March 22, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:30 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 7:00 P.M.
Approve Minutes
Action on the Minutes of March 15 was deferred.
Rattlesnake Hill - Property Acquisition
Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel was present to listen to a proposal by Folkman & Zola re acquisition and development of this property. He stated that the first part of the presentation will be in open session, but cautioned Board members not to discuss any terms of negotiation as discussed previously or to begin negotiations.
Mr. Paul Folkman, Jay Zola and Steven Zola were present to discuss a proposal to develop Rattlesnake Hill. Items discussed included:
looked at data put together by another developer;
Folkman & Zola believe it is possible to develop 45 lots;
4,000 ft road and sewage treatment plant;
Selectman Heitin claimed Folkman & Zola only professional to prepare written proposal;
background of Folkman & Zola;
“open mind” re type of development on Rattlesnake Hill would consider single family, condos, townhouses, cluster, age-qualified, etc.;
it was disclosed that Attorney Gelerman represents Folkman & Zola from time to time and presently;
Folkman & Zola would work with Planning Board, Zoning Board and Conservation to make development work;
Folkman & Zola have not yet reviewed any documents; engineering reports or test holes;
Mr. Folkman stated it is “premature” to go into details;
time frame questions;
Mr. Folkman thought the next step would be to meet with the owners of the property;
Mr. J. Zola suggested that the owners would be the third party to the development;
Mr. Zola suggested the hiring of an engineer to start analysis;
Town has compiled a great deal of water and soil studies that is available; and,
further meetings will be scheduled.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of real property acquisition and pending litigation and at the conclusion thereof to reconvene in open session.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 7:00 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:50 P.M.
Interview CPA Candidates
Mr. Becker was not present for his interview. The Board interviewed George Bailey for one of two Selectmen appointees on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee. Mr. Bailey has been involved in the CPA for a number of years and was a proponent of this act passed in the Town at the Fall 04 Special Town Meeting. In addition, Mr. Bailey served for 29 years on the Planning Board. The voters chose to add an additional 1% to their real estate taxes for this purpose with matching CPA funds from the State to be available to the Town in October of next year. He stated that the Committee could begin creating a laundry list of projects to be funded, including affordable housing. The Town could increase or decrease its participation in the CPA by referendum vote.
Sequencing of the Town Meeting Articles
The Board discussed the warrant of approximately 40 articles and its sequential order with the anticipation that they will vote to sign the Warrant for the May 2 Annual Town Meeting at its Meeting of March 29. Several articles were missing including those for Rattlesnake Hill and Community Center Repairs. It was announced that there would be no article concerning Wilber School Building.
The Board changed the article language re renaming a section of the Deborah Sampson Park and an intersection to limiting it to just naming the section of the park after Doris Annis. A letter will be sent to Gordon Hughes of the Historical Commission re this article.
Board is still waiting for language for a ballot question regarding the governance of the Town. Selectman Grasfield suggested that it be made clear that having a charter does not necessarily mean a change.
VHB Contract - North/South Main Street Project
The Board reviewed a Memorandum from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated March 17, 2005 with clarification of the additional construction services necessary.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a contract with VHB, Watertown, MA, in the amount of $12,000 for additional construction services.
Update - Community Center Repairs/Improvements
Mr. Puritz discussed the article that will be on the Town Meeting Warrant for design services. The design services will include a scope of services to consider working within the existing footprint of the building and to include a senior center therein, with an analysis for a replacement building as an option.
Approve Direct Connection - Storm Water Sewer System
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 362 Massapoag for a License to Maintain a Direct Connection to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) of the Town of Sharon, subject to the approval of Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 5 Gabriel Road for a License to Maintain a Direct Connection to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) of the Town of Sharon, subject to the approval of Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer.
Approve Banner - Tsunami Relief Concert
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a banner and a waiver of the banner fee for the Tsunami Relief Concert to be held on April 10 at the Sharon High School.
Action Items
The Board reviewed its list of Action Items. Item 6 - Meeting with Assessors has been removed as completed. Selectman Heitin offered to update the list.
Analysis of Overlay Needs
Selectman Grasfield asked for more details re correspondence from the Board of Assessors related to an increase in the amount of Overlay.
Loophole Closing
Selectman Grasfield discussed correspondence from the MMA re loophole being exploited by telecommunications companies and requested that this be placed on the next agenda. Selectman Heitin requested that the Board of Assessors brief the Board.
Expenditures vs. Budgets
Selectman Grasfield requested that free cash, updated revenues and collections vs estimates, and also, expenditures vs. budgets be scheduled on the next agenda.
Discretionary Spending
Selectman Grasfield discussed the School Department approach to its budget in prior challenging years. He recommended that a freeze be put in place on discretionary spending in the Selectmen’s Sector for FY’05.
Snow & Ice Budget
Selectman Grasfield noted Memo from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, re update in the Snow & Ice Budget. Overruns stand at $210,632.21. The Town expects reimbursement from the State in the amount of $35,000.
Contract for Engineering Design Services - Norwood/Edge Hill/High Plain Intersection
This contract listed on the Supplemental Agenda as recommended to be awarded to Tibbetts Engineering will be deferred until next week.
Central Dispatch
Mr. Puritz updated the Board on the Regional Dispatch with estimated costs of $50,000 for six months. Most optimistic scenario would be January 2006 for start up. He stated that this amount has been added in the Revenue Forecast.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of real property acquisition, pending litigation, collective bargaining, and personnel matters and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
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