friday night (closes at 10 P.M.) and occasional midnight events, and does not meet during the summer.
Chair Roach stated that this location was found by the Engineering Dept. to be the most advantageous and convenient, and mentioned the tight timeline for moving this house. Chair Roach stated this site was not set in stone and he will request that Engineering revisit the site to see if it could be placed further down. It was stated that the Senior Center site could not be considered as the proposed Senior Center would be going before May Town Meeting, and that a foundation with utilities for the Teen Center needs to be in place before that time or the costs would double. Selectman Grasfield recommended that the Hearing be kept open another week to encourage additional input from the neighborhood.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to continue the Hearing on the Teen Center until next week.
Tax Classification Hearing
Chair Roach declared the Fiscal 2005 Classification Hearing Open. Assistant Assessor Mark Mazur was present to answer the Board’s questions. Written information was provided, dated October 26, 2004, containing the following information:
Total Assessment by Class for Past Two Years - Residential Class equals 93.87% of Total Assessed Value;
Recommendations of the Board of Assessor;
Consequences of Shifting Some of Tax Burden onto Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property, (CIP) Classes;
List of Communities that utilized a Residential Exemption - 11;
Effect of a 20% Residential Exemption on Qualifying/Nonqualifying properties;
Small Commercial Exemption - would have minimal effect on residential tax rate;
Tax Comparisons with Surrounding Towns;
Analysis of Effect of FY2005 Tax Rate - 4.9% decrease in tax rate, but 7.3% increase in average assessed value, average 05 tax bill will increase by 2.1% from 04; and,
Reasons for Increase in Taxes.
Mr. Mazur discussed the above information and answered questions by Board members.
The Board of Assessors recommend that the Board of Selectmen Choose a Residential Factor of “ONE” for Fiscal year 2005 that would result in each property class maintaining 100% of its full value taxshare.
MOTION: (Grasfield) to adopt a Factor of 1.15 - with the intent of increasing the CIP Class by 15% and shifting the burden from the residential class.
NO SECOND. Selectman Heitin stated that we needed to entice commercial development and not affect the commercial tax rate.
Selectman Grasfield argued for his support of shifting more to the commercial tax base noting that there is a smaller increase proposed on the CIP class (due to stable assessments) and that some of the surrounding Towns that have a higher CIP tax Rate have a much larger commercial tax base. He expressed the opinion that other factors such as zoning and available space are a greater factor in enticing more commercial development. Selectman Heitin noted that Selectman Grasfield was correct that space was one factor and again stated that the Town should do all it can to entice commercial development in those areas already zoned for commercial use. A good example is the new Lexus dealership being placed on approximately 10 acres along Rt 1. More can be done in these areas.
VOTED: (Heitin\Roach) Voted unanimously to choose a Residential Factor of “One” for Fiscal Year 2005.
Selectman Grasfield reminded the Board that though the Board of Assessors makes recommendations, it is the Board of Selectmen that makes the policy decisions.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to choose NOT to adopt a Residential Exemption for Fiscal Year 2005.
Selectman Grasfield suggested that the Small Commercial Exemption “sounds like something of a positive incentive and during the next go-round, it may be worth looking into.”
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to choose NOT to adopt a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2005.
Chair Roach declared the Hearing closed.
Pole Relocations - Joint Petition by Verizon New England & NSTAR
Chair Roach opened the hearing on the Relocations of Utility Poles on South Main Street. This is part of the construction project on South Main Street. Mr. Chris Parella of Verizon was present. There were approximately four abutters present. A total of 69 poles are being relocated in the South Main Street area with 27 requiring petition.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the relocation of poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including the necessary anchors, guys and other such sustaining and protecting fixtures to be owned and used in common by Verizon New England & NSTAR, according to said plans as filed and marked Verizon N. 1AAAZC, dated October 1, 2004.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the relocation of poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including the necessary anchors, guys and other such sustaining and protecting fixtures to be owned and used in common by Verizon New England & NSTAR, according to Verizon Plans No. 9ABT38, and described as follows:
South Main Street - On the easterly sideline, approximately 10 feet north of the intersection of Ames Street, relocated existing Pole No. 22 approximately 28 feet north of existing pole location.
1 new JO Pole to be placed
1 existing JO Pole to be removed
Chair Roach questioned Mr. Parella about the schedule for the relocation of poles at the Route 27/High Plain St. Intersection as part of the signalization project.
Capital Outlay Request - Board of Selectmen
Town Administrator Ben Puritz presented a request for a new digital photocopier for the Town Offices in the amount of $20,000 with only $14,000 for new borrowing and $6,000 from previous borrowing.
Selectman Grasfield requested that the Board be provided with a complete list of project proposals from the entire Selectmen’s sector.
Chair Roach suggested that Capital Outlay proposals from all sectors for the next 5 - 10 years be reviewed. Mr. Puritz suggested that this conversation start through the Chair of the Capital Outlay Committee.
Long-Range Capital Planning
Michael Baskin of the Facilities Planning Committee will be invited to the next meeting to discuss integration of comprehensive facilities planning with the space study by the School Department.
There was discussion of the request made at Town Meeting for long-range capital planning. It was suggested that information assembled by the Capital Outlay Committee be shared with the Board.
Net School Spending Agreement
Selectman Grasfield thanked Barbara Dunham, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, for providing the information requested on Schedule 1.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board the New School Spending Agreement for FY04 between the Sharon School Committee and the Town of Sharon. The FY04 Net School Spending is 30,951,918.07 ($5,074,260.45 Town portion).
Opening of Annual Town Meeting Warrant and Closing for Petition Articles
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to announce the opening of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant scheduled for May 2, 2005 with the Closing of January 10 for Petition Articles and January 24 for all other articles.
Father Bullock Memorial Road Race - Request for New Date
The Board reviewed a request from David Martin for a new date for the road race.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 1:00 PM for the Memorial Road Race.
Action Items
The Board reviewed the list. Items related to the “Little House” timeline and “Approach to Borrowing” have been removed. New items include - Appointment with Planning Board re Affordable Housing, Appointment with Michael Baskin - Facilities Planning Committee, Appointment with Board’s appointees to the Government Study Committee and Meeting with Planning Board/Peter O’Cain re Overlay District.
Selectman Grasfield requested that the full report Cable TV from ComCast be returned for his review.
New Business
Selectman Grasfield updated the Board re the first meeting of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee. The next meeting will be October 27 and that they plan to be meeting weekly.
Edmund H. Talbot Fund
Chair Roach stated that since Trustee Albert F. Blackler has passed away, he recommends that the Board make a temporary appointment of another Trustee, and further recommends that James Testa serve as a Trustee for the Edmund H. Talbot Fund until the next Town Meeting.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint James Testa as Trustee for the Edmund H. Talbot Fund until the next Town Meeting.
Post Office Square Committee
There was a discussion of the status of the Committee. Town Administrator Ben Puritz stated that this Committee is not an official standing committee. The Chair and the Vice-Chair will be invited in to discuss the future status of the Committee and offer their advice to the Board re current plans for this area.
Facilities Planning Committee
The Board will also look at whether or not this should be a more formal committee with term limits.
Smart Growth
Selectman Grasfield noted correspondence from Philip H. Maachi, dated October 21, 2004 re Consultant Larry Koff and suggesting a meeting with the property owners in Sharon Center.
A meeting will be set up with Peter O’Cain and members of the Planning Board to discuss the Overlay District and other issues within P.O. Square.
In Appreciation
Selectman Grasfield read an EMail expressing appreciation for the assistance of Martha Laurie of the Assessor’s Office and Town Clerk Marlene Chused.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion items of pending litigation, personnel matter and real property acquisition and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn the Selectmen’s Meeting to attend the Special Town Meeting.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 10:25 P.M.
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