MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Wednesday, March 4, 2008
7:00 p.m.
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, Selectman William A. Heitin, and Town Administrator Ben Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.
ADDITIONAL ONLINE SERVICES FOR SHARON RESIDENTS
Finance Director Bill Fowler and Administrative Assessor Mark Mazur came before the Board to introduce additional online services regarding information previously available on computers located outside the assessor's office. Mr. Fowler said that the information would be helpful to residents, potential landowners, and residential and commercial real estate professionals. Mr. Fowler and Mr. Mazur provided the Board with a demonstration of the site.
Mr. Fowler also added that parking ticket appeals forms would be online shortly. The appeal form will be filled out and submitted electronically which would be more convenient as people wouldn’t need to come to Town Hall to fill out the forms.
The Selectmen took a five minute break to allow for the break-down of the visual equipment. The Board reconvened at 7:37 p.m.
APPROVAL OF HORIZONS FOR YOUTH LEASE
Chairman Roach said that he was going to recuse himself from this matter as he lives on Lakeview Street in close proximity to Horizons for Youth.
Selectman Heitin explained that over the next several weeks the Board will be considering four different leases for the site. He said that tonight the Board is evaluating the Jeanne Peckham Gym and Dance lease. The lease amount is $2,200.00 and covers the time period from March 10, 2008 – May 30, 2008.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted to approve the lease of the Horizons for Youth property from March 10, 2008 – May 30, 2008 with Jeanne Peckham School and Dance.
MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSING
Chairman Roach explained that each year the Board receives a request from the Massachusetts Audubon Society to close Norwood Street three times for salamander crossings. He asked that the Police Department be notified.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the request of the Massachusetts Audubon Society as requested in the letter to the Selectmen of February 27, 2008.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTAL RATE INCREASE AND EXTENSION OF BOOKING LEAD TIME
Selectman Heitin explained that the Recreation Advisory Committee has not met yet regarding the rate increase of $200.00 but he is comfortable changing the booking lead time to 24 months from 12 months.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to change the booking lead time for the Community Center to two years.
DISCUSSION OF 25% ROADWAY PLAN FOR SHARON COMMONS
In attendance: Ken Caputo of Coler & Colantonio, Michael Intoccia and Robert Shelmerdine of Intoccia Construction, Town Engineer Peter O’Cain and Tom Houston of Professional Services Corporation
Mr. Caputo explained that Old Post Road is currently a gravel road. This is the road that will be the gateway to Sharon Commons. The road approval process is a three-step process 1 – Concept level, 2 – 25% design level, 3 – Definitive. He said that there will no longer be a connection from Laurel Road to Old Post Road as Laurel Road will become a cul-de-sac. He further explained that in terms of the permitting process all order of conditions have been received from the Conservation Commission. He said pedestrian controls will be part of the construction and two raised crosswalks will be placed on Old Post Road. He said that Sharon Commons site plan has been approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals for Phase 1 and that last night, March 3, 2008 the Board of Health approved the wastewater treatment site plans. He said that the two homes that are sited on Old Post Road will still have access to the road. Mr. Caputo said that they still need to address the comments of Town Engineer Peter O’Cain and Mr. Houston and will then return to the Selectmen.
Selectman Powell asked about the level of noise for those homes situated on Mitchell Road. Mr. Caputo explained that this situation led them to lower the road and said that the developer is using sustainable design guidelines which will lower emissions and noise. Mr. Caputo also noted that the quality of the road impacts the noise level as well.
Tom Houston of Professional Services Corp. was engaged by the Board of Appeals to perform a thorough review. Town Engineer Peter O’Cain also performed a thorough review. They found that the plans substantially comply with the Massachusetts Highway Department engineering practices and the Planning Board Rules and Regulations as well as the requirement of the Zoning By-Laws for a Business D project. Several minor refinements and revisions are being recommended and with those adopted they recommend approval of the 25% plan. Peter O’Cain added that they have spoken with the developer and he has agreed to move forward with the recommendations.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the 25% road way plan for Sharon Commons contingent upon meeting of the conditions set forth in the review dated February 29, 2008 by Professional Services Corporation and February 21, 2008 by Town Engineer Peter O’Cain.
The Board took a short break. The Board reconvened at 8:17 p.m.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK
Chairman Roach explained that the Board was sending a letter to Governor Deval Patrick regarding the Kessel Property at 145 Beach Street to clarify the history of the septic system placement so Governor Patrick could submit the Town’s request to the legislature for approval.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve and sign a letter to Governor Deval Patrick clarifying the history of the septic system at 145 Beach Street so that the Governor may submit legislation to the legislature for approval of the Town’s request.
CAPITAL OUTLAY PRIORITIZATION
The Selectmen prioritized their FY ’09 Capital Outlay Requests:
Foyer – High Priority because of concerns of safety by insurance company
Elevator
Window replacement – High priority
4-wheel drive vehicle – Do not present to Capital Outlay Committee (COC) – defer one year
Land acquisition: Piona property - High priority - Chairman Roach explained that the Board would like to have the borrowing take place over two years. He will contact Conservation Committee Chair Peg Arguimbau regarding the matter.
Chief’s vehicle - Do not present to COC – defer one year
Water rescue craft – High priority – the current boat is 35 years auld
Class 1 Pumper – In favor – discuss possibly deferring until Brickstone funded Fire Substation is developed.
Building renovation – High Priority move forward
Beach renovation – Defer one year
Vehicle Replacement – Annual replacement program
Department equipment, Street Sweeper – High Priority because it is used regularly
Mann’s Pond Dam – High Priority
Town Hall lift repair – Remove as lift is now working
Roadway improvements – Chairman Roach explained that for the past four years there has been a decrease in funding in this area and he believes it is important to fully fund this item for FY ’09. Both Selectmen Powell and Heitin agree.
8. Recreation
Replacement of docks – High priority
OTHER
Town Administrator Puritz reviewed a memo received from Department of Public Works
Superintendent Eric Hooper regarding the Snow and Ice budget line. The
memo explains that at this time, the total expended amount exceeds the budgeted amount
by over $180,000 as of February 29, 2008, and there was additional work performed due to for icing conditions on March 1, 2008. Superintendent Hooper explained that he put a stop purchase order for
materials.
Chairman Roach stated that the Board had received a letter from Department of Public
Works (DPW) Superintendent Eric Hooper requesting that the DPW be allowed to use
the former Dorm Building at the Horizons for Youth property for file storage upstairs and
equipment storage downstairs. Town Administrator Puritz further explained that the building has heat while the container where the files are being stored does not. The Board referred the matter to the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and bargaining with non-represented personnel and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:37 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye