MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Board of Selectmen meeting was held at 8:55 p.m. in the Sharon High School Library 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 8:55 p.m.
Town Administrator Ben Puritz explained that Recreation Director Marshall Bradstreet
was ill and would not be attending the meeting to discuss the Beach Fees. Mr. Bradstreet will be placed on the Agenda of the next Selectmen’s Meeting.
Sharon Housing Partnership Update
Jane Desberg, Chair of the Sharon Housing Partnership came before the Board with Partnership members Al Lurie, Susan Saunders and Mary Tobin in attendance. Ms. Desberg reported that the Partnership had concerns about the $1 million dollars that Brickstone had committed to be provided for affordable housing. The Partnership was wondering the status of the commitment.
Chairman Heitin stated that the Board is not contemplating carving out any land on the Rattlesnake Hill parcel for affordable housing; however, the million dollars is still on the table and negotiations are proceeding. The Board stated that they are in full support of obtaining the million dollars and utilizing it to help start the Partnership. Both Selectmen Roach and Powell were in support of this concept.
Ms. Desberg said that the Winslow Road project has been a disappointment based on results of the percolation tests – and the reality is that the Winslow Road project will not happen. Other parcels that have come to the attention of the Partnership include: Maskwonicut Street, which is currently an AMTRAK property and a parcel near the Sharon Fence Company on Route 1. The Board encouraged the Partnership to pursue these parcels and stated that they will keep there “eyes and ears” open for other potential properties. As the Town has done some well testing on Maskwonicut Street, Selectman Roach said that he would like to obtain input from Department of Public (DPW) Works Superintendent.
Ms. Desberg also said that the Partnership is moving ahead with affordable units in the Hunters Ridge Development. The only roadblock is they need buy-in from the Selectmen on local preferences prioritization. They are also waiting to hear back from Mirrione Construction regarding their acceptance of the lottery proposal. There is a three to four month process for the lottery.
Ms. Desberg reported that in the future the Partnership stressed that it needs to be involved earlier in the process and wants to do a better job of being kept “in the loop”. Selectmen Powell explained that it would be beneficial if the Partnership were informed when the development is filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals as that is the Board that is involved with 40B proposals. The Selectmen are responsible for LIP (Local Initiative Projects) proposals.
Ms. Desberg also said that there will be someone from the Partnership at the hearing of the Community Preservation Commission when the Commission takes its second vote. The Community Preservation Commission voted to hire a planner and the Partnership hopes that this will be a joint resource.
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
DPW Superintendent Hooper introduced Tony Garro of the Beta Group. Mr. Hooper explained that he is recommending to the Selectmen that Beta Group be awarded the bid for the Pavement Management System. Mr. Hooper explained that the same pavement management plan has been used by the Town for about 15 years and it is important that the Town implement a new plan. The proposed Pavement Management System will be funded by Chapter 90 monies.
Mr. Garro stated that Beta Group has developed systems throughout New England. The first part of the process is to develop an inventory of roadways and sidewalks and then conduct an inspection to assess their condition. Superintendent Hooper said that Norwood Street, Hampton Road, Massapoag Avenue are very long roads and very expensive to repair. In addition, there are low-traveled subdivision roads that have not been touched since they were built.
Beta Group’s Pavement Management System is in an Access Database format and is tied to GIS and very user friendly. The goal is for the Town to prepare a plan that is proactive as opposed to reactive as it relates to sidewalk and roadway repair and management. Mr. Garro explained that 50% of the project is collecting data that will assist in creating a Capital Plan. The costs will be developed by using the prices from the Southeastern Regional Service Group. There will also be a review of utility improvement projects to ensure that the program doesn’t include improvements that will be paid for through other means.
Selectmen Powell asked about training to ensure that Town employees are able to use the database. Mr. Garro explained that there is a pilot project which includes 10 – 15 miles to assist Town employees in learning the program. He also explained that the program comes with a Warranty and that Beta Group is located only 10 minutes away in Norwood. Beta Group also hosts an annual User Group Meeting to talk about potential improvements to their program. The total cost is $32,000.00 to the Town.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the bid for a Pavement Management System to Beta Group for $32,913.00
DAM ENGINEERING SERVICES
DPW Superintendent Hooper explained that in order for the Town to repair the Manns
Pond Dam the State requires the Town to develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) before proceeding with repairs. The funds for the EAP derive from the anticipated approval of a Town Meeting Article which will provide funding for repair of the dam. Superintendent Hooper explained that the next step in the process is the Design of the repair project. He recommended that the bid be awarded to GZA of Norwood, Massachusetts, and added that they have an excellent reputation.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the bid for Emergency Action Plan for Manns Pond Dam to GZA for an amount not to exceed $8,500.00
WASTE COLLECTION CONTRACT
Superintendent Hooper explained that it is time for the Waste Collection Contract to be reissued. He explained that there are now alternative collection methods as the Waste Industry is shifting to an automated collection system because of costs. This is a barrel based cost method that utilizes a specific kind of cart. Superintendent Hooper stated that the Town had several options:
· Obtain a quote for a flat rate per household not utilizing the automated system
· Obtain a quote utilizing the automated system where the rates are based on the amount of garbage
He also explained that the Town possibly has the option of extending the current contract for one year. He is checking with the State to make sure that the Town is able to do this.
Hooper also stated that the Town is above the state average in trash – 57 pounds per week per address vs. the state average of 45 pounds per week per address. He believes that this may be in part because the Town does not have a pay as you go system in place. He also stated that the Town is lower than average in recycling poundage per address.
Selectmen Roach stated that the Town should have hearings regarding a change in refuse collection. He also stated that the Town should send out the RFP as long as this doesn’t bind the Town in any way. Superintendent Hooper said he will find out what the Town’s responsibilities are once the bids are released. A citizen in attendance commented that Sharon should expand its recycling program beyond Type 1 and Type 2 plastics. Hooper explained that the new RFP would expand recycling up to Type 8 plastics.
The Board decided not to make a decision until getting further information from Superintendent Hooper and to revisit the issue in two weeks.
SIGN THE 2007 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSITION 2 ½ BALLOT QUESTION
Chairman Heitin explained that there will be a Special Town Meeting within the Annual Town Meeting which will take place at the beginning of the Town Meeting. There are five Articles that relate to the Sharon Hills project that will encompass the Special Town Meeting. The Annual Town Meeting will include 31 Articles with respect to the Rezoning Articles for Rattlesnake Hill Chairman Heitin thanked the consultants, Boards and others who worked through the weekend to have the Zoning Articles ready for the Warrant. Selectman Powell added that the Board still needs to receive feedback and that the Board expects that there will be amendments to the current By-Law that will be presented at Town Meeting.
The Warrant also includes a request for a Proposition 2 ½ Override for $2.9 million. The three year multi-year override would include both the Town and Schools. The first year the revenue from the override would be solely for the schools ($1.7 million) while Year 2 would be approximately $325,000 for Selectmen's sector non-sustainability budget gap with the balance of~approximately $875,000 for Year 3.
The Selectmen explained that they view the override as a bridge as the Town’s revenues increase as Sharon Commons, Wilber School, Lexus Dealership, and Sharon Hills are completed. The Selectmen also explained that in order to ensure sufficient public safety personnel the Town will be hiring four new firefighters and two new police officers subject to available funding through increased revenue.
Chairman Heitin said that for the first time a multi-year budget has been put in place and in part that is why the Selectmen are comfortable placing before the voters a multi-year override.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the 2007 Annual Town Meeting Warrant including the request for a Proposition 2 ½ Override for $2.9 million
RESIGNATION OF ROBERT YOUNG ROM
TOWN BOARDS AND COMMISSIIONS
The Board thanked Mr. Young for his service to the Town and wished him well on his
move.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Robert Young from all
Town Boards and Commissions effective June 30, 2007
BANNER REQUEST – FRIENDS OF THE 4TH COMMITTEE – JUNE 18 - JULY 3
The Selectmen commented that the Friends of the 4th Committee has requested to hang a banner in the center of Town from June 18, 2007 to July 3, 2007. Traditionally groups hang a banner for one week only. However, if no other group asks to hang a banner during the second week the Selectmen have allowed it.
The Friends of the 4th have also asked that the fee be waived.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to allow the Friends of the 4th to hang a banner in the center of town from June 26, 2007 - July 3, 2007 and if no other groups requests this date from June 18, 2006 – June 25, 2007, and to waive the fee.
BANNER REQUEST – SHARON LIONS CLUB APRIL 30 – MAY 7
The Lions Club has asked to hang a banner in the center of Town from April 30 – May 7. They also asked that the fee be waived.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to allow the Sharon Lions Club to hang a banner in the center of town from April 30, 2007 – May 7, 2007 and to waive the fee.
OUT OF STATE TRAINING FOR POLICE LIEUTENTANT MCGRATH
Police Chief Bernstein has asked that the Selectman approve out of state training for Lieutenant
John McGrath to Deming, New Mexico from May 7 – May 11. The training seminar is
sponsored by FEMA and Homeland Security and the only cost to be incurred by the Town is the
Lieutenant McGrath’s regular salary. The topic of seminar is Prevention and Response to
Suicide Bombing Incidents.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve out-of-state travel for Lieutenant John McGrath from May 7, 2007 – May 11, 2007 to Deming, New Mexico for his attendance at FEMA’s Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents seminar.
STATUS OF SPEED STUDIES REQUESTED FOR WILBER SCHOOL AREA
In a memo by Assistant Town Engineer Peter O’Cain he reported to Town Administrator Ben Puritz that because of various factors a Speed Study in the Wilber School area may not lessen the speed limit but might even actually increase it. O’Cain also researched the costs of a speed study and learned it would probably cost approximately $10,000.00. It was also pointed out that Frontier Development, the group that is developing the Wilber School project will also be conducting a speed study and for that reason as well the Selectmen decided not to take any action.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition, matters of pending litigation, collective bargaining, personnel issues and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening. The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 10:15pm.
| 
