Town of Sharon
Community Preservation Committee
Meeting Minutes of 2/23/12
Amended and Approved on 3/8/12
Sharon Town Hall
Filmed by SCTV
Committee Attendees
|
Corey Snow, Chair |
Jane Desberg, Treasurer - absent |
|
Peg Arguimbau |
Susan Rich |
|
Allen Garf - absent |
Anne Bingham |
|
Marc Bluestein |
|
Others
|
Alice Cheyer |
|
Meeting Initiation
Chair Snow called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. He discussed the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 Community Preservation budget language prepared by the Town Accountant. He said he wanted to raise the idea of how the budget works but that no vote would be taken tonight. He will provide a detailed expenditure list to the Committee members at the next meeting.
Projects – Land Purchase for 55 Richards Avenue
Ms. Arguimbau presented the Committee with a project submission form for land purchase at 55 Richards Avenue. The Commission is applying for monies to purchase a 5 plus acre parcel located on Richards Avenue. The amount requested is $145,000; this includes $130,000 for the purchase of the land and $15,000 for the conservation restriction work. A purchase and sales agreement is in place with the land owner, pending the funding becomes available at the 2012 May Town Meeting. She said the access to the property is off of Richards Avenue and it is in the ground water protection district. Added to the existing Conservation Commission land that it abuts, this would give the Conservation Commission a total of 11 plus acres.
Mr. Bluestein asked if there is a 25 foot right of way from Richards Avenue and Ms. Arguimbau said the land is not wide enough for a road but if an adjoining lot was used it could be wide enough for a road. It could give access to an adjoining property.
Mr. Bluestein asked how many buildable lots were on the property and Ms. Arguimbau said that 1 or 2 but a road would need to be created and there are other associated expenses. She said she just wants to confirm the exact acreage.
A brief discussion ensued about current conservation restrictions and it was determined that the restriction for both Billings and Horizons needs to be signed by the Audubon.
Chair Snow asked if there are any public access trails on the property. Ms. Arguimbau said she will obtain more definitive information regarding the land’s acreage size as well as a list of all abutters to the land.
Sacred Heart School
Chair Snow said that the representatives from the Sacred Heart Reuse Committee attended a Capital Outlay meeting to which he was invited. The Committee stated that they were interested in finding a revenue generating business from a private party to lease the property for an indoor recreational facility. No responses were received to the RFP.
Chair Snow said that at the time it did not look like CPA funds could be used for this project but now they want to take down the building and build fields. He said there is a precedent for demolishing the building and creating open space. He thinks the fields are aligned with CPA purposes. He brought up the Newton ruling in which the Town used CPA funds to add assets to an existing recreation facility and a citizen sued the Town. A judge ruled against the Town. He said that the Coalition is aware of whether this would be acceptable. The facility is on its own parcel. There is a separate legal entity from recreation around it. He said the decision to fund the tear down would need a legal ruling and may be considered for Fall Town Meeting.
CPC Application
Ms. Rich updated the CPC application and provided a copy to the Committee. She will continue to work on the application so that an applicant can actually type in to it. Ms. Arguimbau suggested the application ask for a summary within the text.
Minutes
Mr. Bluestein moved to approve the minutes of 10/19/11 as amended. Ms. Bingham seconded the motion and the Committee voted 3-0-2 in favor of approval. (Ms. Arguimbau and Ms. Rich abstained as they were not in attendance).
Fire Truck Project
Ms. Rich commented that the fire truck approved at Fall Town Meeting is now owned by the Town. It is currently being housed but has not yet found permanent housing. Chair Snow said the truck was a big hit at the Halloween parade.
Other
Ms. Rich stated that the Historical Commission wants to extend the historical district in town center to include the old school building on School Street. Ms. Cheyer asked if the smaller homes in the Heights area are considered historic. Ms. Rich said they do represent a time in history after World War ll but they are not considered historic by the group that surveyed the town’s historic homes. Being in the historic district is more controlled by the Historic Commission.
Next Meeting Dates
3/8 and 3/22
Meeting Adjournment
Ms. Bingham moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM and Mr. Bluestein seconded the motion. The Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor.
Attachments
1. Proposed Fiscal Year 2013 Community Preservation Budget
2. Project Submission Form for 55 Richards Avenue