Sharon Economic Development Committee 29 March 2007
In Attendance
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Eli Hauser |
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Alan Lurie |
Jeff Seul |
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Ben Puritz |
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Seth Ruskin |
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Arnold Wallenstein |
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Suzie Peck |
peckrsdh@speakeasy.org |
8:15 Agenda review
Review of meeting notes from 12 Feb 2007 and 13 Feb 2007 meetings (Meeting notes reviewed and accepted).
Subcommittee discussion on project approach and findings to date.
Revenue Targets
New Business Creation: $250 - $500k on 15 parcels, 38 acres of undeveloped lands; $2.5M - $3.5M for 20 acres on S. Main.
New Revenue Sources: $200 - $500 in new revenue or offset costs.
Business Development: $500k to $1.5M in new taxes over next 10 years as businesses upgrade their facilities in PO Square.
Discussion of post-Town Meeting Focus for EcoDev team.
1. Focus on starting the PO Square waste water and economic development studies
2. Focus on Rt 1 business attraction
Operating budget side of the Town was discussed. Idea to have priorities committee or other committee spearhead the discussion, and have the EcoDev committee focus on revenue generation.
Discussion on needs for new town buildings and how that might be presented. Suggestion to work with PO Square team to place the discussion into the Town agenda.
9:00 Meeting with Brickstone Development Corporation on Rattlesnake Hill Proposal
Marty Spagat, John Kusmiersky, Tim Sullivan, John Twohig., Bob Daylor. Run through overview of project and current proposal. Convey 250 acres, including Rattlesnake Hill to town. Talk about Green Design, Traffic, Water consumption, Affordable housing, and then fiscal benefits. End up conveying more land than was attempted to purchase 3 or 4 years ago.
Current proposal for 250 acres to town; 36 in conservation restricted; 24 acres in additional greenspace. Parking will be underground – reduces visual and asphalt coverage. Building sited to minimize land disturbance. Any altered wetland would be mitigated by 2:1. Brickstone will coordinate with Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to create program to promote protection of rare wildlife and lands.
337 acres total; 250 deeded; 36 acres restricted with 24 acres of additional greenspace; 27 acres for roads and buildings. Site access from Bay Road. Description of traffic overview – trip traffic is similar to by-right 88 unit development. Staff arrival and departure will be off-hours.
Waste water treatment would be via plant to centralize sewer treatment operations. Stormwater managed to maintain or decrease impact to Briggs Pond. Will maintain 78% of Town’s excess water capacity. Construction and transfer in ownership to the town of booster pumping station; water mains on Massapoag, Morse and Mountain. 750,000 underground tank. The water infrastructure investment is a $6,000,000 project.
Annual gross revenue projected at $3,883,000. Costs of $803,000 for net revenue of $3,080,000. Donate $690,000 in public safety vehicles.
No impact to the school system. No long term debt for acquisition of land and preservation of restricted and public lands.
Question: Need for substation? Ben Puritz responded that Priorities will look at this. Need for mitigation funds? Response – 250 acres is what is being offered as mitigation. Height of the property, is the property higher than others. Property will go to 8 stories; will have low visibility due to height of trees and setback from roads.
Who is going to own the property and when? Plan to create the ownership will belong to the future residents. As prices increase over time, the bulk of the increase will remain with the project, so to have sufficient funds to maintain the property. A deposit fee model – like Orchard Cove. The bulk of the profit from the transfer stays with the property. The residents become the trustees.
Which other boards have you spoken with? Met with Conservation; Finance; School; EcoDev; scheduled to meet with Health and Water on the 11th and 12th. Council on Aging is to be set up. Housing Partnership next week. And BoSelectman. Planning Board on the 11th.
Question about water volume and waste treatment methods. Permitting and Buildout timeline: 4 years for buildout. 6 – 12 months for approval; 18 more months for ˝ buildout. Fees for construction to Town: On issuance of building permits the town has some operational needs in advance of the tax revenue. Linked to timing of the state approvals.
Review of Brickstone Recommendation by Economic Development Committee.
10:15 Next Meeting: Wednesday 4 April 2007, 7.30 pm, Sharon High School Library
10:15 Next Meeting: Monday 30 April 2007, 7.30 pm, Town Hall
10:50 Adjourn