December 19, 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 6:45 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of December 5, 2006, including Executive Session.
Budget Review - Fire Department - Dennis Mann
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for the Fire Department with the amounts of $1,983,751 (Level); $2,082,939 (plus) and $1,884,564 (minus). Chief Mann discussed the need to increase staffing levels and the need for more affordable housing as most new applicants to the Fire Department cannot afford to live in Town. Decreases in the line item for training were also discussed.
Budget Review DPW - Eric Hooper
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for DPW with the amounts of $2,244,994 (Primary); $2,134,251 (-5%); $2,337,837 (+5%) and $2,457,325 (MOS). Items discussed included the increase in fuel costs, and cuts in custodial staff.
Water Budget - Eric Hooper
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Water Budget in the amount of $2,274,318. The Board discussed capital funded projects.
Street Lighting Budget - Eric Hooper
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Street Lighting in the amount of $224,325.
Quarterly Tax Bills
Mark Mazer, Administrative Assessor, and Members of the Board of Assessors Ellen Abelson and Paula Keefe, were present to discuss the option of quarterly tax bills. Items discussed included:
number of communities using quarterly tax bills;
trend in State for more communities to use quarterly tax bills;
financial benefits to the Town;
one time benefit to Town re New Growth assessment;
need for analysis from Tax Collector;
whether to send out quarterly bills twice or quarterly;
Assessors have adopted “neutral position” to the change;
article to be placed on May Town Meeting;
benefit of approximately $150,000 re cashflow/savings on borrowing;
ask Treasurer for cost-benefit analysis; and,
list of comparable Towns.
License Heating - Herb Chambers - Above Ground Propane Tanks
The Board held a Public Hearing under Chapter 148 of the General Laws, that Herb Chambers of Chicopee, Inc., has applied for the issuance of a License to store 4,000 gallons of propane in above-ground tanks at 15 General Edwards Highway, Sharon, Ma. Notice was placed in the Sharon Advocate and copies sent to the abutters.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to Open the Hearing.
Mr. Joel Fishman and Steve Marshall were present on behalf of Herb Chambers. Chief Dennis Mann was also present. Items discussed included:
discussion of law that allows Fire Department to license storage of propane up to 2,000 gallons;
license required from Selectmen for amount over 2,000 gallons;
above-ground tanks would be temporary to provide heat during construction;
tanks to be removed by May/June; and,
maps of tank locations.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to issue the license for the 4,000 gallon above-ground propane tanks at Herb Chambers, 15 General Edwards Highway with restrictions placed by the Fire Department, including that it is temporary in nature.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to close the hearing.
Special Municipal Employee Status - Linda Callan
The Board reviewed information re part-time positions held by School Committee Member Linda Callan, including Secretary to the Priorities Committee, Crossing Guard duties under the DPW, and administrative assistant to the Health Department, as well as, written disclosure from Ms. Callan, dated December 12, 2006 and a letter addressed to Ms. Callan from the State Ethics Commission.
Ms. Callan is required to provide a written disclosure with the Town Clerk.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to grant the designation of Special Municipal Employee to the positions of: (1) Secretary to the Priorities Committee; (2) Crossing Guard/Meter Collector as appointed by the Police Chief; and (3) Administrative Assistant to the Health Department and to approve a § 20(b) exemption to Linda Callan.
Banner Request
The Board reviewed a request for banner from the Sharon Alternative School.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Alternative Schools for the dates March 16 - 23, 2007.
Michael C. Rothberg Scholarship Fund
The Board reviewed Memo from David I. Clifton, dated December 12, 2006 requesting that the Board authorize the transfer of funds from the Rothberg Donation Account to distribute 17 scholarships during the fall of 2006.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize the transfer of funds totaling $2,210.00 as requested by Mr. Clifton.
Disposal of Shelter Cots
The Board reviewed correspondence from Michael Polimer, Director, Civil Defense, requesting permission to offer approximately 150 surplus Army cots to the public before throwing them away. Whatever is left after January 22 will be disposed of in the DPW dumpster.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize Michael Polimer, Director, Civil Defense, to give away and distribute remaining 1962 cots on or before January 22, 2007.
Town of Sharon Investment Policy
The Board reviewed an updated Town of Sharon Investment Policy. Selectmen Powell requested that this be held until the January 2 agenda to give the Finance Committee an opportunity review it.
Budget Review - Veterans - Paul Bergeron
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Veterans in the amounts of $19,150 (Primary); $20,108 (Plus); $26,083 (MOS); and 18,192.00 (Minus -5%). Mr. Bergeron recommends the MOS budget based on historic needs for Veterans benefits.
Budget Review - Veterans Graves - Paul Bergeron
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Veterans Graves in the amounts of $3,194 (Primary); $3,354 (Plus); and $3,034 (Minus -5%).
Budget Review - Community Celebration - Paul Bergeron
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Community Celebration in the amounts of $2,280 (Primary); $2,394 (Plus); $2,700 (MOS); and, $2,166.00 (Minus -5%).
Recreation Director Interview
The Board interviewed Melissa Battite for position as Recreation Director. Ms. Battite is presently the Recreation Supervisor within the Recreation Department for the Town of Brookline.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a five-minutes recess.
The Board recessed at 8:40 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 8:55 P.M.
Budget Review - Insurance Budget
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for Insurance in the amount of $8,143,584.00 (Primary). There is expected a 10% increase in Health Insurance with a total 8.7% increase overall. The Town has hired a consultant to review the health insurance program.
Cancel Meeting of December 26
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to cancel the next scheduled meeting of December 26, 2006 due to the holidays.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purposes of a personnel matter, real property acquisition, and pending litigation; and, to adjourn at the conclusion thereof.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
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