MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman William Heitin, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER: CONTINUATION OF HEARING REGARDING WATER RATE INCREASES
David Crosby, Chair of the Water Management Advisory Committee was also in attendance.
Superintendent Hooper said he proposed a water rate increase and a change to quarterly billing from semi annual billing. He said the base rate will increase from $15.00 per quarter to $22.50 per quarter, or $60 annually to $90 annually. He said he has scaled back his original request; and this request will result in Sharon being in the middle of the range in terms of water cost when compared to other communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. Selectman Roach asked if it was possible to phase in the increase in the base rate over two years. Superintendent Hooper reviewed the history of water rate increases for the past 20 years, which he said had been minimal. He said he feels that the Town is playing catch-up. Chairman Heitin asked Superintendent Hooper if the revenue derived from the water bills covers operational expenses. He responded that the revenue would cover operations and maintenance with no excess money in part because water usage is down. Therefore, without the rate increase there will be no water main replacement. Paul Lauenstein, a member of the Water Management Advisory Committee stated that he is concerned about not raising the rates because the revenue is needed to pay for water infrastructure improvements. Chairman Heitin said that it will be necessary to utilize debt to pay for the infrastructure improvements. Chairman Heitin said he would like to take a position when the full Board is in attendance. Selectman Roach said that he feels that people at the bottom levels of usage are the most needy.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to close the hearing for the water rates.
craig edwards: candidate for energy advisory committee
Mr. Edwards said that he had served as a member of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee. He said he has an interest in recycling and alternative energies. He said for minimal costs you can
make your home more energy efficient.
FY 2011 BUDGET REVIEW: BEN puritz, disabilities commission
Town Administrator Puritz said that the budget for the Disabilities Committee is $500 - $200 for postage, $200 for office supplies and $100 for miscellaneous expenses. He said that the Committee has used the ticket funds, which is the revenue created when people park in handicapped parking spaces. This revenue has enable the Committee to provide many valuable items.
FY 2011 BUDGET REVIEW and capital requests: brett macgowan, recreation director
Recreation Director MacGowan said that the salary line is tied to existing contracts. He said that the big line item of $3,000 for electricity for the tennis courts and the ice pond will be paid for by cutting back on several items including gasoline. He said he also moved summer supplies to a revolving fund account. Brett said that the Recreation Department runs about 250 programs per year.
He said his total budget if $192,634.
Recreation Director McGowan prioritized his capital item request:
1 – Repair of septic system at Ames Street fields and playground
2 – Repair of the caretaker's cottage
3 – Recreation boat – the current one has to be bailed while running
4 – Replacement of boat ramp
approval of minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to approve the Regular Session Minutes of November 9, 2009.
ACCEPANTACE OF MAY 2010 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to Accept the May 2010 schedule for annual Town Meeting contingent upon approval of the Finance Committee
banner requests
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request of the Sharon High School PTSO from December 7th – December 14th (1st position
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request of Temple Israel January 18th – January 25th (1st position) and if available January11th – January 18th (2nd position)
Appointment of the chief procurement officer
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to appoint Town Administrator Ben Puritz as the Chief Procurement Officer
award contract for Mandatory Tank Testing and System Upgrades to Dependable Petroleum
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to award the contract for mandatory tank testing and system upgrades to Dependable Petroleum for $21,235
acceptance of the Statement of Interest for Sharon High School Roof replacement
chairman Heitin says that seeking eligibility for future study doesn’t obligate the Town in any way.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to accept the statement of interest for the Sharon High School roof replacement and other related items
correspondence
chairman Heitin said that the Town has been working with an alterative to the DPW site for a cell tower. The Farnham Road site is the alternative site and the lease will be on the next meeting’s Agenda for execution.
consider approval of norfolk county central dispatch for the shaorn fire department
Chief Mann explained that the approval of the Norfolk County Central Dispatch at a cost of $100,000 would free up one fire fighter per shift. He said that this process has taken 2 ˝ years and that Holbrook will be doing the actually dispatching. He added that the Town can get out of the contract with 90 day notice. Chief Mann said that this is a pilot program and if it works out other towns will be joining in the future.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to enter into a contract with Holbrook for Central Dispatch for the Fire Department and to authorize the Fire Chief and the Chairman of the board of sign the contract
Susan Walsh: Candidate for Reappointment to the Cultural COUNCIL
Susan Walsh said that she has been on the Council for three years and explained how the Council works. She said that they get money from the state through the Massachusetts Cultural Arts Council and then choose which local applicants should receive funds. She said there budget is approximately $5,000 per year.
David Crosby, Paul Lauenstein, David Hearne, Rory McGregor: Candidates for Reappointment to the Water Management Advisory Committee
Chairman of the Water Management Advisory Committee David Crosby said that the Master Plan will be completed by the end of the year. Issues that are being looked at are the emergency connection to the MWRA and the possible permitting of a new well site. He said the installation of the water meters will be completed by the end of the year as well in order to provide the Water Department more accurate usage numbers. Rory McGregor discussed the importance of increasing the water rates. He believes Sharon’s water education program is a model in the region. Paul Lauenstein said that there are six gauges as part of the waterways program and that the streams are flowing well. He says the water quality is improving because we are using less water. Chairman Heitin pointed out that part of the improvement in water usage is due to infrastructure betterments which result in less leaks. David Hearne said he believes the Engineering and Water Departments do a great job. He said he is also supporting the water rate increase and would like to see an automatic annual rate review. Chairman Crosby said they are waiting to prioritize issues until they receive the updated Master Plan. Rory McGregor asked about the formation of an independent Water Commission. Chairman Heitin said that he might be willing to take it up after the Charter Commission process is completed – he said there are pros and cons.
JOHN LEE: CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (ZBA)
chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals John Lee reviewed several of the cell tower decisions that have been made. He also said that the ZBA worked on the Sharon Commons permitting decisions. He said the ZBA’s successes have included the Wilber School and Avalon Bay.
OTHER
Chairman Heitin announced that a high-end new concept BJs Supermarket has signed a Letter of Intent at Sharon Commons. They are currently working on a lease agreement.
VOTED: (Roach/Heitin) Voted to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and real property and at the completion thereof to adjourn for the evening
The Board adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
Heitin: Aye
Roach: Aye