MINUTES

     BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

       Wednesday, April 30, 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.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of April 8, 2008 and Executive Session Minutes of April 8, 2008 and April 15, 2008

 

BANNER REQUEST

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the request by the Sharon Historical Society to hang a banner from Saturday June 1, 2008 – June 7, 2008 (2nd position)

 

APPROVAL OF LEASE AT HORIZONS FOR YOUTH PROPERTY WITH CHABAD (DECEMBER 2008)

 

The Board had originally approved the lease at the Horizons for Youth property with Chabad for December 2008 several weeks ago at the same time that a lease with Chabad was approved for Summer 2008.  The December 2008 rental rate is $3,0000.00.  However, the Board was advised by Bond Counsel that they needed to separate the approvals by 15 days.  Therefore, the Board rescinded the original vote for the December lease and is revoting it tonight.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the lease with Chabad for the Horizons for Youth Property for December 2008.

 

CONSIDER POSITION ON REMAINING WARRANT ARTICLES

 

At its meeting of April 15, 2008 the Board took positions on all Warrant Articles except for:

 

Article 7  - Quarterly Tax Bills – Yes Unanimously - The Board reviewed a cost benefit analysis prepared by Finance Director Bill Fowler which showed, that assuming an interest rate of 2%, the increased revenue  exceeds expenses by $10,000.  Selectman Powell also added that quarterly tax bills were recommended in the Financial Management Review of Sharon prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

 

Article 12 – Allow Selectmen to reallocate funds of and to take action as it relates to the Sharon Friends School Fund – The Selectmen unanimously voted for indefinite postponement on this article as they would like to look into ways of disbanding the account in a more cost effective manner and to allow for further research re the trust documents.

 

Article 27 – Non-criminal violation – Penalties for Feeding Water Fowl – The Selectmen unanimously voted in support of this Article as they believe it is important to keep the lake as clean as possible and that the regulations are not changing, just providing for an alternative enforcement mechanism.  Chairman Roach added that the Article impacts all ponds in Town not just the lake.

 

EXTEND CONTRACT FOR CHLORINATED RUBBER LINE PAINTING MAY 1, 2008 – APRIL 30, 2009

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to extend the contract for Chlorinated Rubber Line Painting with Standard Line Painting of Taunton, MA from May 1, 2008 – April 30, 2009

 

APPOINT SID ROSENTHAL TO THE COUNCIL ON AGAIN AS ALTERNATE

 

Chairman Roach said that Mr. Rosenthal has done a superb job as Chairman of the Disabilities Commission.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Sid Rosenthal to the Council on Aging as an Alternate with a term to expire December 31, 2009

 

CONSIDER DECLARING MAY 2008 MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

 

The Board read the proclamation declaring May 2008 Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation declaring May 2008 as Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

SIGN PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING STEPHEN DE CESARE OF EASTERN BANK

 

The proclamation was read. Stephen De Cesare who is a Sharon resident and who is Senior Vice-President of Business Banking at Eastern Bank will be receiving an award from New England Sinai Hospital.  The Board signed the proclamation commending him for this honor.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the proclamation honoring Stephen De Cesare

 

AWARD CONTRACT FOR 2008 LAKESIDE CONCESSION FACILITIES “SNACK SHACK”

 

Brad Melaugh was the winner of the bid for $2,500.00.  This is the third year that he won the bid and has done an excellent job the past two years.  The Board commended Brad on the professional presentation of his bid.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the bid for the 2008 Lakeside Concession Facilities “Snack Shack” to Brad Melaugh for $2,500.00

 

CLOSING WILLIAMS ROAD FOR BLOCK PARTY

 

A letter was received from Pam Berman and Dan Rabatsky of Chessman Drive asking the Selectmen permission to close Williams Road from Chessman Drive to the cul-de-sac on Saturday, June 7th from 1pm – 7pm for a block party.  Chairman Roach said he spoke to Chief Bernstein who said he was in support of the closing of the road for the block party. 

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to close Williams Road from Chessman Drive to the cul-de-sac for a neighborhood block party on Saturday, June 7th from 1pm – 7pm. 

 

OTHER

 

Selectman Heitin said that he had received a number of calls about the closing of Bay Road in the vicinity of Castle Drive and the problems it is causing for residents in the area.  There is concern about the amount of time it will take to fix the road.  This part of the road is managed by Stoughton.  The Selectmen are contacting Stoughton and the Massachusetts Highway Department in order to identify funding to expedite fixing the road so it can be reopened to traffic.

 

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 7:35 p.m.

 

Roach:  Aye

Powell: Aye

Heitin:  Aye