MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
July 23, 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 Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard Powell and Selectman William Heitin.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE AT THE SHARON COMMUNITY CENTER ON AUGUST 10, 2013 – Randhir Bhan
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to approve a 1-day Liquor License at the Community Center on August 10, 2013 for Randhir Bhan
DISCUSSION ON PARKING TICKET REVENUE – JEFFREY JACOBSEN
Jeffrey Jacobsen, Chairman of the Commission on Disabilities, came before the Board of Selectmen to discuss “Handicapped Parking Tickets” revenue. Mr. Jacobsen’s concern is why the revenue down. Finance Director/Parking Clerk, William Fowler, stated that there are fewer parking tickets written. Mr. Fowler also stated that a large amount of tickets are from out of state, mainly Rhode Island and are almost impossible to collect for Rhode Island allows its residents to re-register their cars with outstanding tickets from other states. The in-state tickets take around two to three years to collect depending upon registration renewal of the vehicle. Chair Jacobsen says they do fundraising to supplement their revenue. As a Commission it would like to help out High School students going to college with a scholarship, funds for children with disabilities to take part in activities at the Recreation Center and making sure the sidewalks are made safe for disabled people.
SACRED HEART REUSE COMMITTEE
Karen Friedman, Chair of the Sacred Heart Reuse Committee, informed the Board of Selectmen that Mr. Steven Fusco of Beals and Thomas, Inc. will be making the presentation of the final report for the Sacred Heart Land Re-Use Study.
Mr. Steven Fusco of Beals and Thomas, Inc. gave the following presentation of the final report for the Sacred Heart Land Re-Use Study:
Final Concept Plan
· The final conceptual site plan is an elegantly designed informal recreational open space
· Design has an enlarged open space created by redesigning the pathway system to be more efficient
· Picnic area was moved to the northern portion of the part, closer to the parking lot and away from the trail to the dog park
· The expanded parking, bike rack, relocated information kiosk, benches, and planted buffer to Cedar St. remain.
The Board of Selectmen deferred voting the proposal at this time and will discuss the proposal at a later meeting with the Sacred Heart Re-Use Committee.
DISCUSS RESERVE FUND POLICY – FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL FOWLER
Finance Director, William Fowler, is proposing to recommend a Reserve Fund Policy for the Town of Sharon. The purpose of this policy is to 1) maintain and improve the credit worthiness of the Town of Sharon for purposes of Debt Issuance at favorable interest rates; 2) provide capital to meet cash flow needs during the year and unforeseen emergencies and 3) attempt to stabilize fluctuations from year to year in Town’s Property Tax Levy.
Reserves (Undesignated Fund Balance plus Stabilization Fund) are an important indicator of a community’s financial position. Adequate reserves must be maintained to allow the Town to continue to meet its obligations in the event of an economic downturn and/or unexpected emergency. Therefore, the Town shall endeavor to maintain a combined total of Undesignated General Fund Balance plus Fund Balance in the Stabilization as of June 30 of each year at a level of between 5% and 10% of General Fund Revenues. Any anticipated balance in excess of the targeted maximum may be budgeted to reduce the ensuing year’s property tax levy or fund one-time capital projects
To implement this policy, the Town shall endeavor to reach the 5% minimum over a five year period. In recognition of the competing demands for limited resources the Town, working through the Priorities Committee, will determine the amount available each year to reach this goal.
The discussion on the Reserve Fund Policy to be continued at a later date.
CONTINUED HEARING: DPW FEES
The Hearing was opened as continued from July 9, 2013.
DPW Superintendent, Eric Hooper came before the Board of Selectmen to review the existing fee schedule for Building Permit Fees, Electrical Permit Fees and Plumbing & Gas Permit Fees.
|
Building Permit Fees |
|
|
|
|
Sharon (Current) |
Sharon (Proposed) |
|
New Residential |
$0.55 per sq.ft. |
$0.65 per sq.ft. |
|
Existing Residential |
$9.00 per $1000 Min fee $40.00 |
$11.00 per $1000 Min fee $50.00 |
|
New Non-Residential |
$0.65 per sq. ft. non-profit max. fee $500 |
$0.75 per sq. ft. non-profit max. fee $500 |
|
Existing Non-Residential |
$12.00 per $1000 (Min. $60.00) |
$14.00 per $1000 (Min. $60.00) |
|
Reroof or siding |
$50.00 |
$11.00 per $1000 Min fee $50.00 |
|
Reissue of permit |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
|
Wood Stove |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Amendment to plans |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Plan Research |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Occupancy Permit |
$25.00 (Perm or Temp) |
$50.00 (Perm or Temp) |
|
Annual Inspectations |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Electrical Permit Fees |
Sharon (Current) |
Sharon(Proposed) |
|
Residential |
|
|
|
New Constr. (per dwelling) |
$75.00 |
$90.00 |
|
2 Family (Condo, Apt) |
$60.00 |
$60.00 per unit |
|
Fire Alarm System |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Temporary Service |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Alteration (per dwelling) |
$40.00 |
$60.00 |
|
Swimming Pool (inground) |
$50.00 |
$80.00 |
|
Swimming Pool (above ground) |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Service Change |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Solar Panel |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Sub Panel |
$50.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Hot Water Heater |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Panel Change |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Generator |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Furnace |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Dishwasher |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Boilers |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Pool Bonding |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
CO Detectors |
$50.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Meter Change |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Vinyl Siding |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Non-Residential |
|
|
|
New Constr. (Add. & Alt.) |
$50.00 + 3% Job Cost |
$50.00 + 4% Job Cost |
|
Industrial Maintenance |
$100.00/ year |
$100.00/ year |
|
Reinspection |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Plumbing & Gas Permit Fees |
Sharon (Current) |
Sharon (Proposed) |
|
Plumbing Permit |
$30.00 + $8.00/fixture |
$40.00 + $10.00/fixture |
|
Propane |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Lawn Sprinkler |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
|
Underground Test |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Fire Protection System |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
|
Reinspection fee |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
New & Replacement (hot water heater, ) |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Furnace |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
New & Replacement Boiler |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Pool Heater |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Sheet metal |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
|
Tankless Water Heater |
$40.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Indirect |
$50.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Generator |
$38.00 |
$50.00 |
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to vote affirmatively to accept the Building Permit Fees, Electrical Permit Fees and Plumbing & Gas Permit Fees.
The Hearing was declared closed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes to be held until the next Board of Selectmen Meeting.
CONSIDER APPOINTING LINDA SALON TO THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
VOTED:(Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to appoint Linda Salon as a member to the Commission on Disabilities – Expiration Date: December 31, 2016
APPROVAL OF BANNER REQUEST
VOTED:(Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request by the Unitarian Church for their 61st Bean Supper from August 30 – September 9, 2013 (1st position)
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Sharon Community Band Concert from August 2-5, 2013 (1st position)
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the banner request of the Historical Society’s Yard Sale from October 7-14, 2013 (1st position)
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF DRAFT NOVEMBER 4, 2013 FALL TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve November 4, 2013 Fall Town Meeting Scheduled as drafted.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to open the Warrant for the 2013 November 4, 2013 Fall Town Meeting.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CRIMINAL OFFENDER RECORD INFORMATION (CORI) POLICY
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the CORI Policy as amended having the Board of Selectmen Office do all CORI checks for all Departments except for the Police Department and the Recreation Department.
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS CONTRACT
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the School Crossing Guards contract
EXTENDING MEMORIAL BEACH GATE GUARD HOURS
Recreation Director, Amanda Levasseur, in a memo dated July 22, 2013 is recommending that the Board of Selectmen approve the securing of the Memorial Park Beach gates until 8:00 p.m. Ms. Levasseur is recommending the beach be partially staffed from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be no lifeguards on duty. There will be two gate guards and one supervisor. One gate guard will be on Memorial Park Beach, the other will be at the board launching gate, and the Supervisor will be patrolling the beach. The Sharon Police Department has been and will continue to provide an increased presence in the evenings. They have also agreed to unlock the gates in the early morning the following day. The Town Administrator has been in communication with the Animal Control Officer to increase patrol in reference to the dog prohibition. Chair Roach recommended to have the Police Chief send a cruiser to the Lake at 8:00 p.m. to be sure everything is secured and also that a beach pass is needed to enter the beach at 6:00 p.m.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve evening staffing hours from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the securing of the Memorial Park Beach gates, that a beach pass is needed to enter the beach at 6:00 p.m. and that the Police Department will have a cruiser come by at 8:00 p.m. to be sure parking lot is emptied.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Roach: Aye
Powell: Aye
Heitin: Aye