MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday October 7, 2008
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chairman Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Ben Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
CHUCK LEVINE: CABLE TV OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE UPDATE
Mr. Levine reviewed the role of the Oversight Committee which is to ensure that Comcast is working within the scope of their license. He said that all three issues he has brought to Comcast within the last three years have been handled well.
Mr. Levine raised two issues. He said that In February 2009 analog transmission with be ending. If you don’t have cable the government will provide you with a $40.00 card that you can turn in at www.wdtv2009.com and this will enable the card holder to receive a converter box. He also reviewed Comcast’s plans for the next three years as it relates to Basic and Extended Basic. He said that Comcast is slowly moving channels off Basic and onto Extended Basic. Mr. Levine said that at the end of three years all Comcast customers will need to rent a box for $3.95 per month and prices will increase as well.
Town Administrator Puritz said that the current contract expires in 2012 and that 36 months prior, in mid-Spring 2009, the Town will recommence negotiations. There also was a discussion regarding FIOS being available to Sharon residents. Town Administrator Puritz said that the Town has a right-of-way by-law that was approved by Town Meeting. He said that he has had preliminary discussion with Verizon and they feel the by-law is overreaching There was a placeholder article to make revisions to the Article for this November’s Town Meeting that has been pulled and the Article will be revisited in May. He said that a typical cable license is 10 years.
FAYE BERZON, ELLIOTT FELDMAN (from Supplemental Agenda) AND LILLIAN SAVAGE: CANDIDATES FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING
All three individuals spoke highly of the new building and the many programs available to the public. Lil Savage pointed out the intergenerational programs. Faye Berzon spoke about the good attendance at the programs and attributed this to the robust publicity. Mr. Feldman spoke about having some of the programs at night so that those Sharon residents who are 60 but still working might be able to take part in the programs.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER: RECYCLING
Mr. Hooper said that the meeting would need to be rescheduled to another night as Allied Waste was better prepared to discuss collection methods as opposed to recycling. Selectman Heitin asked that Mr. Hooper contact his colleague in Norwood because they have single stream recycling. Mr. Hooper said that the Town’s tipping contract is good through 2014 and the contract with Allied Waste is good through 2010. He added that the industry is changing towards single stream recycling.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT TRAFFIC RULES CHANGE FOR COTTAGE STREET
John Marcus, Principal of Cottage Street Elementary School had contacted Superintendent Hooper regarding expanding the enforcement of parking during drop-off and pick-up time at the school. He is asking that parking be banned all the way to Billings Street along Cottage Street during the hours of 8:30am – 9:00am and from 3:00pm – 3:30pm.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to install “no parking signs” on both sides of Cottage Street from Cottage Street to Billings Street from 8:30am – 9:00am and from 3:00pm to 3:30pm and make appropriate changes to Parking Regulations.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT TRAFFIC RULES CHANGE FOR CHESTNUT STREET
Mr. Hooper explained that in response to requests from residents he is proposing the addition of traffic control signage. He said that this is a component of the Wilber School Project in anticipation of the traffic pattern changes. He said that this is just Step 1.
“STOP” signs are being proposed at the following locations:
1 - South Pleasant at Oakland Road – Two “STOP” signs will be added on Oakland Road in order to create a 4-way STOP
2 – South Pleasant at Walnut Street – Two “STOP” signs will be added on South Pleasant Street in order to create a 4-way STOP intersection
3 – South Pleasant at Chestnut Street – Two “STOP” signs will be added on South Pleasant Street in order to create a 4-way STOP intersection.
Superintendent Hooper said other steps are being taken having to do with lengthening the timing of the light on South Main Street as well as creating dedicated left turn signs on South Pleasant Street and Station Street. The intent of this is to regulate traffic to Station Street in a more even flow. He said that the Commonwealth is moving forward with completion of the project though the items on the punch list needs to be resolved. He said that once the road is returned to the Selectmen he will recommend discussion about removal of the sign that says” No Turn on Red” located at the corned of East Chestnut Street and South Main Street. He will also be proposing turning the light into a flashing yellow light between 11pm and 5am.
Craig Fletcher of 4 Oakland Road spoke about his concern regarding the speed with which people turn left onto Oakland Road from South Main Street. Jim Keating asked that the Selectmen place speed limit signs in order to slow people down. Superintendent Hooper said that he would have to perform a speed study and he believes the speed limit would end up at 30 mph. Mr. Keating also said that the Town makes a lot of money from the train station and the Town should pay for details to enforce the speed limit as well as enforcement of stop signs. in the area. Selectman Heitin said he believes that once the timing of light is changed that there will be less traffic in the neighborhood. There was discussion about the recommendations of the Transportation Advisory Board regarding this situation. Art Stein, Chairman of the Transportation Advisory Board will be contacted regarding the meeting date.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to install “no parking signs” as presented by Superintendent Hooper and make appropriate changes to traffic rules and orders
Mr. Hooper said the Stop Signs could be in place on Wednesday October 29, 2008.
SUPPLEMENTAL
Superintendent Hooper said that the Town is installing new water meters in order to obtain better and more accurate information. A number of residents have refused to allow their water meters to be changed even though they have received a fourth and final notice. Mr. Hooper said 2500 meters have been installed with only nine households not responding. Phone calls have been made to these residents and there has been door hangar notification. He said tomorrow another phone call will be made and then the water will be turned off pursuant to voted authorization from the Board of Selectmen. Once the water is turned off he will have to notify the Board of Health as a property is not considered habitable if there is no water. The Selectmen decided to defer action for one week.
MINUTES
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session Minutes of September 9, 2008.
APPROVAL OF SELECTMEN’S POLICIES
Selectman Roach asked that the appointment policy be changed to reflect an appointment date of December 31st as opposed to September 30th. Town Administrator Puritz said that the Selectmen should consider adding the Investment Policy and Reserve Policy to the Selectmen Policies. Selectman Heitin asked that they hold until the Board reviews final language for the Investment Policy and Reserve Policy.
CONSIDER CHANGE IN COMMUNITY CENTER RENTAL POLICY
Town Administrator Puritz explained that the basis for the recommended a surcharge of $250 per hour for those who exceed the six hour rental maximum. The goal is to try and limit the rentals to the allowed six hours. Selectman Roach said he agrees that what Town Administrator said is a good idea but he believes that $250 per hour is steep and he would like to see the rate lowered to $175 per hour and if that doesn’t assist in limiting the rentals to six hours then he will agree to increase the amount.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adopt the Community Center Ballroom Policy with the amendment as suggested.
SELECTMEN APPOINTMENTS TO THE CAPITAL OUTLAY COMMITTEE
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted to appoint Selectman Roach as a representative to the Capital Outlay Committee
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to appoint Selectman Heitin as a representative to the Capital Outlay Committee
DRAFT SEQUENCING OF ARTICLES FOR THE NOVEMBER 17, 2008 TOWN MEETING
Selectman Heitin recommended that Article 17 which is funding for the Middle School be moved to Article 3. Both Chairman Powell and Selectman Roach concurred.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept draft sequencing of Warrant Articles which includes moving Article 17 to Article 3.
CONTRACT WITH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION FOR PEER REVIEW FOR THE RESIDENCES OF SHARON COMMONS AND VILLAGES AT SHARON COMMONS
This item will be held until the next meeting as it is being reviewed by Town Counsel.
AWARD OF SOLAR AND SALT AND ROCK SALT CONTRACT FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL
The price of Solar Salt and Rock Salt have both substantially increased over the last year. Sharon is part of the Medfield Consortium and they have recommended that the Selectmen award the contract as follows:
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the contract for Solar Salt to Eastern Minerals, Inc. for $70.20/ton and for Rock Salt to Eastern Minerals, Inc. for $70.20 per ton.
APPROVAL OF ELECTION EVACUATION GUIDELINES
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Election Evacuation Guidelines as presented by the Town Clerk.
BANNER REQUEST BY TEMPLE SINAI
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the request of Temple Sinai to hang a banner from December 8 – December 15 (1st position)
DISCUSSION OF SHARON HILLS AT RATTLESNAKE HILL PUBLIC MEETINGS AND TEXT FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE MAILING
Chairman Powell stated that there are going to be two joint meetings with the Finance Committee where the developer will make a presentation and the public will have an opportunity to ask questions. The meetings are scheduled for Thursday October 16th and Monday October 27th at 7:30p.m. in the David I. Clifton Jr., Ballroom. There was discussion about the specificity of the Warrant Article. Mr. Apse, an abutter in attendance, asked if the Warrant Article will be specific as to what the Selectmen are authorized to do. Chairman Powell said that the Town Counsel will explain the details of the Memorandum of Agreement once it is created and that the Selectmen will vote on the Memorandum of Agreement prior to the Town Meeting. In addition he added the public will be able to see the Memorandum of Agreement prior to Town Meeting.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the dates for the joint meetings with the Finance Committee regarding Sharon Hills on October 16th and October 27th.
Chairman Powell said he also wanted to review the language of the public notification of the meetings that was going to be mailed to each household regarding the two public meetings. He then read the postcard aloud. Mr. Apse said he believed the postcard should include items other than the use of Mountain Street during the construction phase. Chairman Powell said that Mountain Street was selected because it was clear that was the item that was of most interest to the public.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the wording of the mailing pending final review by Town Counsel.
SUPPLMENTAL AGENDA
AWARD SHARON WATER DEPARTMENT WINDOW AND CUPOLA PROJECT
It was explained that the contract had originally been awarded last March to CIM Services, Inc. which accepted the contract. CIM had failed to start work, didn’t return phone calls, nor been available to respond to requests to begin work. Debbie Anderson of the Attorney General’s office was contacted in order to determine the Town’s options regarding the matter. Ms. Anderson stated that the Town could award the work to the next lowest bidder on the project which was Dunn Construction Company.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the Water Department Window and Cupola Project to Dunn Construction Company at a cost of no more than $8.600.00
BUDGETS
Chairman Powell said because the financial situation there is a possibility that there will be local aid cuts. He said that the Town needs to take stock of where we stand in the current budget process. Selectman Heitin said that we need to analyze our first quarter FY ’09 spending and see where we have flexibility. Selectman Roach said he would like to have a better idea of the Town’s fiscal position before he begins negotiations. Town Administrator Puritz said Finance Director Fowler is already working on the revenue forecast particularly paying close attention to the excise tax revenues. He also said that the DPW will not be filling an open position at this time.
ESTABLISHMENT OF LAYOUT FOR JOHNSON DRIVE
In attendance: Town Engineer Peter O’Cain, Engineer Rick Merriken, Attorney Phil Macchi, Mr. Chitvani the owner the of Johnson Drive property
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to open the public hearing.
Mr. Merriken explained that the purpose of this hearing is to establish the easterly side of the right-of-way which will be called Johnson Drive. This is a follow-up to a Planning Board Article to abandon those portions which are no longer in the right-of-way. Attorney Macchi said he represents Mr. Chitvani who is the owner of the land. Mr. Macchi also reviewed the lay-out of the land being discussed. He said the current situation evolved when Route 95 was developed. He said the county will abandon the parcel after Sharon abandons its property. The abandonment process will allow people to bid on the land. However, the only person who would want the land is Mr. Chitvani as he owns the abutting parcel. Mr. Chitvani would like to assemble the parcel in order to build a commercial building which would provide Sharon with revenue. Town Engineer Peter O’Cain said that the line needs to be established in order to proceed with the process. Selectman Heitin said that the Board held a meeting at the site in order to better understand the parcel.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the hearing.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to the Planning Board of our intention to discontinue and layout of the following Town ways or portions hereof: High Plain Street and Johnson Drive, as shown on the plans entitled “, “Layout Plan of Johnson Drive in Sharon, MA, Norfolk County,” dated July 14, 2008, prepared by Merrikin Engineering, LLP and “Town of Sharon Abandonment Plan of Land in Walpole & Sharon, MA” dated May 12, 2008, prepared by Merrikin Engineering, LLP received by the Town of Sharon Highway Department on October 7, 2008, and that said plan be referred to the Planning Board for its recommendation and that the Planning Board be requested to report back on or before the forty-fifth day after the date of this vote.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, collective bargaining with non-represented personnel, real property and pending litigation and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:40 P.M.
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye
Roach: Aye