MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Selectman Richard A. Powell, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz
The meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m.
DOG HEARING
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to open the dog hearing relative to 10 Suffolk Road which will be held under Ch.140 Sect. 157
Selectman Roach swore in Tara Bisceglia. Scott Blau, the owner of the dogs was not in attendance.
Tara Bisceglia of 12 Suffolk Road said that she is filing a complaint against Scott Blau of 10 Suffolk Road because of excessive dog barking. She provided records of calls for the past year to the Animal Control Officer. She said that she has called the police in the early morning hours. She said beginning at 5:30am or 6:00am until 9:00am the dogs are left outside barking. She said the dogs also roam onto her yard at times. She said Mr. Blau’s wife lets the dogs outside. Ms. Biscelgia said that the barking disrupts her sleep. Ms. Bisceglia produced a video which allowed the Selectmen to hear the barking and to see the dogs off their leashes. She said the dogs are nice dogs. She said that she moved into her house in October 2007 and that the barking began about six months later. She added that because her neighbor has a police scanner every time she calls the police they take the dogs inside.
Animal Control Officer Diane Malcolmson was in attendance and said that she issued two citations in 2008 for leash law violations. She said she has witnessed the leash law violation and had spoken to Mr. Blau about the barking. She said that all four dogs are licensed. She added that in addition to the four dogs there used to be puppies but they were all gone at this point. Ms. Malcolmson said she had told Mr. Blau to let the dogs outside at a later time. She said she has tried to work with him for a long period of time and had also asked him to place bark collars on the dog; however, he didn’t comply. Ms. Bisceglia said that she likes dogs but it would be very helpful if between midnight and 8am if they didn’t bark.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to order Scott Blau of 10 Suffolk Road to put up a stockade fence, approved by the Animal Control Officer, to keep the dogs in the yard. If the dogs continue to bark that the dogs must wear a barking collar. If Mr. Blau doesn’t comply then the Selectmen will hold another hearing.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to close the hearing
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Powell asked that this item be held.
2nd Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding Residences and
Villages at Sharon Commons Chapter 40R Overlay Amendment
Town Administrator Puritz said the only change to the Memorandum of Understanding for the Villages
at Sharon Commons relates to the payment of the $200,000. He said that $100,000 is to be provided
immediately and the remaining $100,000 will be paid by September 1, 2009. The agreement includes
interest and penalty language for any deviation.
Mr. McSweeney, who was in the audience, asked a question regarding the ramifications if the Department of Housing and Community Development doesn’t give approval to the project. Selectman Roach said that the Town would not need to refund the money. The developer has the same obligation the only difference is the timing of the payment.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to accept the 2nd amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding for the Residences and Villages at Sharon Commons Chapter 40R Overlay Amendment
General Release and Indemnification Agreement between the Town, the Old Post Development Corp. entities and the County Commissioners
Town Administrator Puritz said that Counsel had advised that execution of the agreement would be protective of the Town’s interest.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to sign the general release and indemnification agreement between the Town, the Old Post Development Corp. entities and the County Commissioners
approval of contract agreements
Town Administrator Puritz said this agreement is a culmination of a long negotiation process. He further explained that the Board had voted in Executive Session to accept the following provisions for AFSME and the Management Professionals Association: FY ’09 – 3%, FY ’10 – 2%, FY ’11 – 1%. Town Administrator Puritz said that all the bargaining units in the Selectmen sector are now on the Network Blue program with the lower co-pays. The Board also reviewed the Town Administrator contract for FY ’10 which includes a 2% increase. Selectman Powell said he voted against the contract while Chairman Heitin and Selectman Roach voted in favor.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve the AFSME and Management Professionals Association contracts as voted in Executive Session and the Town Administrator’s contract as voted in Executive Session
approval of 4th of July Committee as a Town Sponsored Committee
The 4th of July celebration in Sharon has been a long tradition and the 4th of July Committee has been responsible for organizing the event. Town Administrator Puritz said that by recognizing this group they will come under the umbrella of the Town for insurance purposes. He said that individual contractors, such as the company that put on the fireworks have their own insurance.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to appoint the following members to the 4th of July Committee:
Paul Bergeron, Scott Goldman, Katrina Traut-Savino, Timothy Traut-Savino, Joan Kniager, Irving Kniager, Gerrie Corrigan, Michael Sherman, Leah Sherman, Marlene Chused
AWARD CONTRACT FOR STOP-LOSS INSURANCE
Town Administrator Puritz said that the stop-loss insurance will cover any health insurance claims in excess of $100,000. He said that there were four bids received and the low bid was submitted by Uniamerica for $451,032.00 or $34.02 individual rate and $78.80 family rate. The bid is based on the number of subscribers.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to award the bid for stop-loss insurance to Uniamerica for $451,032.00 or $34.02 individual rate and $78.79 family rate.
APPROVE SCHOOL ZONE SIGNS
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to close the hearing regarding School Zone signs on Ames Street.
Selectman Roach said that the Board has received positive correspondence regarding this action. The signs are going to be placed near the Ames Street playground and Temple Young Israel
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to authorize the placement of the School Zone signs as outlined in the memo from Town Engineer Peter O’Cain dated May 12, 2009
letter to state delegation regarding Verizon’s efforts regarding municipal control of the Town’s cable franchising authority
Town Administrator said that the Selectmen have been asked to send a letter to our State Delegation and to the Department of Public Utilities expressing their concern regarding legislation filed on behalf of Verizon that would dramatically accelerate the license issuance period. The Selectmen expressed their opposition to the proposed legislation because it would unduly limit the Town’s ability to review and manage the licensing process.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to authorize the Clerk to sign letter to the State delegation and the Department of Public Utilities opposing the above referenced legislation.
authorize banner request
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request by Heights Elementary School for the Harvest Festival from September 7 th – 14th 2009 (1st position)
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request by Sharon Soccer Association from July 13th – 20t h 2009 (1st position)
Amendment to agreement with Old Colony Boy Scouts
Please note: Selectman Roach normally doesn’t vote on this issue. However, because Chairman Heitin is not in attendance Selectman Roach is voting because of the rule of necessity.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve the amendment to the contract with the Old Colony Boy Scouts for the rental of the Horizons for Youth Property to include expanded dates for training
VOTED TO AUTHORIZE CLERK TO SIGN LETTER TO COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING SHARON CABLE TELEVISION RENEWAL PROCESS
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to authorize the Clerk of the Board to sign a letter to Comcast Cable communications notifying Comcast that the Town of Sharon was proceeding with the formal ascertainment process
Approval for Entertainment License for French Memories
Debra Odier, owner of French Memories, came before the Board to request an entertainment license. She said that several of her customers have said that they would like low key entertainment. She said the entertainment would occur twice a month. She said in addition they might try an open mic night. She said all the entertainment would be at low volume and not be a disturbance.
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to grant French Memories an entertainment license until 9 pm twice a month for open mic, music and poetry
VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and collective bargaining and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye