MINUTES

     BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

       Tuesday, April 15, 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 7:08 p.m.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER: CONTRACTED SERVICES FOR WATER METER INSTALLATION

 

Superintendent Hooper explained that the Water Department and the Water Management Advisory Board have been looking at strategies to expedite the water meter installation program.  The Water Management Advisory Committee voted at their last meeting to use the money originally intended for the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill to contract out the installation of some of the meters.  Superintendent Hooper further explained that in total 5,500 meters need to be installed and 700 have been installed thus far.  Without outside help only 40 meters can be installed per week – with the help of outside contractors the installation of all the meters can be completed before the winter of 2009.  Superintendent Hooper recommended that the Board of Selectmen approve the reallocation of the money originally appropriated for the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill to the installation of water meters by outside contractors.

 

Superintendent Hooper said that the new meters are superior because they provide leak detection and the readings can take place in one or two days.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to reallocate $225,000 from unallocated water department funds originally intended for the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill for contracted services for water meter installation.

 

ABATEMENT AND OUTSTANDING TAXES FOR FY 2008 FOR 9 GLENVIEW ROAD

 

As the Town purchased the 9 Glenview Road property on January 18, 2008 a letter needs to be sent to Board of Assessors asking for an abatement of the property taxes for the portion of FY 2008 that the Town owned the property at 9 Glenview Road.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign a letter to the Board of Assessors asking for an abatement of the property taxes at 9 Glenview Road from January 18, 2008 – June 30, 2008

 

REGULAR SESSION

 

APPOINTMENT OF ELIZABETH MCGRATH TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth McGrath to the Conservation Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2009

 

 

 

APPOINTMENT TO THE STANDING BUILDING COMMITTEE SELECTION COMMITTEE

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Richard Powell to the Standing Building Committee Selection Committee

 

APPROVAL OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT SUMMER EMPLOYEES

 

Town Administrator Puritz reviewed the process utilized to fill the 29 positions.  He said that there two sets of siblings who are being hired and that the nepotism provision is traditionally waived for summer employees.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the summer employee appointments per review and approval of the Personnel Board

 

WARRANT POSITIONS FOR 2008 ANNAUL TOWN MEETING

 

The 2008 Annual Town Meeting Warrant contains 35 Articles. 

 

INDEX

 

Article

Positions

 

 

1.   Finance Committee Members

Yes – Unan.

2.   Act Upon Reports

Yes – Unan.

3.               Increase in funding of Stabilization Funds

Yes – Unan.

4.   Personnel Bylaw

Yes – Unan.

5.   Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers

Yes – Unan.

6.               To authorize transfer of $25,000 from Rattlesnake Hill 

   Appraisal Account for supplemental funding for Conservation

   Commission budget                 

Yes – Unan.

7.   Quarterly Tax Bills

HOLD – need more info.

8.   Establishment of Water Department Utility Enterprise Fund

Yes – Unan.

9.   Norfolk County Retirement

Yes – Unan.

10.  Unemployment

Yes – Unan.

11.  Sharon Friends School Fund records and appointments

Yes – Unan.

12.  Allow Selectmen to reallocate funds of and to take 

     action as it relates to the Sharon Friends School Fund     

HOLD – need more info.

13.  Annual Audit

Yes – Unan.

     Capital Outlay Articles

Yes – Unan.

14.       Public Works – Streets & Sidewalks

Yes – Unan.

15.       Public Works – Vehicles & Equipment

Yes – Unan.

16.       School Department

Yes – Unan.

17.       Feasibility Study for Sharon Middle School

Yes – Unan.

18.       Fire

Yes – Unan.

19.       Police

Yes – Unan.

20.       Civil Defense

Yes – Unan.

21.                Library

Yes – Unan.

22.       Recreation

Yes – Unan.

23.  Fire Department Equipment Grant   

Yes – Unan.

24.  Conservation Commission Acquisition – Piona Property             

Yes – Unan.

25.  Veteran’s Exemption

Yes – Unan.

26.  Community Preservation Committee Annual Funding –                                     

     Administrative Expenses

Yes – Unan.

27.  Non-criminal Violation - Penalties for Feeding Water Fowl

Yes – Unan.

28.  Easement for property at 145 Beach Street

Yes – Unan.

29.  Correct Error in Zoning Map

Yes – Unan.

30.  Accept Gridley Pond Estates Easement

Yes – Unan.

31.  Authorizations regarding Trench Safety Permits and Fees

Yes – Unan.

32.  Revolving Funds Reauthorizations

Yes – Unan.

33.  Establish “Waterfront Recreation Programs” Revolving Fund      

HOLD – need more info.

34.  Establish “Community Center Building Maintenance” Revolving

     Fund

Yes – Unan.

35.  Correct numbering error from May 2007 Annual Town Meeting

Yes – Unan.

 

 

There are three items to follow-up on and they will be placed on the Agenda for April 30, 2008.

 

 

RECREATION DIRECTOR CANDIDATE: DANIEL LANDESMAN

 

Mr. Landesman reviewed his work experience which included as an intern and administrative assistant with the Red Sox, in the technology field and most recently as the Recreation Director in Sandwich, Massachusetts.  He said one of his most important accomplishments was the launch of a strong Public Relations Campaign to increase awareness of the Sandwich Recreation Department by branding the program.  His goal is to settle in the community where he works.  He said his strong points are his ability to talk to people and fundraising skills.  He also conducted a community survey.  He said that Facility Management in Sandwich is headed by another body but in Southborough where he served as the Program Coordinator he managed over 20 fields.  In order to most efficiently schedule the fields he used scheduling software.  He has been active in the 4th of July Celebration in his community and hires and manages 30 staff for three separate waterfront areas in Sandwich. 

 

TWO MINUTE RECESS

 

RECREATION DIRECTOR CANDIDATEL: BRETT MACGOWAN

 

Mr. MacGowan has been working in the field of Recreation for over 14 years.  He spent over 5 years with the Franklin YMCA and 9 years with the Whitin Community Center in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.  He said that currently he has four direct reports.  He has development experience and is responsible for raising $250,000 annually in grants and donations.  He also runs a Dance Gala that raises $40,000 as well as Picnic in the Park. He also said that he runs an after-school program serving underserved children that attracts approximately 25 children per day.  He also runs a summer youth program and a Saturday program.  He said one of his specialties is the ability to connect with children in the 8 – 13 year range.

He identifies community needs thru surveys and then creates programs to meet these needs.  He prides himself on his communication skills.

 

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

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:10 p.m.

 

Roach:  Aye

Powell: Aye

Heitin:  Aye