MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:30 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach, Selectmen William A. Heitin, Selectman Richard A. Powell, and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining, real property, pending litigation, and at the conclusion thereof to reconvene in open session.
Roach: AYE
Powell: AYE
Heitin: AYE
The Board reconvened in open session at 8:35 p.m.
FIELD PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS
Recreation Director Marshall Bradstreet discussed the proposed Field Permitting System. Mr. Bradstreet explained that the system would: create a master schedule of all users and will help in forecasting future needs for outdoor facilities, help in creating a maintenance program with as little impact as possible on active use of the facilities, ensure that the Town is properly protected against claims arising from use of facilities and distribute use of facilities in a fair and equitable manner. He said that it is a bulk permit meaning if a league had a permit they wouldn’t have to provide a detailed analysis when each team was playing on what field. He said that he had spoken to the various Youth Sports groups in Town and everyone was supportive. Mr. Bradstreet said that he hopes to implement the process in Fall 2007. The Selectmen will vote on this in two weeks in order to provide a period of time for public comment. Mr. Bradstreet also said that the Town’s Insurance vendor had signed off on the system.
REFUSE COLLECTION CONTRACT
Department of Public Works Superintendent Eric Hooper appeared before the Board for continued discussion regarding the Trash Collection contract that expired on June 30, 2007. Mr. Hooper explained that originally the contract had been bid on a tote based process. However, upon the recommendation of the Board he rebid the contract on the basis of unlimited trash. Based on the associated costs of trash removal he was recommending that trash rates increase from $50.00 to $60.00 per quarter. He attributed the increased costs to higher fuel costs, Sharon’s low recycling rate, and a higher tipping fee (though Sharon still has a very low tipping fee as it was one of the first Towns to sign onto SEMASS and considered a first tier community). He explained that Sharon’s low recycling rate negatively impacts our costs as the recycled quantity comes back into the revolving fund which then pays for household waste day, stump grinding and other activities.
Mr. Hooper introduced Terry Grady from Allied Waste the winning bidder for the Trash Removal contract. Mr. Grady said that Allied Waste’s increase was 4% annually for the three year contract.
Chairman Roach asked if it was possible to cut the increase from $10.00 per quarter to $5.00 per quarter by not putting as much in the Recycling Revolving Fund for one year. He added that in mid-September he would like to begin open hearings about trash removal in order to receive input from the Town residents and begin the education process. Mr. Hooper said that if set the rate at $55 for Year 1 we will cover expenses in that year but not in Year 2 and Year 3.
A resident in attendance expressed concern regarding the letter that he received about the increase. He said that the letter should not have been signed “Allied Waste” but should have had a person’s name. Selectman Powell that the point was well taken.
Chairman Roach said that if the Selectmen decide to go to a tote system in Year 2 and Year 3 he would like to know the cost. Mr. Grady said that he would honor the price he provided in the original quote but would ask the Town to extend the contract to a fourth year because of the initial investment of equipment in the tote system. Mr. Grady also says as the first bills will be sent on September 30th he needs to know the correct billing amount by September 25th.
The Board also requested that Superintendent Hooper provide them with an analysis of costs for trash removal for three years for the next meeting. The resident in attendance also asked how people will be informed about the increase. Town Administrator Puritz said there will be a note in the bills.
UPDATE FROM STANDING BUILDING COMMITTEE
Standing Building Committee Chair Gordon Gladstone explained that he had asked to meet with the Board because he is concerned about the Town maintaining the systems in the new Community Center. He said the General Contractor through the subcontractors has the obligation to train personnel on the systems – but he Board of Selectmen must designate individuals to operate the systems on a day-to-day basis and conduct maintenance. Standing Building Committee Member Fred Clay added that as the building is due to be completed by November it is critical that this move forward on a timely basis. He said of the Town and School employees the only person currently employed with the technical expertise to manage the systems is Ken Wertz of the School Department. Town Administrator Puritz that he is in the process of setting up a meeting to discuss the maintenance of the Community Center.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes and
Executive Session Minutes of July 10, 2007 and amend minutes of May 7, 2007.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the release of redacted minutes of 2005,
2006 and January 16, 25, 30 and February 6 and March 13, 20, 27, April 4, April 17, April 24 and
May 1, 2007.
DISCUSS APPROVAL OF FALL TOWN MEETING SCHEULE AND OPEN THE WARRANT
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the 2007 Town Meeting Schedule and open the Warrant and announce that the warrant will be closed on Monday, September 10, 2007
CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF NATE SIMON TO THE ENERGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Selectmen Heitin felt he was well qualified.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Nate Simon to the Energy Advisory Committee.
WAGE AMENDMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE SHARON POLICE SUPERIOR OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
The Board explained that in Executive Session the Board had discussed the 3% raise for the Police Lieutenants for 7/1/07 – 6/30/08
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve and sign the Sharon Police Superior Officers Association and sign the agreement
WAGE AMENDMENT TO POLICE CHIEF CONTRACT
The Board has been in ongoing discussions with Chief Bernstein which resulted in an amendment to his contract including a 3% increase per year for three years. Another adjustment is to provide Chief Bernstein additional compensation for time worked consistent with schedule of other personnel in the Police Department. This amendment was reviewed with the Personnel Board and is budgeted.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Moved to approve the amended contract agreement for Police Chief Bernstein
WAGE AMENDMENT TO TOWN ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT
The Board has met with Mr. Puritz several times over the latter half of the year and has come to an agreement which would grant Mr. Puritz a 3% increase for one year.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Moved to accept amended employment agreement for Town Administrator Puritz
BANNER REQUEST
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request for the Sharon Garden
Club to hang a banner from December 4, 2007 to December 10, 2007 (first position)
PROCLAMATION
Chairman Roach explained that the Selectmen have prepared a proclamation in honor of the 75th
Anniversary of Crescent Ridge Dairy. The proclamation will be presented at the Lakeside Concert
Series on August 1, 2007 when Crescent Ridge is sponsoring the program.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation recognizing Crescent Ridge
Dairy on its 75th Anniversary.
TOWN ENGINEER APPOINTMENT
Department of Public Works Superintendent recommended that Assistant Town Engineer Peter O’Cain be promoted to Town Engineer. He also asked that the creation of a selection committee for the appointment of the Town Engineer, as stated in the Personnel Bylaw, be waived. He further explained that in his new position Mr. O’Cain’s salary is $5,500 higher but that the net effect to the Town will be $3,500 because Mr. O’Cain will no longer be eligible for overtime. Mr. Hooper said that Mr. O’Cain’s promotion is in recognition of a job well done. He further explained that the appointment will need to go before the Personnel Board to waive the normal hiring process. Town Administrator Puritz added though the Selectmen are the appointing authority while the Personnel Bylaw sets forth the requirements for waiving the creation of a screening committee. The Selectmen seek to waive the process because of Peter O’Cain’s performance and attainment of the PE Certification. Mr. Puritz noted that he had drafted a memo to the Personnel Board. Chairman Roach spoke about the fantastic job that Peter O’Cain has done for the Town over the years particularly on the North/South Main Street project.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted that the Board approve the promotion of Peter O’Cain as Town Engineer as requested once the waiver is received.
NEW BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS
Selectmen Heitin stated that he had concerns in the use of a secret ballot for the vote of the Chair of the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee. He asked that Town Counsel be queried regarding this.
Selectmen Heitin also stated that he has concerns about residents turning over resident parking permits to non-residents. The Selectmen agreed that this would be a good project for the Transportation Advisory Committee. Superintendent Hooper noted that it is permissible for two members of the same household to obtain two quarterly passes.
Chairman Roach discussed the progress of the road project in the center of Town. He and Town Administrator Puritz met with contractor P.A. Landers to review with them the remaining items to complete the project. He added that when P.A. Landers advises the Selectmen as to paving dates that there will be announcement on Cable TV.
Town Administrator Puritz said Superintendent Hooper is responding to a letter from Cheryl Weinstein. He also spoke about Square Jam which is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 2nd from 6pm – 8:30 pm.
Selectmen Powell said that Sharon Commons had submitted their MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency) filing on July 16, 2007.
Selectmen Heitin said that he had again spoken to Department of Revenue regarding the Town’s review about changes that they are recommending.
Town Administrator Puritz reported that there were approximately 30 applicants for the Finance Director position. The Screening Committee is meeting on Thursday.
Superintendent Hooper said that there is going to be paving on the following streets: Edge Hill Road, Massapoag Avenue and Oak Hill Drive.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to reconvene into Executive Session and at the end thereof adjourn for the evening
The Board of Selectmen reconvened in Executive Session at 10:25 p.m.