MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss matter related to real property and to reconvene in Regular Session at the conclusion of the Executive Session.
Roach, aye; Heitin, aye;
The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 6:32pm
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:55 p.m.
Chairman Heitin announced that the Town had received excellent news as the Department of Housing and Community Development had certified the Town’s Housing Production Plan which will allow the Town to halt 40B filings for two years. Chairman Heitin thanked Eli Hauser and Gina Maniscalco for their tremendous efforts on behalf of the Town for putting together the plan.
MARSHALL BRADSTREET, DIRECTOR OF RECREATION
Recreation Director Bradstreet presented the Selectmen with proposed increases in Sticker Fees for cars parked at the beach and Beach Tag Fees for individuals seeking entrance to the Beach. The proposal increased Beach Car Sticker fees from $55.00 to $65.00 and Beach Tags from $8.00 to $10.00. He added the increases were recommended by the Recreation Department Staff and endorsed by the Recreation Advisory Committee. Selectmen Roach inquired about rates for Senior Citizens and Director Bradstreeet explained that Senior Citizens are charged 50% of the applicable rate.
Town Administrator Puritz added that the Town has checked with other communities that have a waterfront to ensure that the fees are fair. Bradstreet also mentioned that the Community Center Beach will again be closed for the summer because of the ongoing construction of the Community Center.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the beach fee increases for the summer of 2007.
VETERAN’S AGENT PAUL BERGERON DISCUSSION OF MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION
Veteran’s Agent Paul Bergeron explained that he is finalizing the plans for the Sharon Memorial Day Activities. Mr. Bergeron explained that Sharon holds its Memorial Day activities on Sunday because we don’t want to conflict with other communities. It also offers Sharon access to bands and allows other Veterans to attend the Sharon celebration.
The Sharon Veterans group decorates the Veteran’s graves at Rock Ridge Cemetery and at Town Graves with an American flag and a flower. The Boy Scouts also help with this project and he would welcome any additional volunteers. The Veteran’s also coordinate with Sharon Memorial Park which hosts a program at their Veteran’s Memorial.
Veterans Agent Bergeron reviewed with the Selectmen the activities scheduled for Sunday, May 26, 2007. The ceremonies begin at 1:15pm on the corner of Mountain Street and East Street where the flag will be raised.
Following the ceremony at Rock Ridge Cemetery the group will assemble at the Wilber School Parking Lot and march across the street to Town Hall where the Program will begin at approximately 2:30pm. The program will include speeches by the Town’s Elected Officials, clergy as well as one fifth grade student from each Elementary School. The names of all Sharon residents who have perished defending our country will be read. Veteran’s Agent Bergeron encouraged all Town residents to join in the celebration. In addition at 4p.m. Doris Annis will be honored with a dedication on the corner of Beach and Gunhouse.
Selectmen Roach added that following the ceremonies at Town Hall a memorial clock will be dedicated to Michael C. Rothberg who was lost in the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11, 2001. The Rothberg family will be in attendance. Town Administrator Puritz explained that the Rothberg family has not only donated the funds for the clock but also has contributed funds for a Recreation Department scholarship so that all of the Town’s children, regardless of their financial situation, can take part in all Recreation programs. Selectmen Roach added that the Rothberg Family also provides scholarship for several Sharon High School Seniors.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of March 27, 2007, April 5, 2007 and April 9, 2007 and Executive Session Minutes of March 27, 2007, April 4, 2007, April 5, 2007 and April 9, 2007.
DETERMINE PRIORITIES LIST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING RECIPIENTS
The Board had reviewed a memo received from Jane Desberg of the Sharon Housing Affordable partnership. The content of the memo is below.
Local Preference Proposal for an Affordable Housing Lottery.
· “First responders” as defined by the respective town department.
· Any individual who has a principal residence in Sharon at the time of application.
· Any Town employee, school department employee or housing authority employee at the time of application.
· Any former resident who attended Sharon public schools (including Southeast Regional Vocational High and Norfolk Agricultural High School).
· Any individual who is over age 55 and had lived in the Town of Sharon.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Priorities List as recommended by the Sharon Housing Affordable partnership.
DISPOSITION OF DOGS
There will be no formal vote at this meeting regarding this item as Town Administrator Ben Puritz is awaiting the appropriate language for the vote form Town Counsel. It is expected that the vote will take place at the next Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for April 24, 2007.
SIGN ANNUTAL TOWN ELECTION WARRANT
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the 2007 Annual Town Election Warrant.
NEW BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS
Selectmen Roach explained that he has asked the Massachusetts Highway Department for a schedule of the North/South Main Street Project for the upcoming construction season.
Chairman Heitin also stated that it is the intention of the Selectmen to give weekly updates about the Sharon Hills Development at all Selectmen Meetings until Town Meeting beginning at the Selectmen’s meeting of April 24, 2007.
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
OUT OF STATE TRAINING FOR POLICE DETECTIVE BISHOP
Police Chief Bernstein has asked that the Selectman approve out of state training for Police Detective Kevin Bishop in New Orleans, Louisiana from May 7 – May 11. The training seminar is sponsored by the Department of Defense being administered by the United State Army. Detective Bishop is being trained in the use of a MX-2 thermal imager valued at $17,000 that the Town received in response to a grant application submitted by Police Chief Bernstein in September 2006.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve out of state travel for Detective Kevin Bishop to New Orleans, Louisiana from May 7, 2007 – May 11, 2007.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, real property, negotiations and any other legal matters.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 8:30pm.
Heitin, aye; Roach, aye.