MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

September 19, 2012

7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:02 p.m. in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz.

 

PAIGE DAVIS: CANDIDATE FOR SHARON CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL

 

Ms. Davis said she moved to Sharon from Dorchester one year ago.  She was a very active member of Dorchester community including the Boston Parks Department.  She said she enjoyed contributing and being involved in the community.  She is the Art Director for a non-profit involved in Elder Hostel activities including design of catalogues, website and other visual materials; therefore, she felt that this would be a good opportunity for her to combine her professional and community interests.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Paige Davis to the Cultural Arts Council with a term to expire June 30, 2015.

 

JOE GARBER: CANDIDATE FOR ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

 

Mr. Garber said he is a long term Sharon resident.  He said he is a local contractor and that one of his customers who is a member of the Zoning Board recommended that he apply for the open position.  He said he was interested in making a contribution to the community. He said he was familiar with the workings of the ZBA as he had been to several of the ZBA’s meetings.

 

INTRODUCTION OF FIRE DEPUTY CHIEF RICHARD MURPHY AND APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Chief Wright said the Deputy Chief selection process was very extensive including resume review, assessment center, and post –interview assessment after the candidate pool was whittled down.  He said that there were five internal candidates and any of the five individuals could have done a great job.  He introduced Captain Richard Murphy who provided the Board and the viewing audience with a brief overview of his professional and personal history.  He said he has been with the Sharon Fire Department for 13 years.  He said he started out many years ago as an EMT, went to the Coast Guard Reserves, worked as an EMT and then went to paramedic schools and then after extensive training flew helicopters for the Army National Guard. He said that he very much enjoys going to school. Captain Murphy said he was hired by the Sharon Fire Department in 2000.  He said he has very much enjoyed being a part of the Sharon Fire Department and praised the other fire personnel.  He said he has been married for 22 years and has two children.  Captain Murphy spoke about the difference between his current role as a Captain and the Deputy Chief position.  He said that operational standardization and consistency would be a focus point.   He also spoke about the thoroughness of the selection process.   

 

Chairman Heitin said that the contract was very similar to the contract of former Deputy Fire Chief Steve Cumming’s with a small difference in compensation.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Richard Murphy as Deputy Chief of the Sharon Fire Department

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the employment agreement between Richard Murphy and the Town of Sharon

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of September 4, 2012

 

CLOSING OF WARRANT FOR DECEMBER 3, 2012 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to close the warrant for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for December 3, 2012

 

Chairman Heitin reviewed the list of articles including a Citizen’s Petition article by Paul Lauenstein. Dave Martin of the Sharon Historical Commission was in attendance to offer the Commission’s support for the First Sergeant James A. Keating Memorial Park. 

 

APPROVAL OF REDACTED 2011 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the 2011 redacted Executive Session Minutes

 

APPROVAL OF DIESSO PURCHASE & SALE

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that this was a follow-up to an authorized item to the Town Meeting Article which has been approved.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to have the Chairman sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Diesso property

 

AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR BNAI BRITH DEVELOPMENT SHARON COMMONS

 

Chairman Heitin said that the Board has a copy of the letter.  Bnai Brith came before the Board to discuss the project several weeks ago.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to authorize Chairman Heitin to sign a Letter of Support to the Department of Housing and Community Development for Bnai Brith Development Sharon Commons – North Residential Rental Housing proposal.

 

SPONSORSHIP OF FOOD DRIVE ON ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 6, 2012

 

Selectman Powell said the Board’s Election Day food drives have been very successful in the past.  The donations provide supplies for the Ilse Marks Food Pantry which provides food for Stoughton and Sharon residents.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve the Food Drive by the Board of Selectmen

 

APPROVE REQUEST BY SHARON LIONS CLUB TO FUNDRAISE IN SHARON CENTER

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the request by the Sharon Lions Club to fundraise in Sharon Center on Saturday October 13, 2012 from 9am – 1pm.

         

APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUESTS

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request for HUGS Sharon from October 1 – 8, 2012 (2nd position)

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request for Board of Health to advertise flu clinic from Sept. 24 – 30, 2-12 (1st position), October 1 – 7, 2012 (1st position), and October 8 – 13, 2012 (1st position)

 

ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION OF JOHN DAVIS FROM THE SACRED HEART REUSE COMMITTEE

 

Chairman Heitin thanked John Davis for his leadership and commitment to the Town.  He said the Selectmen will send Mr. Davis a letter of thanks for his service.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to accept John Davis’ resignation

 

APPROVAL OF LOCAL 888 SEIU SHARON LIBRARY EMPLOYEES CONTRACT

 

Town Administrator Puritz said this is a three year agreement for FY’12 – FY ’14.  This is an

incorporation of prior year’s Memorandum of Understanding.  The agreement includes a 2% increase for

each year.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Town of Sharon and LOCAL 888 SEIU

Sharon Library Employees from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2014

 

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

 

AMENDMENT OF H4162 REGARDING LOWERING NUMBER OF SEATS FOR ON-PREMISES ALL-ALCOHOL LICENSES

 

This item was approved at the 2012 Annual Town Meeting.  The legislature had asked for the change.

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to amend the language for H4163 regarding lowering number of seats from 50 to 18 for on-premises all alcohol licenses pending approval by Town Counsel.

 

Chairman Heitin announced the Veteran’s Day celebration schedule.  Chairman Roach spoke about the September 11, 2012 memorial service outside of Town Hall.  

 

 

VOTED:  (Powell/Roach) Voted unanimously to discuss Collective Bargaining – Fire fighters, and SMEA Negotiations, Comcast franchise license renewal and consideration of execution of Comcast license renewal.  Discussion of these items in public session would be detrimental to the Town and at the end of Executive Session will adjourn for the evening.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

Heitin:  Aye

Roach:  Aye

Powell: Aye