November 28, 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 7:32 P.M.
COA Raffle - Friends of the Council on Aging
Eighteen winning tickets were drawn by those present.
Budget Review - Council on Aging - Norma Fitzgerald
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for the Council on Aging Budget in the amounts of $218,197.00 (Primary); $207,287.00 (5% minus);$229,107.00 (5% plus) and $238.064.00 MOS.
Ms. Fitzgerald discussed the need for a new custodian when the new senior center opens.
Change of Manager - Liquor License - Saphire Manor
The Board interviewed Jonathan Saphire for the new manager of the liquor license for the Saphire Manor.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve Jonathan Saphire as the new manager of the Saphire Manor and to send the application to the ABCC for its approval.
Budget Review - Data Processing -Rob Uyttebroek & Don Hillegass
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Data Processing in the amounts of $199,535.00 (Primary); $189,558.00 (5% minus); and, $209,511.00 (5% plus).
It was discussed that there will be a savings in this budget due to a new internet provider.
Budget Review - Treasurer - Rob Uyttebroek
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for the Treasurer in the amounts of $309,623.00 (Primary); $294,142.00 (5% minus); $325,104.00 (5% plus); and, $326,170.00 (maintenance of service). Items discussed included:
new cash register system;
option to reduce hours of staff/close on Friday; and
impact of quarterly tax bills.
Budget Review - Debt - Rob Uyttebroek
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Debt in the amount of $5,871,725.00.
This budget has increased almost 24%. Mr. Uyttebroek will provide a report to the Capital Outlay Committee of authorized but not issued debt.
Budget Review - Animal Control - Diane Malcolmson
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Animal Control in the amounts of $55,447.00 (Primary); $58,220.00 (5% plus ); and, $52,675.00 (5% minus). Ms. Malcolmson emphasized the reduction of fill-in coverage in the primary and minus budgets.
Sharon AM Radio 1630
Michael Polimer, Sharon Civil Defense, was present to announce that Sharon’s new community AM Radio Station 1630 is up and running and will provide community service announcements and emergency information, if needed.
Glendale/Billings St. Parcel - Lois Miller
Ms. Lois Miller was present on behalf of the Massapoag Brook Neighborhood Association, MBNA, to discuss the Glendale/Billing Street Parcel and the proposal submitted to the Community Preservation Committee for the purchase of the Billings Street Land west of Massapoag Brook. Items discussed included:
land deemed to have significant wetland, environmental, and recreational resources;
purchase of the 11.2 acre parcel would preserve the land for public conservation and recreation use;
history of plans to develop this property;
MBNA reduced the amount of CPC money requested to $850,000;
concerns re conflict of interest with CPC Chair, George Bailey;
Mr. Bailey lives on the access road to the property;
concerns re Mr. Bailey inappropriate behavior in contacting the developer and requesting that the access road be moved;
request for the Board’s support of this application for CPC funding;
Chair Heitin’s suggestion that MBNA submit a petition article for the Annual Town Meeting;
need to have a Selectman serve on the CPC Committee; and,
need for opinion from Town Counsel re Mr. Bailey’s possible conflict.
Annual Town Meeting Schedule
The Board held this item for one more week to give FINCOM and School Committee time to review. This will be scheduled on next week’s meeting.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a 2-minute recess at 8:56 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 8:58 P.M.
Special Town Election
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted 2-0 (Roach recused himself) to call a Special Town Election for January 23, 2007, to place the following question on the Ballot:
DEBT EXCLUSION BALLOT QUESTION
“Shall the Town of Sharon be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one half so called the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to purchase in the name of the Town for general municipal purposes, conservation purposes and/or school purposes, the fee in portions of the following parcels of land:
The parcels of land in Sharon, Massachusetts, identified as (1) 161 Lakeview Street, consisting of 46.7 acres and shown as Parcel ‘B’ ‘remaining land of Horizons for Youth’ on a plan entitled ‘A preliminary subdivision plan in Sharon’ dated July 1, 1998 and (2) 229 Lakeview Street, consisting of 10.00 acres and shown on said plan as Parcel ‘C’ “Other land of Horizons for Youth.” The parcels are also identified on the Town of Sharon Assessors Map as Parcels 41/34 and 41/1 respectively, or as the same may be more particularly described.
Such property is also generally shown on a GIS map on file with the Town Clerk and a copy of the above referenced plan is on file with the Town Clerk and is entitled ‘Horizons For Youth, Proposed Acquisition - November 7, 2006’, and consists of the land outlined in red on said plan excluding that parcel outlined and hatched in blue and identified as ‘proposed recreation land’ and also excludes those three parcels outlined and hatched in yellow identified as ‘proposed open space.’
YES ______ NO______”
Vote to Fill School Committee Vacancy
The Board discussed the requirement for taking a role call vote to choose the new member of the School Committee. Last week the Board and the School Committee interviewed Lauren Commons, Linda Callan and Jonathan Hitter. Chair Heitin discussed the steps that would need to be taken, including a waiver from the Board, if Linda Callan were selected as she holds several part-time positions with the Town. Jonathan Hitter also serves on the FINCOM, but has agreed to step down if selected. The Board discussed how all three candidates were well qualified to serve on the School Committee and urged the two not chosen this evening to run for election to the School Committee.
VOTED:
Don Gilligan - Linda Callan
Glenn Allen - Linda Callan
Mitch Blaustein - Linda Callan
Sam Liao - Lauren Commons
Andy Nebenzahl - Linda Callan
Joe Roach - Linda Callan
Richard Powell - Linda Callan
Bill Heitin - Linda Callan
As seven of the eight votes were for Linda Callan, Ms. Callan will fill the School Committee vacancy until the next Annual Town Election.
The Board will request that Ms. Callan file the necessary documentation with the Town Clerk and will vote regarding a waiver, due to multiple positions with the Town under
MGL 268A §20, for Ms. Callan on its next agenda.
Application for Propane Tanks - 15 General Edwards Highway
The Board reviewed an application filed for above-ground propane tanks for temporary heat in connection with a new car dealership, Herb Chambers, on 15 General Edwards Highway. Tanks above 2000 gallons in capacity require a license from the Board of Selectmen after notice and public hearing. Chair Heitin directed that a date be set and legal notice be placed within the Sharon Advocate and sent to abutters, including the Town of Walpole, for the public hearing at its meeting of December 12 or as soon as possible.
Telecommunications Structures
The Board continued its discussions on the recommendations made by IDK Communications in its letter of November 20, 2006.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the three proposals as recommended by IDK as: (1) Upland Road - Verizon Wireless; (2) Massapoag - Verizon Wireless; and, Department of Public Works - Pappas Evergreen LLC.
Chair Heitin stated this is just the beginning of the process and the proposals will be going before the Zoning Board of Appeals for permitting. The Board reviewed estimates of income to be generated through the leases and co-locators.
Comments re Simpson Housing Comprehensive Permit
The Board reviewed the comments re Simpson Housing Draft Comprehensive Permit by Peter O’Cain, dated November 7, 2006. Jane Desberg, Sharon Housing Partnership, was present and requested a copy of the application for her review. She stated that, “we need to be kept in the loop.”
Mr. Puritz discussed the specifics of the application for 180 units in 15 buildings to be constructed on Route 1, including seeking water and sewer connection through the Town of Walpole. The number of units will be contingent upon approval of water and sewer connections.
A formal filing with be made with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Ms. Desberg expressed disappointment after a cursory review of the lengthy draft application, that the affordable housing component is only 1/4 of one page. She stated she had specific concerns, including that the income level is extraordinarily high for the affordable rental units. She will plan on meeting with representatives of Simpson Housing as soon as possible to address issues in the early stage.
Brickstone Continued Public Hearing
Chair Heitin announced that the continued public hearing for Brickstone development proposal for Rattlesnake Hill will be December 5 at 8:00 P.M. in the Sharon High School Library.
Herb Chambers - Licensing of Propane Tanks and Fees
It was discussed that the Board has no licensing fee established for above-ground propane tanks and that the general bylaws requires an advertisement period and public hearing before establishing new fees.
The Board also discussed the amount of estimated taxes to be received from the new car dealership.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to request that the applicant (Herb Chambers) offset any costs associated with advertisement and notices to abutters relative to its application for license.
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 at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:40 P.M.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
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