MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
7:00 p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:05 pm in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman Richard A. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin and Selectman Walter Joe Roach,
RECREATION DIRECTOR BRETT MACGOWAN AND RECREATIO ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR MIKE GINSBERT TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL REUSE OF LANDFILL FOR RECREATIO PURPOSES
Selectman Heitin said that it is now clear that the solar panel project on the landfill is not feasible. He said that there is a need for additional sports fields in the Town and he would like to begin discussion about placing the fields on the former landfill. Selectman Roach provided some history and said he would like to make an attempt to use the landfill for recreation post closure reuse plan amendment.
Town Administrator Puritz said that he believes that there is a “slight ray of hope” for the solar field but he believes that we should continue to explore the field option. In response to a question by Chairman Powell he explained the impact on the cap of the landfill should the Town decide to move forward with fields. Mike Ginsberg, Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Committee said that in order to get this project financed he believes that the Community Preservation Act should join the Town in providing funds for this project. He said that the Town should check with the Community Preservation Committee in order to make sure that the funding application deadline is met.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes and Executive Session Minutes of June 7, 2011
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Southeast Regional Services Group DPW Supplies Contract Award
CONSIDER EXTENSTION OF CONTRACT FOR INTERIM FIRE CHIEF DENNIS MANN
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the amended contract of Interim Fire Chief Dennis Mann at same rate of communication.
APPROVAL OF DPW SUPPLIES CONTRACT AWARD
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Southeast Regional Services Group DPW Supplies Contract Award
signing letter of support of Relative to Comprehensive Land Use Reform and Partnership Act
This item will be held until the next meeting of June 28, 2011
APPROVAL OF CROSSING GUARD CONTRACT
Town Administrator Puritz said this is a follow-up to the Executive Session vote and provides a FY ’12 2% increase..
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Crossing Guard contract from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
APPROVAL OF SUPERIOR OFFICERS CONTRACT
Town Administrator Puritz said this is a follow-up to the Executive Session vote and provides a FY ’12 2% increase..
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Superior Officers contract from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
APPROVAL OF DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF CONTRACT
Town Administrator Puritz said this is a follow-up to the Executive Session vote and provides a FY ’12 2% increase..
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Deputy Police Chief contract from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
APPOINT SELECTMEN REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SHARON STANDING BUILDING COMMITTEE SELECTION COMMITTEE
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Roach as the Selectman representative to the Sharon Standing Building Committee Selection Committee
SIGNING OF WILBER SCHOOL LEASE 4TH AMENDMENT AND ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE
Town Administrator Puritz provided the Selectmen with a memo from the Associate Town Counsel regarding these two documents. He said the lease amendment relates to the sewer treatment system and the estoppel certificate would extend the financing. She advised that the Selectmen sign both.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to sign the estoppel certificate for the Wilber School as discussed
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to sign the 4th amendment to the Wilber School lease
APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUESTS
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Sharon Education
Foundation: September 12 – 19, 2011 (first position) and February 27 – March 5, 2012 (first position)
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Sharon Soccer Association: June 27 – July 1, 2011 (second position) and July 18 – 22, 2011 (first position)
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request Heights Elementary Harvest Festival from September 19 – 24 2011 (2nd position)
UPDATED RESERVE FUND REQUEST
Town Administrator Puritz said that the reserve fund request is $314,525. He said that there will be no other requests other than the snow removal overage. He said that have been trying to save money jn other accounts to offset the overage.
CONTINUATION OF HEARING TO CONSIDER PAVING MOUNTAIN STREET
Town Engineer Peter O’Cain reviewed a memo he had sent to the Selectmen regarding speed tables on Mountain Street in the area of proposed paving. He said normally you decide if there is speeding before you put in speed tables. Therefore, this process is unusual. He reviewed the contours of Mountain Street and explained why he chose certain areas for potential speed table placement. He said if he had his choice if the proposed paving was approved he would like to follow the paving with a speed study and then place the speed tables if necessary. He said the Town should create a speed table policy. He said that it is not clear what the speed is going to be because of the narrowness of the road and the windiness of the road. He said the speed tables each cost $2600 on an 18 foot road. Selectman Roach said that he went to the IKEA parking lot and looked at the cars going over the speed tables. He said that it did slow the cars down. Peter O’Cain said he looked at speed tables that were 22 feet long and 3 5/8” high.
Kathy McCullough of Mountain Street said that she is concerned about the paved portion between the two gates to Borderland State Park. She believes paving Mountain Street would exacerbate this problem. Cheryl Weinstein asked if we are now going to give this same consideration regarding speeding to all Sharon streets such as Massapoag Avenue. Peter O’Cain said that is his concern and is why he would like a policy. Peter O’Cain said the speed limit on Mountain Street is 35 miles per hour. Marie Armond asked about exploring other avenues to control the speed such as neck downs or stop signs. Mr. O’Cain said that one of the reasons that he was recommending an 18 foot street width is because he believes it will slow down the traffic. There was discussion about a lack of speed limit signs currently on Mountain Street
Cheryl Weinstein said she had spoken to Chief Mann who told her when you go on a dirt road you have to slow down which is the same as when you pass the Middle School etc… She said that he said the reason for his concern regarding response time is Mountain Street’s distance from the fire station. She said other streets have equal distance from the fire station. She said people chose to live on the unpaved street therefore paving would set a precedent for changing any street in Town where people are unhappy. Selectman Heitin said that this happens all the time with members of the community who would like stop signs, sidewalks etc… The Selectman review each request on an individual basis. He gave Furnace Street as an example of a narrow street where traffic speed has been controlled. A woman brought up the fact that The Town recently approved a project that would result in heavy equipment driving on Mountain Street and that the road would be destroyed. Selectman Roach said that the contractor would have to pay for restoring the road. She also said since the street is going to be so narrow she believes either sidewalks or a berm should be installed. Joanne McGinniss of Bay Road asked about the traffic increase on Mountain Street should it be paved. Town Engineer O’Cain said it is very difficult to estimate and he will check with a traffic engineer once a decision is made. Richard Kramer of Beach Street said that only one minute will be saved in travel time should the paving occur. He also said that he believes this money was never approved by Town Meeting. Selectman Heitin said that the Selectmen have an opinion from Town Counsel stating that the Selectmen have the authority through state statute to utilize Ch. 90 funds to pave Mountain Street. Kurt Buermann asked if Brickstone moves forward could we possibly pass off the paving costs to Brickstone. Elizabeth Essex said if this is a community decision then the 60 people who signed a petition against the paving are being ignored if paving is approved.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the hearing
Selectman Heitin said that he had spoken to Brickstone and the land is not for sale. He said that they are looking at a 10 year plan and are also looking at other option. He said that they have no near term plans to build. He said he is supporting the paving of Mountain Street.
Selectman Roach said that in 2004 when the portion of Mountain Street was last discussed the reason for not paving the road was because we were waiting for the development on Rattlesnake Hill. He said that at this point it doesn’t appear that development is forthcoming soon. He said he is in favor of paving Mountain Street. Chairman Powell said there was a suggestion to pave Mountain Street from Bay Road to the majority of the people’s houses who would like paving. He said this will provide equity and still give people an option.
Selectman Heitin said though he would second the motion he did not plan on voting in favor.
Powell/Heitin: Moved to pave down to the 4th or 5th homes that are in favor of paving but not to pave all the way down to Mountain Street.
Powell;Aye
Heitin: No
Roach: No
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to pave the remaining portion of Mountain Street as discussed.
Powell: No
Heitin: Aye
Roach: Aye
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to
move into Executive Session to discuss FLSA update, bargaining status of AFSCME unit, SMEA bargaining update, Dispatcher negotiation and non represented personnel/Police Chief FY’12 compensation. Collective bargaining Policy review with J. Lessard, Finance Committee Chair. Real property – lease amendment HFY Administration Building.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Powell: Aye
Roach: Aye
Heitin: Aye