May 23, 2006
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair William A. Heitin and Selectmen Walter Joe Roach and Richard A. Powell and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Reorganization of the Board
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint William A. Heitin as Chair of the Board.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Walter Joe Roach as Clerk of the Board.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of April 25, 2006, including Executive Session.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of May 1 2006.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of May 2, 2006.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of May 9, 2006, including Executive Session.
MP0 Representative for Election
The Board discussed the May 24, 2006 Municipal Election to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to designate George B. Bailey, the Town’s MAPC Representative, to attend the election and cast the ballot for the Town.
Reinstatement of Officer Brian Mannetta
The Board reviewed Memo from Joseph S. Bernstein, Chief of Police, dated May 17, 2006 recommending that the Board approve reinstating Officer Brian Mannetta at his previous Step 4 with counting his previous time toward other benefits.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Chief Bernstein to reinstate former Sharon Police Officer Brian Mannetta at Step 4 with previous time counted toward other benefits.
Advisory Committee on Energy
Rosemary Tambouret, Lynn Wolbarst, and Joan Spiegel were present to discuss forming an Advisory Committee on Energy. Items discussed included:
promote alternative uses of energy;
financial savings;
citizen education;
working with established committees/Economic Development Committee;
solicit additional individuals;
setting of short term/long term goals;
invitation to meet with Department Heads at next Staff Meeting;
matching funds/grants available; and,
formation of new committee.
Internal Revenue Service Mileage
The Board reviewed Memo from Joan M. Leighton, Town Accountant, dated May 17, 2006, recommending that the Board raise the mileage reimbursement rate to 44 ½ cents per mile.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to increase the mileage reimbursement rate to 44 ½ cents per mile, effective July 1, 2006.
Memorial Beach Improvements - Award Contract
David I. Clifton, Recreation Director and Amanda Sloan were present to recommend that the Board award a Contract for Phase 3 &4 of landscape improvements to Memorial Beach to Green Acres Landscape and Construction Company, Inc., Lakeville, MA, in the amount of $96,497.78.
Brief discussion followed as to funding available and the seeking of alternative funding sources for a $16,000 gap.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the contract to Green Acres Landscape and Construction Company, Inc., Lakeville, MA, in the amount of $96,497.78 with Phase 1 to not exceed $80,000 as funding available.
Community Center - Move to Horizon For Youth Location
David I. Clifton, Recreation Director, mentioned the successful move of the offices of the Recreation Department, Council on Aging, and Standing Building Committee to a site at the Horizon for Youth Camp on Lakeview Street. Beach tags and stickers will be available at that site.
Send Letters of Appreciation
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to send letters of appreciation to the custodians, Paul Spender, Travis Spender, Dylan Spender and Mike Staruski, who cleaned up and readied the Horizon For Youth leased site.
Board of Health
The Board interviewed Jay Schwab to fill the unexpired vacancy on the Board of Health. Mr. Schwab previously served on the Public Health Advisory Board. Another candidate will be schedule for interview at the next meeting.
Inspection Services for High Plain/Edge Hill/Norwood Street Intersection/Signalization
The Board reviewed Memo from Peter O’Cain, dated May 2006 recommending that the Board approve a contract amendment for inspection services to Tibbets Engineering, Taunton, MA.
There was a brief discussion as to the need to fill the vacancy for Town Engineer.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Engineering Services contract dated March 16, 2005 between Tibbetts Engineering Corporation and the Town of Sharon, in an amount not to exceed $33,000.00.
Action Items
The Board will review the Action Items list at the next agenda. The Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation will be added.
Sidewalks for Gabriel, Winslow & Stonybrook Roads
The Board discussed Letter from William D. Loiselle, dated May 10, 2006, re replacing stone bounds removed during sidewalk construction. It was stated that this will be done upon completion of the N. Main Street project.
Appreciation re Assistance for other Town Departments
The Board noted Memo from Chief Bernstein, dated May 15, 2006 re efforts of the DPW and School Department with the transition of the communications center.
Wilber School RFP
It was announced that the RFP for the Reuse of the Wilber School is substantially completed and will be circulated to Boards and Committees for comments on or before the end of the week. The Wilber School Redevelopment Committee will be seeking the Board’s endorsement at the meeting of June 6. The Board will schedule the draft RFP for discussion next week.
Avalon Bay
Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel, was present and suggested that the Board adjourn to Executive Session to review the terms of the agreement with Avalon Bay.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to review the terms of the Agreement with Avalon Bay and then return to Open Session.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:35 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:58 P.M.
Avalon Bay - LIP Application
Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel, Scott Dale was present on behalf of Avalon Bay and eight abutters and/or members of the Avalon Bay Citizen’s Advisory Committee were also present. Items discussed included:
status of LIP Application;
new changes to Memornadum of Agreement;
beginning of process/to continue with 40B special permitting process with ZBA;
agreed to mitigation measures;
deed restriction on development of rest of land (13 acres), identified as Parcel C;
no further extensions to the sewer line without the assent of the Town of Sharon Board of Selectmen;
alternative on-site sewage treatment language;
agreed to alternative site, if necessary, for water infrastructure water upgrade (up to $310,000);
agreed to alternative site, if necessary, for sidewalk construction (up to $310,000);
project affordability will be in perpertuity.
water use suggestions made by the WMAC; and,
the votes needed to be taken.
Abutters concerns were listened to and questions answered, stating certain items will be addressed through the comprehensive permitting process.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted 2-0 (Powell abstained) to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Avalon Bay.
Mr. Powell explained that he was abstaining on all votes related to Avalon Bay as he was not comfortable in voting when he has only sat through one discussion.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted 2-0 (Powell abstained) to authorize the Chair of the Board of Selectmen to sign the Letter of Endorsement addressed to DHCD re the LIP Application.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted 2-0 (Powell abstained) to authorize the Board to sign the LIP Application as drafted.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted 2-0 (Powell abstained) for establishment of consultant fees for AvalonBay project:
In accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 44, section 53G, the rules of this Board, and the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between this Board and Avalonbay Communities, Inc., the Board votes to engage the services of Gelerman and Buschmann, P.C. to act as the consultant to the Board with regard to AvalonBay's proposed LIP project on Norwood Street and Edgehill Road.
The board determines that the sum of $15,000 should be placed with the Town Treasurer to be expended in accordance with the provisions of G.L. ch 44, section 53G.
The Board stated that all documents signed tonight would be made available within the Selectmen’s Office.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a brief recess. The Board recessed at 9:55 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 10:04 P.M.
Opposition to Petition by Bay State Gas
The Board discussed sending a letter in Opposition to the Petition by Bay State Gas that would significantly increase natural gas costs and adversely affect the Town’s rights as a transportation customer.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to send a letter to the Department of Telecommunications and Energy in Oppostion to the Petition filed by Bay State Gas.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Real Property Acquisition, Worker’s Compensation Claim, Collective Bargaining, and Pending Litigation, and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10:05 P.M.
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