February 28, 2006
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Acting Chair William A. Heitin and Selectman Walter Joe Roach and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator. Selectman David I. Grasfield was not in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M.
Beech Tree Park Sign
Mim Gopen, Beech Tree Park Committee, was present to request permission for the placement of an Honor Board on which to display names of major donors at the Beech Tree Park. Reference was made to Letter from Building Inspector Joseph Kent that reads: “...the Beech Tree sign is harmonious with the surroundings and can be approved without detriment to the community and/or sign permitting process.”
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the construction and placement of the Beech Tree Park Sign.
Affordable Housing
Jane Desberg and Members of the Sharon Housing Partnership were present as well as members from Planning Board, Board of Health, Conservation Commission and the Community Preservation Committee to discuss the status of affordable housing. Items discussed included:
problems with assets limit of up to $200,000 (currently $150,000) for Sharon Residents to qualify for 55+ affordable housing;
discussions with legislators and ability to file home rule petition to change assets limit;
approved Housing Plan by DHCD - need to produce 50 units per year - numbers continue to go up;
Ms. Desberg and Mr. Eli Hauser visited various town-owned sites for affordable housing;
identified 11-acre parcel back of Hixson Farm Road and Winslow Road - 70% to be earmarked for Sharon preference;
seeking Board’s permission to research site and perform testing/next step would be to issue an RFP to develop site under § 30b/two-three year timeframe;
plans for 12 - 18 three-bedroom homes at $154,000;
flexibility allowed for determination of affordability 50 - 80% of Boston Area medium income;
looking for support of the Board;
have no money/work with Peter O’Cain to do perc tests;
CPA funds may be available;
if all proposed 40bs and this plan goes forward, will soon have tremendous leverage against permitting unfriendly 40bs;
discussion of environmental concerns at identified town-owned site;
town to have enormous control over town-sponsored development; and,
Housing Production Plan listed on DHCD website.
It was the sense of the Board that the research for development on town-owned land proceed.
Continued Hearing - Hunter’s Ridge
The Continued Hearing from February 14, 2006, for the Earth Removal Permit for Hunter’s Ridge was reopened. Town Counsel was represented by Jon Rockwood of Town Counsel’s office. The owner of the property Nick Mirrione and his engineer, Scott Faria, were present as well as a number of abutters and Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer. Items discussed included:
review and limits of the Selectmen’s authority under Gravel Removal Permit - Jon Rockwood;
Board will wait for input from Chair Grasfield before issuing decision;
reference to comments made at Feb. 14th meeting re Sharon Garden Club;
statement issued by Sharon Garden Club that, “they are not involved with Hunter’s Ridge, have never been involved in Hunter’s Ridge, and have not asked to be involved”;
review of items discussed at Feb. 14 meeting - Peter O’Cain;
Selectmen to discuss issue of fees and bonding with developer;
recommendation to have DPW employee on site during process;
role of Storm Water Manager re dust control;
right to modify permit and add conditions;
Town Counsel to research if Town can prohibit use of explosives;
process of obtaining a permit to blast under the Fire Department includes a $20,000 bond;
concerns can be addressed to the Deputy Fire Chief, Steve Cummings;
Routes to be used/Town cannot prohibit trucks from public thoroughfare;
correct schedule/restrictions re school bus pick-ups and drop-offs;
protections to abutters will be researched; and,
number of truck round trips (2800) and stockpiles onsite.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the public hearing on Hunter’s Ridge Gravel Removal Permit and to issue a permit on or before March 14, 2006.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a five-minute recess at 8:35 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 8:45 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of January 31, February 7, February 14, 2006 including Executive Sessions for all three meetings.
Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement
Selectman Heitin announced that at the last meeting and after a six-month period of reviewing Mr. Puritz’s performance and negotiations, the Board voted and signed an amendment to Mr. Puritz’s Employee Agreement.
List of Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
The Board reviewed the List of 2006 Annual Town Meeting Articles. Article 4 and the Capital Outlay articles are not yet complete. There are several questions remaining as to whether or not other articles will be included, including Wilber School Lease and Community Preservation Act Funding. It is the consensus of the Board that the list will be finalized and sequenced at the next meeting with the Signing of the Warrant on March 14.
At the request of Ira Miller, FINCOM, the Board reviewed each item in the list of articles from A - PP. Mr. Miller expressed concerns with the Board not keeping to its deadlines and the limited time for FINCOM to review the articles and make its recommendations.
Selectman Heitin made suggestions to Mr. Miller as to how to move the process along including having the Finance Committee review and vote on the standard articles which make up the majority of the Warrant. He also suggested that the entire Finance Committee should attend Thursdays evening Capital Outlay Committee meeting to ensure each member to the Finance Committee was educated on the process.
Vote Extension of P.O. Square Parking Lot Leases
The Board reviewed request by Town Counsel to take a specific vote so that he can proceed to notify the owners of the Parking Leases of the extension.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously that the term of each of the five leases for the municipal parking lot off of Post Office Square, dated November 1, 1986, originally with Samuel and Miriam Plonsky, Richard and Frances Jacobs, Eugene P. and Karen J. Flynn, Stephen G. Sacks and Martin and Rita Rabb shall be extended for one additional five year term commencing July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2011. The Town reserves its right to exercise two further five year extensions as provided in the lease. This action is subject to confirmation authorization by the 2006 Annual Town Meeting.
This will be a Town Meeting Warrant Article.
Delivery of the 2005 Annual Town Reports
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the bid for the delivery of the 2005 Annual Report to Boy Scout Troop 95, Sharon at the bid price of $1,200.00.
Approve Banner Requests
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Friends of the Sharon Public Library for the following dates: May 15 – 16 - Second position and May 17- May 21 - First Position.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Day Celebration for the following dates: June 5 - June 11 - Second Position.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Garden Club for the following dates: June 19 - June 14, 2006 (First Position).
Discussion of Commercial Review Group
Selectman Heitin discussed goals for a Commercial and Economic Development Review Group. He recommended that interested residents contact the Selectmen’s Office. He reviewed the work done by Eli Hauser of the Planning Board in seeking to increase the Town’s commercial tax base and identified available parcels for commercial development and/or improvement. This discussion will continue at the next meeting with the intent of voting on the group members on March 14.
Shredding Day Proposal
The Board discussed a proposal by a Sharon Resident Brian Johnson, Doc Shredding Corp., to provide a day for shredding of documents for Town departments free of charge.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to support the Shredding Day as presented this evening, date to be determined by Department Heads in consultation with the Chief of Police.
Health Care Consultant
It is the intent of the Board to hire a Health Care Consultant within the next two weeks. Selectman Heitin asked that the FINCOM present in writing its formal scope request as to what it is looking for so that the Board will work collaboratively with FINCOM in the review of employees’ health care. Ira Miller stated that communication by the FINCOM Chairman was already sent. Both Selectman Heitin and Roach had not received such communication and again requested a copy.
Recreation Director - Retirement
The Board reviewed the Retirement Timetable for David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, with August 31, 2006 as the official retirement date.
Avalon Bay Comprehensive Permit
The Board noted the Memo by Peter O’Cain, dated February 14, 2006, re Review of Avalon Sharon LIP Comprehensive Permit Draft Copy. The Board is waiting for comments from the Avalon Bay Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Mr. O’Cain’s comments will be sent to that Committee and the Board hopes to have its comments by March 14, 2006.
Sharon Independence Day Celebration
The Board noted mailing from this group for the July 3 festivities and the Annual Sharon Road Race to take place on June 25.
Municipal Waste Reduction Grant
Mr. Puritz announced that Sharon has received a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection for $1,443 worth of recycling equipment and material.
Unsung Heroines of 2006 - Lillian Savage
Mr. Puritz announced that Sharon resident Lillian Savage will be honored by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s Community Unsung Heroines of 2006 on March 3, 2006 at the State House. Selectman Roach directed that a Letter of Congratulations from the Board be drafted.
Farnham Road Compost Facility - Fees for Non-residential Use
The Board discussed Memo from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated February 10, 2006. Mr. Hooper recommends implementation of a non-resident landscape contractors’ annual fee of $100 per vehicle for use of the Farnham Road Compost Facility and a new sticker requirement at no charge for residential use. A Public Hearing will be scheduled and this will be posted on Cable TV to run for three consecutive weeks. It was recommended that notification be sent to the landscapers who work in the Town.
Next Agenda - Increase in RR Parking Fines for Non-residents
Comments from the Transportation Advisory Board will be included on the next agenda when a public hearing is scheduled to discuss an increase in the fines for Non-residents.
Old Post Road Traffic Concerns
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated February 14, 2006, re issues raised by abutters to Bickford’s Restaurant. The Memo will be forwarded to the Brule Family.
MUNIS Accounting System
Ira Miller, FINCOM, asked questions as to why the Library was not included within the MUNIS system. This will be researched.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Collective Bargaining, Real Property Acquisition, Pending Litigation, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Heitin, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:30 P.M.
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