MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin, and Town Administrator Ben Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
Chairman Roach announced that the Department of Public Works will be open until 8pm on Thursday night and will close Friday at 12:30 p.m.
Selectman Heitin said that there is a good article in the Sharon Advocate explaining the tax bills. The average bill went up 8% with an average increase of $600.00. The value is based on a January 2007 valuation. He said that the Selectmen are speaking to the State about prepayment of the building projects at Sharon High School, Cottage Elementary School and East Elementary School which would lower the Town’s borrowing expenses. Due to state statute the Town would be mandated to lower the tax rate accordingly.
GEORGE BAILEY: CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE AND THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD
Mr. Bailey reviewed the history of the Community Preservation Act and the establishment of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). He said that the CPC began to function in January 2006 - he served as its Chair until September 2007. He said the Committee has less than $6,000.00 to spend in FY 2008. Though the Town has received matching State funds he expects the percent of state funding to decrease. Mr. Bailey reported that the CPC will be working with the Capital Outlay Committee in order to incorporate the CPC expenditures into the Town’s Capital Outlay process.
Mr. Bailey said that the CPC has hired Consultant Jennifer Goldson to meet with other Town Boards and Committees in order to develop spending priorities and receive input.
Mr. Bailey reported on the activities of the Transportation Advisory Board. He said that the Board has been working with the MBTA on increasing accessibility for handicapped commuters. He said the Transportation Advisory Board also needs to address the fact that the station has an elevated track and a non-elevated platform. He added that the Town should purchase bicycle racks as there is a $4,000.00 grant that would reimburse the Town for the purchase.
DAVID STRAUS: CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE LONG RANGE PLANNING TASK FORCE AND THE TRANSPORATION ADVISORY BOARD
Mr. Straus that that he has been a member of the Long Range Planning Task Force (LRPTF) for three years and that the Task Force has never met. In terms of the Transportation Advisory Board he said that professionally he works in the area of carpooling. He added education should be provided to encourage more walking and biking. Selectman Heitin said that he has concerns about the railroad parking and believes there needs to be an all-inclusive evaluation of the lot in order to allow for better use of existing spaces.
There was also discussion about why the Long Range Planning Task Force (LRPTF) hasn’t moved forward. Selectman Heitin said that though the LRPTF hasn’t met that several committees have put together long range plans in their respective areas - though one coordinated plan has not been developed. The Selectmen agreed that the Town should move forward on one consolidated plan.
HANFORD LANGSTROTH – CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Mr. Langstroth has been involved in the wastewater industry for many years and dealt with many Conservation Commissions across the Commonwealth. The Conservation Commission has a subcommittee which is initiating a review of past studies regarding the water supply and wetland protections. The sub-committee should be reporting back to the full committee this fall. Professionally he is an environmental engineer.
BUDGET REVIEW: CIVIL DEFENSE, MICHAEL POLIMER
Mr. Polimer said that the budget has not been increased for two years. He said it is difficult to access the fire tower electric meter because of security which means the meter is not read very often. Mr. Polimer reviewed the plus 5% budget and the minus 5% budget. He also reviewed the FY 2007 accomplishments of the Civil Defense Department as well as the FY 2009 Capital Outlay request. In conclusion he added that because of increasing electric costs and the fact that the budget has remained the same the money allocated to other expenses has decreased.
LARRY OKSTEIN – CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Mr. Okstein said that the Zoning Board of Appeals has heard many cases related to 40B projects and the Sharon Commons Lifestyle Center. There are also a significant number of individual homeowners who come before the Board for special variances or exceptions. Sharon Commons is under a site plan review and currently the ZBA is looking at signage issues.
DISCUSSION OF USE FOR 10 MERCHANT STREET
Chairman Roach asked Mr. Murphy to provide some background regarding his appearance before the Board. Mr. Murphy said that he owns 10 Merchant Street as well as 1125-1155 Providence Highway which includes 29 acres of land. He purchased 10 Merchant Street in August 2006 renovated the building and currently has no tenants.
Mr. Murphy further explained that Sudman Enterprises which owns Extreme Paintball is interested in using the 10 Merchant Street location as a warehouse, retail store and would like to build an indoor paintball field to be used by 10-12 people at a time. They also would like to use the land at 1125-1155 Providence Highway for an outdoor paintball playing field. The outdoor playing field would be enclosed by mesh and he further explained that the paintballs are biodegradable and contain no hazardous materials. The outdoor property abuts Sharon Country Day Camp which is 600 feet away with the closest residence located on Morningside Drive.
Mr. Murphy said that has been speaking with Building Inspector Joe Kent. Mr. Murphy said that Mr. Kent said that the retail and warehousing activities fit within the zoning. However, the paintball playing activity is a grey issue for the 10 Merchant Street location and could be permitted if the activity is considered an accessory use.
Mr. Murphy also said the outside paintball area cannot be seen or heard by those at Sharon County Day Camp. He added that the range of a paintball is 150 feet and the netting is 20 feet high. Mr. Murphy said that he is looking for the blessing of the Board of Selectmen in order to enter into an agreement with Sudman Enterprises for both the inside and outside areas. Mr. Murphy said that he is willing to told the Town harmless and indemnify the Town.
Selectmen Powell said that his initial feeling is that the Board should hold a hearing if it is considering moving forward on the outside area. All abutters would be notified as to the hearing. Chairman Roach said that before the Board proceeds on the inside use he would like to obtain an opinion from Town Counsel. The Town Administrator will speak with Town Counsel and try to obtain an opinion prior to the Selectmen’s Meeting of October 16th. The Board was in agreement that after receipt of the Town Counsel’s opinion they would be willing to formally consider the 10 Merchant Street proposal but not the outdoor proposal.
SHARON COMMONS – OLD POST ROAD TRAFFIC DESIGN HEARING
Chairman Roach announced that the hearing will be postponed for two weeks.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of September 25, 2007.
CORRESPONDENCE
The following announcements were made:
· Flu Clinic Schedule
· Horizons for Youth Property Open House on Sunday October 14th from 1pm – 3pm
· Pre-Town Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday October 30th at 8pm
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining including collective bargaining with non-represented personnel real property and at the end thereof adjourn for the evening.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 8:42 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell:Aye
Heitin: Aye