MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:07 p.m. in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman Walter “Joe” Roach, Selectman, Selectman Richard A. Powell, and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz

 

INCREASE IN AMBULANCE RATES

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to open the hearing for Ambulance Rates

 

Fire Chief Mann explained to the Selectmen that the Fire Department has had 50 less ambulance runs this year which has resulted in $100,000 less in revenue.  He said this is in part due to the poor economy as individuals don’t have insurance or have Medicaid which pays at a much lower rate.  Chief Mann said that he conducted a Norfolk County survey which showed that the Town’s rates are approximately 20% below the 24 towns that responded to the survey.    He is recommending an increase of 40% to the 2008 rate which will bring Sharon up to slightly above the average.  He said that many of the Towns will soon be increasing their rates as well.  He asked that the rates be increased again in two years.  Town Administrator Puritz said that from a process point it is within the Boards purview to establish a tiered rate increase over a period of years.  Chief Mann said the Medicare rate is established by Medicare while private insurance companies are able to pay more than the Medicare allowable rate.  He said that this would place Sharon at approximately 70% above the Medicare rate. He further explained that the Town can write off the balance in the case of hardship.  

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to close the hearing for Ambulance Rates

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to approve an increase the 2011 Ambulance Rates by 40% as outlined in Fire Chief Mann’s memo

 

Approval of one-day liquor license

 

Brad Lisle came before the Board to request a one-day liquor license at the Sharon Community Center on May 14th.  He provided the appropriate information and required insurance

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted to approve a one day liquor license for Brad Lisle on May 14, 2011 at the Sharon Community Center

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of April 12, 2011.

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Session Minutes of February 15, 2011 including the transcript of the Cable Hearing.

 

SIGNING OF LETTER TO NOT TAKE ACTION REGARDING SE REGIONAL SCHOOL PROJECT

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to sign a letter to SE Regional Superintendent Luis Lopes that supports the MSBA project at the school and not take any action in terms of calling a Special Town Meeting to consider this matter.

 

APPROVAL OF OUTDOOR WATERING RESTRICTIONS

 

Superintendent of Public Works Hooper reviewed the 2011 Watering Restrictions. They would take effect on May 15 and end on October 1.  Watering would be permitted from 6pm – 8 pm either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on the address (odd/even).  This small change would allow a “day of rest” of Wednesday for the water tanks.  He said the only exception would be for Orthodox individuals who could then be placed on the Monday/Thursday schedule as opposed to the Tuesday/Friday schedule.

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve Superintendent Hooper’s recommendation for water restrictions from May 15, 2011 through October 1, 2011

 

APPROVAL TO ALLOW MASS. AUDUBON TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE  MOOSE HILL STREET

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve request from Mass. Audubon to barricade Moose Hill Street during clean-up day on April 30, 2011 from 9am – noon.

 

APPROVAL OF LINE PAINTING CONTRACT

 

Standard Line Painting of Taunton, MA was the low bidder in the amount of $84,318 for the period from May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012.  Superintendent Hooper said that it is important that the lines are painted when the streets are not cold or else the durability of the lines will be compromised.  Chairman Roach asked that the crosswalks be painted.  Superintendent Hooper said that they will try using blue paint which is very visible.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the roadway line painting contract to Standard Line Painting of Taunton, MA for road-line painting in the amount of $84,318 from May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012

 

VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen move into Executive Session for updates on collective bargaining with the firefighters, SMEAS and AFSME request to begin bargaining as well as a real property lease amendment for the Administration Building at Horizons for Youth. (Roach to recuse himself)  Roach declared that all of these issues if discussed in public would have a detrimental impact on the Town. At the conclusion of Executive Session the Board will adjourn for the evening.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

Roach:   Aye

Powell:  Aye