June 21, 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 7:03 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of June 7, 2005 as printed.
The Regular and the Executive Session Minutes of June 14 were held.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Grasfield thanked the members of the Avalon Bay Citizens Advisory Group for meeting to review the Avalon Bay LIP Project. He also thanked Eagle Scout Candidate Jason Zandrow, the members of Boy Scout Troop 95, and Mim & Joel Gopen and the members of the Beech Street Park Committee, for the construction project of the footbridge connecting Beech Street Park and the lakefront area. Selectman Heitin noted that the footbridge project would be finalized next week just in time for the Town’s July 4th Celebration being held on July 3rd. He hoped to see the team back next week to finish the project.
Action/Agenda Items
Chair Grasfield requested that the item for Wetlands Banking be deleted from the list. He had asked only that it be forwarded to the ConCom at the previous meeting. Mr. Puritz confirmed that he had done so. Chair Grasfield suggested that the Review of the Selectmen’s Policies & Procedures be placed on next week’s agenda. He further announced the Public Hearing for Avalon Bay will be next week at 8:00 P.M. in the Sharon High School Library. The Avalon Bay Development Project is seeking the endorsement and co-sponsorship of the Board of Selectmen for this friendly 40B apartment development. It will still need to go through the same 40B permitting process through the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz reported that the Standing Building Committee has short listed the responses to the RFP and will be conducting interviews on June 28 with everything “on schedule.”
Election Workers
The Board reviewed Memo from Marlene Chused, Town Clerk, dated June 13, 2005 requesting that the Board appoint the list of election workers as attached.
Selectman Roach recused himself from the matter because of an immediate relative on the list of proposed election workers.
VOTED: (Heitin/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to appoint the list of election workers as suggested by Marlene Chused in her Memo of June 13.
Chair Grasfield suggested that the Town Committee Chairs provide responses that this list is acceptable to Ms. Chused.
Internal Revenue Service Mileage
The Board reviewed Memo from Joan M. Leighton, Town Accountant, dated June 17, 2005 with notice of new rate for mileage from the IRS.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to increase the mileage reimbursement rate to 40 ½ cents, effective July 1, 2005.
Interview for Town Counsel
The Board interviewed Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel, for reappointment as Town Counsel. Attorney Gelerman indicated that it has been an honor for him to serve the Town in this capacity since 1988. Selectman Roach stated he would like to see Attorney Gelerman continue in this role and expressed his appreciation for Attorney Gelerman’s leadership role. Selectman Heitin raised questions as to whether or not it was required to have an annual appointment for Town Counsel. Chair Grasfield suggested that the statute be checked. Chair Grasfield encouraged the Board to post this position using media that would reach beyond the Town borders, given that the current Town Counsel is not a Sharon resident or business.
Board of Registrars
Chair Grasfield noted letter from George Bailey, dated June 13, 2005 announcing that he will not be seeking reappointment to the Board of Registrars. He encouraged those interested in this appointment to call the Town Clerk for further information and to send expressions of interest to the Board of Selectmen.
CD of Assessors Maps
Chair Grasfield noted the Meeting Notes of the Suggestion Awards Committee with the adoption of the suggestion made by April Forsman to have a CD of the Assessors Maps made available to the public. Mr. Puritz noted that Ms. Forsman has been awarded ½ day of vacation time and he commended her on her dedication and professionalism as the GIS (Geographic Information Specialist) for the Department of Public Works.
Opinion Letter from Town Counsel - Wilber Reuse Committee
Chair Grasfield noted Opinion Letter from Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel, dated June 13, 2005 addressed to Michael Baskin of the Wilber Reuse Committee, stating that Town Meeting approval is required to enter into an agreement to sell or to lease a public building or part thereof for more than 10 years. Attorney Gelerman cited statute that the Board of Selectmen can presently let or lease the Wilber building or portion thereof for a term of up to ten years. He further advises that it does not authorize any other committee or agent of a town to do so.
Commonwealth Capital Application
Chair Grasfield noted letter from the Office for Commonwealth Development in regard to the Town’s Capital application stating that the Town has received additional scores based on the adoption of certain zoning and additional information provided. Chair Grasfield stated this was related to Smart Growth development.
MMA Action Alert
Chair Grasfield noted MMA Action Alert re “Call on Your Legislators and the Governor to Pass a Supplemental Budget to Aid Municipalities” for additional State aid to offset snow deficits and offered to call on behalf of the Board to support this. Selectman Heitin stated he had already done so.
Groundwater Sampling Event - May 2005
Chair Grasfield asked for the full report from Resource Controls, re Shaw’s Plaza Site, dated June 8, 2005.
Selectmen-Sponsored Fall Town Meeting Articles
Chair Grasfield suggested that Mr. Puritz’s email re four proposed Fall Town Meeting Articles be scheduled on the next agenda.
Next Agenda
It was the consensus of the Board to meet at 6:00 P.M. next week and to immediately enter into Executive Session and then to reconvene in Open Session at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon High School Library with a Public Hearing scheduled for 8:00 P.M. on the Avalon Bay Development.
Recess
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to take a 15 minutes recess to wait for appointment from the Board of Health to arrive.
The Board recessed at 7:26 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 7:45 P.M.
Trash/Recycling - Board of Health
This appointment will be rescheduled as Board of Health representative did not appear.
Sharon Boys Tennis Team
Selectman Heitin congratulated the Sharon High School Boys Tennis Team on winning the State Championship. A ceremony will be scheduled for the coach and players on next week’s agenda.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss matters of real property acquisition, collective bargaining, personnel matter, pending litigation and a grievance update, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7: 45 P.M.
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