MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:05 p.m. in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman, Selectman Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz

 

ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTSO

 

Chairman Roach said that the East Elementary School PTSO had submitted all the required paperwork.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve a one-day liquor license for the East Elementary School PTSO on February 5, 2011 at the Sharon Community Center.

 

JOHN DAVIS: SACRED HEART REUSE COMMITTEE STATUS UPDATE

 

Sacred Heart Reuse Committee Chair John Davis said that the Committee had issued a RFP.  There were only two responses and both were tied to residential developments.  The first proposal from Cornerstone included a residential development for 64 adults with a pool. The second proposal was a letter of continuing interest from B’Nai Brith Housing of New England for senior rental housing project.  He said that B’Nai Brith didn’t submit a full blown proposal because the RFP required a pool and residential use was not highly rated.  Mr. Davis said that the Committee met with Cornerstone three times to review the submission.  He said that they are a start-up and there is concern about their timetable as they are a start-up and only have $1,000 in the bank. 

 

He said that one of the parcels associated with the RFP does not allow a residential use.  He also said that the RFP matrix made it very clear that a residential use was not preferred.  He said that he thinks that the Committee should rework and reissue the RFP so that it is better marketed for an indoor recreation facility.

 

Chairman Roach asked about the participation of the Old Colony Y in the parcel.  Chairman Davis said the Old Colony Y’s interest extended to their partnership with Cornerstone.  Chairman Roach said that based on the input he has received from residents an indoor recreation facility and a pool was preferred.  Selectmen Powell and Heitin agreed with Chairman Roach.  Selectman Powell said he would like further clarification on Parcel N which is approved at this time for a Senior Center as well as Indoor and Outdoor Recreation.  Parcel F is approved for a Library, Police and Municipal Use and Recreation; therefore, all five acres are available for recreation.  Selectman Powell also said there should be a parallel track of taking the building down and perhaps looking at the parcel for field use as well.  Chairman Roach said the cost of demolishing the building is $250,000 and perhaps the Selectmen should speak with the Community Preservation Committee about funding.  Chairman Davis said that the demolition of the building might make the site more attractive. Mike Ginsberg Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Committee said that between mid-April and mid-November the fields are heavily used and he is concerned about safety of the children that cross East Foxboro Street.  Alice Cheyer said that she believes the Committee should increase from four members to five which would be the full complement.  Chairman Roach said that Recreation Director Brett McGowan had agreed to serve, if so designated by the Board of Selectmen.  

 

RECREATION DIRECTOR BRETT MACGOWAN: RECOMMENDATION for summer 2011 beach tag pricing

 

Recreation Director MacGowan said that had looked at the fees charged by other Town that have beaches when considering his recommendation to the Board for out-of-Town residents who are related to residents who purchased beach tags. 

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Recreation Advisory Committee as it relates to fees for out-of-Town residents who are related to resident who purchased beach tags.  The fees are 1day – 3 days – 7 days for $10/$25/$50.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED:  (PowellHeitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 18, 2011   

 

appointment to the friends of the council on aging board

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Sui-wen L. Yang to the Council on Aging Board with a term to expire December 31, 2011

 

Appointment of  Town Administrator Ben Puritz to sign the initial compliance certification for sharon high school for the msba green repair program

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to authorize Town Administrator Ben Puritz to sign the initial compliance certification for Sharon High School for the MSBA Green Repair Program.

 

Appointment of  Town Administrator Ben Puritz to the Designer Selection Committee and the Owner’s Project Manager Selection Committee for the Roof Replacement project at Sharon High School

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Town Administrator Ben Puritz to the Designer Selection Committee and the Owner’s Project Manager Selection Committee for the roof replacement project at Sharon High School

 

CLOSING OF THE WARRANT

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to close the 2011 Annual Town Meeting Warrant

 

APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUESTS

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Friends of the Sharon Public Library from May 18 -23, 2011 (2nd position)

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Mass. Audubon at Moose Hill from April 11 – 18, 2011 (1st position)

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Sharon Education Foundation from March 7-14, 2011 (1st position)

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of Pop Warner Foundation from March 14 – 21, 2011 (1st position)

 

SIGNING OF ACCESS AGREEMENT BY TOWN ADMINISTRATOR PURITZ

 

Chairman Roach said this item will be held until the next Selectmen’s Meeting.

 

OTHER – Snow Removal Budget, Finance Committee Request

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that through January 29th there was only $626 left in the snow overtime budget. He said that in the other items related to snow removal thus far the Town was $62,000 short.  He said each major storm costs approximately $30,000.

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that the Finance Chair had emailed the Selectmen regarding the development of a 0% increase FY ’12 budget. Puritz reported that all of the contiguous communities were planning on taking the 21/2% allowable increase. He said the function of the Priorities Committee is to establish budget sector allocations.  With regard to the Finance Committee’s request for a 0% increase budget he commented that as part of the Fiscal ’12 budget exercise the Primary Budget option provided for a 0 dollar increase budget.  He also said the Selectman is considering proposing an increase to the Stabilization Fund for FY ’12.   He added the overall local aid for the Town in the Governor’s preliminary budget increased .51% or $40,000.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously that the Board move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining for union and non-union personnel, pending litigation and real property including the Horizons for Youth Administrative Building lease. Chairman Roach declared that all of these issues if discussed in public would have a deleterious impact on the Town’s negotiating position.  At the conclusion of Executive Session the Board will adjourn for the evening.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

Roach:   Aye

Heitin:   Aye

Powell:  Aye