MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

 

 

The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30p.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 7:50 p.m.

 

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

 

Selectman Roach congratulated Chairman Heitin on his electoral victory and praised all of the candidates who ran in yesterday’s Town Election for their desire to make a contribution to the Town. 

 

Reorganization of the Board

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Walter “Joe” Roach as Chair of the Board of Selectmen

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Richard Powell as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen

 

Advance Refunding of Bonds with

Sharon Town Treasurer, Robert Uyttebroek and Robert Harding, Corby Capital

 

Treasurer Uyttebroek explained that the advance refunding of Bonds issued by the Town will

save the town approximately $100,000.00.  He said that he has been working for several months

with Robert Harding of Corby Capital to structure the deal. Advance refunding is a financing

technique that allows an issuer to obtain the benefit of lower interest rates when the outstanding

bonds are not callable.  The proceeds from the sale of the refunding bonds are used to purchase

taxable government securities which are deposited in an escrow account.  The escrow account is

structured so that the principal and interest earned on the securities are sufficient to pay all

principal, interest and call premiums.  According to state regulations if the savings are not at least

3% then the Selectmen’s vote that allows for the advance refunding will be rescinded.  Mr.

Harding added that this is an aggressive bond market which will result in nice savings for

                        the Town.  Chairman Roach asked who conducts a follow-up analysis to make sure that the result is a 3% savings to the Town.  Mr. Uyttebroek responded the Bond Counsel, Brenda M. Mecurio of Edwards, Angell, Palmer and Dodge is responsible for that aspect of the transaction.

 

                        VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously: That, in order to reduce interest costs, the Treasurer is authorized to provide for the sale and issuance of bonds under G.L. c.44 §21A to refund all or any portion of the remaining principal of and redemption premium and interest on  the Town’s Municipal Purpose Loan of 1994 Bonds dated January 15, 1994 and Municipal Purpose Loan of 1995 Bonds dated February 1, 1995; and that for this purpose the Treasurer is authorized to provide for the preparation and distribution of a Preliminary Official Statement; provided, however, that no bonds shall be used under this vote unless and until the final interest rates and other terms of the refunding bonds are approved by this Board.

 

            Chairman Roach thanked Town Treasurer Robert Uyttebroek for his service to the Town for the past 18 years as he is leaving on May 25, 1007.  Selectmen Heitin read a proclamation in recognizing Mr. Uyttebroek. 

 

Congress Group to Discuss Sharon Commons

 

Michael Intoccia made a presentation on behalf of Intoccia Construction and the Congress

Group. He said that they are 7 – 14 days away from beginning the permitting process with the

Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board. They are making a presentation to the

Selectmen first because they believe the meetings have the widest audience and they want to

provide Sharon residents with as much information as possible.  Mr. Intoccia said that all

of the entrances will be off South Main Street and that the design of all of the buildings is that of

a Nantucket/New England village. They also envision walking trails and picnic tables in the

undisturbed areas.  While seeking Town permits the Congress Group will be moving forward on

the State process as well.  Normally the state requires two environmental impact reports, a draft

report and a final report. The Congress Group is seeking to have the state waive the draft

requirement and require only a single, final report, thereby expediting the permitting process at

the state level and allowing construction to begin more quickly.  Each Town Board and Department

Head will receive a copy before the report is filed in order to allow them to add their own

comments or suggestions.  Mr. Intoccia reviewed the various housing components of the plan 

and said that though they are talking to potential retail tenants that the retailers will not commit

until the permits are granted.

 

 

Approve Regular Session Minutes of April 4, 2007 and Executive Session Minutes of April

17, 2007 and April 24, 2007

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of April

4, 2007

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of

April 17, 2007 and April 24, 2007

 

 

Wilber School Access Agreement – Authorize Town Administrator to Sign

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that this is a follow-up to the Letter of Intent with Frontier

which is a precursor to the final lease agreement.  The access agreement provides for a right of

entry by the Developer to evaluate structural and ground condition.   

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the

Wilber School Access Agreement.

 

Leave without pay – Crossing Guard Simone Rudinsky

 

Chairman Roach explained that the Board had received a letter from Police Chief Bernstein

asking the Board to approve a leave without pay for Crossing Guard Simon Rudinsky who is

expected to return in the fall. Town Administrator Ben Puritz advised the Board that the Personnel

By-Law stipulates that the Board’s approval is required must give their approval.

 

            VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize leave without pay for Crossing Guard Simone Rudinsky effective April 25, 2007.

 

Permission for Sharon High School Cheerleaders to fundraise on September 15, 2007 in

outdoor areas

 

The Selectmen received a letter from the Sharon High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad

regarding their fundraiser scheduled for  September 15, 2007 to help raise money for competition

in the fall.  They are asking the Selectmen’s permission to stand outside businesses with a can to

collect money between 9am – 12 pm.  The locations include: Shaw’s Sharon, Bank of America,

Tedeskis, Starbucks, Post Office and Dunkin’ Donuts.  

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow the Sharon High School Cheerleaders to

fundraise at the stores/locations mentioned in the letter to Selectmen

 

Spring Procurements for Southeastern Regional Services Group (SERSG)

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that the Southeastern Regional Services Group allows

greater buying power because it combines the purchasing needs of 18 communities.  Products

range from duplicating paper to PVC piping, sand and gravel and many of the materials used by

the DPW.  In addition to lower prices the SERSG removes the procurement burden from the

Town.  The bids have been reviewed by the DPW. 

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to accept the bids as provided by the SERSG for

2008-2009 and authorize the Chair of the Board of Selectmen to sign on behalf of the Board.

 

Approve banner request of the Friends of the Sharon Public Library for Annual Booksale

on Friday May 25, 2007 – June 3, 2007

 

There was discussion about placing banners on the outskirts of Town as well as in the Center. 

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow the Friends of the Sharon Public Library

to hang a banner from May 25, 2007 to June 3, 2007

 

Approve banner request of the Islamic Center of New England for 23rd Annual

International Food Fair and Bazaar from May 30, 2007 – June 4, 2007

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow the Islamic Center of New England

to hang a banner from May 30, 2007 to June 4, 2007

 

Approve banner request of the Sharon Historical Society for June 18, 2007 – June 24, 2007

and September 24, 2007 – September 30, 2007

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow the Sharon Historical Society

to hang a banner from June 18, 2007 to June 24, 2007 and from September 24, 2007 to

September 30, 2007

 

Discuss Summer Schedule

 

Chairman Roach asked that this item be held until next week.

 

Other Business/ New Business

 

Selectmen Heitin wanted to remind the listeners to attend the Town’s Memorial Day Celebration on Sunday, May 27th at the Rock Ridge Cemetery and then in front of Town Hall.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to allow the Girl Scouts to hang a banner from

May 17, 2007 – May 24, 2007

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition, matters of pending litigation, collective bargaining, personnel matter, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board of Selectmen adjourned at 8:45pm.