MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday October 14, 2008
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Selectman William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Ben Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
KEVIN MCCARVILLE: CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Mr. McCarville said that he enjoys being on the Zoning Board of Appeals and feels it is a good Board whose members come from various backgrounds and offer different expertise. He said that the Board has overseen the Avalon Bay project, been involved with the Sharon Commons permitting process and the Wilber School project.
SUSAN JO RICH: CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Ms. Rich said that she has been involved in the survey that resulted in the extension of one historic district and established a new historic district. She also said she would like to continue the grant work which she took over from Robert Young.
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 2012 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 changes even though they have received a fourth and final notice. Mr. Hooper said 2500 meters have been installed with only nine households not responding. In addition 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
This item will be held until next week.
SIGNING OF THE WARRANT FOR THE NOVEMBER 17, 2008 TOWN MEETING
Selectman Heitin said that there are 18 Articles and the Board will take a position on these Articles at a future meeting.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to sign the Warrant for the November 17, 2008 Town Meeting
APPROVAL OF LIONS CLUB WHITE CANE DAY
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to approve the request of the Lions Club to designate October 18, 2008 White Cane Day
CLASSIFICATION CHANGE FOR SHARON MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (SMEA) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
Selectman Heitin explained that this is a classification change for a SMEA employee negotiated and agreed upon in conjunction with the Sharon Personnel Board.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to approve the classification change in SMEA collective bargaining group agreement
REQUEST TO LOCAK MEMORIAL BEACH GATES AND CHANGE RECREATION DEPARTMENT HOURS
There have been three incidents of vandalism at Memorial Beach and Recreation Director Brett MacGowan is asking that the gate be closed. Selectman Roach said he would like to see the main gate closed as people are able to drive there cars in and he would like to eliminate that option.
It was also requested that the Recreation Department employees work until 8:00pm on Thursday night and leave on Friday at 12:30p.m. This would be consistent with the employees in the Town Hall and in the Department of Public Works.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to ask the Recreation Director to contact the sailing program and to lock the main gate once the sailing program is complete.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to allow the Recreation Department to stay open on Thursdays until 8:00p.m. and close on Friday at 12:30p.m. from September 1 – June 30.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, bargaining with non-represented personnel and pending litigation and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:40 P.M.
Heitin: Aye
Roach: Aye