MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:30 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chairman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman William A. Heitin, and Town Administrator Ben Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.
Chairman Roach wished all of Sharon’s citizens a Happy New Year.
BUDGET REVIEW: COUNCIL ON AGING
Norma Simons Fitzgerald, Director of the Council on Aging reviewed the level funded budget of $225.889, the +5% budget of $237,183, and the -5% budget of $214,595. She said that a replacement van driver is unfunded in all but the plus budget. She also said the level funded budget does not include staff salary increases except for step increases. Chairman Roach asked about shaving costs off travel. Ms. Fitzgerald said it would impact continuing education and training for both CPR and First Aid.
CONSIDER DECLARING HORIZONS FOR YOUTH PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR RENT AND CONSIDER RENTAL POLICY
Mike Bossin, Chair of the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee explained that the Committee is moving ahead with rental of the property for the summer of 2008. They believe they have two good candidates and it is likely that they can both rent the property simultaneously. Town Counsel has advised that in order to lease the property the Selectmen must declare the property available for disposition. Mr. Bossin also presented to the Selectmen a rental policy and rate schedule.
Selectmen Heitin said that a component of the bond financing might have certain requirements regarding who use of the property. He volunteered to work with the Horizons for Youth Committee and Bond Counsel on this issue. He added that the issue doesn’t need to be resolved until the Town receives the revenue. Mr. Bossin said the earliest revenue would be received would be late March. It was added that Town Counsel had advised that it is not necessary to advertise in the state’s Central Register because the lease is going to be less than $25,000 and shorter than ten years. Chairman Roach wanted to wait to vote on this item until Selectman Powell is in attendance.
PETITION FOR JOINT POLE LOCATON ON NORWOOD STREET
The pole is being moved because of the Avalon Bay project and would allow Boson Edison and Verizon to co-habitate on the same pole.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted to authorize the Clerk of the Boston of Selectmen on behalf of the Board to approve and sign the documents as detailed by the Town Engineer in the memo dated November 30, 2007
SIGNING OF WILBER SCHOOL GROUND LEASE
Chairman Roach said this item would be held until the next Selectmen’s meeting on January 8, 2008
FALL TOWN MEETING DATE
The Town Clerk is recommending December 1, 2007 for the Fall Town Meeting date. Selectman Heitin is concerned that as a fair amount of people leave the community and head south after Thanksgiving . Town Administrator Puritz said that he will speak to the Town Clerk.
BANNER REQUEST
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Moved to approve the request of the Father Bullock Road Race Committee to hang a banner in the center of Town from May 26, 2008 – June 2, 2008 (1st position)
LIQUOR LICENSE ONE-TIME ONLY EXTENSION
As Saphire Manor is hosting a wedding on New Year’s Eve they have asked on a one-time basis that they be able to extend the time that they can serve liquor to 12:30 AM on January 1, 2008.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Moved to grant the request of Saphire Manor for a one-time extension of their liquor license to 12:30 AM on January 1, 2008.
CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF DEED FROM THE A. ASKENAZY REALTY TRUST
Chairman Roach explained that this 12 acre parcel abuts the Cedar Swamp.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to accept the deed as outlined in memo from Conservation Agent Meister on December 17, 2007
CONSIDER SIGNING LETTER TO GOVERNOR PATRICK REGARDING EASEMENT
Chairman Roach explained that the Selectmen need to send a letter to Governor Patrick regarding the
approval of an easement at 145 Beach Street. This item was approved by the Town at the Special
Town Meeting in November 2007.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to sign the letter to Governor Patrick regarding the easement at 145
Beach Street.
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION
Chairman Roach explained that an abutter of the land on Glendale Road that was purchased by the Town at the Annual Town Meeting has offered to place a donation of a conservation restriction on 12 acres of land also abutting High Street.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to accept the donation of a Conservation Restriction when finalized by the State from Allan and Marsh Schaffel on land abutting their residence at 16 Billings Street comprised of approximately 12 acres located at the end of High Street.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the Executive Session Minutes of November 20, 2007 and Regular Session Minutes and Executive Session Minutes of December 11, 2007
EXTENSION OF LEASE WITH THEOFILOS PAPADOPOULOS
The lease covers a small portion of land between Pizzagando and the Baptist Church This is an extension of the current lease.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to sign the lease with the Pond Street Realty Trust
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board asked that the following individuals who applied for appointment to Boards be contacted for interviews. Ed Keenan: Sacred Heart Reuse Committee, Ed Welch, Board of Health and Larry Gaffin, Board of Health.
7:15 P.M. – Selectman Richard Powell arrives at the meeting
BUDGET REVIEW: FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Finance Director Bill Fowler explained that there are four components of the Finance Department: Accounting, Assessor, Treasurer, and Information Technology.
He reviewed the Accounting Budget and explained that though there is an increase in the Accountants salary that due to the retirement of a long-term employee a 5% increase was not required only a .6% increase. The level funded budget is $216,126, the +.6% budget is $217,477, the -5% budget is $205,219 and the primary budget is $213,818.
Mr. Fowler also reviewed the Assessor’s Budget. The proposed level funded budget is $245.000, the +5% budget is $257,250, and the -5% budget of $232,750. He explained that rather than submit a $41,000 request to the Capital Outlay Committee for the revaluation which has to take place every three years he is including the costs for the revaluation in the operating budget.
Mr. Fowler also reviewed the Treasurer/Collector Budget. The proposed level funded budget is $324,408, the +5% budget is 340,628, and the -5% budget is $308,188. He also stated that he would like to get a Financial Advisor on board before the next bond issue because it carries some weight when meeting with ratings agencies.
Mr. Fowler also reviewed the Information Technology budget. There is an automatic savings of $7,760 as the former treasurer received an IT stipend that is no longer provided. The proposed level funded budget is $195,908, the +5% budget is $207,158 and the -5% budget is $186,408. The -5% budget would cut the part-time staff person two hours per week.
CONSIDER DECLARING HORIZONS FOR YOUTH PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR RENT AND CONSIDER RENTAL POLICY
As Selectman Powell had arrived the discussion regarding this topic was resumed. The pertinent procurement process was reviewed and the necessity of the Selectmen declaring the property available for rental. The Committee said that they were not ready to recommend leases beyond 2008. Committee Chair Mike Bossin said they are asking for a vote to declare the property available for lease and based on that vote to advertise. Selectman Powell said that he would like to see the ad when available.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize that the property known as Horizons for Youth be declared available for disposition
JOINT MEETING WITH THE SHARON AFFORDABLE HOUS-ING TRUST
Chairman Roach turned the meeting over to Selectman Powell who serves as the Chair of the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust. Selectman Powell introduced Jennifer Raitt, Chief Housing Planner for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council who was going to make a presentation that he hoped would help Sharon have a clearer path on how to move forward in the area of affordable housing funding. Ms. Raitt spoke about the history of Affordable Housing Trusts both in the US and Massachusetts. She also reviewed the way Housing Trust Funds obtain funding and various models for how housing is provided. She said that public education is very important. She said that though MAPC doesn’t have funding at the moment to provide technical assistance to Sharon that potentially in July 2009 there might be funding available. She said that it would be important for Sharon to identify potential properties and to create an outreach plan.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adjourn the joint meeting, take a five-minute break and resume the Selectmen’s meeting at 8:35 p.m.
ENERGY AUDIT BY MEMBERS OF THE ROBOTICS TEAM
The members of the two teams, the Aerospots and Motorizers introduced themselves. The Aerospots audited the Sharon Middle School and the Motorizers audited the Civil Defense/Police Station building. Both teams presented their results in a presentation that included their recommendations.
CANDIDATE FOR THE ENERGY ADVISORY COMMMITTEE
Silas Fyler has been attending the Energy Advisory Committee meetings for the last six months. He is the coach of the Sharon Robotics Team and is interested in saving energy in the Town. The robotics team has been assisting the Energy Advisory Committee in the building energy audit and Mr. Fyler hopes that this function will be taken over by the Boy Scouts.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Silas Fyler to the Energy Advisory Committee.
BUDGET REVIEW: RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Recreation Director Marshall Bradstreet reviewed the level funded budget of $174.578, the +5% budget of $183,307, and the -5% budget of $174,578. Mr. Bradstreet explained that as 87% of the budget are salaries that flexibility is limited. He further explained that the cost of utilities and custodial supplies are being shifted to the Department of Public Works. In the -5% budget several costs are shifted to the revolving funds account and the secretary’s hours are cut. Mike Ginsberg, Chair of the Recreation Advisory Committee said that with the building being open from 8am – 10pm it is even more crucial that there be coverage. He also wanted to remind people that the Recreation Department had lost a staff person several years ago.
BUDGET REVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Superintendent of Public Works Eric Hooper presented the Water, Street Lights and Department of Public Works Budget.
Department of Public Works: Level funded: $2,292,474, +5% $2,403,551, and -5% $2,180, 997
Superintendent Hooper explained that the -5% budget results in no raises other than step increases. He also mentioned that staffing levels has declined by 1 FTE in the Fields & Grounds division and the Engineering Departments. He also mentioned that the revolving fund will cover the shortfall being created by the increased staffing at the new Community Center which is going to be open from 8am – 10pm.
The Water: Department requested Level funded $2,590,444 which is an increase of $198.341 or 8;3%.
He explained that both catch basin cleaning and street sweeping are included in the Water Department’s Budget.
The Street Lighting budget is $215,825 which is a decrease $8,500 or 8.3%.
Chairman Roach pointed out that when a new custodian is hired for the Community Center that there shift should include weekend days.
2008 APPOINTMENTS
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Board/Committee: |
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Term to Expire |
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Members |
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in December |
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Commission on Disabilities-3 yr.term |
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Reappoint Karen Sprung |
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2010 |
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Reappoint Sheila Advani |
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2010 |
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Community Preservation Comm.- |
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2 Selectmen appointed-3 yr. term |
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Reappoint George Bailey (Sel.) |
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2010 |
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Conservation Comm.3 yr. term |
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Reappoint Hanford G. Langstroth |
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2010 |
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Council on Aging - 3 yr. term |
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Reappoint Arnold Kublin |
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2010 |
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Reappoint Sheila Pallay |
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2010 |
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Reappoint Hy Lamb |
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2010 |
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Reappoint Irene Carpenter as Alternate |
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2010 |
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Reappoint Millie Berman as Alternate |
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2010 |
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2010 |
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Housing Partnership - 3 yr. term |
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Reappoint Jane Desberg |
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2010 |
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Appoint Lou Modestino - New Applicant |
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2010 |
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Recreation - 3 yr. |
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Reappoint Michael Ginsberg |
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2010 |
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Reappoint Gary Bluestein |
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2010 |
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Appoint Neil Grossman - New Applicant |
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2010 |
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(vacant) to fill term 2007 |
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Sharon Cultural Council: |
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open membership - 2 yr. term |
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Reappoint Kenneth Brody |
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2009 |
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Reappoint Robert Levin |
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2009 |
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Reappoint Georgette Kafka |
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2009 |
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Appoint Barbra Nadler - New Applicant |
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2009 |
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Appoint Todd Cutrona - New Applicant |
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2009 |
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Trans Advisory Bd: 3 yr. term |
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Reappoint George Bailey |
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2010 |
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Reappoint David Straus |
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2010 |
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Zoning Board - 3 yr. term |
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Reappoint Larry Okstein as ALT |
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2010 |
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WMAC-9 - 3 yr. term |
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Appoint Bob Weeks - new applicant |
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2010 |
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Selectman Heitin asked that Michael Sherman be interviewed for the Water Management Advisory Committee as he wasn’t interviewed yet. He also asked that the appointment of Lou Modestino to the Development and Industrial Commission beheld as the Board had talked about folding that committee into the Economic Development Committee. He also asked that the Board of Health appointments be held as the Selectmen are still interviewing candidates for that Board.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint the individuals as written above.
Selectman Heitin reminded people that the Town has overnight parking restriction particularly during storms and Chairman Roach reminded people to shovel out their Fire Hydrants after a storm.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and real property acquisition.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:50 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye