Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – September 17, 2007
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Josh Kiernan, Ira
Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Jonathan Hitter, Joel Lessard,
Gregory Sydney
1. The first item on the agenda was Article 4, Inclusionary Housing By-Law.
2. Tom Houston made the presentation for the Planning Board subcommittee. This by-law is for lower or moderate income future development of six or more dwelling units that would provide 15% of affordable housing.
3. There was much discussion on this by-law on each section under local action units, not under 40B, by special permit of six or more affordable dwelling units including costs of purchasing or renting, rules and guidelines for land use, and certain exemptions.
4. The next item on the agenda was Warrant Articles for Fall Town Meeting sponsored by the Board of Selectmen. Ben Puritz provided the information on these articles.
5. Ben Puritz stated that the Selectmen will be sequencing the articles tomorrow night and signing the Warrant on September 25 or October 2.
6. ARTICLE 1. Reconsideration to seal vote. Unless substantive issue, it would become obsolete to reconsider.
7. ARTICLE 2. Horizons for Youth Revolving Fund seeks the establishment of a Revolving Fund as the Former Horizons for Youth Revolving Fund. A request was initiated by the committee. The Selectmen will be discussing this in sequencing articles and to come to position of placing article on Fall Town Warrant. Revolving Funds are established by annual town meeting and annually voted by town meeting, Chapter 44, Section 53.5. The purpose is to provide for maintenance and improvements in general. Tracks the standard language of the revolving fund and support of programs on property. Sets a cap on expenditures for FY’09 to $100,000. The expanded language puts the cap forward and will not exceed the expenditure cap.
8. There was some discussion on this article.
9. ARTICLE 5. Naming of the Community Center Ballroom. We heard from the Historical Commission. They have no authority, but were supportive of this.
10. ARTICLE 6. 43D for expedited permitting. The intent of the article is to place before the town for acceptance the general law expedited permitting a tool for economic development. This legislation is a refinement that required a community to be designated as a PDS (Priority Development Site). The amendment allowed a geographic portion of the community to be requested such as Post Office Square. It is a step back from the specific to general. The property owners would be considered Priority Developed Site which enables the town to apply for grant assistance of $150,000 for comprehensive waste water study. Development purpose within the Priority Development Site to reach a determination within 180 days. The permitting authorities are the Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Board of Health.
11. There was considerable discussion on this article.
12. ARTICLE 7. Acceptance of Chapter 90-Funding for Roadway Improvements.. $449,850 request is in to Department Of Revenue. Looking for article language and accelerated payment.
13. ARTICLE 8. Easement at 145 Beach Street. An easement seeking additional information from Conservation Commission. This was a matter of a septic tank. The easement, 30x115, was the portion given to the Conservation Commission where the septic system is on land of the Conservation Commission. Lot 25 owned by Conservation Commission.
14. ARTICLE 9. Easement on Eisenhower Drive. Town Counsel reviewing. Seeking confirmation that easement can be abandoned.
15. Ben Puritz reported on CPA funding. There was a memo from Todd Hassett, Treasurer, regarding financing of land acquisition. A recommendation in order to access funds approved by Town Meeting. Funding approved from Community Preservation Fund needs to be transferred. The funds would be added to the debt service budget and pay down on the borrowing for Horizons for Youth property and Billings Street property. $975,000 paid off over 19 years. $225,000-$250,000 paid off over 5 years.
16. ARTICLE 10. CPA Land Acquisition of Billings Street-Glenview Road. $225,000 - $250,000 short term borrowing. No final figures. Conservation Commission can explain funds.
17. ARTICLE 11. CPA Land Acquisition for Affordable Housing – Billings/Glenview. Waiting for Warrant article.
18. ARTICLE 13. Funds from lease of house, 9 Glenview Road. To hear from Town Counsel.
19. There was some discussion on these articles.
20. ARTICLES 14-18. Corrections to Business D District, Sharon Commons.
21. Ira Miller stated that these articles would be discussed with Bob Shelmerdine at the next meeting next week.
22. ARTICLE 19. Petition article to amend zoning by-laws. The article seeks to overturn that established the Senior Living Overlay District By-Law. Preclude going forward a new application for a Senior Living Overlay District use. Sharon Hills.
23. ARTICLE 20. Petition article to amend zoning by-laws. This article seeks to amend a site plan review and to require a special permit in the Senior Living Overlay District.
24. ARTICLE 21. Petition article to amend zoning by-laws. Dimensional allowances to be changed in the Senior Living Overlay District. A lower height.
25. There was some discussion on these articles.
26. The next meeting will be on September 24.
27. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
28. VOTED: 6-0-0.
29. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.