October 11, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 5:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair David I. Grasfield and Selectmen William A. Heitin and Walter Joe Roach and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator.
The meeting was called to order at 5:40 P.M.
Avalon Bay Public Hearing
The Board continued the Public Hearing on Avalon Bay from its Meeting of September 20, 2005. Steve Schwartz, Attorney, and Scott Dale were present on behalf of Avalon Bay. John Davis and Chuck Logan were present on behalf of the Avalon Bay Citizens Advisory Group. Items discussed included:
recap of Meeting of September 20, 2005;
Agreement for Sewage hook-up to Town of Norwood - subject to approval of Norwood Selectmen & MWRA;
Avalon Bay not pursuing additional testing for on-site waste treatment;
MWRA Water Hook-Up through Norwood and discussions with Norwood and MWRA officials,
threshold for MWRA water relates to hardship–Norwood not supportive of MWRA connection;
Chair Grasfield noted strong support previously voiced by Norwood Selectmen;
abutters preference for municipal water connection to MWRA;
Sharon’s watering restrictions in place to limit our capacity for peak-day use - Eric Hooper;
water capacity limits based on population/Town has capacity to support Avalon Bay without additional wells - Eric Hooper;
property owners represented by Greg Goodband who stated that the Agreement to Purchase by Avalon Bay expired as of July 30;
on-going discussions between Avalon Bay and property owners - Scott Dale;
questions re road access;
items that would be covered by the Zoning Board of Appeals;
Sharon’s unique geology re water - Paul Lauenstein;
need for meeting with Town of Norwood;
Chair Grasfield volunteered to draft letter to Town of Norwood;
Role of DEP in MWRA Water;
hearing will continue to 6:30 P.M. on November 1/abutters to be notified; and,
add Greg Goodband to abutter’s list.
Recess
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to recess the Open Session and to reconvene in Executive Session at 7:00 P.M. to discuss matters of real property acquisition, personnel matter, pending litigation and collective bargaining.
The Board recessed at 6:30 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:40 P.M.
Review FY’07 Capital Requests - DPW - Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works
Selectman Heitin gave an overview of the Capital Outlay Process. He stated that annually the Town allocated enough of it’s annual operating budget to borrow somewhere between $3.5 to $4.0 million for capital purposes. In light of what the Town is currently facing, He suggested to the Board a goal of getting down to $2.0 million for annual borrowing for the next few years. The remaining $1.5 to $2.0 million over the next few years could be used to off set the cost of the Community Center reconstruction.
The Board reviewed the FY’07 Capital Requests for DPW in the amounts of $600,000 Roadway Improvements; $150,000 Sidewalk Project; $150,000 Equipment Replacement; $250,000 Sacred Heart Dormitory Demolition; and $375,000 Wilber School Lead and Asbestos Containing Material Remediation. Mr. Hooper discussed cuts in Chapter 90 funds, reductions in previous allocations and monies reserved for cost overruns for the N/S Main Street project.
Review FY’07 Capital Request - Norman S. Fitzgerald, Council on Aging Director
The Board reviewed the FY’10 request for Council on Aging with $40,000 for replacement passenger medical van and FY’11 request for $60,000 for replacement of passenger mini-bus.
Ms. Fitzgerald also discussed a privately sponsored taxi service (donated by an anonymous resident) during reconstruction of North Main Street and the results of a housing survey with a high majority of seniors wanting to remain in their homes. She updated the Board re property tax relief efforts with the state.
Review FY’07 Capital Requests - Chief Bernstein
The Board reviewed the FY’07 requests for the Police Department for $93,000 for three replacement cruisers and related costs.
Budget Review - Treasurer/Data Processing/Long Term Debt - Robert J. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for Data Processing in the amounts of $195,861.00 level funded; $215,447.00 plus, and $186,068.00, minus.
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for the Treasurer in the amounts of $294,594.00 level funded; $328,292.00 plus, and $279,133.00, minus.
The Board reviewed the Preliminary FY’07 Budget for Long-Term Debt in the amount of $4,731,724.24 level funded only. Selectman Grasfield requested a copy of the debt allocation detail.
Review FY’07 Capital Requests - Mike Polimer
The Board reviewed the FY’07 Capital Outlay Requests for Civil Defense for $10,001 for 200 cots and storage container, and $20,000 to purchase and install “Emergency Advisory Radio System.”
Review FY’07 Capital Requests - Dennis Mann
The Board reviewed the FY’07 Capital Outlay Requests for the Fire Department with $37,500 for Personal Protective Gear, $520,2000 for a Class 1 Pumper, $90,000 for a new forest fire truck, $40,000 for a replacement Chief ‘s Command Vehicle, and $1,300,000 for a sub station.
Approve Minutes
MOTION: (Heitin) to approve the Executive Session Minutes of August 16, 2005 with corrections made (by Chair Grasfield and Selectman Heitin within Executive Session)
Chair Grasfield made statements as to why he was opposed to a certain statement as added by Selectman Heitin being included in the Minutes that had to do with Bill and Joe expressing an interest in meeting with Intoccia. He requested that a Memo written by Kathy Byrne (recording secretary) to the Board re this matter be included with the minutes.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted 2-1 (Grasfield opposed) to approve the Executive Session Minutes of August 16, 2005.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 6, 2005, as amended (in Executive Session).
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of September 6, 2005, as amended:
Minutes of September 6, 2005 were corrected as follows:
Page 3: 2nd Bullet: Delete duplicate word “existing.”
13th Bullet: Delete words,: “and remain determine.”
21st Bullet: Change amount of $8,000 grant to $800,000
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 13, 2005, as amended (in Executive Session.)
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of September 13, 2005, as amended:
Minutes of September 13, 2005 were corrected as follows:
Page 2: Under Board of Health Interview - Stanley L. Rosen
Correct: “chair from 1998 - 199" to “chair from 1998 - 1999"
correct spelling of sated to stated.
Page 4: 4th Bullet:
Change: “sue to low water....” To: “due to low...”
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 15, 2005, as amended (in Executive Session.)
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of September 13, 2005, as written.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 27, 2005, as amended (in Executive Session.)
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of September 27, 2005, as written.
Action Items
The Board discussed updates to the Action Items. The following items were deleted:
Appointments to CPA Committee |
Exec Session - Approach to Collective Bargaining Grant for Additional firefighters S.A.F.E.R. Appointment with FinCom re Col Bar Avalon Bay - Committees/Boards Input/WMAC Rec Avalon Bay - 2nd Hearing
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The following item was moved up to be an Agenda Item:
MEET WITH PLANNING BOARD, DELAPA RE DOWNTOWN DEV
Chair Grasfield requested that Mr. Goodman be asked if FINCOM still wants an appointment before the Board to discuss budget instructions. He also requested that a copy of the Fall Town Meeting Warrant be posted on the website.
Community Center Update
Chair Grasfield announced that Capital Outlay Committee at 6 P.M., on October 17 and FINCOM immediately after will be hearing the cost-projections for renovations to the Community Center. A public hearing is scheduled for October 18 at the Sharon High School Library. Mr. Puritz updated the Board with information provided by the architects re asbestos found within the plaster that will have a cost impact on the project.
Chair Grasfield mentioned money that may be available through homeland security for a shelter at this site. The additional cost estimates for an addition to the building was also discussed.
Reappointment as Animal Inspector & Norfolk County Representative
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to reappoint Edwin S. Little as Animal Inspector & Norfolk County Representative. Appointment to Expire: September, 2006.
Award Bid - Town Offices Copy Machine
The Board reviewed Memo from Kathy Byrne, dated October 5, 2005 with recommendation that we award the bid for a new photocopier to Northeast Copier Systems.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the bid to Northeast Copier Sytems, Milford, MA in the amount of $11,020.00, the low bid price.
Continued Review of Selectmen’s Policies
The Board discussed the following items:
I. General Policies 1 - Section VI. Town Administrator
discussion included:
“overseeing relationships with town counsel...;”
not change policy, but be pro-active in managing law budget;
communication issues;
suggestion to add language: “At a minimum, the Chairperson of the board will within a 24 hour period verbally communicate with the Town Administrator and as needed consistent with the State’s Open Meeting Law, will communication with his or her fellow board members such facts or information needed to effectively manage the Town on a daily basis.” - Selectman Heitin;
insure communication on daily basis between Chair and Board - Selectman Heitin;
handout from MMA Handbook - (Coordination and Strategic Responsibilities) Selectman Roach;
“The Town Administrator must maintain a close working relationship with all members of the Board.” - Chair Grasfield re his requests for daily Email updates;
the great effort made to communicate - Mr. Puritz;
expressed Email as preferred method of communication for 2 ½ years - Chair Grasfield;
people hide behind Email/people hide behind phone calls;
serial conversations and the Open Meeting Law;
ask representative from the DA’s Office to attend meeting;
lack of response to Email requests - Chair Grasfield;
provides extensive and timely information to the Board (for 27 years) - Mr. Puritz;
has received extensive and timely information - Selectman Roach; and,
no issue with response to requests - Selectman Heitin.
N/S Main Street Reconstruction
Chair Roach updated the Board re this project and state funds available for the reclamation of the road.
Horizon for Youth
Selectman Heitin updated the Board re this property and the setting up of a meeting with State Senators and State Representative at the Attorney General’s Office.
Town Administrator’s Contract
It was the consensus of the Board for all three members to begin discussing the Town Administrator’s Contract within Executive Session.
Railroad Parking Enforcement
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated October 4, 2005 in response to recent letters and petition for increasing the fine for parking violations. Chair Grasfield suggested improved signage and additional follow-up from Mr. Hooper.
Adjourn
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned at 11:05 P.M.
Heitin, aye; Roach, aye; Grasfield, aye.
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