March 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 7:35 P.M.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted 2-0 (Grasfield abstained) to approve the Minutes of February 28, 2006 including Executive Session.
Non-Resident RR Parking Fines
Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to discuss an increase in Non-Resident Railroad Parking Fines. Arthur Stein from the Transportation Advisory Board and George Bailey, MBTA Rep were also present. This increase was advertised for three weeks on local Cable TV. Items discussed included:
initiated in response to residents complaint re non-residents parking in resident only parking;
recommendations and comments from the Transportation Advisory Board;
improved signage re resident/non-resident parking areas;
increase quarterly-pass parking area/increase number of passes;
free parking after a certain hour;
advertise spaces available at 128 RR Station;
encourage more MBTA use by residents;
advertise “free on weekends”; and,
improve signs as to where to pay.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the recommendations of the Transportation Advisory Board and the Superintendent of Public Works to increase the parking violations’ fines from $15 to $25 for non-resident parking.
Water Demands and Connection to Stoughton Evaluation Proposal
Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to discuss his Memo of February 28, 2006, dated February 28, 2006 re an evaluation of the possible connection to the MWRA via the Town of Stoughton to meet emergency needs. He recommended that a consultant be hired to identify viable options and that a contract be awarded to Watermark Environmental of Lowell, MA, to perform a scope of work, as attached to his Memo.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize and sign the contract with Water Mark Environmental, Lowell, MA, for an additional scope of work in the amount of $22,850.00.
Mr. Hooper updated the Board re Water Source Exploration and the work being done by the Consultant from ESS at the identified sites, and stated that we are resolving “what’s possible.”
Mann’s Pond Dam
Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, was present to answer questions related to leaks at Mann’s Pond Dam as raised by Cliff Towner of the Lake Management Committee. Items discussed included:
previous repair work done;
two discharge pipes installed at the Conservation Commission agent’s direction;
State inspection of the Dam;
concern re large trees;
aware of leaks;
not in danger of failure;
rebuilding or repair;
does not control discharge in Lake Massapoag;
plans to do cement work/drain down the pond in the fall; and,
use DPW workers @$15,000 maximum costs.
Goals & Objectives - Robert J. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer
Mr. Uyttebroek was present to discuss his Goals and Objectives with the Board. Items discussed included:
responsibilities re Tax Collector/Treasurer;
number of staff;
issuance of debt and reconciliation with Town Accountant;
management of the Data Processing Department;
MUNIS System;
Web Page;
Medicare Part D;
Health Insurance;
on-line payments;
interactions with FINCOM;
work with Auditor;
participation with Priorities Committee;
strategic analysis;
long range planning/revenue forecasts;
be more pro-active;
buyback of bonds;
working with the public; and
communication issues/monthly reports.
Vacation of Foreclosure Decree - 21 Mallard Drive
Mr. Uyttebroek discussed his Memo of February 27, 2006 re request from representatives of the Tobin family for a vacation of the foreclosure decree on the Tobins Property at 21 Mallard Drive. He stated that the Town will receive the amount owed in delinquent taxesfees and additional interest in the amount of almost $125,000, the Tobins will have their property restored to their procession, and the property will be back on the tax rolls.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to impose a vacation on the foreclosure decree at 21 Mallard Drive when and if a payment is made on or before March 15, 2006 for back taxes, interest and fees for $124,716.87, plus an amount for 2006.
Goals and Objectives - Don Hillegass, Systems Administrator, Department of Data Processing
Mr. Hillegass was present to discuss his Goals and Objectives with the Board. Items discussed included:
responsibilities of the Data Processing Department/three servers
Town’s internet site and e-mail accounts;
MUNIS System applications/support including School Department;
MUNIS System upgrade - point & click;
new look for website;
upgrade phone system 2008; and,
Chair’s suggestion to take advantage of volunteers expertise.
Status of Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
Mr. Puritz stated that the Board should have the text of the articles in the office by Friday. Selectman Heitin stated that the Warrant will be held pending the School Committee meeting on March 15 re possible Override. A special meeting will be posted for 7:00 P.M. March 16, 2006 to sign the Warrant.
Sequencing of the Annual Town Meeting Articles
It was the consensus of the Board to sequence the articles as follows:
LIST OF 2006 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Special within the Annual - Collective Bargaining Agreements
Ballot Question - School Override
Election
Act Upon Reports
Government Study Committee Dissolution
Personnel Bylaw
Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers
Funds
Norfolk County Retirement
Annual Audit
Unemployment
Capital Outlay Articles
Public Works - Streets & Sidewalks
Public Works - Sacred Heart Demolition
Public Works - Vehicles & Equipment
School Committee
Fire
Police
Civil Defense
Library
Horizons for Youth Land Acquisition
Petition Article - King Philip - K. Buermann
Community Center Reconstruction
Middle School Roof
Middle School HVAC
Housing Trust Fund
Veteran's Exemption
Tax Deferral Program - Senior Relief
Community Preservation Act Funding
Community Preservation Exemptions
Extend Five Leases P.O. Square and Billings St. Parking Lot
Extend Library Walkway Lease
Change to Sign Bylaw - Planning Board
Data Reinspection Contract - Assessors
Dog Licensing Rates
Mandatory Leash Law - Fees
Stormwater Bylaw Amendment
Bylaw Change - Waste Containers
Carriage House - Historical Commission
Revolving Funds
Non-Criminal Disposition - Fines - Board of Health
Finance Committee Members
Action Items
The Board discussed its list of Action items including:
review of Rattlesnake Hill Land Acquisition/new owner/draft press release - ongoing
Move Recreation Director Selection Committee and Appointment with FINCOM re Budget Instructions to “Done”;
Employee Health Insurance - meetings planned with healthcare consultants/FINCOM;
roundtable discussion with short list of consultants;
consultant to provide independent audit/review of health insurance services;
Cook & Company monitors claims for the Town - does 99% municipal work;
questions by Alice Cheyer re possible changes that can be made;
estimated two-four years to make changes through the collective bargaining process;
state statutes re collective bargaining;
impact of health insurance on operating budget; and,
cannot expect any silver bullet.
Selectmen Comments on Avalon Bay
Board discussed review of draft LIP Application. Chair Grasfield stated that the application does not go into detail re issues raised by the Avalon Bay Citizens Advisory Committee including water and septic issues. He stated discussions with the Town of Norwood are on-going. Selectman Roach announced that there will be a vote taken at the Norwood Town Meeting re sewer connection. Meeting scheduled next week with Avalon Bay to discuss remaining items.
The Board hopes to have a consolidated response ready to forward with the Application to DHCD within 30 days. Avalon Bay plans to begin construction this calendar year.
Mr. Ira Miller, FINCOM discussed the Housing Development Plan and that only permitted units are counted toward the Town’s affordable housing quota and requirements. It was noted that any 40b applications filed before the Housing Production Plan have been grand-fathered. Mr. Puritz discussed how 40bs filed after the Town meets its affordable housing requirements will not be able to appeal local decisions to the Housing Appeals Court.
Commercial Development Group
Selectman Heitin discussed plans for a formation of a Commercial Development Group on the next agenda. Chair Grasfield asked for an extension of time for another week to allow interested citizens the opportunity to submit their names.
Selectman Heitin stated that this Board made a commitment to have this on the Agenda of March 14, and he would like to stay with that. Questions were asked as to how this Committee would be different from the Industrial Development Committee. Selectman Heitin stated that this Committee would be a working group to help the Board of Selectmen review recommendations and report submitted by Eli Hauser of the Planning Board whereas the Industrial Development Committee is a formalized Committee created by statute.
Contract with Cook & Company
Mr. Puritz stated that this Contract would be for services in connection with Medicare D, and will allow the Town to receive subsidies from the Federal Government of up to $80,000.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Contract with Cook & Company, Mansfield, MA, in the amount of $3,000.
M.L. Limousine Service
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to grant permission to M.L. Limousine Service, 283 East Street, for one limousine to pass through the Town.
Request for Banner - Sharon Historical Society
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Historical Society for the dates of May 29 - June 3 in the Second Position.
Request for Can Drive - Sharon After Prom and Graduation Party
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a Can Drive for the Senior After Prom and Graduation Party, subject to cooperating with the Police Department, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon with the date of April 1 or April 8 subject to the preference of the Police Chief.
Conservation Restriction - Land adjacent to the Griffin Property on Norwood Street
The Board reviewed Memo from Greg Meister, dated March 3, 2006 requesting the Board’s acceptance of a Conservation Restriction from the Trustees of the Norwood Street Realty Trust.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Conservation Restriction comprising 2.73 acres of land adjacent to the Griffin Property on Norwood Street.
Reconsider Vote to Close the Community Center Beach
Selectman Roach requested that the Board redo the vote taken to close the Community Center Beach from Monday through Friday during construction of the Community Center and to close it completely due to lack of parking spaces during the construction phase.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the road to the Sharon Community Center and Sharon Community Center Beach, effective April 1, 2006 from Sunday to Saturday, subject to further updates.
Recreation Department - 2006 Summer Staff
The Board reviewed Memo from David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, dated March 6, 2006.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the hiring of 2006 Summer Staff as outlined in Mr. Clifton’s Memo, dated March 6, 2006.
Bickford’s Family Restaurant
Chair Grasfield noted correspondence from Bickford’s Family Restaurant, dated March 2, 2006. in response to complaints made by an abutter, Ms. Brule.
Registry of Deeds Office Hours
Chair Grasfield announced that the Registry of Deeds will hold Office Hours within the Town Offices on March 22 from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Wilber School Report
Chair Grasfield answered questions re engineering report due today on the Wilber School. Mr. Hooper reported that further tests were being done.
Finance Director Position
Mr. Puritz noted package of information included in the agenda in follow-up to discussions re the position of Finance Director at the Priorities Committee.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Collective Bargaining, Pending Litigation, Real Property Acquisition, discussion of non-union personnel, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Heitin, aye; Grasfield, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:45 P.M.
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