May 31, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair David I. Grasfield and Selectmen William A. Heitin and Walter Joe Roach, and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of real property acquisition and to reconvene in regular session at 7:30 P.M.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 7:01 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:40 P.M.
Approve Minutes
The Executive Session Minutes of May 24, 2005 were held.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of April 26, 2005, as printed.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of May 10, 2005 including Executive Session, as printed.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of May 24, 2005, as printed.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Grasfield expressed appreciation to Paul Bergeron, Veteran’s Agent in cooperation with a number of others for the wonderful Memorial Day Observance, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Certificate of Recognition for Nancy Weiner, Council on Aging
Nancy Weiner, Council on Aging, was present to receive a Certificate of Recognition from the Board for 15 years of dedicated service to the senior citizens of Sharon, and to congratulate her on her recent graduation with honors from Stonehill College with her Bachelor's Degree. Council on Aging Director Norma S. Fitzgerald noted Ms. Weiner’s 7 ½ years of working nights toward this degree while working full time, stating that she has done a wonderful job and that her education has already been put to use.
Housing Production Plan - Housing Partnership & Planning Board
Eli Hauser, Gina Maniscalco, Planning Board; and Jane Desberg and Robert Young, Housing Partnership, were present to discuss the Sharon Affordable Housing Production Plan.
Mr. Hauser handed out copies of a printed presentation, dated June 1, 2005. Items discussed included:
overview of State mandates for “Affordable Housing”;
creation of Draft Affordable Housing Production Plan submitted for the Board’s review with a target date of June 15 to submit to the State;
affordable for Town is considered $280,000 or below;
Sharon has 228 inventory toward 10% affordable - needs 642, less 173 for Avalon Bay & Current 40Bs, leaves a target of 241;
problems with 40B developments with 25% affordable homes;
apartments count as 100% affordable;
series of public hearings held;
approved housing plan in place will allow the Town to reduce exposure to 40B developments to zero;
plan is to produce 45 - 50 affordable homes per year with 10 years to redress exposure;
approval of town parcels for 50 affordable units - reduce need to 200;
plan to find more apartments working with downtown business owner and with developers under the local initiative program;
three warrant articles for Fall Town Meeting:
a. endorse Multiple Use Overlay District ( MUOD) to allow apartments over businesses,
b. enhance CSD to slightly higher density for attached homes,
c. inclusionary zoning at 15% for all new additional development;
looking for the Board’s endorsement of the Housing Plan;
projected tax revenues and fees from Sponsored Homes;
list of possible town-owned (including conservation) land for housing;
allocation of housing for Town employees;
need for additional members for the Sharon Housing Partnership;
preparation of RFP for development;
survey of housing needs by Council on Aging;
flexibility to use other parcels within the scope of the plan;
plan can be modified;
land near Hixson Farm Road is actually town-owned parcel;
Planning Board would allow co-sponsorship of warrant articles;
filing is with the Department of Housing & Community Development;
plan to produce “green housing”;
use of Wilber School - would be bonus;
water issues;
Board to visit potential sites;
support for accessory apartments; and
upcoming meeting with HESSCO Regional Planning Board.
Announce Opening & Closing of the Fall Town Meeting Warrant
The Board reviewed a Draft of the 2005 Fall Meeting Schedule. Ira Miller, FINCOM, requested changes in the dates for the Finance Committee Recommendations ready for the warrant preparation and for the photo-ready copy to be sent to printer to allow for an additional week.
Other items discussed:
importance of giving FINCOM enough time to review and write recommendations of warrant articles;
importance of giving Planning Board enough time to have hearings;
deadline for closing the Warrant with list of proposed articles, but not final language;
important to stick to deadlines;
warrant to be signed on August 16;
Planning Board needs time to draft articles;
Ben said August 16 signing is a flexible date;
continue discussion next week; and,
Fall Town Meeting’s focus on zoning and non-financial articles.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to Open the Warrant for the Fall Town Meeting, to Close the Warrant for Petition Articles on July 6, 2005 at noon, and for everyone else on July 18, 2005 at noon.
In answer to the question by Chair Grasfield, Selectman Heitin stated these dates could be revised.
Action Items
Selectman Grasfield proposed a new format for the Action Items list, separating those items that are “agenda items” from Action Item “to-do’s.” He requested that the new list include discussion of goals, review of Selectmen Policies, joint meeting with the School Committee and the Finance Committee to discuss a town-wide approach to collective bargaining, and requests for additional positions. Ms. Alice Cheyer reminded the Boards re its appointments to Capital Outlay and Priorities Committee. This will be on the next agenda.
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz updated the Board on the Community Center project, including the three project proponents appointed by the Board. The Standing Building Committee will be working on the RFP process solicitation for the engagement of a designer for the project per Town Meeting vote. He stated that the Committee is moving quickly with responses to the RFP due in June. Selectmen Heitin stated that the Board is invited to a meeting on June 7 at the Community Center Trailer.
Consider Sponsorship of Article re Committee Members
The Board reviewed request by Gordon Gladstone for a Warrant Article to limit appointments to Town Committees to residents. Chair Roach stated that he saw an advantage to letting someone with the expertise of Ken Wertz serve on Committees involving school projects.
The Board will continue this discussion next week.
Recommendation of the Water Management Advisory Committee
The Board reviewed Email from Paul Lauenstein re recommendation for flyer to be inserted with the next water bills. A copy of a revised flyer was included with information about the Rebate Program and information related thereto.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the revised insert to go out with the monthly water bills.
Award Contract - North Main Street - Lead Water Service Replacement
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated May 24, 2005, with recommendation to award a contract to Amory Engineers at the request of the Water Department with regard to replacement of lead service connections along the North Main Street Corridor. Mr. Puritz stated this was not subject to the three-bid solicitation process and was a time-sensitive matter in conjunction with the Main Street construction project.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award a contract to Amory Engineers, Duxbury, MA, for replacement of lead water services in North and South Main Street, in the amount of $12,000 for an expected construction period of 7 weeks.
40B Technical Assistance Grant Application
The Board reviewed the application for Chapter 40B Technical Review Assistance for the Glendale Village project from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership as requested by John Lee, the new Chair of Zoning Board of Appeals.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the Clerk to sign the Ch. 40B Technical Review Assistance Application with signature from ZBA Chair Jon Lee.
N. Main Street Construction
Selectman Roach discussed problems with holes left or not completely filled during the construction project. He requested that Mass Highway and the contractor be contacted and told that the work is “unacceptable.” He recommended that letters be sent. Chair Grasfield recommended that Mr. Hooper be copied on the letters.
School Reimbursements
Selectman Heitin updated the Board re State program to give lump sum payments for school reimbursement for outstanding reimbursable projects. He spoke with Lehman Brothers re buyback of bonds that will make the Town eligible to apply for these lump sums that would include 6 million for the Fall and 6 million for the July 1, 2007. This would remove 13 million from debt.
Rattlesnake Hill
Selectman Heitin discussed scheduling an open forum on Rattlesnake Hill to talk about the status of this property and where the Town stands. He suggested a “big slot of time.”
Focus of Board
Selectman Heitin discussed his preference for the Board to focus on the large initiatives, i.e., Wilber School, Water issues, Affordable Housing and to get out of the minutia.
Recycling Opportunity
Chair Grasfield discussed a recent article in the Boston Herald re market for recyclables in China and that other communities are maximizing these new opportunities. Wellesley was cited as earning $300,000 per year through recycling. A copy will be sent to Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works for his thoughts on how Sharon might take greater advantage of this opportunity.
Reappointments to Committees
Letters will be going out to the Selectmen’s appointees whose appointment are due to expire and asking them to reapply and to schedule an interview before the Board. All expired appointments will be considered as vacancies to encourage others to also apply.
Reserve Fund Transfers
Mr. Puritz updated the Board re Reserve Fund Transfer Requests to be discussed at the Finance Committee at its meeting of June 6. He discussed the law budget expenditures in the amount of $210,000 to date, with Rattlesnake Hill and Satter Matter as the largest expenditures. He stated without these two, the law expenditures would be $60,000 against the $97,000 law budget. He stated that conversations with Chair Goodman indicate that, with other items on the table, the Snow & Ice Budget will face deficit spending. Chair Grasfield explained that State law allows deficit spending for Snow & Ice. Mr. Puritz explained that this would then be deducted against the tax levy for the next fiscal year.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss matters of collective bargaining, real property acquisition, personnel matters and impending investigation and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:25 P.M.
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