MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, September 4, 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, Selectmen William A. Heitin, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Ben Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m.
CANDIATE FOR ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (ZBA)
Seth Ruskin explained that he has been involved in several committees since moving to Sharon five years ago including the Economic Development Committee. Professionally he is an investment trader and has 15 years of experience in the financial field. Mr. Ruskin said that he would like to make a contribution to the Town and explained that he had also read the Zoning By-Laws. Selectman Powell explained that the Selectman appointee will fill an alternate slot on the ZBA.
CANDIDATE FOR WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Robert Weeks has an undergraduate degree from Tufts University with a major in geology. In addition he has taken Civil Engineering Courses. He believes that water is very critical as the Town has limited pumping ability and there will be several large developments in the next few years. He said that he is particularly interested in the River Ways Project that is being conducted in collaboration with Tufts University and would like to be a liaison to the project if he was appointed to the Committee. He also said that he attended two of the Committee’s meetings.
ESTABLISHMENT OF HOUSING DONATION ACCOUNT
Jane Desberg, representing the Sharon Housing Partnership explained that currently the Partnership has no means of accepting donations. The Partnership has received a small donation and hope to receive a grant from Eastern Bank as well. The account is similar to the one that has been set up by the Conservation Commission.
Selectman Powell asked Ms. Desberg to explain the difference between the proposed account and the Sharon Affordable Housing Trust. (SAHT) Ms. Desberg explained that accepting donations in the proposed account would be a far less formal process. She also anticipates that the monies received in this account would not be used to purchase land. Currently the Sharon Housing Partnership has no funds and this would provide access to small amounts of money to be used for expenses related to lottery selection and other low budget items. Selectman Powell said that he is concerned that this donation account and the Sharon Affordable Housing Trust will be competitive with one another. Town Administrator Puritz explained that Trust is requesting $100,000 per year through the Community Preservation Account.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to establish the Sharon Affordable Housing Donation Account whose purpose is to accept donations and other appropriate means of support to be used for the establishment and maintenance for affordable housing and other purposes relative to same.
DISCUSSION OF OPEN HOUSE FOR HORIZONS FOR YOUTH PROPERTY
Mike Bossin, Chair of the Horizons for Youth Property Reuse Committee explained that the Committee would like to host an Open House on October 14th from 1pm – 3pm. Committee members will be situated throughout the property in order to answer questions and receive input from the community. Also, several of the large buildings will be open for public viewing.
It was requested by the Selectmen that Mr. Bossin give a brief update regarding the activities of the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee. He said that the Committee is establishing a plan for the stabilization of the property, is putting together an operating budget for the property and is planning on placing articles in the newspaper in order to solicit interest in using the property. In mid-August the Committee had sent communication to the Department Heads and Committee and Board Chairs in order to solicit input from them regarding ideas for use of the property. They are also drafting a letter to camping organizations to see if there might be interest in renting the property. They hope to interview planners but are not ready to hire as they have no budget. The Committee also plans on following up with groups that have expressed interest in using the property in order to obtain more information.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the request of the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee to host an Open House on October 14th from 1pm – 3pm at the Horizons for Youth Property.
CANDIDATE FOR LOGAN AIRPORT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Glen Flierl is a three year resident of Sharon who lived in Quincy when the flight paths for Logan Airport were changed. He worked with other resident and MASSPORT to redirect these flight paths. Because of this experience he because familiar with the process and the people involved.
He had spoken to Selectman Heitin regarding proposed flight plan changes that were potentially going to impact Sharon. However the plan changes were never implemented. The Community Advisory Committee was established by MASSPORT in 1980 as an Advisory Committee. As the Selectmen have never had a representative on this Committee a term limit has not been established.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of August 28, 2007 and Executive Session Minutes of August 21, 2007
HEARING FOR INSTALLATION OF UNDERGROUND GASOLINE TANK
Chairman Roach explained that this was the continuance of a request by Herb Chambers Lexus on Route 1 to place an 8,000 gallon underground gasoline tank on their property. He reported that the Wiring Inspector had approved the electrical work associated with the tank.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to issue a permit for the installation of an underground 8,000 gallon gasoline tank at Herb Chambers Lexus in Sharon.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to close the hearing.
TOWN ENGINEER SCREENING COMMITTEE
Town Administrator Puritz explained that according to the Personnel By-Law when filling an Executive Position, such as the Town Engineer, that a Screening Committee must be formed consisting of a member of the Personnel Board and four others designated by the Board of Selectmen. This would be a process similar to that of the Finance Director Screening Committee. The Annual Town Meeting approved the position with the associated salary.
The Town Engineer Screening Committee shall include:
1 – Personnel Board Chair Len Sacon
2 – Representative Planning Board
3 – Town Administrator Ben Puritz
4 – Department of Public Works Superintendent Eric Hooper
5 – Citizen Representative
Town Administrator Puritz explained that even though there has been an advertisement on both cable and the Town website but there have been no responses. Herb Gould who is a Professional Engineer who was in the audience volunteered to serve on the Committee.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to establish the Town Engineer Screening Committee consisting of a designee from the Planning Board, Personnel Board Representative Len Sacon, Department of Public Works Superintendent Eric Hooper, Town Administrator Puritz and a Citizens Representative, Herb Gould.
WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT AND ACCELERATION OF WATER METER INSTALLATION
Chairman Roach met with DPW Superintendent Hooper who expressed his support for the acceleration of water meter installation. Superintendent Hooper would like to review the different options available to accomplish. The Selectmen have reviewed the Water Management Advisory Committee Mission Statement. They also discussed the process of accelerating water meter installations with the understanding that before moving forward Superintendent Hooper and the Water Management Advisory Committee will provide the Board of Selectmen with formal recommendations.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to support the Mission Statement of the Water Management Advisory Committee
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to support the acceleration of water meter installation pending final budget and plans from Superintendent Hooper and the Water Management Advisory Committee
APPROVAL OF CLOSING OF STREET FOR BLOCK PARTY
Chairman Roach explained that the Selectmen had received a request to close a street for a block party. He also explained that a paid detail is not necessary. However, the neighborhood should contact the Police Department in order to obtain horses.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the closing of Woodland Street from Pond Street to Grove Street on September 9, 2007 from 2p.m. – 4 p.m. for a neighborhood block party
FISCAL YEAR ’09 BUDGET PROCESS
Town Administrator Puritz explained that there was a Staff Meeting scheduled for September 12, 2007 whose primary purpose is to serve as the kickoff for the budget preparation process. As in prior years there would be three budget alternatives, +5%, 0% and -5^. He also stated there needs to be recognition that the FY ’08 budget didn’t provide for sustainability of certain operations totaling approximately $325,000. This includes the crossing guards at various locations.
He also stated that the Finance Director Screening Committee would be meeting with the four semi-finalists for the Finance Director position on September 5th and September 6th with the finalists moving forward to meet with the Selectmen. The Finance Director should be on board in mid-late October.
REQUEST FOR DUAL HIRE
Chief Bernstein has submitted a request to hire Jen Little for a 12 hour Clerk position. She currently works for the Police Department as a 16 hour dispatcher. The Personnel Bylaw states that dual appointments are permissible if the appointing authority believes the appointment to be in the best interest of the community. Chief Bernstein prepared a memo to the Selectman explaining his reasons for hiring Ms. Little. The memo also stated that the two jobs together will exceed the 20 hours per week which would allow Ms. Little to receive health insurance, however; she has indicated her intention not to subscribe to same.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Jen Little for dual compensation and forward to the Personnel Board for their action
DISCSUSS SIGNING COMMENT LETTER FOR SHARON COMMONS MEPA SUBMISSION
The letter states Board of Selectman’s support for the Sharon Commons project and for the project proponent’s request to submit a single Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Chairman Roach explained that there was a meeting two weeks ago to receive input to the MEPA submission. Following the meeting there was a visit to the property. The Board had sent a letter asking the Congress Group to add capacity to the septic system to ensure it would meet the needs of business and preliminarily proposed residential buildings. Selectmen Powell explained that he had drafted the letter and that it had been reviewed by Town Counsel.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the letter supporting the Sharon Commons Lifestyle Center to be sent to the MEPA Office in support for the project and the submission of a single Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
NEW BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS
Chairman Roach explained that there was approximately 2000 feet left to pave on the North/South Main Street project which should be completed by September 6, 2007.
Selectman Heitin said that he has conveyed comments about the Water Management Advisory Committee Educational Flyers and that he would like the Board of Selectmen approve the flyers before they are distributed.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition, matters of pending litigation, collective bargaining, personnel matters, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned at 8:49pm.
Roach: Aye
Powell:Aye
Heitin: Aye