Town of Sharon

Community Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes of 1/24/08

Amended and Approved on 2/28/08

 

Committee Attendees

Corey Snow - Chair

Allen Garf

George Bailey - Treasurer

Arnold Kublin -  ABSENT

Arnold Cohen  - Clerk

Susan Rich

Peg Arguimbau

 

 

Guests

Greg Meister

 

 

Meeting Initiation

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by Chair, Corey Snow who reviewed the evening’s agenda and read the Chair’s Report. All open invoices were signed. Chair Snow read a letter received from Camp Gannett regarding restrictions on the land and stated they would like to come and speak to the Committee. Chair Snow also discussed that the CP Coalition wants the CPC to sign up as a member. The membership fee is approximately $2,000. Ms. Rich will circulate a web presentation from the CP Coalition for all to view.

 

Meeting Minutes

The meeting minutes for 11/29/07 were reviewed. Mr. Cohen moved to approve the minutes of 11/29/07. Mr. Garf seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Mr. Bailey  reported that all accounts are on target. He also questioned a charge of $3,559.38 listed in account 29001732578000, for which he was unsure. Ms. Levitts will look in the file to help identify the charge source.

 

Smart Growth/Smart Energy Conference

Mr. Bailey attended the Smart Growth/Smart Energy Conference in Worcester, MA. This conference was dedicated to providing an opportunity for elected and appointed officials, public agency staff, non-profit agencies, private groups and individuals to gather to learn about and discuss a variety of topics related to land use, development, and conservation. Mr. Bailey reported that there was an interesting presentation which emphasized CPA. Accessory Dwelling Units (version of in-law apartments); the remainder updated subjects such as Agricultural Preservation; Business Improvement Districts (BID); District Improvement Financing (DIF); Environmental Justice (EJ); Form Based Codes (FBC); Inclusionary Zoning; Low Impact Development (LID); Open Space Residential Design (OSRD); Outreach and Education; Smart Parking; Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND); Transfer of Development Rights (TDR); Transit oriented Development (TOD); Wastewater Alternatives – all keys to smart growth.

 

Community Preservation Plan

Jennifer Goldson attended the meeting to review the draft plan. The conversation began with a review of the planning process, a discussion on the results of dot-voting and a commentary of the format. Ms. Goldson described the dot-voting as a mechanism to engage the committee and to force hands to prioritize. Ms. Rich stated that the outcome does not feel good as it appears to eliminate the funding for the historic commission housing survey. Ms. Goldson commented that after looking at the results she pulled out principle 1 and 2 as it didn’t fit the goals. The conversation continued with a review of the entire planning process and then went into the specific text within each chapter; Community Housing, Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

 

Ms. Goldson stated that ideally the plan will be changing over time. The plan should be used to filter projects. She hopes that the document will be used to weigh options but we are not bound by the plan. Mr. Bailey was concerned that we do not limit ourselves with the verbiage. The next step is to prioritize by dollars to the plan unless the plan has guidelines for generic ideas. Mr. Garf said up to now we have been operating on people that come to us with projects. Do we want to go after projects? Ms. Goldson said that some small communities do go after projects. 

 

Ms. Goldson stated she would update the plan based on the meeting and everyone’s comments and forward an updated copy to the Committee for review

 

Camp Gannet

The Committee discussed the use of CPC and other Open Space funds towards the purchase of a conservation restriction on Camp Gannet Lakefront Properties. As CPC does not have available funds at this time to apply, it was suggested that the CPC should make a resolution to the ConCom and the Selectmen that all available funds be directed towards that site. Camp Gannet is performing an appraisal and the Town will do an appraisal and perk test. If the town purchases a restriction there are allowed uses and not permitted uses in the restriction. The long term goals of Camp Gannet seem to be to maintain it as a camp but get some revenue while allowing it to be used for possible recreation use off season.

 

Greg Meister discussed timing of this and stated that perhaps payment over time might be acceptable. Mr. Cohen also agreed with payment over time. Chair Snow stated that close to all of the town side revenue is allocated to debt pay off.

 

Mr. Meister reported this is one of the oldest camps in New England. Mr. Bailey suggested that a resolution calling attention to public awareness of this high priority item would be in order. Mr. Meister said this had been a long process and not until last week had the Board of Camp Gannet been comfortable with pursuing this option.

 

Other Business

Mr. Cohen moved to approve the CPC annual report for 2007. Ms. Rich seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor. Ms. Levitts will forward this to Roni Thaler.

 

Mr. Garf moved as per Mr. Bailey’s request to:

 

1.  Authorize to the Town Accountant that South Pleasant Street floor payment is closed and that $1,862 can be put back into the budget.

 

2. Authorize to the Town Accountant that the Hixson Farm Project is completed and $38,414 can be moved back in to the budget.

 

3. The Playground equipment project is closed with a result of a gain of $688.00.

 

Mr. Cohen seconded the motions and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor.

 

Next Meeting Date

February 28th, 2008.

 

Meeting Adjournment

Mr. Cohen moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 PM and Ms. Arguimbau seconded the motion. The Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor.