MINUTES

             BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

        Tuesday, December 2, 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 Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Ben Puritz

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and at the end thereof to return to open session.

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:10 P.M.

Powell: Aye

Heitin: Aye

Roach: Aye

 

The Board returned to Regular Session at 7:50 p.m.

 

PERMISSION FOR GIRL SCOUT TROOP 4067 TO SELL COOKIES ON DECEMBER 20

 

Chairman Powell introduced Girl Scout Troop 4067 and explained that they are requesting permission to sell Girl Scout Cookies in front of the Post Office on Saturday December 20th from 9am – noon.  The Girl Scouts said that the Police Chief has given permission for this activity to take place.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the request of Girl Scout Troop 4067 to sell Girl Scout Cookies on December 20th from 9am – noon in front of the Sharon Post Office.

 

COUNCIL ON AGING RAFFLE PULL

 

Jane Desberg, President of the Friends of Council on Aging thanked the community for their support and the names of the winners were pulled and announced along with their respective prizes.

 

CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT FOR SHARON HOUSING AFFORDABLE TRUST

 

Andrew Goldberg said that he is interested in being reappointed to the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust. He said he has enjoyed being a member of the Committee.

 

CANDIDATES FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES

 

Geila Aaronson said that she is a retired Special Education teacher.  She feels that the committee has helped the disabled in Sharon by giving scholarships to special needs students, providing money for playground equipment for disabled children among other things.  She also said that the Committee is striving to make sure that defibrillators are in every building.  She said that the Fire Department and the Town Hall do not have defibrillators. 

 

Selectman Roach said that he had interviewed Florence Finkel on the phone, because she is unable to come to Town Hall because of her disability, and he felt she would continue to make an excellent member of the Commission.

UPDATE ON SACRED HEART COMMITTEE

 

John Davis the Chair of the Sacred Heart Committee introduced committee members Stephen Carter and Ed Keenan who were in attendance.  Mr. Davis reported that the Committee is down to five members and he would like to advertise for more Committee members.  Mr. Davis said that the committee has been meeting twice per month. He also reviewed the building and the parcel, and reviewed the various people the Committee has met. He said that they tried to have a community meeting and sent out letters to 60 abutters; however, very few attended the meeting.  He also reported that he spoke to Attorney Gelerman about zoning restrictions on the property.   He said he also obtained a report about the structure and spoke to DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper, Town Engineer Peter O’Cain and Building Inspector Joe Kent who all agreed that the building cannot be saved.  He said that he would like to also meet with the Library, Recreation Department and Schools to gather information from those groups.  He also said he would like to coordinate with the Horizons for Youth Committee to learn more about the process that was used by that Committee.  He said the Committee would also like to explore a public/private partnership. 

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that several years ago there was a discussion with B’Nai Brith Housing as well as with several other groups regarding recreation potential for the site. John Davis said that the committee had met with the New England Sports Academy of Norwood who is looking for a future potential location.  Selectman Roach said about three years ago the Town had received a price of $250,000 to take down the building. John Davis said he would like to come before the Board in about six months to provide further progress update.  Selectman Roach said he thought it might be helpful if the Committee contacted David Dupree of the Wilber Reuse Committee.

 

ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE

 

Alex Kosmakakis of Bars in the Burbs, a Sharon resident and a caterer has requested a  one-day liquor license for Friday December 5, 2008 from 7pm – 11pm at the Sharon Community Center.  Mr. Kosmakakis provided the proper insurance information.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a one-day liquor license for Bars in the Burbs on December 5, 2008 from 7pm – 11pm at the Sharon Community Center.

 

ELECTION AND REGISTRATION BUDGET

 

Town Clerk Marlene Chused came before the Board with a plus budget and a level-funded budget.  She said the budget is based on an Annual Town Meeting, one Special Town Meeting and one Annual Town Election. She said the plus budget includes 3% salary increases.  In terms of the Capital Outlay Committee she has a placeholder for new voting equipment.  There is a placeholder because she is waiting for the Secretary of State to certify new voting equipment that will be in compliance with federal regulations.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

The Board would like to hold on the Regular Session Minutes of November 10, 2008. 

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of November 6, 2008 and Executive Session Minutes of November 10, 2008.

 

Recreation Director MacGowan said that this summer the Town will be running the summer program in-house, as opposed to former years where the program was run by an outside vendor.  He said that the brochure will be available on January 10th.  He hopes to have some of the Sharon High School coaches and varsity players participating in the program.  He is concerned that if the secretary’s hours are cut this will hinder his ability to expand programs.

 

COUNCIL ON AGING (COA) BUDGET

 

Council On Aging Director Norma Simons Fitzgerald reviewed with the Board upcoming events.  She also reviewed the -5% budget, level-funded budget and +5% budget.  She also said that a wish list item is the funding of the substitute van driver.  She said the level funded budget would provide for no increases other than step increases for two employees. She said that the COA relies very heavily on funding from the Friends of the Council on Aging for funds for programming. Town Administrator Puritz explained that all maintenance expenses for the building are paid for by the Department of Public Works. Ms. Simons Fitzgerald said that the -5% budget would compromise hours and programs.

 

REQUEST OF SHARON BOOSTERS TO FUNDRAISE IN TOWN CENTER

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the request of the Sharon Boosters to fundraise in Sharon Center on December 6, 2008

 

CIVIL DEFENSE BUDGET

 

Civil Defense Director Mike Polimer said the level funded budget is $10,000 as it has been for the past several years. He reviewed the -5% budget and the +5% budget.  He also discussed the electric costs at Moose Hill that were supposed to be shared with Norfolk County Fire Dispatch. The Town has been paying the bill but Norfolk County Fire Dispatch has not been paying their half.  In the future Chief Mann will present the bills to Norfolk County Fire Dispatch for payment.

 

REVIEW OF SMALLER BUDGETS BY TOWN ADMINISTRATOR PURITZ

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that he is not optimistic about local aid.  He is hoping that there will not be a mid-year adjustment.  He said that the initial presentation of all budgets will be completed by December 16, 2008. 

 

Animal Control Officer Budget and Other Budgets

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that the -5% budget would severely impact (by 40%) the fill-ins when the Animal Control Officer is not available. He said the +5% budget would allow for replacement of eight-year old animal traps and also includes a 3% salary increase.

 

Town Administrator Puritz reviewed the budgets for the Sealer of Weights and Measures, Veteran’s Services, Veteran’s Graves, Community Celebrations, Animal Inspector, Commission on Disabilities, Historical Commission, and the Town Report.

 

SELECTMEN’S BUDGET

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that the $272,208 budget includes $249,208 in staff salaries and an additional $1,300 for Selectmen stipends.  He said that the level funded budget reduces supplies and the -5% budget reduces the secretary hours from 25 hours to 16 hours. 

 

 

 

LAW BUDGET

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that this budget primarily covers expenses associated with Town Counsel.  This line item has not exceeded its budget for the past two years.  Attorney Gelerman’s rate is $120.00 per hour.

 

AMENDMENT TO WILBER SCHOOL LEASE

 

Selectman Heitin said the amendments are timing related in regard to the finalization of the final closing schedule.  All the papers have been filed for December 15th and he expects construction will begin shortly thereafter.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to sign the estoppels certificate and the third amendment to the ground lease.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and pending litigation and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:35 P.M.

Powell: Aye

Heitin: Aye

Roach: Aye