MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

7:00 p.m.

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:08 pm in the Sharon Community Center with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman, Selectman Richard A. Powell, and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz

sharon historic commission annual preservation award

Dave Martin, Shirley Schofield and Gordon Highest of the Sharon Historic Commission presented the Annual Preservation Award to Pam Goodman of Beacon Communities and Joe Timilty of Frontier Enterprises the developers of the Wilber School restoration project.  The Wilber School currently houses 75 apartments. 

CLASSIFICATION HEARING

Administrative Assessor Mark Mazur explained that the classification hearing is part of the annual process whereby the classification rates are determined by the Selectmen.  He said the annual tax rate is still being determined.

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to open the 2011 Classification Hearing.

VOTED: (/Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously that there be a residential factor of “one” for fiscal year 2011.

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen not adopt a residential exemption for fiscal year 2011.

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen not adopt a small commercial exemption for fiscal year 2011.

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to close the 2011 Classification Hearing.

candidate for appointment to the community preservation committee (CPC): rose perizzo

Rose Perizzo has been a Sharon resident for 18 years.  She is a commercial appraiser whose work includes affordable housing.  She believes that this expertise in particular and her professional appraisal experience would be helpful as a member of the Community Preservation Committee. 

candidate for appointment to the community preservation committee: mark bluestein

Mark Bluestein said that he has been involved in Town government.  He served as a member of the Finance Committee from 2002 – 2009 when the Community Preservation Act was accepted by the Town and the Community Preservation Committee was formed. He said that as a member of the Horizons for Youth Committee he worked to make sure that the Town purchased the Horizons for Youth property and worked with the CPC to secure funds for said purpose.   

candidate for reappointment to the board of health: ed welch

Ed Welch explained that he has been a member of the Board of Health for 3 years.  He would like to be reappointed and feels he can continue to make a contribution to the Board.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR BEN PURITZ: FY ’12 INSURANCE BUDGET REVIEW

Town Administrator Puritz said the Town’s current Insurance Budget is $8,269,890 and the proposed budget is $8,151,840 which is a decrease of 1.42% or $118,050 due to reduced costs for non-health insurance items.  He said the Town’s health insurance rates are unchanged since FY ’10 and are projected for FY ’12 to be 6% less than those of the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission.

WATER MASTER PLAN REPORT: DPW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC HOOPER AND BARBARA COOK AND BLAKE MARTIN OF WESTON & SAMPSON

Department of Public Works Superintendent Eric Hooper explained that two years ago the Water Department thought it best if the Town created a Water Master Plan.  After an extensive process the firm of Weston & Sampson was hired to prepare the plan.  After Weston & Sampson delivered the plan the Water Management Advisory Committee met many times to prioritize pieces of the plan.

Ms. Cook reviewed a multi-page power point presentation.  The highlights included:

• Weston & Sampson scanned all the Town’s historic information
• Sharon is doing well in water demand management
• Sharon’s water supply is adequate assuming no population increase
• Sharon’s infrastructure is typical as the Town is not maintaining its infrastructure as extensively as necessary
• $1.1 million needs to be spent annually to upgrade assets related to water infrastructure.
• Pipes include: Unlined Cast Iron – 21%, Asbestos 32%, and Cement lined Ductile Iron Pipe Post 1936 – 47%
• Each pipe and water storage tank was evaluated for condition
• Moose Hill water tank needs masonry repair immediately
• Inventoried all equipment and tabulated well redevelopment history.  Based on this information developed capital improvement program through 2015. 
• Cost of $2 million over next 5 years for well and pump station improvements
• Cost of $15.3 million over next 20 years for water main improvements
• Cost of $1.7 million over next 20 years for storage tank improvements

Mr. Martin then began his presentation.

· Sharon has good conservation demand management

· Discussion of additional supply options

· Discussion of linkage between wastewater/stormwater recharge

· Potential of state grants for projects related to recharging

· Water System Master Plan Update will lead to road map for Capital Outlay expenditures

DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper and David Crosby Chair, Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC)

• Reviewed data and information and prioritized recommendations of Weston & Sampson by looking at all of Sharon including school buildings and nursing homes
• Rated each project by criticality – likelihood of failure and consequences of failure
• Project analysis showed: $14 million for 27 rehabilitation projects and $10 million for 8 growth projects
• 20 year plan would cost approximately $1.2 million annually.  Sharon typically spends $600,000 annually
• Due to less water usage the Town only had $400,000 available this year for system maintenance and replacement upgrades
• WMAC is recommending increasing the water rates particularly at the lower levels
• DPW Superintendent Hooper said that every community in Massachusetts is being hit by deferred maintenance and Sharon is not unique.  But increased capital expenditures are necessary

WMAC member Paul Lauenstein raised the issue of the emergency connection.  Chairman Roach said that the Town will be soon meeting with Stoughton regarding this issue.  Mr. Lauenstein also said he is in favor of raising the rates and recommended that high level users in particular bear the brunt of the increase. The timing of the increase was discussed and it was explained that the rates must be increased by March 31, 2011 in order for the increase to be effective for the 2^nd quarter bills.

5 Minute Recess 8:45pm – 8:50pm

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of November 30, 2010

APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUEST

VOTED:(Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of Temple Sinai from January 10 – January 17, 2011 (1^st position).  The fee is not to be waived. 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

APPROVAL OF POLICE UNION CONTRACT

Town Administrator Puritz reviewed the Police Union contract:

• FY 11 – 1%
• FY 12 – 2%
• FY 13 – wage reopener only
• Under officer-in-charge elimination of 5 day waiting period to be compensated for being officer-in-charge
• If on disability continue to receive vacation as if are regularly working

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Police Union contract for FY ’11 – FY ’13 as detailed.

APPROVAL OF PAVING SERVICES CONTRACT

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the Southeastern Regional Services Group paving services contract as printed to Aggregate Industries of Saugus, MA with an estimated value of $558, 641.

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

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Roach:   Aye

Powell:  Aye