MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

 

 

The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chairman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard a. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin, and Town Administrator Ben Puritz

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS REVIEW:  ERIC HOOPER, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Superintendent of Public Works Hooper explained that the capital projects request are divided into three areas: 1 – Roadway/Sidewalk, $450,000 2 – Review of expenditure of Chapter 90 monies, $175,000 3 – Building Maintenance, $50,000.   The use of the Pavement Management System helps determine which roads will be paved.  The Roadway/Sidewalk program will include repaving of Oakhill Drive/Hampton Road area, Massapoag Road area and other streets including Briggs Pond Way and Worcester Road behind the Heights.  Superintendent Hooper reviewed how the Chapter 90 monies are being used as well as the use of the capital outlay monies.  He would like to hold some money aside as a contingency fund for the North/South Main Street project. 

 

Superintendent Hooper said that he is requesting that $150,000 be used for the purchase of a street sweeper and $25,000 for a Board of Health vehicle.  The $50,000 expenditure for Building Maintenance would be used for the purchase of a new handicapped lift in Town Hall. Superintendent Hooper explained that the Town has spent $22,302.91 towards fixing the existing lift.  

 

 

CAPITAL PROJECT REVIEW: MARSHALL BRADSTREET, RECREATION DIRECTOR

 

Mr. Bradstreet said he believes it is important that the Town purchase new swimming docks at Memorial Park Beach for $20,000.00.   He said that the docks are worn out.  Chairman Roach asked if anyone had considered moving the docks and boats at the new Horizons for Youth area.  Mr. Bradstreet said the sailing instructors said that Memorial Beach is more conducive for sailing.  Chairman Roach said that issue has been raised that the barrels and ropes at Memorial Park Beach are a hindrance for new sailors.

 

CAPITAL PROJECT REVIEW: JOE BERNSTEIN, POLICE CHIEF

 

Chief Bernstein is requesting $93,000 in order to purchase three new cruisers and their respective computer systems.  He plans on passing on the existing cruisers to other departments if they are in good shape or trade them in.  The DPW will evaluate the vehicles.  There was some discussion about trying to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles.  Chief Bernstein explained that the detective’s car has been replaced with a smaller more fuel efficient vehicle and the SUV is a six cylinder rather than an eight cylinder vehicle.  The Board asked that Chief Bernstein create a three year forecast to help better coordinate the Town’s purchase of vehicles.

 

Selectmen Heitin asked Town Administrator Puritz to put together a list of the status of any balances in the capital account.

 

CAPITAL PROJECT REVIEW: BARBRA NADLER, PUBLIC LIBRARY

 

Ms. Nadler said she is requesting $20,000.00 to fix the elevator as a lot of money is being spent on maintenance and the parts are difficult to obtain.  The electric eye does not work properly.  In addition the library is requesting funding to install a new book depository system.  The estimated amount is $8,500. There is concern that as the current depository is attached to the building that someone would throw something flammable in the book drop.  Fire Chief Mann was consulted about remedying this situation.

 

CAPITAL PROJECT REVIEW: MICHAEL POLIMER, CIVIL DEFENSE

 

Mr. Polimer is requesting $10,000 in year one for the replacement of 1935 era windows with new modern thermal pane units that are energy efficient.  The total cost is $15,450.  His second request is the purchase of a small four wheel drive vehicle such as a John Deere XUW “Gator”.  He hopes that the vehicle could be shared with other departments including the Fire Department.  Selectman Powell said that it might be worthwhile to purchase a trailer for the vehicle as well.  Mr. Polimer said that the cost of the John Deere is $11,000.00 with all the options while the trailer manufactured by Kuboda is $15,000.00

 

CAPITAL PROJECT REVIEW: DENNIS MANN, FIRE CHIEF

 

Chief Mann says the three items he is requesting are the same as on last year’s list.  He would like to replace the Chief’s vehicle at a cost of $45,000.00 which would also provide the Fire Department with a third 4-wheel drive vehicle.  He is also requesting a new water rescue craft at a cost of $16,500.  The same request was turned down by the Capital Outlay Committee which proved to be a missed opportunity as the existing rescue boat had a major fiberglass hull flaw and was “retired” mid-year.   The third request is a Class 1 1250 gallon pumper which would replace the 1992 Pumper.  This pumper has an expected life of 15 years and is currently 17 years old.  Selectman Powell asked if the Town has a fire substation might it make more sense to keep the pumper as opposed to trading it in.     

 

INTERVIEW:  ALAN ANTOKAL APPLICANT FOR LIQUOR MANAGER AT SPRING VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB

 

Mr. Antokal said that he is familiar with the rules and regulations associated with holding a liquor license and serving as the Manager at Spring Valley Country Club.  It was explained that the Criminal History Records Board is backlogged and the Town has not received the report on Mr. Antokal as required.  Therefore, if the Selectmen were to vote to approve the motion needs to be pending the receipt of a clean CORI report.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the alcohol manager license for Alan Antokal at Spring Valley Country Club effective immediately subject to the receipt of the CORI check

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

 VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Approval of Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of October 16, 2007, October 23, 2007, October 30, 2007 and November 5, 2007 and Regular Session Minutes of November 13, 2007

with changes to October 30th Executive Session minutes noting that Selectman Powell met with the Firefighter Union as opposed to Chairman Roach.

 

 

APPOVAL OF BANNER REQUEST

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Banner Request for the Cottage School from March 3, 2008 – March 10, 2008 (1st position)

 

SUMMIT APPRAISAL FEE PROPOSAL AND VALIDATION OF ROAD EASEMENT REPORT RE: EISENHOWER DRIVE

 

It was explained that time was of the essence on this item because the construction season was going to come to an end shortly.  The abandonment of the easement was approved at the November 2007 Town Meeting.  After it was made a condition of the Town Meeting vote, the Town engaged Summit Appraisal to value the property.  The property owner has already paid for the appraisal and we are waiting for the final accounting from Town Counsel so the property owner can pay the associated law bills.  There was some discussion about the property owner paying Counsel directly but Town Administrator Puritz stated that Finance Director Fowler advised that the payment should be made to the Town directly.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the abandonment of the easement subject to the fulfillment of outstanding legal costs.

 

DRAFT SCHEDULE FOR 2008 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the 2008 Annual Town Meeting schedule as presented which will include Town Meeting being held on May 5, 2008.

 

CANDIDATE FOR BOARD OF HEALTH: DR. MITCH POZNER

 

Dr. Pozner has lived in Sharon for four years and is a pediatrician who works in the area.  His primary interest is to become more involved in the health of children particularly in the area of nutrition.  He also said that he has a fair amount of experience in lyme disease.

 

ED LITTLE: ISSUES PERTAINING TO PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT RE: MAIN STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

 

Mr. Little has lived in Sharon for 53 years and worked for the Town for over 44 years. Mr. Little explained that he lives at 346 North Main Street and at the tail end of the construction project and he feels several people have had their property improved however he feels that his has been harmed.  Two years ago he discussed with both Assistant Town Engineer Peter O’Cain and the P.A. Landers project manager and agreed that he would move the fence back on his property.  He would pay for the fence and P.A. Landers would install the fence.  This was taken care of.  In the process of the construction they crowned the street up 24” – 36”creating a hill resulting in his property being downhill from the street.  He said the gas company was doing work at this time also which shut his business down for several weeks as he could not move the animal trailers in and out of his driveway.  The result of all this work is that the 90 foot of street in front of his house is currently 12” – 36” higher than previously. He spoke to Landers and others about this awhile ago and they all decided that the best solution would be to build a stone wall.  He said the Town put it out to bid.

 

Dave Martin of 350 North Main Street who is Mr. Little’s neighbor and who was given the right-of-way by Mr. Little to have access to his driveway then spoke.  He showed pictures of a 3 foot drop between Mr. Little’s yard and his driveway.  Mr. Martin said he needs a retaining wall down his driveway as it is a safety issue.  He also said he is in support of Mr. Little’s request for a stone wall.

 

Town Administrator Puritz offered to have the engineering department come up with a formalized plan.  Selectman Powell agreed with Town Administrator Puritz’ plan of costing out a few different proposals to fix Mr. Little’s problem while he believes that Mr. Martin’s problem needs to be fixed before the winter.  Superintendent Hooper said it is too late for this winter but a temporary solution would be to place material in the area that would last over the winter.

 

It was agreed to meet again at the meeting of November 27th to discuss various proposals.

 

Mr. Little then spoke again saying a work issue was written up dated September 24, 2007 with the word “approved” at the top.  Superintendent Hooper who was in the audience spoke and said the Town requested that the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) as part of the project pay for the wall.  The MHD has refused to do so.  Town Administrator Puritz then spoke and said that the difference between this wall and the other walls that the State/Town has constructed as part of the project is that this wall is not holding anything up.  He believes the Town could fix the problem by re-grading the property with a 1% - 3% slope. 

 

Chairman Roach after looking at Mr. Martin’s pictures asked Superintendent Hooper how he plans on addressing the issue relating to Mr. Martin’s driveway.  Mr. Hooper says the area must be graded even if you construct a retaining wall.    Mr. Little said that though he believes Mr. Martin’s driveway should be addressed as it is a safety issue he said he is not going to allow anyone access to Mr. Martin’s driveway until his issue is resolved.  He also mentioned that the expanse of jersey barriers are not allowing people to see his landscaping and fence which cost him $6,000.00

 

It was then decided to meet again on December 4th rather than November 27th to discuss various proposals.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and real property acquisition and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:36 p.m

 

Roach: Aye

Powell: Aye

Heitin: Aye