May 10, 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, Selectmen David I. Grasfield and William A. Heitin and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the regular session Minutes of April 19, 2005, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the regular session Minutes of April 26, 2005, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 28, 2005, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted 2-0 (Heitin abstained) to approve the Executive Session Minutes of April 5, 2005, as printed.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of April 19, 2005, as printed.
The Executive Session Minutes of April 26 were held.
Request for Parking - The Friends of the Sharon Dog Park
The Board discussed a request from the Friends of the Sharon Dog Park to use the unpaved area at the side and behind the Sacred Heart Building for parking one day on June 11, 2005.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to grant permission to the Friends of the Sharon Dog Park to park on the unpaved area at the side and behind the Sacred Heart building for one day between the hours of 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on June 11, 2005.
Requests for Banner
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Daffodil Drive for the dates of September 28 - October 3 in the First Position and October 3 - October 6, 2005 in the Second Position..
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Independence Day Celebration Committee for the dates of June 20 - July 4, 2005.
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz updated the Board re action taken at Town Meeting to approve $440,000 to proceed with the design component of the project. He also discussed the insurance settlement in the amount of $400,000. The Standing Building Committee will have authority to enter into a contract for the design. It was the consensus of the Board that they were impressed with the work of BH+A and would join with the Designer Selection Committee in recommending to the Standing Building Committee that BH+A be awarded the contract to complete the design.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to write a letter to the Standing Building Committee in support of BH+A.
American Red Cross - Statement of Understanding
The Board reviewed the Statement of Understanding Between American Red Cross Disaster Services and the Town of Sharon. This will allow the Town to receive services free of charge in the event of a fire or natural disaster as well as a catastrophic situation involving a chemical spill, transportation accident or an act of terrorism.
The Board discussed Memo from Chief Mann, dated May 10, 2005, re Emergency Shelters, wherein it states that the Red Cross is offering “emergency shelter operation training” to members of the community at no cost to the community. Chief Mann recommends that the Board enter into this agreement with the Red Cross.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the American Red Cross - Statement of Understanding on behalf of the Board.
Lakeside - Concession Stand Contract
The Board reviewed Memo from Jack Connors, Assistant Director of Recreation, dated May 4, 2005 recommending that the Concession Stand Contract be awarded to Brad Melaugh, the sole bidder.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the Concession Stand Contract for the summer of 2005 with options for renewal for 2006 & 2007 for $1,925.00 per year to Brad Melaugh of Sharon.
Police Sergeant Recommendation
The Board reviewed a Memo from Joseph S. Bernstein, Police Chief, dated May 5, 2005 recommending Officer John Ford for promotion to the rank of Sergeant to fill an open position currently being filled on a temporary basis by Brad Fitzhenry. It was stated that Officer Ford was the high scorer on the exam and met other criteria.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to move to promote Officer John Ford to Sergeant on a permanent basis.
The Board will sign the paperwork for the Department of Human Resources. It is anticipated that there will be a swearing-in ceremony for Officer Ford in a few weeks.
Open Meeting Law Question
Resident Ed Ruvich asked a question as to how a Letter to the Editor was printed in the Advocate without an opportunity for the Board to deliberate within a public meeting and without violating the Open Meeting Law. Selectman Heitin stated that he had written the letter himself and distributed it to the other members of the Board asking them to add their signatures, -- one did and one did not.
After-Prom Party
The Board reviewed correspondence from Lori Small for an alternative date for the After Prom Party canning drive in the center of Town. The Board had previously approved April 30 with an alternate rain date of May 7.
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to grant permission to the After-Prom Party fundraiser to have a canning drive on May 21, 2005 in the center of the square.
Approve Direct Connection - Storm Water Sewer System - 35 Brook Road
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 35 Brook Drive 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.
Southeastern Regional Services Group
SERSG IFB for Paper
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award a contract to W.B. Mason of Brockton, MA under the SERSG Paper Supplies IFB at the prices described in the attachment to the Memo from Lara Thomas, Southeastern Regional Services Group, dated May 5, 2005 for FY’06.
SERSG IFB for DPW Supplies and Water and Sewer Treatment Chemicals
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award contracts to the bidders listed on the attachment in the Memo from Lara Thomas, Southeastern Regional Services Group, dated May 5, 2005 for FY’06.
Action Items
The Board asked that its old list be placed on the next agenda for its review.
Shared Septic System Concept
Selectman Grasfield noted Memo from the Board of Health, dated May 4, 2005, with an invitation to attend its meeting of May 16.
Net School Spending Agreement
Selectman Grasfield noted a copy of the revision to the Net School Spending Agreement as signed by Chair Roach with attached Corrective Action Plan to be sent to the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Request for Reserve Fund Transfer - Veteran Agent
Selectman Grasfield noted Request from Paul Bergeron for a Reserve Fund Transfer of $4,175.
Shaw’s Plaza Site
Selectman Grasfield noted correspondence from Resource Controls, dated April 27, 2005, re Groundwater Sampling Event. He requested additional information re concentrations of Tetrachloroethene found above the reporting limit.
Avalon Bay
Selectman Grasfield noted letter from the Town of Norwood, dated May 4, 2005, requesting information about the proposed Avalon Bay development. He requested that this be followed-up.
Smart Growth Demonstration Project
The Board discussed Email re Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) with an announcement that it will assist seven communities to implement smart growth and affordable housing development strategies, including the Town of Sharon. The Town has been awarded a $23,000 grant to address the issue of septic capacity within a mixed use, downtown district, in order to allow development of higher density housing through the efforts of Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, in cooperation with the Planning Board.
School Reimbursements
Selectman Heitin discussed conversations he has had with Senator Brian Joyce re possible changes from the State that will benefit the Town in receiving certain school building reimbursements owed to the Town in a lump sum that could allow the Town to reduce the tax rate. He also stated that there may also be an opportunity for reimbursement for work to be done on the Middle School. Selectman Grasfield discussed that when people vote for a debt exclusion project, they expect to increase their taxes until such time as the project is paid off and should, therefore, expect this offset.
Announcement of Parent-Child Dance
There will be a Parent-Child Dance on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at Sharon High School Gym from 7 P.M. to 9 P.M. for students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade to aid the Chernobyl Children’s Project Sharon. For more information, please contact Kerry Payson, at 781-784-2206.
Request for Banner
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for FAME for the dates of May 23 - May 26 in the First Position and May 27 and May 28 in the Second Position.
Independence Day Celebration Committee - Waiver of Banner Fee
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to waive the banner fee for the Sharon Independence Day Celebration Committee.
FY’06 Local Aid Estimates
Mr. Puritz gave a quick overview of the latest FY’06 estimates. He stated we are substantially “on target” with $34,941 over the revenue forecast.
Accept Donation for Sharon Independence Day
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to gratefully accept a donation in the amount of $5,000 for the Sharon Independence Day Celebration and to place this amount in a donation account.
Telecommunications Tax Loophole
Mr. Puritz discussed correspondence from the Board of Assessors, dated April 25, 2005 with letters attached to our state representatives, requesting the Board’s support of legislation House Bill 2408 that would eliminate an unfair tax exemption by Telecommunications companies. The Board has sent a proclamation with its support to close this loophole. Selectman Heitin agreed to follow-up to see if additional letters of support are desired. It was the consensus of the Board to send another letter urging closure of the loophole directly to the Town’s three state legislators.
Appreciation to Retiring Members of FINCOM and Planning Board
Selectman Grasfield expressed appreciation to those retiring members of FINCOM and Planning Board. Selectman Grasfield thanked Ray Wallace for his ten years of service on the Housing Authority.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Real Property Acquisition, Personnel Matter, Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining, and at the conclusion thereof to reconvene in Regular Session.
Grasfield, aye; Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:20 P.M.
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