January 2, 2007
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 Selectman Walter Joe Roach and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator (arrived at 8:30 P.M.)
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of December 12, 2006, including Executive Session and the Minutes of December 19, 2006.
Budget Review - Library - Barbra Nadler, Director
Jackie Modiste, Bob Levin, Abigail Marsters, and Alyssa Weiner, Members of the Library Board of Trustees were also present.
The Board reviewed the preliminary FY’08 Budget for the Library with the amounts of
$760,160, plus 2.8%; $773,403, plus 4.6%; $739,119, primary; $702,163, minus 5%; $780,424, plus 5%; and $803,576, certification budget.
Items discussed included:
long-range plan/mission of the Library;
Library seeking certification budget;
Library must be open 50 hours per week based on population;
loss of Certification = loss of State Funds $20,000;
loss of opportunities to receive grants;
loss of privilege to borrow from other libraries;
waiver would only be granted if all departments received same decrease in budget;
seeking increase in revolving fund;
plan to increase user fees for copying machine;
impact re turnover in Staff;
need for new Library building;
additional funds raised by Friends of the Library;
long-range capital funding/elevator repairs;
need for feasibility study re new building;
Sunday hours/comparable Towns (8-9 Open on Sunday);
comparable towns libraries budgets re percentage of municipal budgets;
goal of Selectmen is to get Library to level of Certification (Chair Heitin);
Selectmen sector budget projections are for 1.45 % decrease;
impact of negotiations on budgets;
potential override.
Interview for Affordable Housing Trust
The Board interviewed Melissa Mills for appointment to the Affordable Housing Trust. Ms. Mills related her interest and personal history re affordable housing. Chair Heitin discussed the role of the Trust as that of managing money from developers and other sources for the purpose of developing town-sponsored affordable housing.
Discuss Canceling/Rescheduling Meeting of January 23
This item was held as Selectman Powell was not present.
Interview for Affordable Housing Trust
The Board interviewed Andrew Goldberg for appointment to the Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Goldberg works for MMA Financial, a publicly traded real estate investment firm that focuses on affordable housing. Mr. Goldberg was questioned as to whether there would be any conflict of interest. He replied that, “my territory is not in Massachusetts.”
Interview for Affordable Housing Trust
The Board interviewed David D. Kurzman for appointment to the Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Kurzman is Vice President of a privately held mortgage banking firm. Mr. Kurzman was also questioned as to any conflict of interest, and he replied in the negative.
Ms. Cheyer asked whether the Trust would apply for CPA funds for affordable housing and was answered in the affirmative.
Town of Sharon Investment Policy
Chair Heitin stated that this would be held to be voted next week after it is reviewed by FINCOM.
Ms. Laura Nelson, FINCOM, and Ms. Cheyer asked questioned pertaining to the Investment Policy and discussions included the following:
if policy would apply to CPA funds;
limits on how money could be invested per state stature;
what monies could be invested;
short-term investments; and,
no risk to principal.
Vote Consultant Fees to be paid by Developer
This item was deferred until the next meeting waiting for descriptions of the land. Ms. Alice Cheyer raised questions as to whether the Board of Selectmen was covered under the cited statute, re General Laws, Chapter 44, §53G. She stated that she believed this statute was specific to Zoning Boards, Planning Boards, Boards of Health and Conservation Commissions, and requested that Town Counsel be asked as to the legality of having a developer pay for legal fees for the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Cheyer further asked questions as to the propriety of the developer for Old Post Road/S. Main Street contributing funds for a Special Town Meeting as this being a public process. Chair Heitin stated that no Special Town Meeting has been scheduled. In answer to further questions, it was stated that, if there were such a Special Town Meeting, “it could be open to other articles.” Chair Heitin further stated contributions from developer would come under “reimbursing for costs”; and, it is something commonly done in all communities.
She further expressed concerns as to a developer paying for the town’s legal costs regarding the development. Chair Heitin stated he will review the issue with Town Counsel.
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 8:55 P.M.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
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