November 23, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:00 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 6:05 P.M.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing negotiation strategy with union or nonunion personnel and to reconvene in open session at the conclusion thereof.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:30 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of November 2, 2004, as printed.
MOTION: (Grasfield/Heitin) to approve the Minutes of November 9, 2004.
DISCUSSION:
There was a discussion re amending the Minutes to reflect that Selectman Grasfield requested certain information as to the insurance recovery estimates for the Community Center Project. Mr. Puritz stated there was a misunderstanding as those amounts are not as yet known as they have just received the engineering analysis re load capacity. He added that the insurance adjustor, Mr. Popkin will address both stabilization measures and long-term plans and negotiate these items with the insurance companies.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of November 9, 2004, as amended and printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of November 9, 2004, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2004.
The Executive Session Minutes of November 16, 2004 will be held for correction.
Conditional Offers of Employment - Chief Joe Bernstein
Chief Bernstein introduced Adam Goodfinger and Steven Kraus as new Police Officers.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to offer a conditional offer of employment as Police Officer to Adam Goodfinger based upon successful completion of the remainder of the hiring process, which includes medical and psychological fitness for duty evaluations.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to offer a conditional offer of employment as Police Officer to Steven Kraus based upon successful completion of the remainder of the hiring process, which includes medical and psychological fitness for duty evaluations.
Budget Review - DPW/Water/Etc. - Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works
The Board reviewed the FY’06 preliminary Budget for the Department of Public Works in the amounts of $1,963,720.00 (level); $1,886,869.00 (minus) and $2,186,584.00 (plus). Mr. Hooper also presented a graph showing DPW and Water Department Budget figures from 1960 to the present in per capita, constant 2004 dollars and showing a decline for both budgets despite increased regulatory requirements and resident quality of service expectations since 1960 as the population of Sharon has expanded from 10,052 to the 2004 population of 17,739.
The Board reviewed the FY’06 Proposed Budget for the Water Department in the amount of $2,096,490.00 (level).
Selectman Grasfield suggested that adequate building maintenance costs should be reflected within the budget. Selectman Heitin mentioned discussions within Capital Outlay re town-wide maintenance department. Selectman Grasfield requested that Mr. Hooper provide him with the number of what the budget should be to discuss at the next Priorities Committee Meeting. Questions were also asked about what additional personnel is needed most and Mr. Hooper mentioned a technical engineer, a person to handle planning or a very technical planner, and a procurement/project manager position.
Teen Center Update - Marjorie Mitlin
Ms. Mitlin was present to discuss continuing plans for a Teen Center. She said she is speaking to an architect from the YMCA about design for new construction at the same site at Deborah Sampson Park. Chair Roach suggested that she begin by meeting with the Recreation Advisory Committee. Abutter Bill Therway suggested the consideration of another site, preferably at the Middle School, as the clients are almost all Middle School. Selectman Grasfield underscored Chair Roach’s suggestion that the Teen Center Board meet with the Recreation Advisory Board so that the Rec. Advisory Board could look at the “big picture” including the Senior Center, and possibly to include a Teen Center within the feasibility study for the Community Center. Gary Bluestein of the Recreation Advisory
Board requested that they not look at this under duress or with another deadline as it was for moving the “Little House.”
Appreciation - Walter Newman & Richard Kramer
This item will be rescheduled on next week’s agenda due to the late hour.
“Fanwort” Update - Water Management Advisory Board
This item will be rescheduled on next week’s agenda due to the late hour.
Cash Flow/Direct Deposit Timing - Joan Leighton & Rob Uyttebroek
Selectman Heitin gave a summary of events that led to the delay of the direct deposit payroll two weeks ago. He stated that it was not the result of a cash flow problem or with the Town of Sharon Payroll Department, but with the electronic transfer with the service provider. He added that, “it should never happen.” He also discussed employees who were subject to charges or late fees, and stated that, “we want to make those employees whole.” He volunteered to represent the Board on a visit to our service provider to discuss what happened during the situation and to insure that it never happens again. He added that the Town can look at another service provider.
As far as Cash Flow issues, Selectmen Heitin stated that discussions with Mr. Uyttebroek and Ms. Leighton have determined the policy of putting a freeze on the amount of vendor payments is a prudent action taken when we are close to the tax period rather than doing short-term borrowing. However, he said the policy needs to be looked at and reviewed. He stated that going to quarterly tax billing would help. Selectman Grasfield thanked Ms. Leighton for her candor in earlier conversations re this matter. He added that the Selectmen need to be informed as early as possible and to do the analysis related to short-term borrowing. Selectman Grasfield discussed how Ms. Leighton’s memo noted the impact on cash flow due to the scheduling and votes taken at the Fall Town meeting. Mr. Puritz
agreed that it is time to review the issue of quarterly tax payments.
Budget Review Selectmen - Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the FY’06 preliminary Budget for the Board of Selectmen in the amounts of $238,602.00 (level); $226,672.00 (minus) and $256,946.00 (plus). Mr. Puritz mentioned that the Selectmen’s Office has fewer positions than the comparative communities and discussed the need to increase the staff. Within the Plus Budget, he is seeking to increase the hours of the Selectmen’s Part-Time Secretary.
Community Center Design/Improvements Repairs
Chair Roach updated the Board with regard to the Community Center Project. He reported that the work re stabilization will start next Monday and that the insurance company has signed off on payment. The design work will proceed in parallel to the stabilization.
Appointment of Hearing Officer
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted 2-1 (Grasfield opposed) to hold off on this item until communication with Town (Labor) Counsel.
Agreement with Sharon Country Club - Wireless Telecommunications Facility
The Board reviewed Letter from William R. Mendelsohn, dated November 16, 2004. Once the Agreement is executed, the Board’s waiver of its option to purchase, and related materials can be recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
Selectman Grasfield read the Agreement in its entirety between the Sharon Country Club and the Town of Sharon. The agreement includes payment to the Town of one-third of all “Sublet Proceeds.”
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to accept the Agreement between the Sharon Country Club and the Town of Sharon and the payments to the Town.
Appointments to Designer Selection Committee:
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to make the following appointments to the Designer Selection Committee for the Community Center Project:
Arnold Kublin, and Sheila Pallay (Alternate) - representing the COA Board; Gregory Waugh - Engineer from the Standing Building Committee; Steve Lesco with Jay Bronstein (Alternate) - Representing Recreation Advisory Committee.
Fundraising for Defibrillators
The Board reviewed the letter from Al Lipkind of Stoughton, requesting permission to collect funds to equip the Police Department, Town Hall and Library with Defibrillators. He also requests $125 for reimbursable expenses.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Town Accountant to create a Defibrillator Donation Account for the purchase of Defibrillators and to authorize up to $125 in reimbursable expenses.
Civil War Reenactment - Unpaid Bill
The Board reviewed a letter from Dale Julius, of East Bridgewater, dated November 10, 2004. Mr. Julius is asking the Board for reconsideration of action taken by the Town against Sarah Burbank for failure to pay wages to the Town of Sharon Police Department. Ms. Burbank was
part of a Civil War Reenactment Group that took place at Borderland State Park and she denies that she had arranged for a Police detail from the Town of Sharon for that event.
Selectman Grasfield disclosed that he has spoken to Mr. Julius about this matter after a discussion that the Board had with the Police Chief within Executive Session. Selectman Grasfield recommended that the Board encourage the Police to drop the charges.
MOTION: that the Board forgive the amount of $170.00.
Chair Roach disagreed with Selectman Grasfield and disclosed conversations he had had with Diane Curtis of the Police Department. He mentioned where the Town takes others to court for unpaid dog licenses or bounced checks. Selectman Grasfield stated that there is significant doubt about the nature of this claim, and he does not feel the question of the $170 warrants this kind of criminal complaint. Selectman Heitin stated in discussions with the Police Department he determined that: (1) A Police Officer did work the detail and spoke to the Easton Police Officer on duty; (2) the Clerk Magistrate found there to be sufficient facts to warrant a Hearing. He added that it is appropriate for the Town to move forward with the Hearing. Selectman Grasfield expressed his personal opinion that,
“we should let it go.”
MOTION NOT SECONDED
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted 2-1 (Grasfield opposed) to take no action.
Glendale Village - 40
The Board reviewed a Memorandum from the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated November 17, 2004 re Revised Comprehensive Permit Application, Whitman Homes, Inc., Glendale Village, and inviting the Board to review and send comments.
Ms. Alice Cheyer was present and requested that the Board review additional information and map she provided to the Board.
Selectmen’s Policies
The Board will continue its review of the Selectmen’s Polices on next week’s agenda.
Council on Aging - Exemptions
Members of the Council on Aging will be invited back to discuss exemptions. This will be added to the list of Action Items.
ZBA Decision - Old Post, LLC - 40B
Selectman Grasfield announced that the Decision has been issued on Old Post, LLC re property located on the eastern side of Old Post Road that will provide for age-qualified housing with 25% affordable units.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of pending litigation, real property acquisition, personnel matter and collective bargaining, at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
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