March 15, 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 7:35 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session minutes of February 8, 2005 as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 15, 2005, including Executive Session as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of March 1, 2005, including Executive Session as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of March 4, 2005, including Executive Session as printed.
Release Redacted Executive Session Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to release the Executive Session Minutes as redacted for the period January 2000 - October 2003.
Introduction of New Police Officer - Chief Bernstein
Chief Bernstein was present to introduce Brian J. Mannetta and to recommend that the Board make a conditional offer to him for appointment as Police Officer which means that he would be
subject to successful completion of the remainder of the hiring process, which includes medical and psychological fitness for duty evaluations.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to offer a conditional offer of employment to Brian J. Mannetta.
Transfer of Liquor License - Sushi East, Inc.
The Board conducted a Liquor License Hearing under Chapter 138 of the General Laws for transfer of an All Alcoholic Restaurant License at 386-388 South Main Street. Attorney Peter Lim was present on behalf of Sushi East, Inc., as well as the new manager Shang Xue Chen. Mr. Chen stated he was familiar with the rules and regulations regarding liquor licenses.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the liquor license at 386-388 South Main Street and to forward said application to the ABCC for its approval.
Fundraising for Defibrillators - Al Lipkind
The Board presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Al Lipkind, a resident of Stoughton, for raising funds for the purchase of Defibrillators for the Town. Funds-to-date total $5,203.
Father Bullock Memorial Road Race
Mike Moriarty was present to discuss the specifics of the first Father Bullock Road Race to be held on June 12, 2005. He was seeking approval of a donation account to be set up for this purpose and for the event to be a Town-sponsored event under the Recreation Department for the purpose of financial control and liability coverage.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously that the Town supports the First Annual Father Bullock Road Race to be held June 12, 2005 as a town-sponsored event and that we authorize the establishment of a donation account for this purpose through the Recreation Department.
Supplemental Tax on New Construction and Quarterly Tax Bills
Mark Mazur, Assistant Assessor and Assessor Richard B. Gorden were present on behalf of the Board of Assessors to discuss the Supplemental Tax Assessment on New Construction. Items discussed included:
Chapter 203 of the Acts of 1998;
Board of Assessors has reconsidered this matter and now recommends the change;
Under this law, the Assessors would be required to issue additional tax bill(s) to any property that increased its value by 50% or more and received a certificate of occupancy after January1;
Under this law, the Assessors would be required to grant abatements to any property that decreases in value by 50% or more due to fire or natural disaster ; and,
The Board can rescind its previous vote and forward letter to the Department of Revenue on its reconsideration.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously that the Town of Sharon rescind its vote of
September 9, 2003 to reject the provisions of G.L. Ch. 59 § 2D and make those provisions applicable in the Town of Sharon for fiscal years that begin on or after July 1, 2005.
Mark Mazur, Assistant Assessor and Assessor Richard B. Gorden were present on behalf of the Board of Assessors to discuss the issuing of quarterly tax bills. Items discussed included:
Treasurer’s Office should lead this change as they would be the most affected;
issue was brought before Town Meeting about ten years ago;
system has the capacity;
benefits, including improving cash flow and allowing for more time for the Assessors Office to complete their annual updates without delaying issuances of tax bills;
impacts, including the Assessor’s tasks needing to be done in a shorter amount of time;
costs to the Assessor’s Office (first year costs up to $3,000); and,
timing, including not enough time to implement for FY 2006.
The Board of Assessors does not recommend implementing a change for the fiscal year 2006 because there would not be enough time to prepare for them after the spring town meeting decision. A change for FY 2007 would be feasible and may be put on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
WMAC Recommendations
The Board reviewed Memorandum from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated March 2, 2005, re WMAC Budget Proposal for Water Conservation Spending wherein Mr. Hooper agrees with the increase.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation of the WMAC to increase the amount for Water Conservation Spending from $25,000 to up to $33,000 as outlined in the Memorandum from Mr. Hooper.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to revise the rebate policy for water-efficient washing machines. The current policy of offering rebates for all washing machines on the Energy Star list should be restricted to include only models on the Energy Star list satisfying the following criteria: 1. Less than 15 gallons per load and 2. At least 3 cubic feet capacity.
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz updated the Board with the activities and meetings of the Designer Selection Committee and the Standing Building Committee. The Recreation Department and the Council on Aging are working with the Designer Selection Committee to incorporate a senior center within the Community Center without the requirements of adding an addition which would save millions of dollars on construction costs.
Selectman Grasfield reported on a meeting this date with the Architects BH+A. He stated that he had requested that there be an improved flow of information from the Architects BH+A to the Board. He further reported that additional space on the top floor of the building could be used for municipal offices and that the Board should be actively engaged in that conversation.
FY’06 Budget Prioritization
Selectmen Heitin presented a new and revised list of the Top 4 Priorities Requests for Fiscal Year 2006 for each Board member. There was a change in the position of Assistant Town Administrator/Budget Analyst & Procurement Specialist to Assistant Town Administrator/Town Planner. He outlined the list of pending projects and the fact that we have no Town Engineer as the need for a Town Planner and stated that that would be his “highest priority.” Mr. Puritz asked if that person would still do procurement and Selectmen Heitin replied that he would be a procurement specialist also. Mr. Puritz stated it would be difficult to find all those skills in a single individual. Selectman Heitin noted that there would be less than $100,000 to fill such a position, but that it would
be “well worth the money.”
Selectman Grasfield stated a Planner is on his Top 4 list but that it would be combined with filling the position of a Town Engineer as a more logical combination of skills. He also gave the opinion that a Town Planner could be part-time or shared with another Town. He stated that his priority for additional firefighters is not possible for this year, but that adding additional Police officers may be doable. He stated that his Number One priority is for a Finance Director as he believes this is the greatest need and biggest void, stating, “we desperately need a finance director.”
Chair Roach stated that his Number One priority is to add staff to the Police Department - up to three positions. His second priority is for an Assistant Town Administrator and additional hours 7.5/hpw for the Part-time Board of Selectmen Secretary. He discussed his other priorities for the filling of Town Engineer and Forestry & Ground positions. He noted that the Town has spent millions on ballfields and playgrounds and that we do not have enough Forestry & Grounds staff to maintain them. He discussed the need to fund training for EMT’s and Paramedics and additional equipment within the Fire Department within his top priorities. Mr. Puritz noted that there is an article on the Town Meeting Warrant to fund the Central Dispatch that should be up and
running sometime in January.
Selectman Heitin requested that the Board members Email adjustments to their individual priority list to him.
Approve Direct Connection - Storm Water Sewer System - 30 Eagle Drive
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 30 Eagle Drive for a License to Maintain a Direct Connection to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) of the Town of Sharon (installed 1978), subject to the approval of Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer.
Approve Direct Connection - Storm Water Sewer System - 97 Brook Rd.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 97 Brook Rd. for a License to Maintain a Direct Connection to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) of the Town of Sharon (installed 2004), subject to the approval of Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer.
Award Bid - Printing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
The Board reviewed a recommendation from the Finance Committee to award the bid for the printing of Town Meeting Warrant to Commonwealth Printing.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the contract to Commonwealth Printing, Newburyport, MA, the low bidder, in the amounts ranging from $69.99 per page for 56 pages to $62.00 per page for 80 pages, for a final sum to be determined upon completion of the posted Warrant.
Request for Banner - Sharon Lion’s Club
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve banner for the Sharon Lion’s Club for the dates of May 18 - May 23 - Second Position.
Workshop on Youth Voting
Selectman Grasfield requested that this be on next week’s agenda.
Seniors - Property Tax Relief
Selectmen Grasfield noted correspondence from Norman S. Fitzgerald, Director of the Council on Aging updating the Board with bills filed in the legislature. A report will be received by the end of February.
Request for Permission for Use of Public Sidewalks - Gallery in the Square
The Board reviewed correspondence from Michael Bossin, Gallery in the Square, dated March 8, 2005 requesting permission to use the sidewalk adjacent to The Gallery in the Square, for outdoor art demonstrations from 6 P.M. – 9 P.M. on Saturday evenings weather permitting.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to grant permission to use the sidewalk adjacent to The Gallery in the Square, for outdoor art demonstrations from 6 P.M. – 9 P.M. on Saturday evenings, weather permitting, pending an updated insurance certificate.
Award Contract - North/South Main Street Project - Volume Calculations
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to award a contract for engineering services for volume calculations in connection with North/South Main Street project to Tibbetts Engineering of Taunton, MA, in the amount of $4,000.00.
Award Contract Amendment - North/South Main Street Project - VHB
This item has been deferred at the request of Selectmen Grasfield seeking additional explanation for the costs of $12,000.
Concession Stand Bid Specs - Invitations to Bid
Selectman Grasfield stated that there are invitations to bid on the lease of the lakefront concession stand with a minimum bid of $1,800. Bids will be opened on March 25 at 10 a.m. in the Recreation Department Office that is located within the new trailer. Bid Specifications available at the Recreation Department.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of collective bargaining, pending litigation, real property acquisition and personnel matters and to adjourn for the evening.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:55 P.M.
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