September 27, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair David I. Grasfield and Selectmen William A. Heitin and Walter Joe Roach and Town Administration 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 August 30, 2005, including Executive Session.
The Executive Session Minutes of August 16 were held for discussion within Executive Session.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Joint Meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee of September 8, 2005.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Grasfield expressed his appreciation to Jill & Kevin Crawley of Coriander Restaurant for its Boston Chefs Blues’ Barbeque and Fundraiser. He also announced that due to Rosh Hashanah, the Board will reschedule next week’s meeting to Thursday night at 8:00 P.M.
Budget Review - Sealer of Weights & Measures - Charles Healy
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for Sealer of Weights in the amounts of
$ 4,149.00, level; $4,564.00, plus; and $3,942.00, minus.
Budget Review - Commission on Disabilities - Ben Puritz for Sid Rosenthal
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for the Commission on Disabilities in the amounts of $ 500.00, level; $550.00, plus; and, $475.00, minus. Mr. Puritz noted that the Commission receives off-line revenues from parking fines that it uses for the community, including purchase of a Defibrillator.
Budget Review - Town Report - Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for Town Report in the amounts of
$ 13,527.00, and $12,850.00, minus. The Board discussed the history of the unsuccessful attempts to change the bylaw requirement to deliver a copy of the Town Report to each household.
Interview for Reappointments - Animal Inspector and County Representative - Ed Little
The Board interviewed Mr. Little for his reappointment of Animal Inspector. He discussed the activities of this office, including licensing and inspection of premises.
The Board also interviewed him for reappointment as the Norfolk County Representative. He discussed his activities while serving as the Representative of the Board. He provided the Board with an update and status of the Regional Fire Dispatch that will be housed in a wing of the Canton Hospital School. Sharon is one of the three starting, participating Towns with start up in April 2006. He stated that this will allow all five firefighters on duty to participate at the scene.
Budget Review -Vocational Tuition - Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for Vocational Tuition in the amount of
$27,500.00 as a placeholder for up to two students’ out-of-district tuition for vocational training.
Budget Review - Animal Inspector - Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for Animal Inspector in the amounts of
$ 3,183.00, level; $3,278.00, plus; and $3,183.00, minus.
Budget Review - Historical Commission
This item will be rescheduled.
Action Items
The Board reviewed its list of Action Items. Items discussed included:
Appointment with Board of Health re Community Center Septic Design - will schedule after Board of Health’s meeting with the architect to be held on October 6-- Selectmen Heitin announced that it will be at the Sharon High School Library-- Chair Grasfield requested that recycling and resource protection be added as items for discussion;
Community Center Design - BH&A status of design and quotes - no figures yet - on schedule;
School Department - discussion re Cottage & East - acceptance of building - audit; and,
State Reimbursement for School Borrowings - update by Selectman Heitin - state action for lump sum reimbursement of 14 million in promised reimbursements - will decrease tax rate -- Town to retire outstanding debt ahead of schedule.
Fiscal 2006 Classification Hearing - Mark Mazur, Administrative Assessor
Mr. Mazur discussed the process and the three votes required by the Board. He discussed the recommendations by the Board of Assessors.
Chair Grasfield argued for support of shifting a little more to the commercial tax base by not choosing a Residential Factor of “One” as recommended by the Board of Assessors. He discussed the different tax rates in the surrounding Towns that shift more onto the Commercial properties. Mr. Mazur did agree that there is an increase in the tax base in the residential category due to larger increases in residential values than in commercial property and also due to an increase in new residential construction. He stated that the Board of Assessors was not in favor of shifting more onto the commercial tax base due to the small size of the commercial base in Town. Selectman Heitin agreed with the Board of Assessors, and Selectman Roach stated that, it should remain the same
for “one more year.”
VOTED: (Heitin\Roach) Voted 2 - 1 (Grasfield opposed) to choose a Residential Factor of “One” for Fiscal Year 2006.
VOTED: (Heitin\Roach) Voted unanimously to choose NOT to adopt a Residential Exemption for Fiscal Year 2006.
VOTED: (Heitin\Roach) Voted unanimously to choose NOT to adopt a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2006.
Selectman Heitin requested that the Board be informed by Email when the Board of Assessors vote to set the tax rate.
Review Selectmen’s Policies and Goals
The Board continued its annual review of the Selectmen’s Policies and Goals. The following items were discussed:
Selectman Heitin has not yet distributed his suggested changes; and,
Policy Number 1, Page 3, Election of Officers
Chair Grasfield noted that in 2003 he believed the language unfair re “...tradition of the Board is to select the member whose term is next due to expire as chairperson....” and, he has since changed his mind as he realizes the positive benefits of everyone having a chance as serving as the Chair.
This review will be continued on the next agenda.
Town Administrator’s Goals & Objects/Performance Review
The Board began its review of the 05-06 Goals and Objectives of the Town Administrator and the Performance Review (that was included in the Agenda Books’ side pocket). Items discussed included:
need to simplify the number of Goals and Objectives - Chair Grasfield;
five-page Goals and Objectives and 12-page Performance Review;
goals should read as results oriented rather than activity oriented - Chair Grasfield;
seem fine as written - Selectman Roach;
items listed as “Recurring” are more goal oriented - Mr. Puritz;
number of items listed helpful - Mr. Puritz;
would prefer three big goals with certain specific results to be accomplished this year - Chair Grasfield;
discussion of senior management role, oversight of Department Heads - Selectman Heitin;
suggested specific results for (a) stabilization fund; (b) Insurance Advisory Committee; (3) procurement of contracts for gas and electric - Chair Grasfield;
discussion of framework of the Insurance Advisory Committee - Mr. Puritz;
suggestion that goals be measurable - resident Marcia Liebman;
some items listed as goals reflect actual duties of the Town Administrator - Chair Grasfield;
suggestion re specific goals relating to the retirement of the Recreation Director - Chair Grasfield;
Recreation Department reorganization/succession and long list - helpful to track items - Mr. Puritz;
need to focus beyond oversight responsibilities - Chair Grasfield;
Town Administrator can add to Treasurer’s and Town Accountant’s efforts - Chair Grasfield ;
agreement to refine goals/insure implementation - Mr. Puritz;
listed specific accomplishments from pages 7 and 8 of the Performance Review - Mr. Puritz;
Water Management Advisory Committee goals and priorities, well sites and emergency water hook-up; and,
need to continue discussion on next agenda.
Award Bid - Fence for 18 Walpole Street
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated August 15, 2005, to provide a fence to the homeowner 18 Walpole Street because of the serious impact to the property due to the removal of trees and hedges along the entire frontage of the lot as part of work being performed on the North and South Main Street project.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the contract for fence at 18 Walpole Street to AVO Fence, Hingham, MA in the amount of $15,243.33.
Community Preservation Act Committee
The Board reviewed Article 23 of the May 2004 Annual Town Meeting listing the initial appointments and terms. One member is to be appointed by the Board, acting as Park Commissioners, for an initial term of two years and one member by the Board as an “at-large” member for an initial term of one year, in order to stagger the terms of the Committee. “Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a three-year term.”
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint George Bailey for the two-year term on the Community Preservation Act Committee. Appointment to expire: September, 2007.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Janet Sargent Tracy for the one-year term on the Community Preservation Act Committee. Appointment to expire: September, 2006.
As the Board was impressed by the candidates who interviewed, the Board requested that the other candidates’ names be sent to the other appointing Boards/Committees for its consideration of John Becker and Diane Langley.
Wilber School Redevelopment Committee
Wilber School Redevelopment Committee Member Marcia Liebman discussed her Committee’s desire to have Gordon Hughes replace Reese Schroeder, who resigned. Both were members of the Historical Commission.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Gordon Hughes as a member of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee.
Commission on Disability Reappointments
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to reappoint Sidney Rosenthal, Shirley Brownstein, Florence Finkel, Geila Aronson (appointment to expire September 2008) and to appoint new members Karen Sprung (appointment to expire September 2007) and Thomas Duffy (appointment to expire September 2008) to the Commission on Disability.
Request for Banner
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Rotary and Lions Clubs for a fundraiser for the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund to be held on Friday, October 28 at Sapphire Manor.
Lead Service Replacement Contract Recommendation
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated September 20, 2005 re contract for lead water service replacement in North Main Street between Depot/Billings Street and Canton Street.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the bid for construction of water mains and appurtenant work to Joe Woodall & Sons Construction of Norfolk, MA, the low bidder in the amount of $91,927.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to expand the existing contract with Amory Engineers, Duxbury, MA to provide Resident Inspection services in the amount of $6,000.
Gravel Removal Permit - Hunter’s Ridge Realty Trust
The Board noted additional information from Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated September 23, 2005, pertaining to a Gravel Removal Permit Application for Hunter’s Ridge Realty Trust. It was announced that this application has been withdrawn and that there will not be a public hearing scheduled. Information as to the application is still provided on the Town’s website.
Request for Used Car License - 44 Walpole Street
The Board discussed the draft response from Building Inspector Joseph Kent to a request for a Used Car License to be used at a home office without cars being stored at the property. Mr. Kent outlined the possible consequences of issuing such a license.
Request for Crosswalk Signs
The Board reviewed a request for Crosswalk Signs at several locations in Town by Dennen Reilley of 57 Brook Road. Mr. Puritz announced that this has been forwarded to both the Police Chief and Mr. Petipas of the Department of Public Works. A Memo from Joseph S. Bernstein, Chief of Police, dated September 15, 2005 was attached re his follow-up with Mr. Reilley and plans for signs.
Open Meeting Law
Selectman Heitin discussed pushing forward on having representative from the District Attorney’s Office meet with the Board to discuss the Open Meeting Law.
Professional Planner
Selectman Heitin updated the Board with discussion with members of the Planning Board re the hiring of a Profession Planner. Some funds are available from various trusts, including the Kendall Trust, to hire somebody to assist in community planning. Mr. Puritz estimated that $25,000 would be needed.
Chair Grasfield discussed other conversations he had with members of Planning Board re continuous 100 acres to be developed by Intoccia. He suggested that planning be a coordinated effort with other Boards.
Updates
Selectman Heitin updated the Board re meetings on proposed upscale Dunkin Donuts for P.O. Square with Michael Baskin. Plans will be reviewed with Planning Board.
Selectman Heitin updated the Board re Capital Outlay Meeting stating that the retirement of debt is on schedule. He will send out debt analysis to other Board members. Chair Grasfield suggested that it be posted in Excel format.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of real property acquisition, collective bargaining, personnel matter and pending litigation and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 10:05 P.M.
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