July 5, 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 7:40 P.M.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Heitin expressed his appreciation to those that volunteered and participated in the July 4 Celebration and Fireworks on July 3.
Downtown Development
Phil Kopel and Lynn Wolbarst were present on behalf of the PO Square Committee. Other participants included Wayne Bradley of the Planning Board, Joel Tran of the Wilber Revitalization Committee, and MAPC Representative George Bailey. Items discussed included:
update on the status of Wilber School Redevelopment/11 developers requesting RFPs to date and preproposal conference to be held on July 20, 2006;
Mr. Bailey’s suggestions from MAPC Director of Planning, Water & Sewage;
benefits for 40R transit-oriented development;
need for sewage treatment plant;
need for scoping planner;
septic issues affecting downtown development/need for solution;
limits to Wilber School site re sewage treatment;
shared septic systems;
need for technical evaluation of locations for sewage treatment;
previous studies by Horsley & Witten;
feasibility of offsite septic treatment;
participation by Economic Development Committee to help strategize;
Mr. Bradley’s suggestion to buy up private parcels/use of CPA funds;
role of Board of Health; and,
nutrients from 98 dwellings located within 1/4 mile of Well #4.
State Budget Update - Senator Brian Joyce
Senator Brian Joyce made a presentation of the State budget on behalf of Senator Timilty, Representative Lou Kafka and himself. Items discussed included:
increased state aid during 80's boom years;
impact of Proposition 2 ½;
fiscal downturn in 1989 and increase in state taxes in 1990;
use of stabilization fund;
eight years of double digit growth;
impact of September 11;
loss of jobs in State;
healthcare/education and housing;
new positive trends;
replenish stabilization fund;
supplemental appropriations;
Smart Growth incentives;
Sharon’s excellent MCAS scores;
increases in local aid;
change in formula for next five years/benefit suburbs;
Sharon receives 16% of its funds from state aid;
local aid increase for 2007;
school building assistance reimbursements;
changes for Special Education funding/criteria;
medicaid reimbursements back to town; and,
Rattlesnake Hill acquisition allocation of 2.5 Million.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a brief recess. The Board recessed at 8:40 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 8:45 P.M.
Cultural Council Interview
The Board interviewed Elizabeth Davis for reappointment to the Cultural Council. Ms. Davis has served for two years on the Cultural Council which reviews grant applications for funding from the Arts Lottery.
Recreation Advisory Committee Interview
The Board interviewed Rick Schantz for reappointment to the Recreation Advisory Committee. Mr. Schantz discussed the Recreation Advisory Committee’s involvement in working closely with the Recreation Director. He discussed recent involvement with the Dog Park, Beech Tree Park, Lake Programs, and Community Center Reconstruction.
Town Counsel Interview
The Board interviewed Richard A. Gelerman, Town Counsel, for reappointment as Town Counsel. Mr. Gelerman stated that his largest involvement recently has been with development projects, including Rattlesnake Hill and Avalon Bay. Questions were asked as to how the Town could reduce its reliance on Town Counsel. He suggested the hiring of an Assistant Town Administrator and having outside developers pay, when possible, for his fees.
Recreation Director Appointment
This item was deferred.
Water Management Advisory Committee Recommendations & Insert for Water Bills
The Board reviewed correspondence from Paul Lauenstein of the Water Management Advisory Committee with recommendations to make a slight alteration to the washing machine rebate policy and to include an insert to the Water bills about prevent leaks. Mr. Hooper was present and stated that the change to the washing machine rebate is an administrative improvement re calculation for energy efficiency and credit on the water bill.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Water Management Advisory Committee re washing machine rebate and insert for water bill.
Appointments to Wilber School Redevelopment Proposal Evaluation Committee
The Board reviewed and discussed a list of suggested members to evaluate the proposals for the redevelopment of the Wilber School. Marcia Liebman of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee was present and asked questions as to the status of that Committee and whether or not the Board planned to change its focus. Chair Heitin stated that he would like to see the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee continue to fruition of the project, and the other Board members agreed that Committee should stay together.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint the following to serve on the Wilber School Redevelopment Proposal Evaluation Committee: Joel Tran; Marilyn Kahn; David Gordon; David DePree; Greg Waugh; Phil Kopel; and, Ed Hershfield, with alternates: Craig Edwards; Marcia Liebman; and, Michael Baskin; and, nonvoting members: Ben Puritz; and, either Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works; or Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer.
Encumbrances of FY2006 Recreation Funds
The Board reviewed Memo from David I. Clifton, dated June 13, 2006 re Encumbrances of FY 2006 Recreation funds.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to encumber $15,000 from the Recreation Department to be transferred from the Recreation Department Operating budget to the Memorial Park Beach Project.
Wilber School Parking Relocation
The Board reviewed memo from Maureen R. Doherty, Project Manager, dated June 29, 2006 re Wilber Abatement Project requesting that the Post Office employees relocate their parking to the rear of the Wilber School during the Abatement Project.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to change the allowed parking for PO employees to the rear of the Wilber School, effective as soon as possible, upon notification to the employees.
Action Items
This item was deferred.
Status of South/North Main Street Project
Selectman Roach updated the Board on progress made on the South/North Main Street Project. He stated that Phase I of the project is done. There was a brief discussion re relocation of utility poles.
Public Hearings re Rattlesnake Hill
Chair Heitin announced the times of the Public Hearings with Brickstone, the new owner of Rattlesnake Hill, as 7:30 P.M. on July 11, 2006 at this location for a presentation only, and at 8:00 P.M. on July 18, 2006 at the Sharon High School Library at which time a public forum will be held with a question and answer period.
The Board reviewed a letter as drafted by Selectman Powell to be printed in the Sharon Advocate with additional information concerning these hearings.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to sign the letter and submit it to the Advocate for publication.
Fall Town Meeting Articles
The Board noted Correspondence from the School Committee re placeholders for two Fall Town Meeting articles and a Petition Article submitted by Eli Hauser re Rescinding the Annual Town Meeting Vote for King Philip property acquisition.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Real Property Acquisition, Police Matter, Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining, and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:20 P.M.
Q:\Word Perfect\MINUTES\070506.wpd
| 
