MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

 

 

The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell, and Town Administrator Ben Puritz

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.

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Chairman Roach announced that applications for affordable housing units at Avalon Bay are available.

 

DR. CHESSARE – PRESIDENT OF CARITAS NORWOOD HOSPITAL – UPDATE

 

Dr. Chessare stated that he is a pediatrician who serves as President of Norwood Hospital.  He reported that during fiscal year 2007 Norwood Hospital served 14,000 patients on an inpatient basis and almost 50,000 patients in the Emergency Room.  He also said that Norwood Hospital staffs their pediatric Emergency Room with pediatricians from Children’s Hospital 365 days per year and that over 500 babies are born annually in the hospital.   He said that the hospital is upgrading its technology with a 64 slice CT scanner and within two months digital mammography will be available at their Foxboro site.

 

Dr. Chessare explained that there is a federal website that allows the public to compare hospitals and a state website that compares hospital costs.  He encouraged people to go to these websites to see first hand how well Norwood Hospital is performing.  He explained that the costs of Norwood Hospital are significantly less than that of a Boston Hospital. 

 

Chairman Roach spoke about the long-term relationship between the Town of Sharon and Norwood Hospital as the Town’s EMS/paramedics utilize the hospital.  Selectman Powell said that he was glad to have a local hospital that is doing well financially.

 

MIKE BOSSIN – HORIZAONS FOR YOUTH RENTAL APPLICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS

 

Mike Bossin, Chair of the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee explained that he has submitted to the Board the first two applications for use of the facility.  The applicants are the Old Colony Boy Scouts and the Jeanne Peckham Dance and Gymnastics Academy.  The Committee recommends that both are approved by the Board.  Mr. Bossin said he is expecting several additional applicants.  Town Administrator Puritz will work with Town Counsel on preparation of the leases.

 

Mr. Bossin said that the Committee is also beginning to study long-term use of the parcel.  The Housing Partnership, Conservation Commission and School Committee are all scheduled to meet with the Committee.  In addition to the facility rental the Boy Scouts are proposing a community service initiative whereby they would take part in appropriate projects on the property. 

 

Mr. Bossin advised the Selectmen that the work on the main lodge, administrative building and septic systems is continuing and that the roofs are completed. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2008 AND JANUARY 15, 2008 and JANUARY 29, 2008

 

Selectman Powell asked that the Regular Session minutes of January 29, 2008 be amended to include his request for clarification regarding the possibility of using the Winslow Road land for Article 97 purposes.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 8, 2008, January 15, 2008 and January 29, 2008 as mentioned above. 

 

DRAFT LIST OF ARTICLES FOR MAY 2008 TOWN MEETING

 

Town Administrator Puritz reviewed with the Board the non-recurring article placeholders for the May 2008 Town Meeting

 

  1. Finance Committee – Enterprise Fund for Water Department

 

  1. Stabilization Fund Police (Brickstone$)

 

  1. Stabilization Fund Fire (Brickstone$)

 

  1. Quarterly Tax Bills – Chairman Roach said he will only support this if the bills are mailed out quarterly.  Town Administrator Puritz said that he will look at the economic impact of the additional mailings. 

 

  1. Community Center Bldg Maintenance Revolving Fund

 

  1. Rescind/modify Right-of-Way By-law (has to do with Verizon FIOS)

 

  1. Housekeeping procedure for the numbering error needs to have an article as opposed to the housekeeping procedure which took place at the November 5, 2007 town meeting

 

  1. Board of Health – Waterfowl

 

  1. Error in zoning map (Peter O’Cain has spoken to Planning Board and they are on board)

 

  1. Inclusionary Housing (Planning Board)

 

  1. Fire Department Equipment Grant Match (5%)

 

  1. Increase Recreation Revolving Fund limit

 

  1. Move Sharon Friends money to Sharon Historical Society for Education Programs

 

  1. Paul Bergeron request

 

  1. CPC Annual Funding Article

 

  1. Historical Commission Neglect Provision (to be discussed at Feb. 13th Historical Commission Meeting)

 

  1. Conservation Commission acquisition – Piona property located between the Clarke Court and Lee Road

 

  1. Conservation Commission - transfer management and control of parcel of land off of Winslow Road formerly controlled by Board of Selectmen/Sharon Housing Authority/Partnership

 

      19.  Recreation Stabilization Fund

 

FY ’09 CONSOLIDATED DRAFT BUDGETS

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that there are 32 individual budgets within the Selectmen sector.  The budgets total $10,436,635 which include $322,863 from the override and $510,000 from the Ambulance Reserve Fund.  He said that the $322,863 from the override will enable several items from last year’s budget to become sustainable.  He explained that the cost of maintenance of the Community Center has moved from the Recreation Budget to the Department of Public Works Budget.  He said without the override the Selectmen’s sector budgets increased by 3.75% and with the override the increase is 6.73%.

 

The Selectmen are scheduled to provide the budgets to the Finance Committee the week of February 18th.  Therefore, the Selectmen are planning on voting on the budgets at the February 12th meeting. 

 

COST RECOVERY: ROUTE 1 WATER MAIN BREAK

 

It was stated that a road project on Route 1 that was planned with very little input from Sharon resulted in damage to a water main.  Town Administrator Puritz explained that in August 2007 Town Engineer Peter O’Cain wrote a letter to the Massachusetts Highway Department regarding his concern about the project and more specifically his concern that it would damage the water main.  However, his concerns were not addressed.  The repairs are going to cost tens of thousands of dollars. Chairman Roach explained that he had met with Mr. O’Cain regarding this matter and that bids for repair would be back by the end of this week.  Chairman Roach asked that this item be placed on the February 12, 2008 agenda.

 

APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUEST

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request from Pop Warner for April 2 – April 13, 2008 (1st position)

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

A meeting was held in late November 2007 attended by Senator Timilty and Representative Kafka to discuss the loud horn that goes off each time a train enters the Sharon Train Station.  Resident Paul Vitale had brought this issue to the attention of the Selectmen.  Originally Mr. Vitale was told that the blowing of the horn was necessary because the MBTA mandated the horn blowing because of safety.  However, after some investigation it was determined that because Sharon has an automated sound system the horn doesn’t have to be blown.  Town Administrator pointed out that this is an example that the efforts of one individual can result in positive change.

 

Chairman Roach asked that Lieutenant McGrath and Greg Offringa be invited to a Selectmen’s Meeting to discuss the Unity 2008 Ride – “Veterans Helping Veterans”

 

Selectman Powell asked the Town Administrator to provide the Selectmen with information pertaining to the proposed Walpole Power Plant.  He also asked that the information be sent to the Conservation Commission, Finance Committee and Water Management Advisory Committee for input.    

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:16 p.m.

 

Roach: Aye

Powell: Aye