MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, December 15, 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 Richard A. Powell, Selectman Walter “Joe” Roach and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

kerstin gallant: candidate for reappointment to the cultural council

Ms. Gallant reviewed the role of the Sharon Cultural Council and its funding source which is the State.  She said that the Sharon Cultural Council approves 30 – 35 grants per year with a maximum of $500.  She said the annual budget is approximately $4,500 - $5,000.  They only award grants to artists who serve Sharon in some way.

charter commission chair andrew nebenzahl: formal presentation of charter

Charter Commission members in attendance: Peg Arbuimbau, Allen Garf, Abigail Marsters, Suzi Peck, Paul Pietal, Colleen Tuck and Lucy Bailey on behalf of deceased member George Bailey

Chairman Nebenzahl presented to the Selectmen: copy of the proposed Charter, a side-by-side analysis of charter recommendations vs. current government structure and the Commission’s report.  He said that George Bailey who passed away earlier this year and who was a member of the Commission was the inspiration and energy behind the Charter Commission. He also stated the 10 people who served on the Charter Commission have worked incredibly hard to produce the final document.

He reviewed the primary change being recommended by the Commission which is the change from an Open Town Meeting to a 17 person Legislative Council that would decide issues that would traditionally be voted on at Town Meeting.  Should a Sharon citizen not agree with the action of the Legislative Council they could obtain 3% signatures of the signatures of registered voters which is approximately 360 signatures and bring the issue to the next Town Meeting where it would be voted on.  He said that there is one member of the Committee who did not vote for the proposed charter and that a Minority Report is included in the Commission report.

He said that other changes include:

• Members of the Library Board of Trustees, Assessors, and Planning Board who are now elected will be appointed by the Select Board
• Town Clerk who is now elected will be appointed by the Select Board

He said the 17 members of the Legislative Council will include 2 members from the five precincts and 7 at-large members.  He said that they will serve two year staggered terms.

Peg Arguimbau who is the author of the Minority Report said that it is important that people read the proposed Charter because it changes the manner in which people’s voices are heard because of the creation of the Legislative Council. 

Chairman Nebenzahl said that there have been changes since the preliminary report was issued in September. For instance the Legislative Committee has been increased from 9 to 17 members because of comments from the Attorney General’s office.  He also said that the Selectmen are required to print and distribute a copy of the Charter to each Sharon resident.

5 minute recess was taken

CHRISTINE TURNBULL: CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Ms. Turnbull said she would like to be reappointed to the Commission.  She said the Committee has been very busy recently and that she has enjoyed attending the meetings and taking part in the decision making process.

Recreation Director Brett McGowan: Discussion of 2010 lake tag fees and Triathlon

Recreation Director McGowan reported that the Recreation Advisory Committee had discussed the lake tag fees and the fact that revenue decreased substantially in Summer 2009.  He said that the Committee deems this phenomenon weather related.  He said that the only change being made for 2010 is that tags for those who are disabled are currently free and it is being recommended that tags sold to the disabled be at a rate of 50% of the general price.  This means that tags for the disabled would cost the same as tags for senior citizens. Mr. MacGowan reported that he had spoken to Sid Rosenthal, Chair of the Disabilities Commission who supported the idea but said he would like to take it to the full Commission.  Mr. McGowan reported that in 2009 there were 55 handicapped tags provided at no charge.  The Selectmen said they would like to hear what the feelings of the Disability Commission are before they take a vote.

Mr. McGowan said that MaxPerformance has run the triathlon for the past two years and they have done an excellent job.  He said that they set up at 6am on Sunday morning and are out by 11am; therefore, beach usage by resident is not impacted. He reported that MaxPerformace would like to increase the number of participants and increase their donation to the Town.  They would like the Board to sign a three year contract.  Selectman Roach said he is not in factor of a three year contract.  Town Administrator Puritz said that the Board can sign a three year contract with a stipulation that the Board annually revote reauthorization of the contract.   Selectman Powell said that he is in agreement and would like a formal agreement to be drafted prior to the Selectmen taking a vote.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of November 23, 2009

APPROVAL OF banner request

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of In Charge Productions from April 26^th – May 3rd  (2nd  position)

Norwood Connection – Access to MWRA via Norwood during Emergency Conditions

Chairman Heitin said that Superintendent of Public Works Hooper asked that the Selectmen send a letter to the Norwood Selectmen asking for permission to explore the potential for long-term emergency connection hook up to the Norwood water distribution in order for the Sharon Water Department to have the ability to supply drinking water to its residents in the event of a long term emergency such as a contaminated well.  Selectman Roach pointed out that Norwood utilizes MWRA water. 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the letter to the Norwood Board of Selectmen requesting a connection to their water supply in the event of an emergency.

LAND NO LONGER NEEDED FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES

Chairman Heitin explained that at the Special Town Meeting held last month the Town approved a land swap with the Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club.  He said in order to move forward with receiving legislative approval for this process the Selectmen need to take a vote stating that the land is no longer needed for conservation purposes. 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously:

WHEREAS, the Town of Sharon at the Special Town Meeting held on November 9, 2009, voted to reauthorize this Board to convey a parcel of land with conservation restrictions, totaling 17.19 acres shown as Lot 2-B on a Plan of Land entitled “Subdivision Plan of Land, Sharon, Mass.,” dated December 29, 2008 and prepared by Sharon Survey Service, 10 E. Chestnut Street, Sharon, MA, currently under the control of the Conservation Commission to the Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club. 

WHEREAS, the Conservation Commission, has determined that such land is no longer need for   conservation purposes;

WHEREAS such conveyance is in exchange for the conveyance to the Town, for conservation purposes, from the Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club portions of those five lots listed on a Plan of Land entitled “Subdivision Plan of Land, Sharon, Mass.,” dated December 29, 2008 and prepared by Sharon Survey Service. as previously authorized by the unanimous vote of the Town to Article 40 of the May 10, 1999 Annual Town Meeting

NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Sharon do vote and hereby petition the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to allow this Board to transfer  that parcel of land with conservation restrictions, totaling 17.19 acres, shown as Lot 2-B on a Plan of Land entitled “Subdivision Plan of Land, Sharon, Mass.,” dated December 29, 2008, pursuant to Article  of the November 9, 2009 Special Town Meeting; and to accept in exchange for such transfer a conveyance to the Town, for conservation purposes, from the Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club portions of those five lots listed on a Plan of Land entitled “Subdivision Plan of Land, Sharon, Mass.,” dated December 29, 2008 and prepared by Sharon Survey Service, as reauthorized by the unanimous vote of the Town to Article 12 of the November 9, 2009 Special Town Meeting.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Heitin stated that at the Board’s Executive Session at the prior meeting the Board had ratified a contract with the Lieutenants of the Sharon Police Department.  He said that the contract is available in the Town Accountant’s office.

Selectman Powell said that because he is now a 6^th grade boy’s basketball coach he has asked his colleagues to be flexible regarding the starting time for the Selectmen’s meetings for the next few months.  Chairman Heitin and Selectman Roach said they were able to accommodate the schedule change.

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously 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 8:05P.M.

Heitin:     Aye

Powell:  Aye

Roach:    Aye