June 7, 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 7:04 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 7:04 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:50 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of May 24, 2005, as printed.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of May 31, 2005 including Executive Session, as printed.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Grasfield thanked the Council on Aging and the Friends of the Council on Aging for inviting the Board to its Volunteer Appreciation event. He displayed a check in the amount of $184,894 as a conservative estimate of the value given by 75 volunteers on behalf of the seniors. He also acknowledged the New Friends of the Playground for its clean-up of the Ames Street Playground and the School Committee for its invitation to graduation.
Discussion of Fall Town Meeting Schedule
The Board discussed the Fall Town Meeting Schedule. A new scheduled was presented to the Board as prepared by Ira Miller of the Finance Committee. Chair Grasfield stated this was a revisit of the dates as voted last week for the opening and closing of the Fall Town Meeting warrant and that the Planning Board discussed this last week and requested some changes to the dates. These dates were agreed to by the Finance Committee. Selectman Heitin discussed a change in two definitive dates that are driving the process, with October 14 for the Finance Committee recommendations for photo ready preparation and October 19 with the Warrant ready to the printer. Mr. Miller stated that the September 2 date for approval of the articles by Town Counsel was significant and that he expects a “smooth town
meeting.”
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the schedule as printed and modified by Finance Committee.
Direct Connection to Sewer System
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 24 Lee 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 the Department of Public Works.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 308 Massapoag Avenue 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 the Department of Public Works.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Application for 149 Pond 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 the Department of Public Works.
Summer Schedule
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the following dates for the summer schedule:
July 5
July 19
August 2
August 16
August 30
The Board will resume its regular weekly schedule of Tuesdays Meetings at 7:30 P.M. on September 6, 2005.
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz updated the Board on the Standing Building Committee’s having finalized the RFP for design services with responses due this month The Committee is moving forward aggressively and is on schedule. He further stated he would update the Board in Executive Session re the insurance settlement.
Steven Lesco, a project proponent from the Recreation Advisory Committee, stated that the Standing Building Committee has received over 25 requests for the proposals to date.
Consider Sponsorship of Article re Committee Members
The Board suggested that Mr. Gordon Gladstone be invited to the next meeting to discuss his request for a Warrant Article to limit appointments to Town Committees to residents.
Action Items
Chair Grasfield volunteered to meet with the President of Sharon Memorial Park re Water. He also volunteered to invite the School Committee and Finance Committee to meet with the Board in Executive Session at a future meeting to discuss approach to collective bargaining.
He also discussed the work done by Mr. Hillegass re putting together a new Computer Use Policy at the request of Finance Committee. He requested that an new item be added to the Action Items List as: Meeting with representatives from Planning Board and Delapa re downtown development.
Chair Grasfield requested that the Board of Health be invited to discuss the results of a Wellness Study done by its Board.
Selectman Heitin discussed the Snow & Ice overrun that the Town will be allowed to deficit spend in order for Finance Committee to cover the other requests for Reserve Fund Transfer.
Selectman Heitin discussed the advance of state funds for school projects reimbursements wherein the Town will be receiving 13 million dollars to pay off its debt service and that it will have a favorable impact on the tax rate.
Selectman Grasfield added that when the Board meets with the Planning Board to discuss the Delapa property in the downtown area that it also discuss options for affordable housing and whether this property might contribute to the affordable housing plan.
Dog Park Hearing
The Board opened a hearing at 8:07 P.M. to discuss a request made by the Officers of the Dog Park to park vehicles on the unpaved area of the Deborah Sampson site near Cedar Street at weekends and times when the parking lot is full. Pat Zlotin and Sandy Shmaryahu were present on behalf of the Dog Park. Richard Kramer and Todd Arnold were present on behalf of the neighborhood. Selectman Roach discussed a site visit made this day by him, Mr. Puritz and David I. Clifton, Recreation Director. He suggested that Dog Park Parking overflow parking be allowed on the unpaved area to the front left side of the old Sacred Heart dormitory building. He estimated that between 30 - 40 cars could park there. He suggested that this would be fair to the neighborhood. Items discussed
included:
very reasonable solution - P. Zlotin;
objects to parking that will block hiking trails - R. Kramer;
dog park fencing takes up large area - blocks off park for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing - R. Kramer;
suggestion for further walk in the park with abutters/selectmen - D. Clifton;
continue public hearing to next week;
request to limit designated area for overflow use only;
ensure orderly parking at site;
grateful for dog park - S. Shmaryahu;
look at alternate parking sites-- Memorial Beach, high school lot behind tennis courts;
noise factor - T. Arnold;
Dog Park people should discuss requests with abutters first-T. Arnold;
request to have staging area used for Main Street construction cleaned up/restore as wildflower meadow-T. Arnold;
request to take down the Deborah Sampson dormitory building;
suggest walk at 9:00 a.m. next Saturday; and,
hearing to continue next Tuesday.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to continue the hearing to 8:20 P.M., on June 14, 2005.
Appointments to Capital Outlay and Priorities Committee
Selectman Roach stated he would like to serve on both the Priorities Committee and Capital Outlay Committee. Selectman Heitin indicated he would also like to serve on the Capital Outlay Committee, and Chair Grasfield also indicated he would like to serve on the Capital Outlay Committee.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Roach to both the Priorities Committee and Capital Outlay Committee.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Chair Grasfield to the Priorities Committee.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Heitin to the Capital Outlay Committee.
Father Bullock Road Race
Selectman Grasfield announced that this event would take place this Sunday.
RFP for Wireless Carriers
Selectman Grasfield discussed a letter received from Joseph Pereira, TerraSearch, dated May 31, 2005 re requesting that an RFP for wireless carriers be issued at the Upland Road water tank. Mr. Puritz stated he would be drafting a Scope of Services for consulting services as approved by Town Meeting with a June response date. He stated that the letter from TerraSearch was very aggressive and that the Town had no obligation to issue this RFP at this time, but is moving forward with the request for consulting services and would recommend that the Town wait for the completion of this study. Mr. Puritz will apprise Mr. Pereira of the timetable. Selectman Grasfield suggested that the Town do both. Selectman Heitin suggested that this be discussed with Town Counsel and request his
opinion. Chair Grasfield stated that this be discussed with Mr. Pereira to avoid possible litigation.
Sidewalks & Curbs, Gabriel, Stonybrook and Winslow Roads
Chair Grasfield noted letter addressed to Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated June 2, 2005. He requested that Mr. Hooper provide a copy of the response to the Board. Selectman Roach stated that this project is planned for completion using Chapter 90 monies.
Flag Day Proclamation
Chair Grasfield discussed the letter from Paul R. Bergeron, Veterans Agent, re Flag Day ceremony to take place on June 14, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at the band stand at the lake front. Selectman Heitin read the proclamation proclaiming June 14 as National Flag Day.
Appreciation Letters - Police Dept
Selectman Heitin noted a number of Appreciation Letters sent to the Police Department and attached to the Police Chief’s Monthly Activity Report.
Town Offices Roof
Selectman Roach gave an update on the Town Offices roof replacement project, stating that the new rubber membrane roof should last 25 - 30 years.
Shaws Plaza Site
Chair Grasfield noted encouraging response from Resource Control Associates, Inc. re information on Tetrachloroethene concentrations found in the monitoring wells. He stated that this information has been forwarded to the Board of Health and is still pending.
The Board showed its appreciation to cable TV camera operator, Corey Brian who will be going off to college by having him make the motion on behalf of the Selectman to go into Executive Session.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss matters of real property acquisition, collective bargaining, pending litigation, insurance settlement and personnel matter and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:00 P.M.
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