MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:17 pm in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz.

 

 

ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to approve a one-day liquor license at the Sharon Community Center for Amy Barthkow

 

HEARING FOR SPEEDBUMPS ON EAST FOXBORO STREET AND COMMUNITY CENTER DRIVE

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted to open the hearing for speed bumps on East Foxboro Street and Community Center Drive

 

DPW Superintendent Hooper said he is not the “biggest fan” of speed bumps.  However, he acknowledged that they worked well on Castle Drive.  He recognizes that East Foxboro Street is a main road and it is his intent to make drivers aware that many children cross the street.  He said that the speed bumps slated for the Sharon Community Center are a new style of speed bumps that are currently in use on Edgewood Drive.  Recreation Director Brett MacGowan said the Recreation Advisory Committee met with Sharon Youth Baseball and Soccer (SYSBA) and said there was concern for the safety of the 700 – 800 children crossing East Foxboro Street during baseball season. 

 

Mark Nathanson of Pilgrim Drive said he is opposed to the speed bumps on East Foxboro Street.  He says that they are speed ramps not speed bumps.  He also said that the speed ramps are located in the crosswalk.  He said he obtained over 60 signatures in two hours from people who are opposed to the speed ramps.  He said that they should change the configuration of the parking and remove those spaces where people back up.  He also said that the children should cross with their parents.  He also recommended a flashing light system similar to what one sees near schools.  He also said that he believes that the hearing should have been held before the speed bumps were installed.  Chairman Roach said that a hearing should have been held prior to the installation.  Joel Alpert of Osprey Road said that the speed bumps are in the wrong place and will not accomplish the goal.  He said that he believes there should be two more crosswalks.  He is in favor of speed bumps on Community Center Drive.  Chairman Roach said though the speed bumps on East Foxboro are inconvenient 10 seconds six times a day is a small price to pay for improved safety for children. 

 

Dan Tarlin who is the president of SYSBA said he has no objection to lowering the speed limit.  He said he lives in Sharon Woods, where speed bumps are located, and he said it is a small price to pay for improving child safety.   Steven Lesco of the Sharon Recreation Advisory Committee said he is in favor of the speed bumps because it lessens the risk of a child being injured.  Chuck Adams of 64 East Foxboro Street said he likes the idea of multiple crosswalks.  He also supports flashing lights to reduce speed.  Mike Polimer the long-time volunteer groundskeeper said that the parking on the field side should be eliminated from the Emergency Exit to the Dumpster.  He said SYSBA will buy two sets of speed bumps. 

 

7:55 PM – Selectman Heitin joined the meeting

 

It was decided that the Selectmen authorized the placing speed bumps on Community Center Drive but prior to doing so camp counselor will hold signs and the Town will paint the crosswalks.  This will put on hold the installation of the speed bumps.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to close the hearing for speed bumps on East Foxboro Street and Community Center Drive

 

Selectman Powell said that speed bumps work and there is a case for more speed bumps.  He is a supporter of looking into additional speed bumps.  Selectman Heitin said he believes that the placement of speed bumps at Gavins Pond supports the effectiveness of speed bumps.  He would like to see additional signage.  He said for those who travel East Foxboro who are not comfortable with the speed bumps that there are several alternate routes. 

 

 VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to direct the Town Engineer to remove about 15 spaces to be relocated at the skateboard park and add signage, additional crosswalks, and two additional sets of speed bumps to be paid for by SYSBA and accept the speed bumps that are currently installed.

 

5 minute recess

 

Selectman Powell temporarily left the meeting

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the Executive Session Minutes of April 27, 2010 and May 25, 2010 and Regular Session Minutes of June 1, 2010

 

REGULATIONS REGARDING DOGS ON TOWN BEACHES

 

Chairman Roach said the Board of Health and the Conservation Commission have provided the Selectmen with information regarding this issue.  He said that since 1986 regulations have been in place banning of dogs from Memorial Park Beach.  Selectman Heitin said he would like to ban dogs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Chairman Roach said he would like to postpone discussion on this issue to the July 6, 2010 meeting for the full Boards further consideration.

 

 APPROVAL OF CALL FIRE FIGHT FIGHTER CONTRACT

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that this contract covers the call response contingent for the Fire Department for FY ’09, ’10, ‘11.  He said that the changes in the agreement are modest – a $50.00 increase in the annual stipend as well as an increase in the hourly wage from $18.00 to $19.00.  The retroactive cost of the contract is $1500.00 

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the Call Fire Fighter contract from July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2011 as detailed

 

 AWARDING OF STOP LOSS HEALTH INSURANCE AWARD

 

Town Administrator Puritz said this bid is necessary because the Town is self-insured for health insurance.  The Stop Loss policy will cover claims in excess of $125,000.00 at a cost of just under $434,000.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to award the contract for Stop Loss Health Insurance to HM Life the low bidder for all claims in excess of $125,000 for $433,913

 

 

APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUEST

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request by the Independence Day Celebration Committee from June 16 – July 5 (2nd position) and waive the fee

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the banner request by Boy Scout Troop #95 September 7th – September 13th (2nd position)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

retention of existing mechanism regarding disbursement of disabled parking FINES

 

Chairman Roach reviewed a letter from Sidney Rosenthal Chairman of the Commission on Disabilities regarding maintaining the existing mechanism for disbursement of the monies gained from fines for illegal parking in handicap spaces.

 

The Board is in support of Chairman Rosenthal’s position.

 

AUTHORIZE CHAIRMAN ROACH TO SIGN LETTERS TO SPEAKER DELEO AND REPRESENTIAVE MURPHY REQUIRING PRODUCERS TO PAY THE COSTS OF COLLECITON, REUSE AND RECYCLING OF DISCARDED ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND MERCURY ADDED LAMPS

 

Chairman Roach said that this would require that private entities be responsible for the costs of collection, reuse and recycling of discarded electronic products and mercury added lamps. 

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to authorize Chairman Roach to sign letters on behalf of the Board to Speaker Deleo and Chairman Murphy requiring that producers pay the costs of collection, reuse and recycling of discarded electronic products and mercury added lamps.

 

APPOINTMENT OF LEN SEGAL TO THE CABLE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to appoint Len Segal to the Cable Oversight Committee

 

Two minute recess

Selectman Powell rejoins the meeting

 

HORIZON FOR YOUTH PROPERTY LEASES

 

Chairman Roach recuses himself

 

Selectman Heitin explained that the Selectmen will be signing a form of  agreement with Everwood Camp LLC for the lease of the Horizons for Youth Property. 

 

Associate Town Counsel Cindy Amara provided an overview of the agreement:

 

·        Everwood will run a day camp for children from 3 – 15 years of age

·        37 acres on the property

·        Scott Brody is the owner of Everwood

·        20 year lease with the opportunity for one 10 year extension

·        1st three years - $65,000, $66,500, $68,000 in year 4 it goes to the higher of $80,000 or the real estate taxes due on the property

·        After year 3 – 2.5% annual increase

·        Year 20 – rent will be $118,759 – after year 20 fair market value formula increasing 2.5% annually

 

The camp will accommodate community uses including the band, chorus and some Recreation Department programs.  The Town can utilize the trails other than certain times when camp is in session. Mr. Brody’s reasonable needs trump those of the Town.  Included in the agreement are camp scholarships for Town residents. 

 

Mr. Brody says the property is not just a summer day camp but a year round site for family related activated.  Mr. Brody said he is making capital improvements on the property that are suitable for a day camp.  He plans on restoring all the existing buildings and adding additional facilities.  He hopes to open the day camp in the Summer 2011.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted:

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board hereby approves the proposed lease entitled “Ground Lease Agreement, Town of Sharon as Landlord and Everwood Camp Partners LLC as Tenant for Former Horizons for Youth Site, 125 Lakeview Street, Sharon, Massachusetts” substantially in the form presented to the Board by Town Counsel, a copy of which is attached hereto.  We further approve non-substantive changes to complete the lease, and finalize the exhibits to the lease, and approve such side letter agreements, and notice of lease documents, all of which will be presented to this Board for our signatures at our next regularly scheduled meeting.   And further we authorize Town Counsel and the Town Administrator to take such actions as may be required to carry out the foregoing.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach)  Voted to adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion Collective Bargaining, Real Property and Pending Litigation and at the end of Executive Session to return to Regular Session

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:50 PM

 

10:45 PM – the Board returns to Regular Session

 

HORIZONS FOR YOUTH ADMINISTRATION BUILDING LEASE

 

Chairman Roach recused himself

 

Chairman Powell has been leading the negotiations for the Administration Building lease with Linda Valentin.  Ms. Valentin would like a 20 year lease with an option to renew the lease for 20 years.  The cost for Years 1 – 5 would be $31,000 per year.  After five years there would be a 3% increase every 3 years also with a tax escalator. 

 

Ms. Valentin had met the terms of the RFP.  She has owned three schools and currently owns one school in Chestnut Hill that is a French bi-lingual Montessori School. Children attend the school from 2 months – 6 years.  Ms. Valentin said she plans on making capital improvements to the building. She would also like to offer gym classes and French classes to the community as well.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted to sign a lease with Le Petit Montessori as presented. 

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board adjourned at 11:00 p.m.

 

Roach:    Aye

Powell:  Aye

Heitin: Aye