January 11, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 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 7:00 P.M.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the reviewing/redacting of Executive Session Minutes for public release, pending litigation, collective bargaining and real property and to reconvene in Open Session at 7:30 P.M.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:02 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:40 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of January 4, 2005, including the Executive Session Minutes as modified.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to release the redacted Executive Session Minutes from July 6 - December 21, 2004.
Accept Conservation Restriction - Moose Hill Farm - Wayne Beitler, Trustees of Reservations
Mr. Wayne Beitler, Trustees of Reservations was present to request that the Board approve a request to grant a Conservation Restriction to the Kendall Trust for 347 Acres of Land known as the Moose Hill Farm. After approval by the Town, it will go to the Secretary of Environmental Affairs for its approval. Mr. Puritz stated that this has been reviewed by Town Counsel’s Office.
Peg Arguimbau, Chair of Conservation Commission, has stated that the Commission has signed off on this.
Selectman Grasfield recused himself from participation as his brother lives near the referenced property.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted 2-0 (Grasfield abstained) to approve the Conservation Restriction on Moose Hill Farm in Sharon and on behalf of the Town of Sharon.
It was decided to hold the document pending edits “remove draft” by Town Counsel.
Well Exploration & Water Issues
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to discuss recommendations made by the Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC) to the Selectmen and the three votes taken by the Board of Selectmen at its meeting of January 4. The Board reviewed a Memo as prepared by Mr. Hooper, dated January 7, 2005.
Items discussed included:
1. move immediately to determine the viability of the four possible well sites (Gobbi Property, Canton Street, Blair Circle, and Edge Hill Road), and to keep this Board, WMAC, and other Committees in the loop throughout the process:
consultant chosen by WMAC reviewed five sites as potential well sites with further investigation re viability of well site at only the Canton Street and Gobbi Property;
NStar site located within wetlands - needs approval by Conservation Commission;
Edge Hill site, near the Memorial Park lower well site, has been evaluated on a preliminary basis - Town has access to upper well site. The radius for the well would need an eminent domain taking 4-6 house lots and portion of the golf course;
costs of $2,500 per hole to find viable well site.
2. Investigate an emergency backup connection to Stoughton’s water supply and report back as soon as possible, no later than February 1:
based on assumptions that:
a. Town has a need for short-term emergency connection;
b. Cobb Corner is the best location; and,
c. Town of Stoughton would allow such connection.
Town has adequate emergency connections in place to neighboring Towns and such information was presented to WMAC on several occasions;
Stoughton Water Department officials have not been consulted re connection at Cobb’s Corner and it would also involve the MWRA;
Stoughton has lower overflow elevation than Sharon - a pump would be required at any connection;
Mass Highway Department placed a 10-year moratorium prohibiting further construction in the intersection after reconstruction at Cobb’s Corner–info was shared with WMAC;
contaminated materials found in the man-holes at the intersection of Cobb’s Tavern;
Chair Roach recommended that the Board set up a meeting with the Town of Stoughton Board of Selectmen to see if the Town would be allowed to hook-up with their system and, if so, where.
Mr. Puritz will arrange for such meeting between the two Boards. Selectman Grasfield recommended that the Town move forward to overcome those challenges as listed in Number 1 re identifying new well sites as well as support Chair Roach’s suggestion to pursue hook-up with Town of Stoughton.
Chair Roach expressed concern that a different scenario was presented last week to the Board by the WMAC. Mr. Hooper asked whether the Board should rely on the advice of a group of non-technical lay people or the advice of the professional that you have hired. Selectman Grasfield stated that he takes the recommendations of the WMAC very seriously and we should be following up with the Town of Stoughton and ask about all locations. Selectman Grasfield also expressed concern re the lack of progress on locating additional well sites and that we should take additional steps to follow through on the NSTAR site by Eric attending a Conservation Commission meeting. There followed a discussion re Blair Circle and the costs of $2500 per test hole. Selectman Heitin discussed the need to
define the facts and that there be discussions between the Chair of the WMAC, Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, and Mr. Puritz with the goal of prioritizing the actions to take. Mr. Hooper discussed how the WMAC was well aware of and involved with certain studies and data. Selectman Heitin stated he would be happy to act as a facilitator in discussions between Mr. Hooper and the WMAC.
3. Identify the source of nitrates at Well #4 and report back as soon as possible:
discussed Woodard & Curran1997 Engineering Study - report was presented to WMAC - that identified the source of Nitrate at Well No. 4 - most significant source was septic;
nitrate levels at well No. 4 have shown a slight decrease since the time of this report;
there is a bigger Nitrate Problem at Well #2;
recommendations contained within 1997 Study re monitoring wells at Well #4 and if there is a need for additional monitoring wells, and
costs of $2,500 each for additional monitoring wells.
4. Miscellaneous WMAC recommendations:
access to Gobbi property already covered;
further status reports re Well # 6;
Radio Read Meters - already presented to WMAC - pilot installation included in RFP;
recommended flyer already inserted in water bills;
WMAC position of Water Department not following through - is not well founded; and,
need for the Board of Selectmen to be more involved.
Tsunami Assistance
Colleen Tuck and members of the Sharon Clergy Association were present to request the Board’s support to form a partnership/relationship with a village that suffered from the recent Tsumani to provide emergency assistance and to have a long-term relationship to rebuild. Ms. Tuck requested that the Board help to establish a formal relationship between the two Towns with the Board representing the Town at the behest of the Clergy Association. Mr. Tuck stated that through contacts, the Association will be able to quickly identify a village in Indonesia.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to support the Sharon Clergy in forming a relationship in one of the Tsunami-affected regions.
Community Center Repairs/Improvements
Town Administrator Ben Puritz reported on eight responses to the RFP. The Designer Selection Committee hopes to make a recommendation to the Board at its meeting of January 25.
Electric Supply Procurement Agreement
The Board discussed the proposal from Bay State Consultants to organize a group procurement for replacement electric supply contracts. Selectman Heitin reported on information gathered at the MMA conference saying that we have been “very lucky” in participating in this procurement with John Shortsleeve of Bay State and that many other Towns are planning to participate in this new procurement. Selectman Grasfield agreed that Bay State looks “solid” concerning comparative offers.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the Contract letter between the Town and Bay State Consultants.
Appointment to Council on Aging Board
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Faye Berzon as a member of the Council on Aging Board to fill the unexpired term of Reuben Herman, to September 2005.
It was requested that Irene Carpenter, who has expressed interest in serving as an alternate member, be invited in for an interview.
Request for Markers/Buoys - Massapoag Yacht Club
The Board reviewed the annual request from the Massapoag Yacht Club, dated January 1, 2005 to place markers and/or buoys on Lake Massapoag in accordance with the State Uniform Markers System.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to grant permission to the Massapoag Yacht Club to place markers and/or buoys on Lake Massapoag in accordance with the State Uniform Markers System.
Award SERSG Bid - DPW Tub Grinding
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the tub grinding services contract to the lowest bidder, J.M. Cook of Upton, MA at a bid price of $264.00 per hour.
Request for Banner - Sharon Garden Club
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Garden Club as follows: May 16 & 17 - Second Position; May 18 - May 23 - First Position.
New Business
The Board requested that the following week’s agenda be ready for discussion on the previous week.
The Board will cancel its next meeting in order to meet with Capital Outlay and Priorities Committee on January 18.
The Board will be holding a joint meeting with Government Study Committee on Thursday night at the High School Library to discuss Change in Governance. Pertinent information received from the MMA Conference will be distributed that evening.
Board is sponsoring a breakfast for Martin Luther King week next Monday.
Selectman Grasfield discussed a request made by members of FINCOM re placing the Election & Registration Budget under their Committee along with the Town Clerk’s Budget. They also asked to participate in certain negotiations including personnel within their sector. An appointment will be scheduled by FINCOM with members of the Board of Selectmen.
Action Items
The Board will meet at 6:30 P.M., February 1st with members of FINCOM within Executive Session and labor counsel.
Adjourn
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
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