MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

 

 

The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

Chairman Roach thanked everyone who participated in the Memorial Day Celebration in particular the Rothberg Family for their donation of the beautiful clock in memory of their son Michael C. Rothberg who was killed in the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11, 2001.

 

Candidate for Community Preservation Committee: Allen Garf

 

Mr. Garf said that he has been active in Town government having served as a Selectman, Member of the Capital Outlay Committee and Priorities Committee.  He had spoken to Community Preservation Committee Chair George Bailey and was interesting in being a member of the Committee.  He would like to further explore collaboration between the Community Preservation Committee and the Capital Outlay Committee as it relates to the priority making process.

 

Candidate for the Economic Development Committee: Nancy Fyler

 

Ms. Fyler said that she grew up in Sharon and moved back to Town two years ago.  Over the past year she has been involved with the rezoning projects and in that capacity met Eli Hauser who asked her to apply for membership on the Economic Development Committee.  She was active in Natick prior to moving to Sharon and since moving to Sharon has been active in the Cottage Street Elementary School and the Fuller Art Museum in Brockton.

 

Matter in the Square: Richard Kramer

 

Mr. Kramer said he was attending the Selectmen’s meeting to call attention to what he considered a failure by the Town to fix a missing access cover in Post Office Square.  He said he believed that this was a very hazardous situation and had called the Police on March 22nd to report it.  On March 28th when he was in the Square again he noticed that the access cover was still missing.  Mr. Puritz explained that after Mr. Kramer called the police a cover was put on top of the hole.  However, it was dislodged by a snowplow, and that is why on March 28th the hole was again visible.  At that point the DPW screwed the cover in permanently.  

 

Mr. Kramer then produced pictures of fire hydrants that he said would not be able to be utilized by the Fire Department because the connecting port is buried.  The pictures were in front of the following locations: 107 Beach Street, Camp Gannett and 150 Pond Street.  He said that he had previously called this to the attention of Superintendent of Public Works Eric Hooper and that Superintendent Hooper said that he would follow up with Chief Mann.  Selectmen Heitin said that in the future he hoped that Mr. Kramer would contact the Selectmen about these types of problems.  Chairman Roach added that he has seen and spoken to Mr. Kramer numerous times and Mr. Kramer had never mentioned this issue.  The Board asked Mr. Puritz to contact Superintendent Hooper and Fire Chief Manna about the issue.

 

Candidate for Energy Advisory Committee: Suzanne Howard

 

Ms. Howard is employed at the Wellesley College Campus Consortium for Environmental Education. Her responsibilities include developing strategies to help the college be more energy efficient and working on educational programs regarding the issue. She felt her knowledge and skills would enable her to make a contribution to the Town in this capacity.

 

The Selectmen said they would like to speak with the Energy Advisory Committee Chairs before adding new members. 

   

Candidate for Energy Advisory Committee: Patricia Bluestein

 

Ms. Bluestein is a 17 year resident of Sharon.  She said that she was interested in energy conversation.  When doing research on the issue she went to the Brookline website and was amazed at the progress their Energy Advisory Committee had made in the area of educating the community and maximizing energy utilization in Town and School facilities.  She also said she would like to make a contribution to the community.

 

Waiver of Agricultural Option for Morse Brothers Property

 

As part of the Sharon Commons agreement a portion of the Morse Brothers, Inc. land will be deeded to the Sharon Commons developer.  Because the parcel is zoned as agricultural land the Town has to waive their first right of refusal.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously that it is in the best interests of the Town of Sharon not to expend the funds necessary to exercise the Option; and it was further

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously that the Town of Sharon acting through its Board of Selectmen not exercise the Option; and it was further

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously that the Town of Sharon acting through it s Board of Selectmen waive all the Town’s rights under the Option to purchase the Land effective immediately; and it was further

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted that these decisions by the Town of Sharon be set forth in a Notice to be recorded that he Norfolk Registry of Deeds upon which the Seller and its successors and assigns may relay indicating that the Option will not be exercised by the town and that any rights the town may have to exercise the Option is waived

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS

 

Selectmen Heitin introduced the idea of a working session with the Frontier/Beacon Development team to discuss potential issues of importance regarding the septic treatment facility as it relates to the Wilber School.  He suggested including in the working session a representative from the: Board of  Selectmen, Board of Health, Wilber School Reuse Committee, as well as Health Agent Jim Andrews, Town Administrator Ben Puritz and Town Engineer Peter O’Cain.  Selectmen Powell said he would like to represent the Selectmen and all were in agreement

 

Pending Reserve Fund Transfer Status

 

Town Administrator Puritz apprised the Board of the need for a Reserve Fund Transfer prior to the close of the Fiscal Year.  The Selectmen are requesting approximately $153,349.

·        Selectmen - $15,000 to offset costs associated with change in the Administrative Secretary,

·        Law Bill  - $50,000 in large part because of the Horizons for Youth purchase and dogs related litigation

·        Fire Department  - $70,000 with more than 75% of the anticipated budget excess due to injured-on-duty/fill-in costs

·        Animal Control - $9,400 associated with expenses related to kenneling of dogs in above mentioned litigation

·        Veterans’ - $8,949

 

With the Board’s approval Town Administrator Puritz said that he will be notifying the Finance Committee about the Selectmen’s request for Reserve Fund Transfers.

 

FINANCE DIRECTOR

 

Kevin Brown is the only individual who responded to the Selectmen’s request to serve as the Selectmen’s representative to the Finance Director Screening Committee.  Selectman Powell said he had reviewed Mr. Brown’s qualifications and they seem well suited as he is a Certified Public Accountant.  Mr. Brown also has experience in Budgeting, Auditing and Accounting.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously appoint Kevin Brown as the Selectmen Representative to the Finance Director Screening Committee

 

Chairman Roach explained that the Board will not be meeting next week as it is the beginning of their summer schedule.

 

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 8:25pm.