MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Thursday, February 19, 2009

7:30 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 Benjamin E. Puritz

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.

CASTLE DRIVE INSPECTION

Superintendent of Public Works Eric Hooper reported to the Board on the road conditions on Castle Drive. He said that a section of Castle Drive as you approach Bay Road is bad. He said this is especially true where culverts and gas trenches are located. He explained that the DPW would like to close the road and inspect the road. Mr. Hooper reviewed with the Board the actions that would need to be taken to remediate the problem so the culvert would not collapse. He also said that he will evaluate the culvert with cameras and assuming the damage is not significant the DPW will be able to make the repairs internally. He said as the subdivision is 25 years old that road is ready for replacement. He said that he is seeking permission from the Board to close the road in early March. School busses and emergency vehicles would be the only traffic that would be permitted.

Superintendent Hooper said in terms of notification and signage he would create signs ahead of time. He also would notify the residents in the newspaper and on cable television. Chairman Powell asked that Stoughton and Easton be notified.

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works, subject to appropriate public notification, to close Castle Drive for inspection and repairs as needed.

A resident of Bay Road was in attendance and asked the Selectmen to update him about the status of the Bay Road closure. Town Administrator Puritz said that there was a meeting held last week with Stoughton and that Sharon is waiting for the final plan. He said the funding piece will be presented at the Stoughton Annual Town Meeting this spring. The Castle Drive resident asked if there was a timetable if Stoughton didn’t fix the road. Chairman Powell said if the repairs do not occur the Board will need to rethink its actions.

PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2010 BUDGET UPDATE

Town Administrator Puritz said that the Board will be presenting this budget to the Finance Committee on Monday. He said that the national economy has impacted the state and Town budgets. He said that the proposed budget:

Maintains the current level of services and staffing by using one-time revenues
Monies from Avalon Bay, Wilber School, rezoning of land at Sharon Commons and Sharon Hills have allowed the Town to capture new revenue
The $1.2 million override approved by voters has not been utilized
Capacity for salary increases has been reduced from prior years

Town Administrator Puritz highlighted significant impacts of the FY ’10 budget:

Firefighter increase of four
Police Department – continuation of existing staffing – 30 officers including sharing of cost for School Resource Officer with School Department
DPW –overtime is funded at 104% and an increase of the half-time custodian to the full-time custodian
Review of water budget and major projects
Overall the operating budget for FY ’10 is increasing 2.45%
Fixed and uncontrollables overall increase has dropped to ½%

Selectman Heitin said he is concerned about FY ’11 as opposed to FY ’10 and that the Town needs to be vigilant on operating expenses and Capital expenses. Selectman Roach, a member of the Capital Outlay Committee, said several weeks ago he asked for a moratorium on all non-essential items at the Capital Outlay meeting. Chairman Powell said the good news is that we have the capacity to hire four new firefighters because they are needed. He said the budget relies on one-time revenues and the Selectmen need to be very careful.

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to adopt the FY 2010 budget as discussed this evening and to forward to the Finance Committee and to the Annual Town Meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously adopt the Regular Session minutes of January 27, 2009

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Paul Linehan as Chairman of the Capital Outlay Committee retroactive to January 1, 2009 and to a term expiring December 31, 2010

MEMO FROM CHIEF MANN REGARDING POTENTIAL TOWN METING ARTICLE

The Board reviewed a memo from Chief Mann regarding a potential Town Meeting article that would create a by-law whose primary function is to provide reliable public safety communications for firefighters within 95% of a building or structure’s floor area including any stairwells. The by-law would apply to new building or structures or portions of existing building or structures undergoing renovations or rehabilitation constituting new construction. The goal would be to allow firefighters to communicate with those outside of a building. Chief Mann asked that the Article be included in the Annual Town Meeting 2009 Warrant.

Chairman Powell noted the passing and contributions of long-time activist and life-long resident George Bailey.

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

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:34 P.M.

Powell:Aye

Heitin: Aye

Roach: Aye