MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
SECTION I. – APPOINTMENTS
Joint Meeting with the Sharon Affordable Housing Trust Fund
In attendance from the Sharon Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Melissa Mills, Tim Caplice and David Kurzman.
Chairman Heitin explained that the Sharon Affordable Housing Trust fund was created by a vote of Town Meeting to assist with affordable housing in Sharon. He stated that the creation of the Committee is very timely as the Town will begin to receive funding for affordable housing from the Community Preservation Committee and the Sharon Hills Development should both pass at Town Meeting this May. He also asked the Trust elect officers including a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary. He also stated that the members of the Trust need to sign a Declaration of the Trust which can be signed at the next meeting. It was also noted that meetings need to be held quarterly.
Melissa Mills volunteered to become the Vice-Chair of the Trust and Tim Caplice volunteered to become the Secretary.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Both the Board of Selectmen and Housing Affordable Trust voted unanimously to elect Melissa Mills as Vice-Chair of the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust.
VOTED: (Mills/Roach) Both the Board of Selectmen and Housing Affordable Trust voted unanimously to elect Tim Caplice as Secretary of Sharon Housing Affordable Trust.
David Kurzman stated that he believes that one of the Selectmen should be Chair.
VOTED: (Kurzman/Heitin) Both the Board of Selectmen and Housing Affordable Trust voted unanimously to elect Richard Powell as Chair of the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust.
Following the election officers there was a discussion about the amount of money available for Affordable Housing through the Community Preservation Committee as 10% of money collected and matched by the state is earmarked for Affordable Housing in Sharon. This totals approximately $75,000.00 annually.
Approve minutes of the Regular Session of April 17, 2007
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the Regular Session of April 17, 2007.
Audit services award for Fiscal Year ‘07
Each year the Town is required to conduct an audit of its finances. Melanson Heath & Co. has conducted the Town’s audit for the past four years. It was recommended that that they be hired to conduct the Fiscal Year 2007 audit at a cost of $48,801.00
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the contract for the 2007 Annual Audit to Melanson Heath & Co. for $48,801.00
Signing Lease for Cell Attachments on Massapoag Ave. and Upland Rd. Water Tanks
Responses from Verizon to the Town’s Request for Proposal for cell attachments on the Massapoag Avenue and Upland Road Water Tanks provided $75,000.00 yearly from the two sites and better cell service in Sharon. In addition each additional company that co-locates at the pole will result in additional annual revenue of $27,000 to the Town. Selectmen Powell pointed out that the Selectmen are also pursuing the installation of a monopole on the DPW site in order to increase revenue and service.
Once the Selectmen sign the lease the Zoning Board of Appeals needs to grant a Special Permit in order for the process to move forward.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the lease for the cell attachments on the Massapoag Ave. and Upland Rd. Water Tanks.
Banner request during the week of June 4, 2007 for the Father Bullock Road Race on
June 10, 2007 (2nd position)
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Father Bullock Road Race Committee to place a banner in the center of Town (2nd position) beginning on June 10, 2007.
Award bid for FY ’08 Landfill Groundwater Reports, Gas Sampling and Cap Inspections
When the Town capped the landfill on Mountain Street money was set aside for reporting and inspection as is required under the Department of Environmental Projection (DEP) landfill closure permit. The proposal provides for landfill gas sampling and cap inspection and for preparation of the semi-annual groundwater monitoring report for submittal to DEP per landfill closure requirement. The proposal is an amendment to an existing contract with Weston & Sampson who has been performing this work for the Town. The cost is $10,000.00
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the agreement with Weston & Sampson for $10,000.00 for monitoring and other services for the landfill.
Award bid for Engineering Services Source Exploration off Edge Hill Road/Sharon Memorial Park
Chairman Heitin explained that the Town is diligently searching for alternative sites for water. The Town has contacted the owners of Sharon Memorial Park who have given permission for the Town to access the site. The Water Department requested that ESS Group, Inc. submit a proposal to provide required engineering services to evaluate and assess the potential for a well site on Sharon Memorial Park property off Edge Hill Road. Three test-wells will be installed to test the viability of the site. The Water Department is also evaluating sites on Maskwonicut Street, Chase Drive, and Old Post Road on the Sharon Commons site.
Selectmen Roach said he met with Sharon Memorial Park representatives and that the Town has received a letter granting permission to enter the Park. He also added that Conservation Agent, Greg Meister and Department of Public Works Superintendent are in agreement with the scope of work recommended by ESS.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the bid for Engineering Services Source Exploration off Edge Hill Road/Sharon Memorial Park to ESS Group, Inc. of Wellesley for $29,510.00.
Joint Meeting with the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee (HFYRC)
In attendance from the HFYRC were: Barbara Kramer, Michael Bossin, Gary Bluestein, Ed Welch, Mark Bluestein, Lauren Hyman, Diane Pankow, Jay Bronstein, Larry Green, Andy Nebenzahl, and Walter Newman,
Chairman Heitin welcomed the Committee and said that he would like the Selectmen to appoint an Interim Chair to facilitate the meetings. Selectman Roach recommended Ed Welch as he believes Mr. Welch as extensive experience working on Town Committees. Selectmen Powell said he believed that Mr. Welch would be an excellent choice.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Ed Welch to Chair the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee
Chairman Heitin recommended that the Committee review the report which evaluates the condition of the facilities. He also explained that several groups had been interested in using the property and that the Selectmen are discussing signing a short-term lease with the Chabad for this summer. He said the Old Colony Boy Scout Council have showed interest in using the site for an Overnight Summer Camp, the Trustees of the Striar Jewish Community Center have shown interest in using the site as a Day Camp, and a local nursery school that would like to expand to a year round program has expressed interest in using one or two of the buildings.
Chairman Heitin further explained that the Chabad is very close to signing a lease for this summer - the lease consists of a lease payment to the Town as well as maintenance of several of the buildings. He added that the Chabad was the only viable alternative for this summer. Town Administrator Puritz in response to a question from a member of the Committee stated that the Selectmen need feedback on the lease within the next week. He also added that the term of the lease is 90 days. He also explained that there are provisions in the lease that allow access with 48 hours notice.
Walter Newman stated that he will be receiving information from Paul Berger who served as a member of the Horizons for Youth Board.
The Committee agreed that they would like to take a tour of the facility. Tours were scheduled for both May 3, 2007 and Saturday May 5, 2007. The Horizons for Youth Committee recessed in order to reconvene at the DPW headquarters.
Recess 8:10 pm – 8:15 pm
Discuss signing Wilber School State Historic Credits Support Letter
The Board discussed signing a letter to the Massachusetts Historical Commission to affirm their support for Beacon Communities Development LLC and Frontier Enterprises, Inc.’s application for Massachusetts Rehabilitation Tax Credits for its proposed restoration and redevelopment of the Charles R. Wilber School in Sharon, Massachusetts.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the Letter of Support to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for Beacon Communities Development LLC and Frontier Enterprises, Inc.’s application for Massachusetts Rehabilitation Tax Credits.
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
Receipt of letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing &
Community Development certifying the Town of Sharon’s Affordable Housing Production
Plan.
Chairman Heitin announced that the Board had received a letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development certifying the Town’s Housing Production Plan with the acceptance of the Avalon Bay project. He explained that this will allow the Town to hold off any 40B projects that have not been grandfathered for a two year period.
Approve installation of 50 inch television in function room at Mandarin Taste Restaurant
Mandarin Taste Restaurant has requested approval of the installation of a 50 inch television in the
back room/function room of the restaurant. Selectmen Powell pointed out that the room is
used as a dining room and explained that according to Sharon’s regulations if an establishment serves liquor it must serve food as well.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve installation of a 50 inch TV in the back
room/function room of the Mandarin Taste Restaurant on Pond Street.
Sign contract for Chlorinated Rubber Line Painting
Standard Line of Taunton, Massachusetts is the low bidder and the Town has had positives
experiences with that vendor in the past.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the contract for Chlorinated Rubber Line
Painting to Standard Line of Taunton, Massachusetts for $49,060.00
Police Cadet Academy
Chairman Heitin explained that on April 18th and April 19th the Sharon Police Department
hosted its first “Police Cadet Academy” at the Sharon Police Station. The two day program was
developed for middle school aged children to give them the opportunity to see the inner
workings of law enforcement in the Town of Sharon.
Horizons for Youth Camp Lease
The Board would like to sign a short/term lease with Chabad for use of the property from June –
August. The Board is gong to hold on this item until its next meeting in order to receive
feedback from the Horizons for Youth Use Committee regarding the lease.
Other Business
Selectman Roach announced that there will be a “balloon test” on the Rattlesnake Hill/Sharon
Hills site on Sunday from 12 noon – 4 pm in order to give people an idea of the height of the
buildings. He added that if there is rain or wind in excess of 10 miles per hour on Sunday the
“balloon test” will be postponed until Monday.
Brickstone Update
Chairman Heitin reviewed some of the components of the development agreement with
Brickstone for the Sharon Hills development. He said the developer will indemnify the adjacent
homeowners from the on site blasting. There will be pre and post screenings within a 1000 foot
radius of the blasting locations. He said the developer will be running water lines down a portion of Mountain Street and Bay Road so in case of an emergency homeowners can tie in to Town water. Fire Hydrants will also be installed. He said that the developer has agreed to build a fire sub-station building exterior on the property. He reviewed some of the other items the developer will be providing to the Town: $900,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust, $650,000 for public safety personnel and/or equipment in Fy’09 and FY’10, $200,000 for financial studies and septic treatment evaluation for Post Office Square, $100,000 to the Conservation Commission for land acquisition, $100,000 to the Water Management Advisory Committee for additional water mitigation, $100,000 to the Council On Again for programmatic activities, $100,000 to the School Department as an endowment for a water management/environmental program, and
$6 million for a high pressure water system. He also announced that there will be a public forum, tomorrow April 25th from 7pm – 9pm at the Sharon Public Library about the Brickstone project. He stated that the Town has hired Hart Development to conduct a financial analysis of the project. He added that the Town will be reviewing the traffic study. He said that in order to lessen traffic on Bay Road, Brickstone will offer a shuttle bus for Sharon Hill residents who wish to go off site as well as shuttle busses to transport employees from the Train Station and Cobbs Corner.
Town Administrator Puritz announced that he is the process of redacting Executive Session Minutes through Calendar Year 2006 and will have them ready for the Board to review by the end of May.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session at the conclusion of the Priorities Meeting, to discuss personnel matters, real property, negotiations and any other legal matters and at the conclusion of Executive Session to adjourn for the evening.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned to attend the Priorities Committee Meeting at 8:30pm