Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – September 24, 2007

Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman,

                               Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson,

                               Edward Philips, Gregory Sydney (late), (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Gordon Gladstone

1. The first item on the agenda was a presentation by Eli Hauser, Chair, Economic Development Committee, regarding ARTICLE 6 to accept 43D for funded studies for economic development.

2. There was much discussion regarding this article that grant money from the state, up to $150,000, could be used to study a selected parcel, such as Post Office Square, for revitalization.

3. Eli Hauser announced that on October 17 there will be a public hearing from the Planning Board on inclusionary housing, lot shape, signs, and drive thru.

4. The next item on the agenda was Articles 14-18 regarding Sharon Commons.

5. ARTICLE 15.  Accept for use as a public way lands adjacent to the current layout of Old Post Road.

6. Ken Caputo, Engineer, made the presentation regarding what was needed and what was to be done to this area.

7. There was some discussion on this article.

8. ARTICLE 14.  Three corrections to the Business D District Zoning By-Law.

9. Bob Shelmerdine and Tom Houston made the presentation regarding the need for these corrections.

10. There was some discussion held regarding this article.

11. Richard Rudman, Attorney, made the presentation for ARTICLES 16-18.

12. ARTICLE 16.  Sign By-Law.  Amend section 3.1, Sharon Sign Committee.  Amend section 4.3, Off-Premises Signs.  Amend section 5.1, Permitted Signs.  Amend section 5.4.1, Permanent Wall Signs.  Amend section 5.4.2, Permanent Projecting or Freestanding Signs.

13. ARTICLE 17.  Amendment to zoning ordinance.  Prohibited to have a sign for business use in residential area.

14. ARTICLE 18.  Amend drive-in services within Business District D.

15. There was some discussion on these articles.  More information is to be available at the next meeting.

16. The next item on the agenda was Articles 19-21.

17. ARTICLE 19.  Repeal Senior Living Overlay District By-Law.

18. ARTICLE 20.  Require a special permit instead of site plan approval in Senior Living Overlay District.

19. ARTICLE 21.  Reduce dimensions in Senior Living Overlay District.

20. Jay Tallerman, attorney for petitioners, made the presentation stating the petitioners point of view.

21. There was considerable discussion on these articles.  The Finance Committee needed more financial information from the petitioners.

22. There was more information from Paul Lauenstein regarding inclusionary housing.

23. There was some discussion on this information.

24. OTHER BUSINESS

25. Jon Hitter reported on the Capital Outlay meeting.  The Community Preservation Committee had the same presentation that was at the Finance Committee.

26. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the minutes of September 17, as written.

27. VOTED:  7-0-4.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald, Hitter, Lessard, Sydney.

28. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to approve the minutes of September 10, as written.

29. VOTED:  9-0-2.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald, Lessard.

30. The next meeting will be October 1 at 7:00 p.m.

31. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

32. VOTED:  11-0-0.

33. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.m.