MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday October 21, 2008
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Ben Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
LEE WERNICK: Candidate for Reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals
The Board interviewed Lee Wernick for reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Lee commented that there are many challenges on this committee and especially as new growth is embarking upon the Town of Sharon.
LEONARD SEKULER: Candidate for Reappointment to the Water Management
Advisory Committee
The Board interviewed Leonard Sekuler for reappointment to the Water Management Advisory Committee. Mr. Sekuler commented that the water meter installation project is going quite well. He also remarked there is good diversity on the Committee and is very productive as a group.
ANDREW STEAD: Candidate for Reappointment to the Board of Health
The Board interviewed Andrew Stead for an appointment to the Board of Health. Mr. Stead said that he had been a member of the Board in previous years. His expertise lies in the environmental field.
FRED BENJAMIN: Candidate for Reappointment to the Recreation Advisory Board
Advisory Board
The Board interviewed Fred Benjamin for reappointment to the Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Benjamin commented that there is a lot of activities going on at the Recreation Department and hoping to open the Community Center facilities and promote programs on the weekends.
Local Initiative Project/40B for Sharon Commons - Robert Sheltering, Esq.
Attorney Robert Shelmerdine updated the Board of Selectmen on the Local Initiative Project (LIP) known as Sharon Commons, which consists of 168 units, 3 styles of 30 unit townhouses, 38 condo-unit apartment building and a four-story building. Mr. Shelmerdine presented the Board with an updated application, which was revised to include comments made by Town consultant Tom Houston and Financial AAnalyst Mike Jacobs. Mr. Shelmerdine said they have met with the following Boards and Committees:
· Board of Health in re waste water point of view;
· Conservation Commission re concerns and issues with conservation and wetlands;
· Finance Committee
· Housing Partnership to discuss further details. On the rental portion of 40B, it is required by Massachusetts regulations that for developers to qualify 25% of affordable units, rentals must be no more than 80% of the average medium income, depending on the locality;
Attorney Shelmerdine stated "In order to add on the finishing touches for 40B, we are waiting to receive a final review from financial analysts and finish up discussion with the Housing Partnership." Mr. Shelmerdine hopes to have the LIP application submitted prior to the Monday, November 17, Town Meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Minutes of September 23, 2008
and the Executive Session Minutes of September 23, 2008.
Consider Final Shut-off Notice
The Board discussed a memo from Eric R. Hooper, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works, dated October 21, 2008 re "Final shut-off Notice". The Water Department is requesting that the Board of Selectmen issue a termination notice to two residents for failure in responding to the Water Department many attempts to
contact them to schedule a meter swap appointment. Mr. Hooper states that there has been 2,600 meters
installed. The Board suggested the following to be implemented: 1. Have the Health Department
call and/or send out notices. 2. Have Police go with notices on a daily basis for a two-week period at different
hours. The Selectmen agreed that after all other attempts to reach the remaining residents have been made,
that they would authorize shutting off the water as a last resort. Even then, those residents will receive notices stating a date and time of the shut-off giving them plenty of time to take action.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to have the Health Department call and send out notices to the two residents' home. 2. Have Police go with notices on a daily basis for a two-week period at different hours. The Selectmen agreed that after all other attempts to reach the remaining residents have been made, that they would authorize shutting off the water as a last resort. Even then, those residents will receive notices stating a date and time of the shut-off giving them plenty of time to take action.
Approval of Selectmen's Policies
The Board reviewed the Selectmen's Policies.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to accept the Selectmen's Policies as amended with the addition Policy XI and the addition of Policy XXI "Investment Policy" and Policy XXII "Reserve Policy".
Wavier for Rental Fee for Interfaith Action program on December 11, 2008
The Board reviewed the correspondence received from Janet Penn, Executive Director of the Interfaith Action, Inc. requesting a waiver for the Community Center ballroom for the December 11, 2008 program for "One Town, Many Stories".
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to waive the rental fee to the Interfaith Action, Inc. for their December 11, 2008 program to be held at the Community Center ballroom.
SUPPLEMENTAL
Lois Miller, Co-Chair of the After Prom/After Graduation parties committee, has requested permission to
set up a donation table on Election Day at the Sharon High School (outside) for the After Prom/After Graduation parties
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted unanimously to give permission to set up a donation table on Election Day at the Sharon High School (outside) for the After Prom/After Graduation parties.
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 8:30 P.M.
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye
Roach: Aye