MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, September 22 , 2009

7:30 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 pm in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman William Heitin, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.

 

sacred heart reuse committee draft request for proposal update

 

john Davis, the Chair of the Sacred Heart Committee explained that the Committee was established about 18 months ago.  He thanked the members of the Committee for their contribution in particular Stephen Carter who passed away unexpectedly.  He said Committee members have met with many individuals and groups to ascertain the types of uses that people were interested in seeing on the Sacred Heart property. The Committee members have also visited comparable sites in other communities such as the Adirondack Club which contains an indoor pool.  Based on these conversations and with input from Town Boards and Committees a draft RFP was prepared and at this point they would like input from the Selectmen.

 

Mr. Davis stated that according to the original documents the land must be used for senior facilities and active recreation.  He spoke to Town Counsel about changing the purpose and Town Counsel Gelerman said that it was difficult but not insurmountable. Mr. David said that there is a need for recreational facilities – for instance the Sharon High School Swimming Team is bussed to Randolph because Sharon doesn’t have a pool.  He said that they have discouraged parties that are interested in purchasing the property.  Working on the assumption that the Town doesn’t have the money to build-out the property they have been seeking a private party who could contribute the construction costs while the Town would contribute the land.   Selectman Roach said that he wanted to make it clear that the tennis and basketball courts are not included in the parcel while the 127 spot parking lot is included in the parcel. 

 

Chairman Heitin said that he believes that the Committee is on the right track and that he is comfortable with the draft RFP.  He asks that they continue to keep the Selectmen informed as he would like to have something to bring before the May 2010 Town Meeting.   

 

APPROVAL OF MINTUES

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of September 8, 2009 and Executive Session Minutes of September 8, 2009                        

 

REVIEW STATUS OF REDACTED EXECTUIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to release the redacted minutes as reviewed

 

CONTRACT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL WELL DEVELOPMENT – NSTAR

 

Chairman Heitin said Superintendent Hooper would be at the next meeting to discuss this issue

 

APPROVAL OF SPECIAL STATE ELECTIONON JANUARY 19, 2010

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to hold a Special State Election on January 19, 2010 to fill the seat of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

 

PLANNING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that the grant includes planning assistance for affordable housing and would fund a study that would look at redevelopment options for the Sharon Public Library

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to submit the grant application to the South Coast Rail Technical Assistance Grant as discussed

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

APPOINTMENTS TO CAPITAL OUTLAY COMMITTEE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Joe Roach to the Capital Outlay Committee

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Bill Heitin to the Capital Outlay Committee

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Richard Powell as an alternate to the Capital Outlay Committee

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Chairman Heitin to the Priorities Committee

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Powell to the Priorities Committee

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Roach as alternate to the Priorities Committee

 

APPROVAL OF LIBRARY EMPLOYEES UNION CONTRACT

 

Chairman Heitin explained the contract applies to FY ’10 effective 7/1/2009 with a 2% increase and FY ’11 effective 7/1/2010 with a 1% increase.

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the agreement with the Library Employees Union and the Town of Sharon

 

agreement with T-Ford Company to fix Manns PonD DAM

 

Chairman Heitin said that the Board received a memo from Town Engineer Peter O’Cain explaining that T-Ford’s bid of $269,025 to fix the Manns Pond Dam is $200,000 lower than the lowest bid from last year.

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award to T-Ford Co. the contract to fix the Manns Pond Dam at a cost of $269,075.

 

OPEN AND CLOSE 2009 FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT

 

Chairman Heitin explained that the Selectmen were adding an Article that related to the creation of a Finance District on the Brickstone site.  This would assist Brickstone in financing capital improvements beneficial to the Town such as the water system and the Fire Station.  He said that there would be no financial impact on the Town and the creation of the district will have to be approved by the Legislature. 

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to open the Warrant for the November 9th Town Meeting

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to add a Finance District to the Warrant

 

Chairman Heitin asked the Board switch the positions of Article 1 (would be come Article 2) & Article 2 (become Article 1).  Selectmen Powell and Roach agree.

 

Selectman Powell says he is not prepared to vote to increase the meals and hotel tax, and asks that those Articles be removed.  Chairman Heitin and Selectman Roach agree.

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to remove Article 8 (increase hotel taxes) and Article 9 (increase meals tax) from the Warrant

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that there are some unresolved issues with the Johnson Drive Article and it may not be ready for consideration at the Town Meeting

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to close the Warrant for the November 9th Town Meeting

 

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

 

The Board adjourned at 8:25 P.M.

 

Heitin: Aye

Roach:  Aye

Powell: Aye