April 12, 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, Selectman William A. Heitin and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin /Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of March 29, 2005, including Executive Session, as written.
The Minutes of April 5 will be on the next agenda for approval as Selectman Heitin was absent from that meeting.
Council on Aging - Alternative Member
The Board interviewed Irene Carpenter for a position as Alternative Member of the Council on Aging Board. Ms. Carpenter has been active with the Council on Aging as a Shine Counselor and has been involved in elderly affairs for about two years.
Community Preservation Act Committee
The Board interviewed John Becker for membership on the Community Preservation Act Committee. Mr. Becker has been a resident since 1998. His expertise is in law.
Wilber School Reutilization Committee
Jim Goldsmith, Chair was present on behalf of the Wilber School Reutilization as well as members of that Committee. Items discussed included:
update Selectmen on activities of the Committee;
abatement of hazardous materials;
Committee seeking guidelines from Board for next steps;
open and televised meeting of March 7;
looked at site as a whole;
review of past proposals;
Committee voted for remediation/abatement within any scenario;
would like to prepare RFP for proposals;
construction would take at least 18 months from acceptance of proposal;
option to consider demolition;
option to just keep the facade;
Town’s risk and amount of liability insurance;
asbestos as hazard to neighborhood/entire Town if catastrophic event;
significant increase in costs to developer without removal of hazardous material;
looking for a ground lease development, not sale of property;
consider offering lease without removal of hazardous material;
delay town meeting article for abatement until November meeting;
Superintendent of Public Works gives two-three more years for life of building;
would like to see site become gateway to the center;
would like it to be revenue neutral - not cost the Town;
move library to this site for part municipal use;
library could be a free-standing building;
existing library could be School Administration Building;
Town could sell School Administration Bldg;
Wilber Building for retail/mixed-use;
concerns with residential use re septic;
concern that plans for septic system for entire downtown could have significant impact on the RFP;
ability to modify existing building;
option to raze the building;
a consultant to assist Committee with RFP; and,
Committee still has most of the allocated $50,000 and that could be used.
Selectman Heitin stated that it is the position of the Board that the Committee look at the entire site with a strong preference for maintaining the building, if possible. Chair Roach stated that, “the Town, in the past, has allocated money to preserve that building.” Chair Roach stated that the facade needs to be saved if at all possible.
The Board would like to defer any action on moving forward to its next meeting when there is a full Board. The Board confirmed that it is not interested in selling the building, but looking for a long-term ground lease. Questions of subdividing the property were discussed. It was discussed that the maximum amount it would cost would be 10 Million to build a library at this site, but that there would be 36% reimbursement from the State with minor impact to the tax rate. It is expected that rents from the ground lease could and should be used cover the costs.
There was a discussion of the Wilber School Site as the prime location for a downtown sewage treatment facility and that there are a variety of new technologies available. It was stated that this is subject to the CHAPA study that will be discussed later tonight with a representative from the Department of Public Works and the engineering firm of Weston & Sampson. The Selectmen may vote this evening to offer a contract for a comprehensive study that will assess the capacity of the Wilber Site for this use and the impact on the Town wells. Mr. O’Cain stated that this is the closest and most economical site for the downtown area. In answer to the question, Mr. O’Cain stated that they should be able to do the study within a two-month period. Selectman Heitin
noted that the entire study is being funded by a grant. Selectman Heitin asked if Mr. O’Cain could come up with what might be the maximum impact to the site as it relates to space so the Wilber Committee could move forward. Mr. O’Cain said he would.
Award Contract for FY06 Landfill Groundwater Reports
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works was present to discuss the proposal from Weston & Sampson, dated March 21, 2005 for continued reporting and inspection services as required under the DEP approved landfill closure permit. Questions were asked as to the time requirements for landfill monitoring. It was reported that the regulations state 30 years. Mr. Puritz updated the Board on the history of the closure which began in the mid-80's with Weston & Sampson involved since that time. Mr. Hooper stated that this site met the requirements as a “safe site” to be used for ballfields. He added this will site probably will be looked at long after the 30-year monitoring requirement.
Mr. Puritz also discussed a grant received from the State for $500,000 through the efforts of Weston & Sampson.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the proposal from Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., Peabody, MA in the amount of $10,000 for engineering services for landfill groundwater reports, gas sampling and cap inspections.
(Actually voted later in the evening).
Wilber School Shared Septic System
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works was present to discuss the awarding of a contract for engineering services for a possible shared septic system located at the Wilber School. The Board reviewed a Memorandum from Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated April 4, 2005. Mr. Hooper explained that the engineering costs for this phase of the project to investigate the construction of a shared septic system for the Post Office Square area will be paid with funds obtained through a CHAPA grant received earlier this year. This was mentioned earlier this evening with the Wilber School Reutilization Committee who wanted to expedite the process of the study.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award a contract to Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., Peabody, MA the low bidders, in the amount of $10,800 for engineering services for a possible shared septic system within Post Office Square.
Consumer Confidence Reports
The Board reviewed a Memorandum from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated April 8, 2005 to award a contract for the preparation of the Consumer Confidence Report per the State and Federal requirements of the Water Department.
This item has been deferred to the next meeting.
Contract Amendment - Connection Capacity Estimates
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works was present to discuss a contract amendment for Watermark Environmental to evaluate possible short-term connection capacity in conjunction with the upcoming spring hydrant flushing program. Mr. Hooper discussed the advantage of doing this testing during the spring hydrant flushing program to minimize wasted water and to coordinate our effort with neighboring Towns. Watermark Environmental is presently involved with the Emergency Response Plan which is intended to address both short- and long-term water supply emergencies. This amendment is in the amount of $6,450 bringing the total contract amount up to $63,652.
This item has been deferred until next week as Selectman Grasfield has indicated he would like to be here for the vote.
Mr. Hooper announced that the same Water Restrictions as last year will be on next week’s agenda for the Board’s consideration.
Approve Direct Connection - Storm Water Sewer System
VOTED: (Heitin /Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 29 Bishop 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.
Overlay Release
Based on Selectman Grasfield’s request, Mark Mazur, Assistant Assessor, was present to discuss the details of the Overlay Release. He reported on the revised estimate as to what would be able to be released from the various overlay accounts. He stated that by March 17, 2005 most of our fiscal year 2004 real estate Appellate Tax Board cases were resolved. The recalculated balance in the fiscal year 2004 overlay account was approximately $200,000 higher. The amount of $500,000 to be released has been worked into the Revenue Forecast. He noted that this information was presented to the Priorities Committee.
Closing Telecommunications Loophole
Based on a previous request of the Selectmen, Mark Mazur, Assistant Assessor, was present to discuss correspondence from the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) re a loophole closing advocacy kid for municipal officials regarding a loophole being exploited by telecommunications companies to avoid local taxation. MMA requests a resolution and designation of someone from the Town as the local expect and contact person. Mr. Mazur provided additional information on this loophole which goes back to 1915 when the valuation of telephone and telegraph property was changed from local valuation to central valuation.
VOTED: (Heitin /Roach) Voted unanimously to adopt the resolution as provided by the Massachusetts Municipal Association and to appoint Mark Mazur as the representative of the Town of Sharon.
Update Community Center Repairs/Improvement
Mr. Puritz updated the Board re the Community Center. He stated the architects of BH+A will present a preliminary report to the Board at its meeting of April 19, at 8:00 P.M.
Selectmen’s Town Meeting Articles
The Board reviewed the following Selectmen-sponsored articles:
Board of Selectmen - Capital Outlay-- Art. 11
Public Works - Capital Outlay--Art. 15
Fire Dept - Capital Outlay–Art. 16
Data Processing - Capital Outlay–Art. 18
Stabilization Fund – Art. 20
Central Dispatch – Art. 21
Wireless Plan Consultant – Art. 22
Facilities Maintenance Consolidation Study – Art. 23
Clause 41A – Art. 26
Property Tax Exemptions – Art. 27
Naming of Park - Doris Annis - -Art. 38
Septic Loan Program– Art. 41
The Board discussed the articles approved by the Capital Outlay Committee. It was stated that the Town has deferred funding of streets and roads for one year (part of Public Works) because of the financial need of the Middle School HVAC and roof projects. It was stated that this will not affect the North/South Main Street Project nor the Route 27 signalization project.
Also discussed:
$100,000 to the Stabilization fund–(Mr. Heitin requested that the Treasurer and Town Accountant investigate whether this could be segregated money for investment opportunity. He said he would work with them.);
Central Dispatch–the allocation would be for $50,000 for six months start-up, and would free up one firefighter and enable the four-man complement required for paramedics on a shift. Both Chairman Roach and Selectman Heitin stated that additional fire and EMT personnel were one of the top four priorities of the entire Board. Chairman Roach pointed out that there would be no new personnel added if passed at Town Meeting;
Wireless Consultant – this would be to have a study done on the entire community – looking for gaps in service and locations for additional wireless towers. Selectman Heitin stated that this study was to finalize any and all remaining issues associated with wireless connectivity within the Town;
Facilities Maintenance Consolidation Study - this would be to hire a consultant to see about creating a new department for town/school maintenance services to help prioritize building maintenance (Chair Roach stated that this would add no full time positions to the Town)–and would help to determine the annual funding of this new department. Selectman Heitin stated that a Facilities Maintenance Department has been agreed in concept by the School Department, Department of Public Works, the Board of Selectmen and the Capital Outlay Committee;
Clause 41A & Property Tax Exemptions - these articles provide for property tax relief for senior citizens––passage will allow the Town to be prepared to increase certain tax exemptions or to give more tax relief under legislation currently under consideration by the State;
Naming of Park after Doris Annis - this article honors an individual, who portrayed Deborah Sampson on many occasions and who made presentations within the Schools on the history of Deborah Sampson, by using a site at the end of the Deborah Sampson Park to be named after her; and,
Septic Loan Program – this article will allow for the transfer of funds to the Septic System Improvement Loan Program account.
Recreation Department Summer Employees
VOTED: (Heitin /Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the list of Recreation Department Summer Employees as written in the Memo from David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, dated April 5, 2005.
Approve Direct Connection - Storm Water Sewer System
VOTED: (Heitin /Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 63 Morse Street 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.
Request to Pro-Rate Liquor License Fee
The Board reviewed a request by the new restaurant Sushi East at Heights Plaza to reduce the fee it has to pay for its All-Alcoholic Liquor License. The annual fee is $2,000. Mr. Puritz noted that the establishment would only be utilizing 75% of the license based on the time remaining before renewal.
VOTED: (Heitin /Roach) Voted unanimously to pro-rate the fee for Sushi East, Inc. for its Liquor License to $1,500 for the remainder of the year.
Action Items
This item was deferred. Selectman Heitin is waiting for feedback from the other members of the Board. He stated he is looking to discuss some of the priorities including why a few positions on the action items list, for which the Selectmen made a priority for this year, were not discussed and pushed for at the Priorities Committee level.
Summer Programs - Recreation Department
Selectman Heitin noted the Timetable of Programs for the Recreation Department. Mr. Puritz stated that this will be available on the website.
Sharon Housing Authority - Appointment to CPA
Chair Roach noted correspondence from Jane Desberg announcing the appointment of Arnold Kublin to the Community Preservation Committee.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Collective Bargaining, Personnel Matter, Real Property Acquisition, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:35 P.M.
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