MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

                                                                February 28, 2013

                                                                      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 William Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz.

 

INCREASE  RATES FOR QUARTERLY RAILROAD PARKING PASSES

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach Voted unanimously to open the hearing.

 

Chairman Heitin said that this is a follow-up to the hearing that was held several weeks ago where the Selectmen voted to increase the rate to $100 per quarter.  The Selectmen are revoting to confirm their vote after the posting.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the hearing.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach Voted unanimously that effective April 1, 2013 the quarterly parking pass fee will increase to $100 per quarter.

 

FIRE CHIEF JIM WRIGHT: DISCUSSION REGARDING INCREASING AMBULANCE RATES AND FIRE RATES

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to open the hearing related to fees for fire related activities.

 

Chief Wright provided history as to the increase in rates.  He particularly focused on the increase in smoke detection fees including carbon monoxide detectors. .

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to close the hearing.

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach Voted unanimously to accept the increase in rates for the ambulance and fire fees TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON April 1st. (last sequence is amendment to the original motion) 

 

POLICE CHIEF BERNSTEIN: DISCUSSION REGARDING APPORVAL OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

Chief Bernstein said that during the last storm the police radio equipment failed for a period of time therefore, he’s requesting $10,000 to improve the reliability of the system by use of microwave links. .  For that reason we need to move ahead immediately with a new radio communication system because this is a safety issue.  Therefore, he is asking that the Selectman  place this item  in this year’s capital process. 

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to bring forward the $60,000 request for the Communications System for the Police Department to the Capital Outlay Committee

 

DPW SUPERINTENDENT: DISCUSSION REGARDING TRACKLESS VEHICLE REPLACMENT

 

Superintendent Hooper explained that during the last storm the trackless vehicle which clears the sidewalks broke down.  He said it would cost approximately $4,000 to fix it and that $19,000 has been spent on repair of this item over the last several years because he believes “we are spending good money after bad.” As further investment in repairs are not cost effective.  He said it would cost $100,000 to replace this piece of equipment. He said this is a critical piece of equipment that is used in the winter for clearing snow, in the spring for sweeping sand and during the fall for clearing leaves. He is requesting that the Capital Outlay Committee reconsider its vote to rehab this piece of equipment and consider purchasing a new piece of equipment.  As an aside Superintendent Hooper said that the Town has expended all budgeted funds for snow removal.

 

Chairman Heitin said that it was the consensus of the Board to support this item.

 

The Board complimented Superintendent Hooper on the work done by the DPW staff during the great blizzard.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to write a letter of the thanks to the DPW workers that could be posted in the lunchroom.

 

RECREATION DIRECTOR AMANDA DENI: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SEASONAL PAY RATES

 

Recreation Director Amanda Deni introduced the new Assistant Director Christina Kasparian.  She said that she was  the Town’s Camp Supervisor.  She said she grew up in Sharon.  In her first few weeks Ms. Kasparian  has created a Twitter Account and Facebook page for the Recreation Director.

 

Recreation Director Deni said she is proposing a Step 3 for employees who have been on the staff for five years.  She feels this will be an incentive for employees to stay.  She also said she did a survey that showed that  the Town’s rates are higher than neighboring communities for seasonal help.  Therefore, she is recommending lowering the Step I and Step II rates. She also reviewed other proposed changes to several of the other lakefront positions.

 

Selectman Roach recused himself from this vote.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Heitin) Voted to approve and forward to the Personnel Board the seasonal pay rates as discussed this evening. 

 

DISCUSSION REGARIDNG PROPOSED MAY 3 – 5 CARNIVAL TO BE SPONSORED BY SHARON YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION (SYBSA)

 

John Zimmet is the vice-president of SYBSA and he is asking for support and approval for the activities planned for SYSBA’s opening weekend. He said a carnival would take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  He also stated that they are planning  a parade on Saturday which would begin in the High School Parking Lot and end at the  Ames Street fields.  Softball and baseball games would follow the parade with the day ending at the carnival Mr. Zimmet said that they  have spoken to the Police, Fire and Recreation regarding their plans and have received input from all departments.  He said SYBSA has  been planning this initiative for several months.  He expects approximately 150 children will take part in the parade..  Mr. Zimmet also discussed the plans for parking weather issues such as rain and the impact on the plans.  Should there be rain, the parade would be moved to the fall and they would abort the carnival.  The carnival organizers were in attendance and said there would be no animal acts – but only foods and games. They also said that there is a $5 million insurance policy with the Town being included as a co-insured.   

 

VOTED:  (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to support the request for the parade and carnival sponsored by SYBSA on May 3,4,and 5 2013

 

 

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of February 12, 2013

 

AWARDING OF PRINTING BID FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT

 

Projects Manager Roni Thaler said that

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to award the Annual Town Report to Select Print Solutions

with a price ranging from $44.41 per page for 220 pages totaling $9770.20 through $38.03 per page for 290 pages

totaling $11,028.70. 

 

ORDER OF TAKING FOR CATTAIL LANE

 

Chairman Heitin said the Selectman had discussed this item previously.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted to approve the order of taking for Cattail Lane

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF THE SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL SCHOOL

 

Ben please explain.

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted to take no action.

 

MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

VOTED:  (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to discuss SMEA negotiations, real property transfer and and at the completion of Executive Session adjourn for the evening.   Discussion of these items in public session would be detrimental to the Town’s bargaining position and at the end of Executive Session will adjourn for the evening. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Heitin:   Aye

Roach:  Aye

Powell:  Aye