October 10, 2006
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:30 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 6:35 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of September 26, 2006, and the joint Meetings with Wilber School Redevelopment Committee, Open Session, September 18, 2006 and Executive Sessions September 18 and September 25.
Recreation Director Interview - John J. Mason
The Board interviewed John J. Mason to fill the position of Recreation Director. Mr. Mason is currently the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley and provides many recreation programs on behalf of the Town of Maynard. Mr. Mason served as the first Recreation Director for the Town of Stow.
Street Acceptance - Vote to Lay-Out for Fall Town Meeting
The Board reviewed Memo from Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated October 10, 2006 with punch-list items that need to be completed before the November 13 Town Meeting for Aspen Road and Sumac Lane.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the Lay-Out of Aspen Road and Sumac Lane, with the condition that Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer approve the punch-list items before Town Meeting. Descriptions of Streets are as follows:
1. Aspen Road: beginning from Station 26+22.05, thence running northeasterly, a distance of 2404.47 linear feet to Station 50+26.52, it’s terminus.
2. Sumac Lane: beginning from Station 0+00, thence running southeasterly, a distance of 329.98 linear feet to station 3+29.98, its terminus.
Budget Review - Commission on Disability - Ben Puritz
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for the Commission on Disability in the amounts of $500 (Primary), $525 (Plus) and $475.00 (Minus).
Waiver for John A. Sulik - Water Management Advisory Committee
The Board discussed Letter from John A. Sulik, dated September 20, 2006, requesting a waiver from the residency requirement to enable him to continue his member on the Water Management Advisory Committee. Mr. Sulik has recently married and moved out of Town.
Mr. Roach stated that he does not take the waiver of the residency requirement, but based on Mr. Sulik’s extensive experience, he would recommend allowing him to serve for one more year.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to grant the waiver of the residency requirement
and to reapppoint John A. Sulik to the Water Management Advisory Committee for one year, Expiration: January 2008.
Appointments/Reappointments to Committees
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Ernest Kahn and George Aronson to the Energy Advisory Committee, appointment to expire: January 2010.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to reappoint Michael Baglino and David Deitz to The Lake Management Study Committee, appointment to expire: January 2010.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to reappoint Robert J. Uyttebroek as Treasurer/Collector, appointment to expire: January 2010.
Update - North/South Main Street Reconstruction Project & Edgehill/High Plain St.
Selectman Roach gave an update of the North/South Main Street Reconstruction Project including repaving of the parking lots, brick sidewalks and the hope that all improvements will be made by winter. He announced that traffic will be backed up for two-three days during the paving of Route 27 - Edgehill/High Plain Street.
Budget Review - Civil Defense - Mike Polimer
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Civil Defense in the amounts of $9,635 (Primary), $10,117.00 (Plus), $9,153.00 (Minus) and $10,572.00 (Maintenance of Service).
Review Capital Outlay Request - Civil Defense - Mike Polimer
Mr. Polimer, Civil Defense Director, updated the Board on radio station installation.
The Board reviewed request to purchase Emergency Shelter Management Kits at a cost of $11,376.
Review Warrant Article - Home Rule Petition for Affordable Housing - RobertYoung
Robert Young, Sharon Housing Partnership, was present to review the article for the Fall Town Meeting which will increase the amount of equity (up to $400,000 in the principal residence) for senior applicants (+55) to qualify for affordable housing in the Town. He stated that the present law is going up to $200,000. He discussed allegations that the language may be discriminatory and the article will be amended so that it would include anyone over the age of 55. He stated that preference can still be made for Sharon residents under the guidelines for a local preference list and that the State has the authority itself to grant exemptions to the rule.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a recess.
The Board recessed at 8:05 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 8:20 P.M.
Deer Hunting Recommendations/Lyme Disease
Elizabeth Barnett and Jay Schwab were present from the Board of Health as well as Police Chief Joseph Bernstein. Mr. Schwab discussed the Board of Health’s concerns with the increase in Lyme Disease, but did not ask that the Board support its recommendation to allow deer hunting by bow and arrow. Education seems to be the key to reducing exposure to the deer tick that spreads Lyme Disease. The Board of Health will be following up with advertising and working with the School Department as well as other proactive measures.
Planning Board - Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles
Conservation Subdivision
Paul Lauenstein and Wayne Bradley were present to discuss the amended CSD (Conservation Subdivision Bylaw). Mr. Bradley discussed the history of this bylaw with its intent to update the flexible zoning districts to leave more open space. He discussed the proposed changes to the bylaw that will address some of the mistakes made with the Hunters Ridge CSD. One of the provisions will be the hiring of a consultant or professional planner at the developer’s expense. It also provides for the lowering of the density bonus and an increase in the required buffers (50 ft) re abutters. The Board discussed issues of affordable house and open space. Concerns were expressed by Planning Board Member Arnie Cohen re too many conditions/requirements placed on the CSD and that nobody
is going to do it.
Lot Width
Arnie Cohen discussed this bylaw regarding odd-shaped lots and closing a loophole that allows odd-shaped lots to qualify as buildable lots (Form A’s). It will only apply to the creation of future lots.
Zoning Bylaws Corrections
Paul Lauenstein discussed corrections/typos made to the Zoning Bylaws with the assistance of Alice Cheyer, who is a professional editor. He stated that nothing substantive has been changed and that there is no controversy.
Lake Management Study Committee/Review of Program & Practices - Cliff Towner
Cliff Towner, Chair of the Lake Management Study Committee was present to discuss the program of the Lake Management Study Committee. Items discussed included:
programs and policies specific to the lake;
lake level low - no water to flush out;
algae problems;
success of management of lake levels back to 1992;
one of the cleanest lakes in the Commonwealth;
requirements and records kept;
micromanage lake level/new gate/staff guage;
lake level low after three months of rain;
not enough water to manage the lake;
well pumping does not contribute to problem;
groundwater studies showing plenty of groundwater; and,
belief that lake water comes from Cedar Swamp.
Selectman Powell stated that he believed the presentation this evening was for the program and practices of the Lake Management Committee, and that the Board was not prepared to discuss other issues this evening, including the Cedar Swamp.
Mr. Towner stated that he had concerns with the flow to the streams and that the lake level is getting progressively worse. Chair Heitin suggested a public forum regarding groundwater. The Selectman requested data from the Lake Management Committee. Mr. Towner further mentioned problems with needing to remove the gate to let out water to the streams, and its having to be resealed.
Executive Session
The Board will move back to the Sharon Town Offices for Executive Session.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Personnel Matter, Collective Bargaining , Real Property Acquisition and Pending Litigation, and, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:55 P.M.
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