February 8, 2005
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 7:40 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of January 13, 2005 as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of January 20, 2005 as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of January 25, 2005, including the Executive Session Minutes, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of February 8, 2005 including the Executive Session Minutes, as printed.
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz reported that there is a meeting tomorrow with the architects, BH+A who will be doing a feasibility analysis. They will be preparing a presentation for the Annual Town Meeting. In answer to the question, Mr. Puritz stated that Mr. Popkin, Town’s insurance adjustor, is in the process of resolving issues of a personal matter and there was nothing to report re insurance reimbursements.
The meeting tomorrow will be with Members of the continuing Designer Selection Committee at 7:00 P.M. at the temporary facility site (trailer) and will be open to the public.
Water Connection with Town of Stoughton
Chair Roach recommended that the Board postpone meeting with the Water Management Advisory Committee until the Board meets with the Stoughton Board of Selectmen.
Prioritize the Department Supplemental Budget Requests for FY’06
This item will be rescheduled for the next meeting. The Selectmen’s sector total supplemental requests now total $1,001,525. Mr. Puritz stated that a number of the larger budgets will be presented to the Finance Committee on February 14. Selectman Heitin requested that Board members send their preference for prioritization re supplemental requests to him before the next meeting.
Action Items
The Board reviewed the updated list as prepared by Selectman Heitin. Items discussed included:
Board members will circulate their thoughts re Priorities Committee items including additional positions and Department requests;
The Board will continue its review of the Selectmen’s Policies;
The Board will schedule another meeting with Planning Board re housing issues;
Mr. Puritz updated the Board re Employee Health Insurance and stated that Blue Cross/Blue Shield has been requested to provide a premium-based quote;
It was recommended that the Board of Assessors be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the pros/cons of assessing new construction; and,
Selectman Grasfield requested a notice be prepared for Cable TV and the web that the Board is seeking applicants to serve on the Community Preservation Act Committee (two appointments).
Department Head Performance and Salary Reviews
Chair Roach related interest expressed by members of the Finance Committee to be involved with initial discussions re performance reviews and salaries of the Department Heads. He added that he is not in favor and that this information will be presented to the Personnel Board at a public meeting and then to Finance Committee. Selectman Grasfield stated that he would be in favor of their involvement earlier on under certain limitations. Selectman Heitin suggested that the Board defer action at this time as he would like to discuss this with Paul Pietal, Chair of the Finance Committee. Selectman Grasfield stated that role of the Personnel Board was to deal with issues of equity and not with issues of market wages, financial capacity, contracts and agreements. Chair Roach agreed to wait until the
Board hears back from Mr. Pietal.
Employees Computer Use Policy
Selectman Grasfield recommended that the Town’s Employees Computer Use Policy should be updated, and as a first step, a survey of such policies be made of the comparable towns. He also requested that the MMA be asked for “best practices.”
Satter - Police Investigation/Timeline
The Board reviewed Memo from Joseph S. Bernstein, Police Chief, dated February 4, 2005 giving the timeline of events concerning the Satter case beginning July 7, 2004. There was a separate Memo, dated February 7, 2005 with an Addition and Explanation regarding the subpoena that had to be developed by the District Attorney’s Office prior to obtaining the search warrant for Mr. Satter’s residence. Mr. Puritz stated that based on this information, the Board would concur that the Town acted appropriated and expeditiously in every respect and cooperated to the fullest extent with the appropriate enforcement agency.
Selectman Grasfield stated that, “this was not the conclusion that I reached.” Mr. Puritz asked Selectman Grasfield if he had any outstanding questions and Selectman Grasfield indicated that he would be following up with some questions. In answer to the question by Selectman Grasfield, Mr. Puritz stated that this information is a public document and would be available to the press.
Chair Roach and Selectman Heitin indicated that they had no further questions and their concurrence with Mr. Puritz.
Appreciation Letter - Police & Fire Department
Selectman Heitin noted a letter of appreciation written by Charles Aspinwall re services provided by the Police and Fire Department to his son due to a sledding accident.
Form A - Upland Road
The Board reviewed a Form A, Application for Approval of a Plan Believed Not to Require Approval, as part of the Town’s acquisition from the State of the former Auto Body Shop property to be used for railroad parking.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the Form A, dated January 12, 05 for 6 Upland Road.
Next Agendas
The Board reviewed the Agenda for February 15. The Board announced that there will be no meeting on February 22.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield Voted unanimously to cancel the Meeting of the Board of Selectmen for February 22, 2005.
Executive Session
VOTED: ) (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of personnel matter, grievance, collective bargaining and real property, and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:15 P.M.
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