MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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 William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESTRICTED HOUR PARKING SIGNS ON PARK ROAD, DUNBAR STREET AND BRADFORD AVENUE
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to open the hearing for limited hour parking signs on Park Road, Dunbar Street and Bradford Avenue
Department of Public Works Superintendent Eric Hooper asked the Selectmen to approve the placement of limited hour parking signs on:
Chairman Powell reviewed the hearing process – saying the hearing is open for three weeks and during that process the Selectmen take comments.
Several residents of Park Road were in attendance to express their support for the signs. They were concerned about safety issues on the street. Mr. Howard Novick of 6 Park Road said he is not in favor of the parking restrictions because he frequently parks his car on the street. He also asked if the police had evaluated the situation as it relates to safety. Town Administrator Puritz said that the only evaluation was when the original request was made and usage was lower. Selectman Roach said he has been keeping an eye on the street since the original complaint last year. He noted that when he first observed the street there were only three cars on the street and now there are up to nine cars per day. He added that when it snows the street becomes very narrow and it becomes a safety hazard.
There were several members of the junior class of Sharon High School in the audience for the next agenda item. They commented that the reason the students are parking there is because the junior lot is too small for the number of students who have cars. Selectman Roach said that are spaces available at the Young Israel parking lot which can be accessed through Dunbar Street. The Selectman said that they would speak to the School Committee about this issue.
Jill Katz of 7 Park Road asked why the lake parking lot can’t be opened for the students. Selectman Heitin said that there are concerns about safety. He explained that the other two student lots are monitored and that there would be no supervision at the lake lot. Town Administrator Puritz added that the lake parking lot is an environmentally sensitive area because of its proximity to the lake. He stated that it is a gravel lot making snow removal difficult and potentially harming the ability for the water on the parking lot to drain away from the lake. Chairman Powell said that the hearing will remain open for the next three weeks in order to receive additional public comment.
APPROVAL FOR FLAMINGO FLOCKING FUNDRAISER BY THE JUNIOR CLASS
Junior Class President Sophie Hearne, Vice President Alexa Wright and Class Advisors Ms. Koltov and Ms. Kallin came before the Board to request permission to hold a Flamingo Flocking fundraiser. They explained that 20 flamingoes are placed in yards and then individuals pay to purchase the flamingos. They said that the “flocking” will become a chain reaction where those are “flocked” can then choose to “flock their friends”. The fundraiser was run in Hingham and Mansfield and has been very successful. Selectman Roach asked the action that would be taken if someone was “flocked” but didn’t want the flamingo in their yard and didn’t want to contribute to the fundraiser. Ms. Hearne said that the person could call and the flamingos would be removed. Selectman Roach also asked about the theft of the flamingoes. Ms. Hearne said the junior class is responsible for theft. The advisors said that there would be a lot of pre-event publicity so that townspeople would be aware of the fundraiser. Ms. Hearne also said that the Junior Class would put a clause on all advertisements providing a number to call to remove the flamingoes for those who do not want to participate.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the request of the Sharon High School Class of 2010 regarding Flamingo Flocking from May 11, 2009 – June 11, 2009
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Powell asked that this item be held.
APPROVAL OF 2010 WATER RESTRICTIONS
Chairman Powell explained that the restrictions are the same as in prior years. Residents were permitted to water their yards two times per week, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, from 6pm – 8pm. Superintendent of Public Works Eric Hooper said the restrictions will begin on May 1, 2009 and end on October 1, 2009.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to implement the annual water restrictions for two hours per week from 6pm – 8pm either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from May 1, 2009 – October 1, 2009
APPROVAL OF LIONS CLUB SEMI-ANNUAL CANE DAY
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to authorize the Lions Club semi-annual White Cane Day on Saturday April 18, 2009 from 9am – 1pm.
APPOINTMENT TO WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint April Singleton to the Water Management Advisory Committee for a three year term.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Powell announced that representatives from Brickstone will be providing an update to the Board at next week’s Selectmen meeting. He said information that the Selectmen receive prior to the meeting will be placed on the Town’s website.
Selectmen Roach announced that the pre-town Town Meeting will take place on Tuesday April 28, 2008 at 8pm in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. He further explained that this is an organizational meeting and that substantial issues are not discussed.
Town Administrator Puritz said that Sharon’s FY 2010 distribution for Chapter 90 Transportation money is $439,831 which is fairly consistent with prior years.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and bargaining with non-represented personnel and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:45 P.M.
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye
Roach: Aye