November 8, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Acting Chair William A. Heitin and Selectman Walter Joe Roach and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M.
Notes from the Acting Chair
Selectman Heitin announced the Sharon Education Foundation’s Annual Spelling Bee to be held on Sunday, December 4, at 2 PM at the Sharon Middle School.
Minutes
This item was deferred until the next meeting.
Budget Review - Town Accountant - Joan Leighton
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’07 Budget for Town Accountant in the amounts of $195,468.00 (level); $185,695.00 (minus); and $215,015.00 (plus). Ms. Leighton discussed matters relating to quarterly tax bills, cash flow and new computer system.
Budget Review - Police - Chief Bernstein,
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’07 Budget for Police in the amounts of $2,498,089 (level); $2,747,897 (plus); and $2,373,185 (minus). Chief Bernstein discussed staffing needs and the renovations to the Police Station.
Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles - Positions adopted by Selectmen
The Board took the following position with relation to the Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles:
Community Center Construction/Renovation Funding
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
Selectman Heitin gave projected borrowing costs of 8.9 million starting with $104.00 for lst year on $350,000 home. He requested that Capital Outlay Committee come up with some money to reduce borrowing and mentioned possibility of funds available for ADA upgrades.
Selectman Roach expressed reservations about the additional $47,000 for the senior center kitchen. It was stated that the architect has agreed to waive his fees ($4,280) for this redesign.
Abatement of Hazardous Materials - Wilber School
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
Selectman Heitin discussed the option of borrowing $100,000 now and then return at the Annual Town Meeting for the additional funds necessary to do the abatement.
Selectman Roach expressed the opinion that he would prefer to stay with the request for $500,000 and not wait until May. David Hearne discussed the role of the Standing Building Committee, the practice of asking for $500,000 without having complete information and expressed support for the lower amount.
Collective Bargaining Contract(s) funding
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
It was discussed that this item is not being supported by FINCOM, however up to $40,000 is being requested to bring the SMEA group up to parity, with some individuals underpaid for past 10 - 15 years.
Law Budget Supplement
The Board took no action on this article - supports indefinite postponement.
It is believed that the law budget is sufficient without this supplement.
Five Member Board of Selectmen - - Petition - Marjorie L. Asnes
The Board adopted a negative position on this article
The Board cited the extensive work of the Government Study Committee with its recommendation to disband after formalizing a Charter Commission and that the Government Study Committee voted not to support this article.
Residency Requirement for Appointment to Town Committees/Boards
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
The Board discussed its ability to waive this requirement.
Amendment to CSD bylaws
The Board deferred action on this article - questions raised
The Board discussed changes to the article as written in the warrant and suggested that action should be deferred until the Annual Town Meeting. Suzi Peck of the Board of Health discussed the minor language changes made in the interest of the Town, and how it made for a stronger article. Selectman Roach asked for a copy of the revised article.
Amendment to MUOD
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
Naming of Doris Annis Park - Historical Commission
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
Correct Vote of the Fall 2005 Town Meeting - re By-Law numbering
The Board adopted a positive position on this article
Action Items
This item was deferred until the next meeting.
Continued Review of Selectmen Policies
This item was deferred until the next meeting.
Continued Discussion - Town Administrator’s Performance Review
This item was deferred until the next meeting.
Recess and Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to recess the Meeting to attend the Pre-Town Meeting and to reconvene within Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Collective Bargaining, Personnel Matter, Pending Litigation, and Real Property Acquisition, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board recessed at 8:05 P.M.
Roach, aye; Heitin, aye.
Q:\Word Perfect\MINUTES\110805.wpd
| 
