MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 8:15 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach, Selectmen William A. Heitin, and Selectman Richard A. Powell.
The meeting was called to order at 8:17 p.m.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition. The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:17 p.m.
Roach: AYE
Powell: AYE
Heitin: AYE
The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:30 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS
Acquisition of Glendale Road Property
Town Counsel Gelerman explained that the Town will receive 10.7 acres of land and in addition .46 acres will be purchased by the Allison family. The purchase price is $1,070,000 with a closing date of January 2008. The May 2007 Town Meeting authorized the expenditure of $750,000 from the Community Preservation Account - $500K for land and $250K for the home at 9 Glenview Road to be used for Affordable Housing. In addition $57K will be expended from the Sharon Conservation Commission Land Account and $97K will be contributed by the Massapoag Brook Neighborhood Association (MBNA) to be held in escrow by their counsel Attorney Joel Fishman. This totals approximately $900K with an additional $50K from the Allison family who will then receive a .46 acre parcel of land.
Attorney Gelerman explained that the Town at closing shall be required to pay $900,000 dollars of the purchase price. The Allison Family transaction of $50,000.00 shall be a separate transaction. The Town will pay the balance of approximately $120,000 of the purchase price by the issuance of a promissory note. The sole source of funds to fulfill the promissory note will be the Sharon Conservation Commission Land acquisition account. The note shall be interest free, shall permit no penalties, and does not obligate the Town. Only funds placed into the Conservation Commission Land acquisition account which are not identified for other specific purposes can be used to pay the note. The agreement imposes no obligation upon the Town to appropriate any funds for the purpose of paying the promissory note or funding the Conservation Commission account. .The closing date for the transaction is January 18, 2008.
Attorney Gelerman also reviewed the facts pertaining to the purchase of the house which is located on the property which is referred to as 9 Glenview Road. There is a tenant who currently occupies the house and has a lease which expires on September 1, 2008. The Town’s Building Inspector Joe Ken is scheduled to inspect the building prior to August 31, 2007. His inspection will include lead paint, hazardous waste and structure. The MBNA is providing $5,000.00 for insurance and other costs associated with 9 Glenview Road. The Town will provide the seller, Whitman Homes, with a letter acknowledging the gift of the house located at 9 Glenview Road because the value of the house is greater than $250,000.00
Attorney Gelerman also noted that both the Sharon Housing Partnership and the Conservation Commission have both approved the agreement. He said that Lois Miller would be signing the agreement on behalf of the MBNA.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously that the Town enter into a Purchase & Sale Agreement with Whitman Homes, Inc. for the purchase of 10.7 acres of land, more or less, identified as 154A Billings Street, and for .46 acres of land, more or less, identified as 9 Glenview Road, in the from presented to this Board by Town Counsel and to authorize Town Counsel to hold said agreement in escrow until such time as each of the preconditions to the execution of the agreement contained in the May 8, 2007 Town meeting authorizing vote are fulfilled. By this vote the Board hereby determines that such purchase and sale agreement is acceptable.
Roach: AYE
Powell: AYE
Heitin: AYE
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously that pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B Section 16(d) to adopt the Uniqueness Determination relative to the 154A Billings Street and 9 Glenview Road parcels in the form attached hereto and that pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 15(e)(1), said Uniqueness Determination along with the names of the parties having a beneficial interest in the property and the proposed purchase price shall be published in the Massachusetts Central Register forthwith.
Roach: AYE
Powell: AYE
Heitin: AYE
The documents were signed by the parties.
Conservation Chair Arguimbau who was in attendance mentioned to the Board that she had concerns about the condition of the Manns Pond Dam. Chairman Roach said he would inspect the dam in the morning.
Adoption of 2007 Water Rate Usage Schedule
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to reconfirm discussion and formally adopt Water Rate Usage Schedule as presented by Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent at the Selectmen’s Meeting on January 30, 2007 and as approved by the Water Management Advisory Committee effective April 1, 2007.
Consider signing letter regarding Sharon Commons
Selectman Heitin explained that this was a letter to Sharon Commons developer Dean Stratouly asking that the Waste Water Treatment Facility that is being developed for the Sharon Commons development not only service the business needs but also have the capacity to serve the residential component of Sharon Commons as well.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the letter to Dean Stratouly of the Congress Group relating to the capacity of the Waste Water Treatment Facility for both business and residential use
NEW BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS
Agreement with Chuck Thomas
Chairman Roach explained that there was an agreement between DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper and DPW Employee Chuck Thomas as well as the Selectmen that Mr.Thomas be paid through August 31, 2007.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the letter authorizing payment of Chuck Thomas through August 31, 2007
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adjourn for the evening.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned at 9:00 p.m.