December 13, 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, Selectmen William A. Heitin and Walter Joe Roach and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 P.M.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Grasfield sadly noted the passing of former Police Chief Bernard F. Coffey, who served for 39 years in the Sharon Police Department, was appointed the first lieutenant in the Town in 1975 and served as Chief from 1984 - 1992; and, the passing of Dominic Butanowicz who served for five years as Chair of the Capital Outlay Committee from 1992 - 1996.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 22, including Executive Session as written.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Open Session minutes of November 29, as written.
The Executive Session Minutes of November 29 were held.
Senior Citizen Tax Relief
Resident Laura Russell, Norma Simons Fitzgerald, Director of Council on Aging, and Robert J. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer, were present to discuss Chapter 136 of the Acts of 2005 that would lower the interest rate on the deferral program and expand the circuit breaker tax credit. Items discussed included:
legislation just passed to allow the Town to lower the interest rate on the property tax deferral program and to expand the circuit breaker;
more residents may be entitled to file for a tax credit with the raising of housing value to $600,000 - maximum credit of $840 for those that meet income criteria;
application of the 10% rule - if property taxes more than 10% of gross income;
credit retroactive to 2002 - one may file up to April 15, 2006;
assistance available from Council on Aging at 781-784-8000;
tax deferral option allows 8% interest rate to be lowered;
interest rates to be tied to the costs of borrowing;
increase in income limit to $60,000;
nature of lien on property;
$45,000 outstanding in deferred tax;
13 applicants in tax deferral program;
need to apply each year;
lien is recorded with Registry of Deeds;
lien tendered when property conveyed or sold;
money is returned to cash account;
able to defer up to ½ of assessed value of real estate;
funds come out of overlay account;
successful program for seniors;
need for a Town Meeting Warrant article to lower interest rate for the tax deferral program;
administrative costs - nominal;
education/need to bring awareness to the program; and,
suggestion for informational insert, printed in large font, to go out with tax bills.
Ms. Fitzgerald announced that assistance is also available at the Council on Aging to help with Medicare D decisions and advised seniors not to wait as they need to do something by May 15.
Report from MBTA & MAPC Representative - George Bailey
Mr. Bailey was present to discuss three items:
a. New Highway Design Manual
Mr. Bailey discussed changes to the MHD Highway Design manual to make the roads more user friendly to the users and the towns, including changes to road lane widths and design speeds. He stated that North/South Main Street, Norwood Street, and Massapoag Avenue would be covered under the new manual.
b. Development of University Park, Westwood
Mr. Bailey discussed development plans, including the proposed use of 136 acres to be converted to mixed use - residential, retail, office space and hotel. The area will be designed as pedestrian friendly, close to 128 RR Station, with access to two airports.
c. Potential $100,000 for Town Bus
Mr. Bailey discussed proposed legislation that could allow the Town of Sharon 50 % credit to its MBTA Assessments to be used for a Town Bus to connect it to bus transportation in abutting Towns. He requested that the Board contact its State representative and senators requesting their support for the MAPC’s version of legislation that would allow a credit for an eligible community’s MBTA assessment to be directed to a Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Puritz to draft letter of support for MAPC’s version of bill to our legislators.
Annual Town Meeting
The Board reviewed the Draft of the Annual Town Meeting Schedule. The Board discussed how best to facilitate other committees within the Annual Town Meeting schedule. Chair Grasfield discussed pushing up the date of the signing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to the end of January. Selectman Roach requested that a letter be sent out tomorrow with the schedule to all Department Heads, Boards and Committees.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the Warrant for Petition Articles on January 9, 2006 and for all others on January 16, 2006 with the hope of signing the final warrant on February 21, 2006, if not sooner, and to authorize the Town Administrator to send a letter of closing/signing dates to all boards and committees, as needed.
2006 Fall Town Meeting
The Board reviewed possible Fall Special Town Meeting dates as provided by the Town Clerk. Mr. Puritz stated that November 13 would be preferable for the School Department so as to not interfere with the High School Drama Club production with the use of the High School Auditorium. He further stated that the dates were good for the Treasurer and the Town Accountant.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to schedule the Fall Special Town Meeting for November 13, 2006 with the Pre-Town Meeting on November 7, 2006.
It was suggested that this be included in the Letter re the Annual Town Meeting schedule.
Accept Deed
The Board reviewed information provided by Gregory Meister, Conservation Administrator, dated December 9, 2005 requesting the Board’s acceptance of a Deed for 1.73 acres of land off Belcher Street per Chapter 40 § 8C.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the deed from Robert Chavez, Hytoch Realty Trust, (for a parcel of land that is approximately 1.73 acres).
Approve Parking Signs Highland Street
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated December 8, 2005 requesting restricted parking signage on Highland Street. The proposal is for six 3-hour parking restricted signs with the 3-hour limitation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Superintendent of Public Work’s recommendation to place six 3-hour restricted parking signs on Highland Street and to add the parking signs to the Traffic Rules and Orders list.
Southeastern Regional Vocational-Technical School
The Board reviewed a letter from James J. Hager Superintendent requesting that the Board send a member or designee to a meeting for the purpose of electing a representative for collective bargaining activities. Selectman Roach indicated that he would like to attend that meeting as he has served in the past. Chair Grasfield stated that he would like to attend this time, but stated that he will think about it.
Contract with Horsely Witten Group - re Wilber School Site
The Board discussed a $5,000 contract for a hydrological study re wastewater at the Wilber School Site delivered by Wilber Chairman Jim Goldsmith as recommended by Marilyn Kahn of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee and Paul Lauenstein of the Water Management Study Committee.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to sign a contract with Horsely Witten Group, Inc., Sandwich, MA, as discussed, in the amount of $5,000.
Snowplowing
Selectman Roach discussed issues with sidewalks previously plowed being blocked by snow from driveway plowing. He also reminded residents of the no overnight on-street parking restrictions from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Streetlighting
Chair Grasfield discussed complaints of streetlights needing repair, and Mr. Puritz provided an update with repairs having been made. Chair Grasfield requested that Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, be asked to provide a summary of requests for repairs and dates completed.
Cell Plan Status
Chair Grasfield noted Email from Sideband Systems as to the progress of the Cell Plan study.
Appreciation Letter - Irene McCarthy
Chair Grasfield noted appreciation for the Board’s support of the naming of the Doris Annis Memorial Park. Selectman Roach noted he had also received a telephone call thanking the Board from Ms. McCarthy’s brother in Texas.
Next Agenda
The Board discussed updating its list of priorities.
Cancel Next Meeting
Chair Grasfield suggested that since there are no appointments scheduled for the meeting of December 20, that the Board cancel the meeting. No vote was taken.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of real property acquisition, pending litigation, other personnel matters and collective bargaining, and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Heitin, aye; Grasfield, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:00 P.M.
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