February 7, 2006
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 7:36 p.m.
Notes
Chair David I. Grasfield acknowledged the 1,500 hearty souls who exercised their voting rights, regarding the Community Center ballot question despite inclement weather.
Selectman William A. Heitin mentioned that the Community Sailing Council honored the Town of Sharon Recreation Department by presenting to David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, a plaque for an “Outstanding Seasonal Program for the year 2005". The Coach of the Sailing team is Bob Gaffney.
Storm Water Discharges Bylaw - Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer
The Board reviewed the memorandum from Peter O’Cain, P.E., Assistant Town Engineer dated January 31, 2006 re the proposed changes to General By-law Article 38. Mr. O’Cain discussed several proposed changes to the Town’s Storm Water Discharges by-law. The Department of Public Works Engineering Division is requesting the following changes to the following Sections of Article 38: “Section VI A”: Increase in application fee; “Section IX B”: Provides the Storm Water Manager with the right to hold a public hearing on applications not reviewed by the Zoning or Planning Board. The proposed change is aimed at applications for individual lots under the review of only the Storm Water Manager; “Section IX C”: Clarification of sentence “Section XIII”: Provides written authority for the Storm Water Manager to issue cease and desist orders from construction activity and all other enforcement actions of the section. The Storm Water Manager will be legally allowed to take enforcement action
without involving the Board of Selectmen in every decision; and, “Section XIII A”: Allows the Storm Water Manager to modify stop work orders, so that work that would improve site runoff issues can be allowed even if the applicant has not yet received a Storm Water Permit.” These recommendations will be incorporated into an article to be included in the warrant of the May Annual Town Meeting.
Appointment to fill vacancy in the Library Board of Trustees - Abigail Marsters
The Board of Trustees of the Sharon Public Library is submitting the name of Marnie Bolstad as a candidate to fill the open position of Trustee left by Marcia Liebman’s resignation. Abigail Marsters, Chair of The Board of Trustees of the Sharon Public Library, letter to the Board of Selectmen, stated that Ms. Bolstad has shown interest in being a Trustee. Ms. Bolstad currently works as a Children’s Librarian in the Town of Newton’s school system.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Marnie Bolstad to the Board of Trustees of the Sharon Public Library with term expiration to coincide with upcoming May 17, 2006 Town election.
Approve Minutes of January 24, 2006
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the January 24, 2006 Minutes.
Release of Executive Session Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) voted unanimously to release redacted Executive Session Minutes from January 4 to October 30, 1996.
Request for Banner - Sharon Pop Warner
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the request for banner for Sharon Pop Warner for the following dates: March 8-13, 2006 (first position) and March 13-16, 2006 (second position).
Survey Work for Norwood/High Plain/Edge Hill Intersection
The Board reviewed the memorandum from Peter O’Cain, P.E., Assistant Town Engineer dated February 2. 2006 on re survey work for Norwood/High Plain/Edge Hill Intersection. The DPW Engineering Division is requesting that the Board sign a request for the Norfolk County Engineering Department to perform survey work for the forthcoming signalization project on Norwood Street situated at the Edge Hill/High Plain intersection.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to have the Board of Selectmen sign the request for the Norfolk County Engineering Department to perform survey work for the upcoming signalization project on Norwood Street located at the Edge Hill/High Plain intersection.
Recreation Director Screening Committee
Ms. Colleen Tuck and Ms. Phyllis Bernstein have expressed their interest on being considered candidates to the Recreation Director Screening Committee. This committee will consist of members appointed by the Board of Selectmen, Recreation Advisory Committee and the Personnel Board.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Colleen Tuck and Phyllis Bernstein to the Recreation Screening Committee.
Railroad Parking Lot Penalties for Non-Resident Parking
The Board reviewed the memorandum from Eric R. Hooper, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works dated February 2, 2006 in re “Railroad Parking Lot Penalties for Non-Resident Parking”. In Mr. Hooper’s memo he recommended raising the fine for not complying with the Town’s Traffic Rules and Regulations pertaining to parking on the Railroad Station parking lot. He recommended raising the fine from $15.00 to $25.00. Due to a Town by-law, the Board had to defer a vote on this matter pending the advertising of this proposal for three consecutive weeks on the local cable television station.
October 31, 2005 letter to Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach brought to Chair David I. Grasfield’s attention of the inaccurate statement he (Grasfield) made in the October 31, 2005 letter to the DA’s office which stated “I (Grasfield) cannot think of a single issue before the Board on which my two colleagues have voted differently from each other. The absolute unanimity is all the more incredible given that I have served with two different Boards since being elected (the first year with Norman Katz and Joe Roach; the last year-and-a-half with William Heitin and Joe Roach).”
Selectman Roach responded by saying that one of the most important votes taken during this period was the vote on the Rattlesnake Hill matter and I (Roach) voted with you (Grasfield) on that issue. Also Roach states the following: “most of our votes are unanimous.”
Chair Grasfield replied, “I didn’t say no one voted with me. I said I couldn’t remember when other selectmen had voted with me (on an issue).”
Selectman Heitin added, “On the Rattlesnake Hill vote, I was opposed at that time due to a number of factors. It was a 2-1 affirmative vote and I was the one in the minority that time.”
Pending of Simpson Housing Application
The Simpson Housing Application comment period has been extended to February 17, 2006
Consolidated Budget Requests FY’07
Town Administrator, Benjamin E. Puritz, reported that the Board will be receiving the Board of Selectmen Proposed Budget FY’07 in their agenda packets. Mr. Puritz commented at the outstanding cooperation from all the departments in a team-oriented fashion.
Concerns with Bickford’s Family Restaurant
It was noted in correspondence from Linda and William Brule dated January 31, 2006 their concerns in re the noise level, traffic, banners and outside TV at Bickford’s Restaurant. It is the consensus of the Board that a copy of the correspondence be sent to the Bickford’s Family Restaurant for their information and response.
Water Bill for 14 Howard Farm Road
Mr. Jim Berish in correspondence dated January 26, 2006 expressed concerns re the quality of the water in re its color, smell and sediments. Superintendent Eric Hooper reported that there are pilot projects going on re Wolomolopoag Street Well for iron and magnesium and how many houses are affected. It is not limited to only one house. Mr. Hooper will be providing further information to the Board regarding this matter.
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Funds
There was correspondence from Jane Desberg in re a sample article for establishing a Housing Trust Fund. It was the consensus of the Board to invite Jane Desberg to attend a Board of Selectmen meeting.
Establishment of Water Meter Radio Frequency Technical Evaluation Committee
Six names have been provided to Town Administrator, Benjamin E. Puritz, as follows: David Crosby, Ed Connelly, Fred Clay, Ed Welch, Mike Birschbach and Eric Hooper. The Board supports Mr. Puritz’s list of names.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to support Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz’s appointment of the following people to the Town’s newly-established Water Meter Radio Frequency Technical Evaluation Committee: David Crosby, Edward Connelly, Frederick Clay, Edward Welch, Michael Birschbach and Eric Hooper.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of personnel matter, real property acquisition, collective bargaining and pending litigation, bargaining for non-union personnel and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 8:24 p.m.
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