September 19, 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.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of August 29 as printed.
The Minutes of September 5, including the Executive Session Minutes, were held.
Reappointment Interview - Sharon Housing Partnership & Development & Industrial Commission
The Board interviewed Alan Lury for reappointment to the Sharon Housing Partnership Committee. Mr. Lury discussed the current activities, including establishment of a Housing Trust, preparing an RFP for development of Winslow Road affordable housing on town-owned property and involvement with Avalon Bay LIP development requirements for affordability. In answer to the question, Mr. Lury stated that the land would be sold re the Winslow Road development with a restricted deed - affordable in perpetuity.
King Philips Parcel Uniqueness Determination Vote
Chair Heitin read the vote as prepared by Town Counsel.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously that the King Philip Parcel Uniqueness Determination Vote has been adopted by the Board, as follows:
The Town of Sharon Board of Selectmen wish to enter into an agreement with Solstice Development LLC to acquire by purchase a certain parcel of undeveloped and unimproved real estate located in Sharon, Massachusetts, containing 7.0 acres, more or less, situated off Mansfield Street, to be subdivided from land of the Seller identified as part of the approved Subdivision entitled King Philips Estates Sharon, Massachusetts,
together with an easement to approximately . 5 acres, more or less all as shown on a sketch plan prepared by the Town of Sharon Engineering Department.
Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16, the Town of Sharon must solicit proposals prior to leasing real property at a cost exceeding $25,000.00, unless the Board of Selectmen determine in writing that advertising for the submission of proposals will not benefit the Town’s interest because of the unique qualities or location of the real property needed.
The Board hereby declares as follows:
The Town of Sharon Board of Selectmen has determined that advertising for proposals pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16(d), will not benefit the interest of the Town of Sharon because the property to be acquired contains unique geologic, vegetative and wildlife features and has local historic significance Furthermore, the property to be acquired is uniquely situated in that it is contiguous to more than 250 acres of Town owned conservation land. The land is also in close proximity to the Canoe River Wilderness Area. In light of the foregoing, it is the opinion of the Board that it is proper to waive the publication requirements of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, § 16 with respect to this
acquisition.
The Board further declares that pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16(e)(1), the Board shall publish this determination along with the names of the parties having a beneficial interest in the property and the proposed purchase price in the Massachusetts Central Register not less than thirty (30) days before the Town of Sharon executes a binding agreement to lease purchase the property.
Open the Fall Town Meeting Warrant
The Board received a request from the School Department to place an article on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant re School Insurance Proceeds.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to Open the Warrant.
Vote to Place Article on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to place new Article 22 as follows:
ARTICLE 22
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Receipt Reserved School Insurance Settlement Account to the School Department for school purposes such sums as become available and paid to the Town by the Town’s insurance companies for losses and damages incurred as a result of a fire at the Middle School Library, or to take any other action relative thereto.
School Department
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
Correct King Philip Vote for Uniqueness Determination
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to strike the word “lease” in the last line and replace it with “purchase” the property.
Sign the Fall Town Meeting Warrant
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
Chair Heitin stated that the Board will invite the proponents of the various article to discuss the articles and will take a position on the articles before the Fall Town Meeting.
Improvements to Internal Controls/Receipts - Town Treasurer
The Board reviewed Memo from Robert J. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer, dated September 12, 2006, with new requirements for additional procedures in the area of receipts.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the Treasurer to distribute the Memorandum to all Department Heads.
Request for Additional Banner Week - Sharon High School PTO
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve a Banner for the Sharon High School PTO for the week of October 31 - November 5, 2006.
It was announced that the High School PTSO Auction will be ONLINE from November 1 - November 28, 2006.
Award Bid - Solar Salt and Rock Salt - DPW
The Board reviewed Memo from Marie E. Cuneo, dated September 13, 2006.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the bid for Solar Salt to Eastern Minerals, Inc. Lowell, MA, the low bidder in the amount of $46.82 per ton (an increase of 6.62 per ton) and to award the bid for Rock Salt to American Rock Salt Co., Taunton, MA, the low bidder in the amount of $44.44 per ton (an increase of 3.65 per ton).
Deer Hunting Recommendation by Board of Health
The Board reviewed Memo from the Board of Health, dated September 13, 2006 re: Concerns re Lyme Disease and recommendation to encouraging deer hunting in order to reduce the deer population if there is data that there are more than 20 deer per square mile.
The Board would like to get the opinion of the Police Chief and will invite the Board of Health and the Police Chief to discuss this matter. This item was held.
Letter re: Draft Water Management Permit
The Board reviewed a Letter as drafted by Eric Hooper and Ben Puritz addressed to DEP re the Town’s increase in its growth capacity pertaining to water requirements.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the letter as drafted to DEP re water withdrawal.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach/) Voted unanimously to formally continue the wetlands monitoring program and, at an appropriate time in the near future, revisit the protocols in that program.
Chair Heitin discussed formalizing a study re the direct connection between well pumping and groundwater as suggested by the Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC) to better understand the effect on the wetlands and the lake. He further discussed the Conservation Commission’s notification that four of the five potential well sites (one not being tested due to access issues) being tested are unacceptable, and he suggested that there is a need to regroup on this issue. He further stated that there is a need to understand historical data on the lake and related water flows. Selectman Roach discussed the need to get WMAC, Conservation Commission and this Board back on the same page re potential well sites.
Wilber School Redevelopment Committee - Recommendation
Chair Heitin announced that members of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee will be on next week’s agenda, September 26, to make recommendations as to a proposal for the reuse of the Wilber School, and that at its meeting of October 3, there will be an Open Forum, with notification to abutters, to be held at the Sharon High School Library at 8:30 P.M.
Public Hearing - Brickstone - Re Development of Rattlesnake Hill
John Twohig, Marty Spagat, John Kusmiersky and Robert Daylor were present on behalf of Brickstone. Approximately 60 abutters and interested residents were present.
Chair Heitin discussed the procedures for this evenings Public Hearing. Items discussed included:
meeting with neighbors;
$45,000 for consultants;
project will need zoning relief and Town Meeting vote;
hopes to pursue with Town’s support;
another process before Planning Board and Conservation Commission;
predictions for future residents for Brickstone:
60% coming from 20 mile radius/most with ties to community;
average resident in mid-70's/25% couples/75% singles;
estimated income of residents of $75,000 per year;
20-45% would be from the Town or returnees to the Town;
population estimates one in five Sharon residents over age 62 by 2025;
facilities to be available on-site;
resident concerns re high-rise buildings;
concerns re maintaining the “character” of the Town;
1800 units/potential for 3600 people on Rattlesnake Hill;
scope of the project;
luxury project/not in keeping with diversity of Sharon;
concerns re affordability;
concerns with impact of residents selling their homes to young families;
estimated entrance fee of $500,000 - $600,000/monthly fees of $3,500;
project impact on meeting affordable housing quota/promise to make it neutral;
high pressure water district;
typography of the land/wetlands;
groundwater issues;
plan to keep surplus material on site;
underground parking garage;
minimal crossing of wetlands;
water supply/DEP allowance/project to use half of allowable maximum;
benefits of installation of high service water system/tank;
water connection through the Town of Stoughton;
on- site waste water treatment system/design flows/meet drinking water standards;
run-off and drainage issues;
project will disturb very little of the site;
very green design;
concerns re private wells;
impact of water recharge to benefit wetlands;
request for actual footprint of the project;
questions re connection to MWRA through Stoughton;
water tests and other studies;
project to have own generator;
Stoughton Water System / lower than ours;
will have more specific design at next meeting; and,
next public hearing scheduled for October 17 at the Sharon High Library.
Public Hearing - Norfolk County Safety Dispatch System
A Public Hearing was held under Chapter 88 of Mass General Laws, concerning the proposed installation of two-way Radio Antenna(s) on the Fire Tower located at Moose Hill to provide communication functioning for the Norfolk County Fire Safety Dispatch system throughout the County.
Ed Little was present on behalf of Norfolk County. Chief Joe Bernstein and Civil Defense Director Michael Polimer were also present.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to open the hearing re Norfolk County Dispatch System.
Items discussed included:
does not anticipate any interference with the Town’s radio equipment;
proposing in-kind services to the Town:
new 100 amp electrical service
air conditioning for the building
50/50 payment of the electrical bill
emergency generator;
MMA feasibility study for county dispatch;
make-up of committee members;
no longer considering the Canton Hospital site;
site to be located at the Holbrook Fire House;
three towns on-board including Holbrook, Westwood and Sharon;
coverage of whole county;
grant received from Homeland Security;
no expense to the county;
fees to be assessed to each town;
improvements to public safety;
town to gain equivalent of four firefighters;
radio frequency study;
possibilities of interference from radio stations/Blue Hills;
impact on Civil Defense electricity bill; and,
impact of adding other frequencies in the future.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to grant permission to install Norfolk County radio and antenna on the Fire Tower located at Moose Hill and the installation of a new 100 amp electrical service, air-conditioning, with 50/50 payment of the power bill paid by the Dispatch System, and an emergency generator.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to close the hearing.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Personnel Matter, Pending Litigation, Collective Bargaining, Real Property Acquisition, update of Investigation, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10:40 P.M.
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