Joint Economic Development / Board of Selectmen Meeting

Wednesday April 4, 2007

Sharon High School Library

 

EDC members in attendance:  Eli Hauser, Jeff Seul, Ben Pinkowitz, Susie Peck, Alan Lury, and Rob Maidman

 

Chairman Eli Hauser focused this meeting exclusively on Brickstone’s proposed Sharon Hills Senior Housing Community.  The three objectives were (1): to invite all town boards and committees involved with this initiative to share their comments and positions to date,  (2): to enable questions to be asked and answered by EDC, BoS, Town Counsel, BoS consultant Tom Houston, Sharon Housing Authority, Board of Health,  DPW, Fire, Police,  Water Management, and   Brickstone staff and representatives, and (3) to solicit input from the community and (4): to provide updated information to those watching on SCTV and in the Sharon Advocate. 

 

Given that not all boards were in attendance and for those that were, formal positions had not yet been achieved, the evening consisted primarily of numerous questions posed by the audience.  Among the many points of view expressed by the public, most voiced concerns on the following:

 

·         To whom the 250 acres for conservation would be deeded, the Town or specifically the Conservation Commission

·         Atty Gelerman confirmed that the lands will be deeded to the Conservation Commission.

·         To what points the developer intends to place water pipes along Mountain St. and Bay Road for residential connections, and whether residents, Brickstone, or some combination would pay

·         Eric Hooper indicated that the Town is obligated to provide water to those residents who have water mains running along their frontage.  Brickstone will be running a water main along Mountain Street to the currently planned emergency entrance on Mountain. Extending the main further down Mountain street is still in discussion.

·         The actual height of the buildings and whether this included rooftop hvac equipment, antennas, etc?

·         150 feet

·         The volumes of traffic to be generated by this proposal vs. the alternative of ~90 homes levels on Bay Road

·         Current projections indicate the volumes should be similar to an 88 home development, including the staff and visitor vehicles. A formal study was presented to the Selectmen and delivered to Town Hall 2 weeks ago.

·         Emergency response, costs, burdens for neighboring towns (Stoughton and Easton)

·          

·         Reliability of the waste water treatment facility; indemnification to abutters in case of failure and resulting pollution of drinking water

·          

·         Siting of satellite Sharon public safety substation

·         Would be on 3 acres at emergency entrance on Mountain Street.

·         The exact dollar and substance contributions by the Developer to the Town

·         There would be construction fees, $1M in cash, cash donated for new equipment for police and fire vehicles. These are detailed in the Development Agreement. The developer would also be donating ~250 acres to the Conservation Commission.

·         If  the Development Agreement would be completed sufficiently in advance of May 7 Town Meeting to enable all boards and citizens sufficient time to understand the critical complexities, the contractual net gains to the Town, the restrictions, liabilities, and time for feedback

·         It is the developer’s intent to make the agreements available as they are developed. Atty. Gelerman will make the current version available for review.

·         The Development Agreement’s precise definition of residency qualification by age and number of persons authorized per unit

·         Over 62. There are some legal details to review against State and Federal regulations; the intent is disallow anyone under 62.

·         The qualification of the development regarding affordable housing counting to 40B

·         36 units are being developed along with Simpson Development on Rt. 1. The balance of 33 units are accommodated by a cash donation to the Sharon Housing Partnership.

·         The water use, aquifer replenishment, sector water pressure improvement

·         Under discussion and design.

·         Clarification and discussion on blasting procedures and experience

·         Fire Chief Mann described the procedures for applying and managing a blasting permit. He proceeded to confirm that blasting is taking place throughout Sharon, and that only 1 claim has been filed that he is aware of. There was more detail about the blasting requirements, bonding and so forth, that the firms need to show evidence of, and that it is regulated by the State.

·         Why the need for this item to be addressed at the May Town Meeting, rather than November’s

·         The developer purchased the property 15 months ago; and has been in discussion with the Town on this property since then. Many meetings have been held with Town boards and the neighborhood to understand the concerns and preferences of the community. A much larger development was proposed in the fall; and has been scaled back significantly by the developer since then. The time is now ready for considering the proposal.

 

The majority of questioners were  Sharon residents.  At least two people identified themselves from Easton and Stoughton.

 

Further information sessions are planned in the weeks prior to Town Meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 10.35 pm.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Rob Maidman