MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

November 20, 2012

7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 p.m. in the Sharon Town Hall with Chairman William Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz.

 

POLICE CHIEF JOE BERNSTEIN: DISCUSSION OF FY’14 BUDGET AND CAPITAL REQUESTS

 

Chief Bernstein said that the 2% increase results in a total increase of $66,000.  He said contractual obligations result in a $72,000 increase and the $10,000 increase in gas costs result in a shortage of $17,000.  He has cut the training and overtime line items to compensate for the shortage. Chief Bernstein said that currently less than 50% of shift vacancies are covered and with this reduction it will further impact overtime coverage.  He said that the July 3rd Road Race and July 4th fire works is costing the Police Department and Fire Department $10,000 yearly.  He believes that there should be a conversation with these committees to cover some of the overtime costs.  Chief Bernstein said that all these events are a benefit to the community but we need to look at how they are funded.

 

Chief Bernstein said in terms of capital items.  He is requesting $25,000 for a study for expanding the Police Station.  He said if the proposal that Chief Wright brought forward last week for a Public Safety building is adopted he would drop this request. 

 

SUPERINTENDNET OF PUBLIC WORKS ERIC HOOPER: DISCUSSION OF FY’14 BUDGET AND CAPITAL REQUESTS

 

DPW: Superintendent Hooper said his proposed budget is approximately $2,847,000.  He said the largest change is due to the increasing gasoline prices which have “gone through the roof”.  He said that last year’s mild weather decreased his overtime budget impacting not only that fiscal year but his rolling average.   He said there are no changes in personnel.  He said that during the growing season most of the staff in Forestry & Grounds is dedicated to maintaining the fields.  Superintendent Hooper said that the Engineering Department has become the building department for the Town.  The Town Engineer writes bids for many of the Town’s projects.  Town Administrator Puritz said there is a 19 hour per week custodian position authorized but not filled for the Community Center.  He said that actually filling the position would assist in fulfilling the aspirations for increased hours at the Sharon Community Center.  He said filling the position is being contemplated.  There was discussion about how best to increase the number of hours available for community use at the Sharon Community Center and about how it will be impacted by the Recreation Department’s programming and the Council on Aging programming.

 

Water Department:  Superintendent Hooper said the proposed budget assumes no additional revenue for rate increases.  He said though he believes in revision of rates he wanted to be more conservative. He said if for some reason there is a water ban or there is decreased usage because it is a “wet summer” he needs to be conservative in his revenue projects.   Superintendent Hooper said that the Water Department budget includes the borrowing costs for the infrastructure projects recommended in the long-term plan.  Chairman Heitin pointed out that borrowing costs are at a long-term low and the questions is whether we should borrow more now or wait until a later date.  

 

Street Lighting: Superintendent Hooper said that the Town has spent a significant amount of money on the lollipop lights and cobra heads.  He said labor alone has cost $60,000.  There was discussion about utilizing in house and outside labor for this type of work.

 

Capital Projects: Superintendent Hooper said he has tried to separate Capital projects and Chapter 90 projects.  He is proposing allocating Capital funds for paving of South Walpole Street, the first section of Hampton Road and sidewalk construction from the dam on Billings Street to East Street that will hook up with Lyndon Road. This is subject to Conservation Commission approval which is why he has listed this on his priority list as number eight.  Also, the steel building is another project.  He said they have hired a contractor to put together a cost estimate because the estimates were coming in higher than the previously authorized amount of $400,000.   They are requesting an additional $800,000 because the estimated cost right now is $1,200,000.  He said the second priority is a large truck which would be dedicated to catch basin cleaning.  Currently we are not able to do this and have to outsource all catch basin cleaning.  He is also requesting a large dump truck.  He said the next priority item is a vehicle that would assist in snow blowing and other off road tasks. 

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR BEN PURITZ: DISCUSSION OF FY’14 LAW BUDGET

 

Town Administrator Puritz said the Law Budget is level funded at $130,275.

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR BEN PURITZ: DISCUSSION OF FY’14 TOWN REPORT BUDGET

 

Town Administrator Puritz said that the Town Report is level funded at $12,699. He said this amount is somewhat dependent on the length of the Warrant.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of November 9, 2012 and Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of November 13, 2012

 

APPROVAL OF SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL SERVICES GROUP (SERSG) DPW SERVICES CONTRACT

 

Chairman Heitin said this is an annual item based on the joint bidding with other communities.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) At their meeting held on November 20, 2012 to award contracts to the bidders listed below under the SERSG DPW Services IFB for a thirteen month period commencing 1/1/13.  This award is conditioned upon the receipt of the appropriate documents specified in the above IFB.  The SERSG Regional Administrator will collect these documents on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and present them to the Board for final approval and signature.Voted unanimously to approve the Southeastern Regional Services Group DPW Services Contract

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to discuss Collective Bargaining associated with the Police Union and at conclusion of this discussion the Board will adjourn for the evening. . 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 8:10 p.m.

 

Heitin:  Aye

Roach:  Aye

Powell: Aye