MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 8:00 p.m. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 8:12 p.m.
Interview Candidate for Sharon Housing Partnership
The Board interviewed Warren Kirshenbaum for appointment to the Sharon Housing Partnership. Mr. Kirshenbaum discussed his background as a commercial real estate attorney focusing on tax advantaged developments. He also was executive vice-president and general counsel of a company that focused on the development and management of affordable housing. He hopes to use his expertise to assist the Sharon Housing Partnership.
Interview Candidate for Sharon Housing Affordable Trust
The Board interviewed Tim Caplice for appointment to the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust. Mr. Caplice discussed his background as a Development Officer at Rhode Island Housing which is the Finance Agency of Rhode Island. His responsibilities include working with developers to of multi-family affordable housing regarding financing issues. Prior to his current job he worked for the Alston/Brighton Community Development Corporation.
Interview Candidate for Alternate to Historical Commission
The Board interviewed Susan Jo Rich for appointment as an alternate to the Historical Commission. Mr. Rich has lived in Sharon for 30 years and is one of the founders of the CommunityGarden. She has recently attended a meeting of the Historical Commission and was very impressed with their initiative that would catalogue historic homes. She also noted that she has grant writing experience.
Fiscal Year 2008 Initial Budget Summary and Recommendations
Town Administrator Ben Puritz stated that a 1% increase in the budget will allow for a $9.4 million budget. The maintenance of a service budget will require a $9.9 million budget. He also pointed out that as some costs exceed 1% that this will not allow for an increase in all areas. The 1% increase will allow for maintenance of fundamental services with two significant shortfalls. (1) Funding for janitorial services to accommodate the opening of the Community Center. This $21,000 shortfall will be discussed at priorities meeting on Wednesday. February 7, 2007. (2) The police department is reevaluating funding crossing guard positions. They are currently doing a usage survey. The Board of Selectmen stated that they consider the crossing guard positions a priority item.
Mr. Puritz also pointed out that the Finance Director position is included in the budget for a nine month period. This restructuring of the Accounting office would result in a fiscal year differential of $18,000.00. He also stated that the proposed fire department budget doesn’t provide for fill-in while a new employee is in training. It was pointed out that if the firefighter hired was a lateral transfer that this could be avoided.
Mr. Puritz also reported that their will be an increase of $234,000 in revenue because of the Lexus dealership.
Mr. Puritz also stated that the use of non-recurring revenue, such as eliminating the DARE account ($38,000) resulted in a structural deficit. He also explained that the freeing up of $500,000 in cash due to additional capacity in Capital Outlay projects would allow for restoration of crossing guards, fire department training and other items in the selectmen sector based on receiving the standard percent allocation through the priorities process. He recommended that if there is additional capacity that the law budget be increased.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 22, Joint Meeting Board of Selectmen and Economic Development committee. Selectman Heitin remarked that there is a typo on page 3 of Minutes of January 22 and the number should be changed from $500,00 to $500,000. Also approved were Minutes, and Executive Sessions Minutes of January 16, 22, and 25 2007.
Consider Engagement of Trust for Public Land re: Glendale property
Before taking formal action Board of Selectmen would like to check with town counsel on legal liabilities regarding the engagement and subsequent actions.
Signing of March 12, 2007 Warrant
The Board of Selectmen will sign the warrant on Thursday, February 8, 2007.
Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement extension
The Board of Selectmen would like to place this on next week’s agenda.
Discuss formation and composition of Horizons for Youth Property Reuse Master Plan Committee
Selectman Powell had volunteered to make a recommendation to the board as to the composition of the committee. He recommended that the committee be composed of nine people, consisting of representatives of town boards as well as the public and neighbors. He recommended that those boards represented include but not be limited to: Planning Board, School Committee, Recreation Advisory Committee, Conservation Commission as well Ben Puritz and Recreation Director Marshall Bradstreet to serve in an ex-officio capacity.
There have been 21 individuals who have volunteered to serve on the committee The Board of Selectmen will publicly interview all 21 candidates beginning on February 13, 2007.
Memorandum of Agreement between The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Town of Sharon
The Board of Selectmen would like to place this on next week’s agenda.
Other business
· Joint Meeting Selectmen and Economic Development Committee Feb. 13th 17:30pm at the Sharon High School Library.
· Planning Board will include in its mailing to neighbors of the South Main Street project announcement of meetings scheduled for February 13, February 14, and February 28.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition, matters of pending litigation, collective bargaining, personnel grievance update, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening. The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 9:00pm.
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