MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman, Selectman Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz
Maria Semyoniv – Perevloka DBA Bread N Butter Off-Premises Beer and Wine License
Chairman Roach explained that there had been a technical error in Ms. Simony’s original hearing for an off premises beer and wine license for Bread ‘N Butter. Therefore, the Board was re-holding the hearing.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the off-premises beer and wine license for Bread ‘N Butter
STATE BUDGET REPORT BY SENATOR BRIAN JOYCE
Senator Joyce said he was coming before the Selectmen with some good news. He explained that CNBC had ranked the Massachusetts economy as fifth best of all of the states. He said that Sharon’s home values were up 12% in the past year and that the Federal Stimulus money had added about $448,000 to the Sharon School Department Budget.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT BY BRIAN FITZGERALD JR.
Brian Fitzgerald Junior of Boy Scout Troop #95 is completing his Eagle Scout project. He has been working with the Sharon Soccer Association to put up a flag pole at the soccer fields on Gavins Pond Road. He thanked the Sharon Soccer Association as they paid for the poles and the Sharon Department of Public Works for their assistance. He will also be installing benches and flowers. A dedication ceremony will be held at the end of September.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER AND SILAS FYLER OF THE ENERGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING PLACEMENT OF SOLAR VOLTAIC PANELS ON THE SHARON LANDFILL
DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper explained that a meeting was held with the state at the Mountain Street landfill site and that the Town is requesting a proposal from the engineering firm Weston & Sampson. The two megawatt facility would cover a majority of the electrical use for the Town and School buildings, street lighting, and the electricity needed to power the wells. He said that there are several issues to review including the issue of where to tie into the grid as there needs to be a dedicated line. He said the consultant will also need to evaluate the impact of the weight of the panels on the landfill cap. He also said that the consultant would draft an RFP to secure a vendor that would run the solar facility to generate power and then sell the power back to the Town at a discount. Superintendent Hooper said that approximately 50% of the landfill would be utilized for this project. Selectman Heitin said that in order to qualify for the grant at least 5% of the construction costs must be spent by December 31, 2010, this includes engineering costs. Silas Fyler added that if you start work on the landfill cap then the date is moved to December 31, 2017. Superintendent Hooper said he thought the proposal costs would be approximately $4,000 and the monies to pay for this would be available in the landfill closure account.
There will be two articles needed at Town Meeting related to this project. The first being a long-term lease for use of the property and the second a power purchase agreement. Silas Fyler said that the SVP’s would cover 65% - 70% of the Town’s facilities’ electrical use including the Schools, Town buildings, wells and street lights.
Silas Fyler announcer the Water/Energy Fair which will be held on September 25th fro 1pm – 5m at Sharon High School.
Superintendent Hooper asked that he be tentatively scheduled at the next meeting to present the proposal.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER: WATER BAN
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to reopen the hearing regarding the water ban
Superintendent Hooper explained that he believes that the major leaks have been fixed and that after evaluating the percent of water unaccounted for that he recommends that the Selectmen lift the water ban. Chairman Roach said that the water ban was not about green lawns but was about having enough water to fight fires. This was about public safety. Superintendent Hooper explained that the Town has 120 miles of pipe – approximately 1/3 cast iron, approximately 1/3 asbestos and approximately 1/3 new ductile iron. It is most difficult to locate leaks when there is asbestos piping.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously that effective immediately the Town-wide water ban be lifted and that the Town revert to summer watering schedule.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to close the hearing
LIST OF POTENTIAL ARTICLES
Town Administrator Puritz reviewed the seven articles scheduled thus far for the Fall Town Meeting.
POLICE CHIEF CONTRACT
Chairman Roach said this item would be held.
DEPUTY-CHIEF POLICE CONTRACT
Chairman Roach said this item would be held.
LIEUTENANTS CONTRACT
The contract commences on July 1, 2010 and ends on June 30, 2013. Both year 2 and year 3 include a wage reopener. The merit program will be sunsetted in 2013.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign the Police Lieutenants contract effective July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2013
SIGN CONTRACT FOR REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWN IN TOWN HALL AND FIRE STATION
The winner of the bid was Jason Construction of Brockton, MA for $79,900 the low bidder.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign notice of award to Jason Construction of Brockton, MA for $79,900 and authorize the Chair of the Board of Selectmen to sign on behalf of the Board.
The Board announced the Lillian Savage was resigning from the Board of the Council on Aging. The Board recognized her for her contributions to the Town.
Chairman Roach asked Town Administrator Puritz to look into the legality of the table outside of the Post Office promoting a candidate for Congress.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
collective bargaining and collective bargaining with non-represented personnel, pending litigation and real
property.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:05 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye