MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:03 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
candidates for reappointment to the Cultural arts council: bob levin, georgette kafka, and barbra nadler
Bob Levin said that the Committee distributes funds for arts activities both in Sharon and at venues where Sharon residents participate. Last year the Council distributed $4,100. He said that they granted 21/31 requests though most were partially funded. The State minimum for the number of individuals on the Council is five and currently Sharon has six members. Georgette Kafka said that the Council meets one time per year and members review grants prior to the meeting.
candidate for reappointment to the transportation advisory board: david straus
Mr. Straus said that he spoke with the Assistant General Manager of the T in June to discuss the mini-high platform. The representative of the T said that they hope to be able to work on a resolution to the situation at the Sharon Train Station but the federal government doesn’t prefer this type of platform. However, one was constructed in Fitchburg. Sharon is the only station without an accessible platform on the Providence line.
CandidateS reappointment to the zoning board of appeals: seth ruskin and larry okstein
Mr. Ruskin said that he has completed his first term and he believes that he has learned a lot. He is looking forward to his next term and believes he can increase his contribution to the Zoning Board. Mr. Okstein said that Sharon Commons has been the major project being reviewed by the ZBA. He said he would like to be reappointed.
candidates for reappointment to the commission on disabilities: sheila advani and karen sprung
Karen Sprung and Sheila Advani reviewed the items purchased by the Commission on Disabilities from the proceeds of the ticket fund. They also said that the Commission has started a trash pick-up and snow removal program for handicapped residents.
candidate for APPOINTMENT TO the commission on disabilities: jeffrey jacobsen
Mr. Jacobsen has been attending all the Commission on Disabilities meetings even though he has not been a member. He said he feels that this is a very important committee that does excellent work.
CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE: ALAN GARF
Mr. Garf said that the Community Preservation Committee has no pending items. He said it would be helpful if there was a member of the Recreation Advisory Committee on the Committee. H said the Town now receives a 30% match from the State – in the past the Town received a 100% match.
CANDIDATE FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE: CAROL WARNER
Ms. Warner reported that she has lived in Sharon for 22 years. She is recently retired and is looking for a way of giving back to the community.
CANDIDATES FOR THE COUNCIL ON AGING: SHEILA PALLAY, ARNOLD KUBLIN, AND RITA EDELSTON
Mr. Kublin said that the Adult Center and the quality and quantity of programming has exceeded his highest expectations. Ms. Pallay and Ms. Edelston said that the Council on Aging is trying to improve its ethnic diversity on the Board. There also was a discussion about easing in-law apartments approval standards.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR BARBRA NADLER: FY ’12 BUDGET REVIEW AND CAPITAL OUTLAY
REQUESTS
Barbra Nadler reviewed the Library’s past five years circulation numbers. She said from 2006 – 2011 there was an increase of 50%. She also reported that beginning on January 6, 2011 the Public Library will be open on Thursday morning.
She reviewed the various budget levels for FY ’12 and the respective services associated with each.
Ms. Nadler said that there are no funding requests for the FY 2011 Capital Projects. She explained that a problem was uncovered on the “Verizon” wall in the Children’s Room. She said that once that is fixed they will move onto the FY ’10 project which includes fixing the front doors and the vestibule. The FY 2012 requests include the public bathroom renovations – they have not been renovated since 1979, and the painting of the first floor of the library. Library Board of Trustee Bob Levin said that they might apply for Community Preservation Committee funds to replace the arched windows in the front of the building.
DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER: FY ’12 BUDGET REVIEW AND CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUESTS
DPW Operations: DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper said that the FY ’12 Primary budget is $2,643,649, the Option 1 budget is $2,647,457, the Option 2 budget is $2,777,124 and the Option 3 budget is $2,828,280. Superintendent Hooper reviewed the various budget levels for FY ’12 and the respective services associated with each. He discussed the overtime salary line for snow removal explaining the amount represents a five year average.
Water: DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper said that the budget is outside of the tax structure and is revenue driven. The big change in this year’s budget is that for the first time it is proposed the Town to borrow to fund a project. He said this is primarily due to the implementation of a 20 year Master Plan.
Street Lighting: Superintendent Hooper said that the budget of $182,000 includes $127,000 for electricity, $42,500 for street light maintenance and $12,500 for contingencies.
Capital Items: DPW Superintendent Hooper explained that there are three components to the Capital program: 1 – Roadway Improvements 2 – Equipment Replacement 3 – Building Maintenance. The Roadway Improvement plan includes $800,000 for sheetsand sidewalks. The Equipment Replacement plan includes $335,600 for replacement of the big dump truck and a multi-purpose vehicle as well replacement of through-wall units in Town Hall. There was also extensive discussion about the Town Hall boiler.
FIRE CHIEF DENNIS MANN: FY ’12 BUDGET REVIEW AND CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUESTS
Chairman Roach recognized Chief Mann for his service to the Town as he will be retiring in the spring of 2011. Chief Mann said that his primary FY 12 budget is $2,724,749 and the FY Option 1 budget is $2,773,666.
Chief Mann said his Capital requests include the following: 1 – Replacement of the Chief’s Car
2 – Air compressor for station to maintain air in apparatus 3 – Personal protective gear (he has applied for Federal grant so this may not be necessary)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of November 16, 2010
FORMATION OF FIRE CHIEF SEARCH COMMITTEE
Chairman Roach announced that the Board was taking applicants for the Fire Chief Search Committee. He also said he believes that there should be a residence requirement for the new Fire Chief. Either they must live in Sharon currently or they must move to Sharon within one year of becoming Fire Chief. Selectmen Heitin agreed with Chairman Roach. Selectman Powell questioned whether or not this requirement would limit the pool of qualified applicants. Selectman Heitin said perhaps the requirement could be waived by the Board of Selectmen. Chairman Roach said he feels strongly that the Fire Chief should live in Sharon. Town Administrator Puritz said that this was a provision of Chief Bernstein’s employment agreement. Chairman Roach said he believes residency should be one of the criteria moving forward. Selectman Powell said perhaps if the pool isn’t qualified the Selectmen could readvertise.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to support a residency requirement for the new Fire Chief
APPROVAL OF SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL SERVICES GROUP DPW ASERVICES CONTRACT AWARD
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to award the DPW Services Contract Award for $238,384 to the vendors as recommended by the Southeastern Regional Services Group.
APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUESTS
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Sharon Adult Center from December 13th – December 30th (1st position) and to waive the fee
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the “One Book, One town: Sharon Reads Together” program from February 28, 2011 – March 7, 2011 and to waive the fee. (1st position)
LETTER TO VERIZON REGARDING FIOS
Selectman Heitin explained that Verizon has not communicated with Sharon regarding when they would install FIOS in the Town. The Selectmen agreed to send a letter to Verizon.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize Town Administrator Puritz to sign a letter to Verizon regarding FIOS
CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUESTS FROM SELECTMEN SECTOR BUDGETS
The Selectmen reviewed the FY ’12 Selectmen Sector Capital Outlay requests. The first Capital Outlay meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2010.
SUPPLMENTAL AGENDA
WAYFINDING GRANT APPLICATION
Town Administrator Puritz explained that this is a Technical Assistance Grant that would provide funds to determine how best to promote the Town, particularly Post Office Square, through signage.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the Wayfinder Grant for Technical Assistance.
AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS
Town Administrator Puritz explained that Emergency Response SystemS would assist with the Fire Chief search by providing assistance including setting up interview panels . Chairman Roach said that this vendor has been used by the Town before and did an excellent job.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the contract with Emergency Response Systems for $8825.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Collective Bargaining, Pending Litigation, and Real Property including leases at the Horizons for Youth Property and further find that discussing matters in open session would be detrimental to the position of the Town, and at the end thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye