January 25, 2005
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 6:07 P.M.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real property acquisition and collective bargaining and to reconvene in Open Session at 7:30 P.M.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 6:08 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 11, 2005, including the Executive Session Minutes.
Award Feasibility Study Contract - Designer Selection Board
Mr. Rick Rice of the Designer Selection Committee was present. He gave an update of the activities of his Board, including choosing four architectural firms to be interviewed, conducting extensive interviews, and checking references. He stated that the firm of BH+A (Bargmann Hendrie and Archetype) of Boston was the strong choice of the Designer Selection Board.
The Selectmen commended Mr. Rice on the process. Selectman Heitin recommended that the Designer Selection Board continue to help the Selectmen. Selectman Grasfield asked that BH+A’s presentation document for the Designer Selection Board be requested and shared with the BOS and others.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the contract for the Community Center Feasibility Study to BH+A of Boston.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to extend the life of the Designer Selection Board to assist us with working through this process over the next few months.
Wilber Redevelopment Committee
This 8:00 P.M. Appointment listed on the Supplemental Agenda was canceled.
Appreciation during Snow Storm
Chair Roach expressed his appreciation to DPW workers, Police, Firefighters and others that assisted during the snow storm of January 22, 2005.
Hydrant Shoveling
Chair Roach requested that in the interest of public safety, that residents assist in shoveling out fire hydrants near their home.
Gas Burners
Chair Roach requested that residents make sure that vents for gas burners are uncovered to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Sidewalk Plowing
Selectman Grasfield expressed “kudos” to everyone involved with the clearing of sidewalks.
Selectman Heitin and Chair Roach added their appreciation.
Update on the Community Center Building
Chair Roach expressed his appreciation for the Recreation Department employees who were up on the roof for preventative measures to the roof and he updated the Board on emergency repairs.
Selectman Heitin requested an update re Insurance Adjuster Jim Popkin and the status of the insurance payment for the mobile units. The Board requested that BH+A architects be invited in to make a presentation before the Board.
Direct Connection Permit to Town Sewer System
The Board reviewed a Memo from Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated January 11, 2005, re approval for a direct connection of an existing basement sump pump at 407 Bay Rd. Under the recently passed Illicit Discharge-By-Law, the Board of Selectmen has the duty of approving all Direct Connection Permits that have been reviewed and approved by the Town Engineer/Stormwater Manager.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign, on behalf of the Board, the application as submitted by Mr. Robert Parrish for the property at 407 Bay Rd.
Additional Capital Request
The Board discussed Memo from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated January 18, 2005 re the adding of funding for a replacement roof at Town Hall to the DPW Capital Requests in the amount of $35,000.
Engagement for Additional Services - Melanson Health & Company
The Board reviewed Memorandum from Joan M. Leighton, Town Accountant, dated January 13, 2005, recommending that the Board engage the firm of Melanson Health & Company to provide records of Fixed Assets related to the audit. This program will provide all the necessary documentation to comply with the GASB 34 requirements.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the contract to comply with the GASB 34 requirements for fixed assets with Melanson Health & Company, Andover, MA at a fee of $5,000.
Out-of-State Training Request - Police Department
The Board reviewed a Memo from Joseph S. Bernstein, Police Chief, dated January 14, 2005, with a request for out-of-state training for Lt. McGrath to attend a training seminar in Westbrook, Maine. The approximate cost will be $454.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve out-of-state travel for Lt. McGrath for the dates of March 2 - March 3, 2005, in Westbrook, Maine.
Pedestrian Traffic Controls for Maskwonicut & North Main
The Board reviewed Memo from Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated January 12, 2005 re working on the issue of providing a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Maskwonicut and North Main Streets. A number of alternatives to providing a crosswalk at the intersection is being explored and was discussed by the Board. As a temporary measure, the DPW recommends the installation of high visibility pedestrian crossing signs without LED’s at the existing crosswalk, which crosses North Main Street at the entrance to the Chabad Lubavitch Torah Center (162 North Main Street).
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to support the recommendation of Peter O’Cain for high visibility pedestrian crossing signs without LED’s at the existing crosswalk, which crosses North Main Street at the entrance to the Chabad Lubavitch Torah Center.
It was requested that Mr. O’Cain provide what the results were from the previous study for a fully activated traffic light at this intersection.
Request for Banners
The Board considered the following banner requests as follows:
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow a banner for the Cottage Street School for the dates of March 7 - 14, 2005.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow a banner for the Veterans’ Agent for the dates May 23 - June 1, 2005 for Memorial Day and June 8 - June 15 for Flag Day.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow a banner for the Friends of the Library for the dates of May 9 - May 16, 2005 Second Position only.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to grant a banner for the Temple Israel Brotherhood for the dates of January 31 - February 7, 2005.
Second week requested may be considered by calling DPW at the time of hanging and seeing if that slot is still available.
Award the Bids - Printing of the Annual Report & Town Meeting Warrant
The Board discussed Memo from Katherine Byrne, dated January 20, 2005 for the award of bids for the printing of the Annual Town Report & Town Meeting Warrant.
Selectman Heitin stated that he understood that the members of FINCOM want to have the Warrant printed electronically to allow for additional time. Ms. Byrne stated that this information was not communicated to her and that she had sent out EMails to FINCOM stating she was proceeding with the bid process in the traditional hardcopy method of printing the warrant. She reported that her experience with preparation and electronic printing for the Fall town meeting was too time-consuming and problematic and recommended that the Board go with the “tried and true method.” The award of the bid for the printing of the Town Meeting Warrant was deferred until the next week.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the bid for the printing of the Annual Town Report to T. Pine, Lebanon, CT with prices ranging from $38.571 - $33.33 per page photo- ready copy with $15.00 price per halftone.
Metropolitan Area Planning - Representative George Bailey
George Bailey was present to announce a Seminar: MetroFuture: Making a Greater Boston Region to be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on January 27. This is a Boston College Citizens Seminar. He encouraged the Board and members of the Planning Board and others interested in Regional Planning and Smart Growth to be there.
Action Items
The Board reviewed its list of Action Items. Selectman Grasfield and Selectman Heitin will communicate via Email suggestions to “clean-up” the list.
New England Triathlon
Information received from Time Out Productions, dated January 19, 2005 will be forwarded to
David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, for his review and recommendation. The requested date for the Triathlon is Sunday, August 21.
Ballot Question - Change of Governance
Chair Roach discussed placing a nonbinding ballot question on the Town Election as to whether or not people would like to see a change in governance. This is in followup to the meeting with the Government Study Committee of January 13, 2005. Selectman Grasfield and Selectman Heitin expressed their support for a referendum question.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to place a question for the purposes of opinion gathering as to a change of governance on the ballot of the Annual Town Election.
Next Agenda
The Board will be meeting with the FINCOM at its next meeting to discuss certain items both in Executive Session and Open Session, including the Elections & Registration Budget.
List of Items for the Annual Town Meeting
The Board reviewed a list of 49 Warrant Articles for the May 2nd Annual Town Meeting.
Memorial Park Beach Opening
Waiting for recommendations from the Recreation Advisory Committee.
Acquisition of Property - Depot Street
Mr. Puritz updated the Board with the purchase of this property that was the former Sharon Auto Body Shop from the State for use of additional land for railroad parking. This is still going through legal review.
Assistant Town Engineer – Professional Certification
Mr. Puritz announced that Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, has received his PE Certification in Civil Engineering from the State of Rhode Island. The Board would like to send a congratulatory letter to Mr. O’Cain.
Employees Who Worked During the Snow Storm
Chair Roach requested that letters of appreciation be sent to all those employees that worked during the snowstorm and cleanup.
Announcement by Chair Roach
Chair Roach announced that he was taking our nominations papers to seek reelection to the Board.
Adjourn
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
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