Monday, October 27, 2008

Administration Building

One School Street

Sharon, MA 02067

Present: George Bailey, Allen Garf, Sam Liao, Abigail Marsters, Andrew Nebenzahl, Paul Pietal, Colleen Tuck

Absent: Peg Arguimbau, Paul Izzo

Also Present: Herbert Gould, member of the community

Mr. Nebenzahl called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

Approve Minutes

MOTION: (Bailey/Marsters) Moved to approve the minutes from the meeting of October 20, 2008 as revised and submitted to the Committee. Vote was six in the affirmative. Mr. Liao abstained. Ms. Arguimbau and Mr. Izzo were absent.

Acknowledge Correspondence

Mr. Nebenzahl distributed an e-mail from Mr. Izzo, who was unable to attend this evening’s meeting, which outlined his rationale on how he reached his decision for retaining a consultant. Mr. Nebenzahl will read the e-mail in its entirety during the Discussion Items portion of the meeting, “Consider and Vote on Consultant Applicants”.

Mr. Nebenzahl distributed an e-mail received from Mr. Curran, which included a list of references as well as his fee for Charter Commission work ($16,500 fixed fee).

Mr. Nebenzahl stated that to date he had not received any communication from Ms. Goldberg since her presentation at the last meeting (Oct. 20^th).

DISCUSSION ITEMS

The discussion items were taken in the following order:

3. Discuss Status of Survey Responses

Mr. Nebenzahl stated that to date the Commission has received the following 10 surveys out of 37 that were sent out:

Town Clerk

Police Department

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wilbur School Redevelopment Committee

Recreation Advisory Committee

Commission on Disability

Animal Control Officer

School Committee

Sharon Housing Partnership

Standing Building Committee

There was a brief discussion on the current list and what committees/boards had not responded. Mr. Pietel will forward to the recording secretary the Conservation Commission, Department Head and Council on Aging surveys, which would bring the number of returned surveys to 13. Mr. Nebenzahl will start to formulate a schedule for boards/committees to meet with the Charter Commission.

2. Discuss Status of Town Meeting Article

Mr. Nebenzahl updated the Committee on the recent meeting with the Finance Committee that he and Mr. Pietel attended. At that meeting, the Finance Committee voted to approve funding for retaining a consultant as well as other administrative expenses up to June 30, 2009 in the amount of $25,000.

Mr. Nebenzahl will begin preparation for a presentation to Town Meeting, which would outline/explain the Article pertaining to the Charter Commission. The Commission was asked to e-mail Mr. Nebenzahl with suggestions for the Town Meeting presentation. Included in the presentation would be Commission accomplishments to date and the future goals of the Commission.

Mr. Nebenzahl called for a ten-minute recess at 7:33 p.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:52 p.m.

1. Consider Vote on Consultant Applicants

Mr. Nebenzahl outlined the protocol for discussing the candidates. Starting with Ms. Marsters and moving around the table, each member was asked to give a brief explanation for their choice.

Abigail Marsters chose Mr. Curran; Colleen Tuck chose Mr. Curran; Mr. Pietel chose Ms. Goldberg; Mr. Liao chose Ms. Goldberg; Mr. Bailey chose Mr. Curran; Mr. Garf chose Mr. Curran. At this juncture, Mr. Nebenzahl read Mr. Izzo’s e-mail, in which he conveyed his choice of Mr. Curran. Mr. Nebenzahl chose Mr. Curran. Though it was stressed during the discussion that each candidate possessed specific strengths, it was the consensus of the majority of the Commission members that Mr. Curran would best provide the services that the Commission requires.

There being no further discussion on the candidates, Mr. Nebenzahl asked for a motion.

MOTION: (Tuck/Garf) Moved that the Commission authorize the Chair to check references and draft a proposed contract to retain the services of Michael Curran as consultant to the Charter Commission. Vote was five in the affirmative. Mr. Liao and Mr. Pietel voted in the negative. Ms. Arguimbau and Mr. Izzo were absent.

It was noted that a contract for Mr. Curran would be subject to a successful reference check.

OTHER BUSINESS

There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mr. Nebenzahl asked for a motion to adjourn.

MOTION: (Pietel/Marsters) Moved to adjourn. Vote was seven in the affirmative.

Open Session was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Submitted on behalf of the Charter Committee by: Helen Campanario, Acting Recording Secretary to the Charter Commission