MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:07 pm in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Selectman William A. Heitin

 

approval of request by Svetlana Yasinkaya for a One day liquor license AT THE Sharon Community Center ON August 7, 2010

 

VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a one-day liquor license for Svetlana Yasinkaya at the Sharon Community Center on August 7, 2010

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session minutes of July, 6 2010 and July 9, 2010 and the Executive Session Minutes of June 1, 2010 and July 6, 2010

 

OPENING OF WARRANT FOR FALL 2010 TOWN MEETING

 

Chairman Roach said that he and Selectman Powell had attended the July 12th Finance Committee Meeting and there was discussion about the amount of time between the closing of the Warrant and the date the Finance Committee recommendations are due to the Selectmen.  Town Administrator Puritz pointed out that according to the current schedule the Finance Committee has 20 days. There was also discussion about the timeliness of information being provided to the Finance Committee.  Town Counsel Gelerman is going to attend the next Finance Committee meeting to discuss this issue further.  The Selectmen said that there are some situations when materials are turn over of materials are delayed due to negotiations.  

 

 VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously to open the Warrant for the Fall 2010 Town Meeting

 

 

REGULATIONS REGARDING DOGS ON THE BEACH

 

Chairman Roach said that there had been ongoing discuss regarding dogs on the beach.  The Selectmen voted on the following bylaw:

 

VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to our authority as Park Commissioners and under our general authority to regulate municipal land, hereby adopts the following order:

 

No dogs shall be allowed on Memorial Beach (1) from Memorial Day through Labor Day during the hours when the beach is staffed with a gate attendant and/or lifeguard, or (2) at any additional time when Memorial Beach is being used for a public event.  At all other times from Memorial Day through Labor Day dogs shall be allowed only on the path and shall be held firmly on a leash.

 

The Board hereby authorizes the Town Administrator to post this regulation at Town Hall, on the Town Website, at Memorial Beach and at any additional location he deems appropriate.     

 

VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously to change the motion to include the Community Center Beach.

 

approval of agreement and notice to proceed for Caretaker’s Cottage renovation project

 

VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the approval of agreement and notice to proceed for the caretaker’s cottage to Jason Construction of Brockton, Massachusetts for $46,000 and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.

 

SENATOR BRIAN JOYCE – DISCUSSION OF FY 2011 STATE BUDGET

 

.Senator Brian Joyce came before the Board and provided an overview of the FY 2011 State Budget and its impact on the Town of Sharon. Senator Joyce said that the bad news is that economy has had some tough times and the good news is that the economy is improving.  He said that the Massachusetts economy is emerging from the recession more quickly that the nation as a whole.  He reviewed all the sources of state revenue and their respective percentages.  He said that the 2011 state budget is $27.6 billion which is an annual increase of only .2%.  He said the state’s AA bond rate has been reaffirmed.  He said that Sharon’s tax revenues are 92% residential.  The Town’s revenue consists of 14% state aid and 86% local revenue.  Senator Joyce said in FY ’11 Sharon’s state funding is being decreased by $380,733.  He said 83% of Sharon’s local aid is earmarked for the schools through Chapter 70 funding with 16% of the school funding coming from the State. In addition Sharon had received $15,815,000 from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.  The Board of Selectmen thanked Senator Joyce for attending their meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT RECOMMENDATION FOR MUNICIPAL WELL DEVELOPMENT – NSTAR PROPERTY

 

DPW Superintendent Hooper said that over the past year, the Water Department has requested that ESS Group, Inc. submit a series of proposals to provide a work plan of the tasks and associated costs to perform the regulatory permitting and associated site testing for a potential municipal supply well.  This work has been completed resulting in a scope document and estimated budget for the proposed effort. 

 

Superintendent Hooper said that the project has now progressed to the point where the aquifer testing phase is necessary to proceed.  This effort has been presented to the Water Management Advisory Committee who is in support.  Consequently, the Water Department recommends that a contract for engineering services for subsurface exploration be awarded to the engineering firm ESS Group Inc. of Wellesley, Massachusetts in the amount of $232,725.  This award is for the remaining tasks prior to the construction of a new well on the NSTAR site near Canton Street.

 

VOTED: (Powell/.Heitin) Voted unanimously to award a contract to ESS Group Inc. of Wellesley, Massachusetts for $232,725 for tasks associated with aquifer testing.

 

Superintendent Hooper provided an update on the water ban.  He said that the DPW has determined that there are some significant leaks – one on Billings Street and they are still trying to locate the additional leaks.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

CHANGE IN MENTAL HEALTH COVER FOR CERTAIN TOWN EMPLOYEES

 

Town Administrator Puritz explained that as part of a review of the Town’s eligibility for a Retiree Drug Subsidy a change has to be made to the Town’s insurance plan which covers just 13 people. The Town has received $200,000 owed of $500,000 for being in compliance with the program.  In order for the Town to be in compliance the co-pays for certain municipal health coverage provisions must aligned with federal standards.

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Town Administrator Puritz and allow him to administratively make the change in the health insurance plan as discussed.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing

collective bargaining, pending litigation and real property and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.

 

Roach:    Aye

Powell:  Aye

Heitin:  Aye