MINUTES

     BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

       Tuesday, May 13, 2008

       7:30 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 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 7:38 p.m

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

The Selectmen asked that the Regular Session Minutes of May 1, 2008 and May 5, 2008 be held.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of March 11, 2008, March 18, 2008, April 15, 2008 and April 30, 2008

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of March 18, 2008 and April 30, 2008

 

APPROVAL OF SIGNING OF BAPTIST CHURCH PARKING LOT LEASE

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that the lease was an extension of an existing municipal parking lease with the two Baptist Church Parking Lots one on Pond Street and the other on South Main Street.  The lease covers the following period of time: 7/1/2007 – 6/30/2012 with an option by the Town for a

five year extension.  The lease has no monetary value.  There are certain considerations such as that the public not use the Parking Lots when the church has services and designated and reserved parking in certain spots on Pond Street.   The Town is responsible to provide plantings and maintenance. 

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the Baptist Church Parking Lot lease and the notice of lease dated July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007 and such extensions as noted.

 

APPOINTMENT OF SUSAN PRICE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

Chairman Roach said the Board is very familiar with Ms. Price as she is a member of the Planning Board and a professional planner.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Susan Price to the Economic Development Committee

 

DISCUSS AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Selectman Heitin explained that the Audit Committee was put together a while ago.  The Selectmen need two at-large members.  Kevin Brown, who served on the Finance Director Search Committee, is interested in serving on the Audit Committee.  However, the Selectmen still need to find another at-large member.  Both Chairman Roach and Selectman Powell said that they are comfortable appointing Kevin Brown.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Kevin Brown as an at-large member to the Audit Committee.

 

The Selectmen asked that an advertisement be placed on cable and on the Town Website for an additional at-large member.

 

SIGN SUPPORT LETTER TO ALTER THE ROADWAY LAYOUT FOR OLD POST ROAD

 

The Selectmen voted to approve the roadway lay-out, traffic flow, and markers for the layout for Old Post Road as it relates to Sharon Commons.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign a letter to the Norfolk County Commissioners and under separate cover for the same filing also authorize Town Administrator Puritz sign a letter to the Norfolk County Commissioners approving the roadway layout for Old Post Road

 

SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL SERVICES GROUP PAPER BID FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

 

This is the annual paper bid through the Southeastern Regional Services Group (SERSG).  The prices are discounted because all the Towns accrue their bids through the SERSG.

 

 VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the Southeastern Regional Services Group paper bid for FY 2009 with the contract being awarded to W.B. Mason.

 

SIGN CONTRACT FOR HAMMERSHOP DAM SAFETY INSPECTION

 

Chairman Roach explained that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation has ordered that all dams classified as “Significant Hazard: undergo a “Phase 1” safety inspection by a professional engineer at the dam owner’s expense.  The initial inspection must be performed by August 1, 2008.  As a result, the Town is required to perform an inspection of the Hammershop Pond Dam and requested GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., the consultant presently under contract for the design repairs at Manns Pond dam, to submit a proposal to perform these services. 

 

He recommends that a contract be award to GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. of Norwood,, Massachusetts for $6,500.00.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to the award the bid for the Hammershop Dam Safety Inspection to GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. of Norwood,, Massachusetts in an amount up to $6,500.00.

 

CONSIDER TAXI FARE INCREASE

 

The Board that the owner of Sharon Taxi, John Dellorusso be placed on the agenda of May 27th to discuss the proposed increase.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL SERVICES GROUP DPW SUPPLIES FY 2009 CONTRACT

 

This is the annual bid process through the Southeastern Regional Services Group for approximately 50 different items that are used by the Department of Public Works.   Because all of the Towns accrue their bids through the SERSG the prices are discounted.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to sign the Southeastern Regional Services Group DPW supplies FY 2009 Contract Award Sheet

 

BANNER REQUEST

 

The Friends of the Sharon Public Library have requested that they hang a banner in the 2nd position beginning May 24th. 

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize the Friends of the Sharon Public Library to hang a banner in the 2nd position beginning May 24th.

 

SHARON TOWN NURSE RECEIVES AWARD

 

Chairman Roach announced that the Sharon Town Nurse Sheila Miller received the Public Nurse of the Year from the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses.  The Board asked that Ms. Miller be placed on the agenda for May 27th so the Selectmen could publicly honor her for her award.

 

WATERFRONT SUPERVISOR APPOINTMENT

 

Chairman Roach explained that the Waterfront Supervisor who was originally hired had resigned and Melissa Lothrop the Acting Recreation Director was recommending that the Board approve the hiring of Justin MacDonald as the 2008 Waterfront Supervisor. .

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Justin MacDonald as the 2008 Waterfront Supervisor

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

The Board received a letter from Attorney Eugene Flynn who is an abutter to the parking lot in Sharon Center.  He is concerned about the maintenance and clean-up of the parking lot.  The Town Administrator explained that the clean-up of the parking lot is in process and is expected to be completed by the end of May. 

 

Selectman Powell mentioned that at the prior meeting there was discussion about the closing of Bay Road between Plain Street and Castle Drive.  He said that he has been pursuing funding from the Commonwealth through the State Senate. Representative Kafka is working with the Chair of House Ways & Means who hopes to fund the project through the Transportation Bond Bill.  Chairman Roach said he would like to have a representative from Stoughton attend the next Board of Selectmen meeting because of the importance of the road particularly as it pertains to emergency services.  He also said we need to try and ascertain how long it is expected it will take to fix the road. 

 

 In addition, it was noted that Camp Dresser & McKee has been hired by Stoughton to perform a hydraulic analysis to calculate proper culvert sizing relative to projected peak water flow.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to send a letter to the Stoughton Board of Selectmen inviting them to attend the next Sharon Board of Selectmen meeting on May 27, 2008

 

HORIZONS FOR YOUTH (HFY) COMMITTEE ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

Mike Bossin Chairman of the Horizons for Youth Advisory Committee brought several issues before the Board:

 

Eagle Scout Projects

 

Michael Thomas discussed his plans for restoration of the fire ring which is located behind the bunk from donations and from the DPW.  The HFY Committee is very supportive

 

Paul Berry distributed a project workbook to the Board.  He would like to build picnic tables that would be sited by Mike Bossin.  This would give the campers a place to talk and meet.  He also plans on building bridges across low and swampy areas and plans on cleaning-up and clearing trails on the property.  The work is scheduled between June 1, 2008 and June 7, 2008.  The lumber will be furnished by a local lumber yard.  The HFY Committee is very supportive.

 

Leases

 

Mr. Bossin updated the Board on leases. 

 - The Committee is still finalizing several issue on the Franciscan Hospital lease

 - Yosef Resnick wants to start a guitar studio on the premises.

 

Mr. Bossin reported that the HFY property will generate somewhere from $35K - $40K of income this year    with operating expenses of approximately $20K.  The Committee would now like to focus on long term planning.  The Committee is planning on hosting a second open house on Saturday May 31, 2008 from 12pm – 4pm.  There will be activities including representatives of REI, EMS, Bass Pro Shop and a gymnastics

demonstration.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted to approve the HFY Committee’s request for an Open House on May 31,

2008 from 12pm – 4pm

 

Chairman Bossin said that he would like the Selectmen to think about allowing the HFY Committee to place a caretaker on the site for light maintenance.  They would like to have an arrangement similar to that at the Community Center as the caretaker would live on the property.  They see two viable houses on the HFY property for this purpose.  Selectman Powell said he would like to learn more about the Town’s liability mentioned that he is concerned about creating a tenancy when we don’t know the long-term plan for the property.  Barbara Kramer asked that the Selectmen attend the next HFY Advisory Committee Meeting to further discuss.  The next meeting is Monday June 2, 2008.

 

Selectmen Heitin and Powell said they will attend the meeting.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, collective bargaining with non-represented personnel, real property and at the end thereof adjourn for the evening.  

 

The Board adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

 

Roach:  Aye

Powell: Aye

Heitin:  Aye