MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, March 18, 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 7:07 p.m.
UPDATE: SHARON HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Sharon Housing Partnership Chair Jane Desberg was in attendance as were members Susan Saunders, Mary Tobin and Lou Modestino. Ms. Tobin recapped the history and mission of the Sharon Housing Partnership. She said that since 1988 when the partnership was formed needs have increased as 20% of Sharon households are below 80% of the the Area Median Income and 58% of elder households are below 80% of the Area Median Income. If a family income is 80% or less of the Area Median Income they qualify for affordable housing. The actual rents are determined between the Town and the developer. Susan Saunders told the Selectmen about a meeting that the group had at the State House where they met with Sharon Representative Louis Kafka and Representative Kevin Honan who is Chair of the Committee on Housing. The group is asking that the Town’s asset limit be increased from $200,000 to $400,000. Representative Kafka and Chairman Honan recommended that the group speak with the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Ms. Desberg updated the Board on the Avalon Sharon open lottery process. Thus far over 125 applications have been picked up for the 39 available units. There are 18 qualified applicants thus far and 12 have local preference. The Lottery will be held one week after March 27, 2008. Once the units are filled a waiting list will be started.
Ms. Desberg also expressed an interest in obtaining a parcel from Avalon Bay which would be used to build affordable housing. They are asking that the Board of Selectmen ask Avalon Bay to donate the parcel to the Town for this purpose.
The Partnership also sent a letter to the State Historic Commission on behalf of the Tax Credits for the Wilber School. Ms. Desberg also said they are very pleased with the situation at 9 Glenview Road as once the lease expires in mid-September 2008 they will begin the lottery process. Any proceeds from the sale of the house will be used towards future affordable housing purchases. They also would like to approach Sharon Commons about a potential land donation of 6 – 8 acres for Affordable Housing. The Selectmen ask that the Partnership 1-be involved in the LIP or 40B 2 - that the Partnership identify town owned land and 3 - that they provide a timeline of ongoing projects. Chairman Roach said that the Board of Selectmen will pursue the Avalon Bay/Edgehill Road property and Sharon Commons property. Town Administrator Puritz said that he would arrange a meeting with the Sacred Heart Reuse Committee regarding Affordable Housing.
TIM RICHMOND, TRIATHLON PROPOSAL
Tim Richmond of Max Performance said he has been involved in Triathlons for 10 years. He is asking the Board of Selectmen allow Max Performance to host the triathlon in Sharon this summer. They will handle all aspects of race set-up, clean up and execution. They will pay for Emergency Medical Services and Police Details, lifeguards and will absorb all costs associated with the event. Mr. Richmond is proposing a date of August 10, 2008.
Chairman Roach said that the maximum number of participants is capped at 450. Mr. Richmond said he has had preliminary discussion with the Chief and will follow-up once the Town is committed. Town Administrator Puritz explained that there have been two proposals and that Max Performance had been selected because their proposal would put less of a burden on Town services. He also mentioned that the liability coverage is above and beyond what the Town requires.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize Max Performance to run a triathlon event on August 10, 2008 with the conditions of a mutually agreed contract and reviews by the Police Chief, Fire Chief and details of the race course.
Tim Richmond also asked that he be allowed to set up on the beach the prior afternoon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular and Executive Session Minutes of March 4, 2008.
AWARD CONTRACT FOR WINDOW REPLACEMENT IN WATER DEPARTMENT BUILDING
The funds for this project were authorized and appropriated from the Community Preservation Committee account.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the contract for replacement of windows in the water department building for $35,570 to Dunn Construction Company.
AUTHORIZATION TO REFINANCE EXISTING BONDS
Finance Director Bill Fowler explained that he is asking the Selectmen to rescind the May 16, 2007 vote on the refunding of Municipal Purpose Loans of 1994 and 1995. This action will save $49,000 - $50,000.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously that, in order to reduce interest costs, the Treasurer is authorized to provide for the sale and issuance of bonds under G.L. c.44s21A to refund all or any portion of the remaining principal of and redemption premium and interest on the Town’s Municipal Purpose Loan of 1994 Bonds dated January 15, 1994 and Municipal Purpose Loan of 1995 Bond dated February 1, 1995 and for this purpose the Treasurer is authorized to provide for the preparation and distribution of a Preliminary Official Statement; provided, however, that no bonds shall be issued under this vote unless and until the final interest rates and other terms of the refunding bonds are approved by this Board.
Further Voted: That the vote of this board taken on May 16, 2007 relative to the refunding of the above-referenced bonds is hereby rescinded.
CELLULAR FACILITIES BID AWARD
Town Administrator Puritz explained that this item relates to the Award of Cellular Facilities.
1 – Sprint – Upland Road Facility. The Town will receive in excess of $30,000 per year. 2 – Upland Road construction commenced on February 12, 2008 and the Town will begin to receive income 3 – DPW site for the construction of a monopole. The original bidder withdrew and the second bidder agreed to match the price of the high bidder. T-Mobile is the bidder that revised its bid.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize that the Award Letter be issued to T-Mobile for lease space for telecommunications at 217R South Main Street at the DPW Property.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize that the Award Letter be issued to Sprint for lease space for telecommunications at the Upland Road Water Tank.
AUTHORIZE TOWN ADMINISTOR TO SIGN COMMENCEMENT DATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY LEASE AGREEMENT
Chairman Roach explained that the Board needed to authorize Town Administrator Puritz to sign the Wireless Communications Facility Lease Agreement between the Town of Sharon and Bell Atlantic Mobile d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless for premises at 438 Massapoag Avenue.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize Town Administrator Puritz to sign the Wireless Communications Facility Lease Agreement between the Town of Sharon and Bell Atlantic Mobile d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless for premises at 438 Massapoag Avenue for a Commencement Date of February 1, 2008
APPROVAL OF FRANCISCAN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN LEASE FOR HOIRZONS FOR YOUTH PROPERTY
Chairman Roach recused himself.
The lease with the Franciscan Hospital for Children is for the Horizons for Youth Property for the month of August for $8,800.00. The Horizons for Youth Committee has recommended that the Selectmen approve the lease pending Bond Counsel approval.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted to approve the lease with the Franciscan Hospital for Children at the Horizons for Youth Property for the month of August for $8,800.00 pending Bond Counsel approval
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Roach stated that he received an anonymous letter asking him to respond regarding an issue. Chairman Roach asked that the person contact him at (781-784-8364) and he will be happy to respond.
Selectman Powell announced that the Town of Sharon has received an E-Government Award from Common Cause in recognition of the Town’s commitment to open government by posting key government records on its website. The Town received the Award in 2007 as well and this year received the award “With Distinction”.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining, bargaining with non-represented personnel and real property and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:15 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye