Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – October 4, 2007
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald (late), Gordon
Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late), Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard (late),
Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, (Hamilton)
Absent: Jonathan Hitter, Gregory Sydney
1. The first item on the agenda was Article 1, Eliminate Senior Living Overlay District By-Law.
2. Ira Miller stated that the committee was looking for new information since we have reviewed the articles. It was reported that at the Planning Board meeting a preliminary site plan was filed by the Planning Board, and it is governed by that zoning which was in effect.
3. There was considerable discussion by Anne Bingham and Cheryl Weinstein, proponents of Article 1, 2, and 3, by Brickstone representatives, John Twohig and Marty Spagat, and the Finance Committee.
4. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 1.
5. There was much discussion on the motion.
6. VOTED: 9-1-0. Against: Fitzgerald.
7. Article 2. Reducing dimensional standards. Half the amount of allowable units.
8. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 2.
9. There was some discussion on the motion.
10. VOTED: 8-2-0. Against: Fitzgerald, Nelson.
11. Article 3. Requires Special Permit.
12. There was discussion held on this article regarding more control by local boards, but this change could cause design problems and violate terms of development agreement.
13. A MOTION was made by Brian Fitzgerald and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend Article 3.
14. There was much discussion on the motion.
15. VOTED: 2-6-2. For: Fitzgerald, Nelson. Abstain: Goodman, Kiernan.
16. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 3.
17. VOTED: 5-4-1. For: Anderson, Gladstone, Lessard, Miller, Philips. Against: Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Nelson. Abstain: Kiernan.
18. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to reconsider the vote.
19. VOTED: 8-2-0. Against: Miller, Philips.
20. A MOTION was made by Brian Fitzgerald and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to make a recommendation on Article 3 at Town Meeting
21. VOTED: 8-2-0. Against: Miller, Philips.
22. Article 19. Funding for CPA Land Acquisition – Billings Street.
23. There was much discussion with Corey Snow, Chair, Community Preservation Committee, on this article regarding the amount of funding and where it came from.
24. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend acceptance of Article 19.
25. VOTED: 9-1-0. Against: Alpert.
26. Article 20. Funding for CPA Acquisition of Affordable Housing – 9 Glenview Road.
27. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to recommend acceptance of Article 20.
28. VOTED: 9-1-0. Against: Alpert.
29. Article 11. Former Horizons for Youth Property Capital Maintenance/Improvement.
30. Ben Puritz reported that the Town authorized acquisition purchase of Horizons for Youth. This was debt exclusion by a referendum. The Board of Selectmen formed a committee, Former Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee, to preserve its assets. The Committee has been working since early spring and has presented some preliminary information. The Selectmen placed this article in the Warrant to consider funding at the Fall Town Meeting.
31. Michael Bossin, Chair, Former Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee, and Gary Bluestein, Committee Member, made the presentation regarding the condition of the property, the need for repairs, and the need for funding in the amount of $132,000.
32. There was considerable discussion held on this article.
33. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to make a recommendation of Article 11 at Town Meeting.
34. VOTED: 9-0-1. Abstain: Fitzgerald.
35. Article 4. Limit to Reconsider Motions at Town Meeting.
36. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 4.
37. There was some discussion on the motion.
38. VOTED: 5-5-0. For: Alpert, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Kiernan, Lessard. Against: Anderson, Goodman, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
39. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to make a recommendation of Article 4 at Town Meeting.
40. VOTED: 10-0-0.
41. Article 5. Corrections to Business D District Zoning By-Law.
42. Tom Houston provided information on this article.
43. There was some discussion on this article indicating the need for information from the Planning Board from the October 17 public hearing.
44. Article 6. Accept for use as a public way lands adjacent to Old Post Road.
45. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend acceptance of Article 6.
46. VOTED: 10-0-0.
47. Article 7. Amend the sign general by-law.
48. There was some discussion on this article and Article 8, amend sign zoning by-law.
49. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 7.
50. VOTED: 3-6-1. For: Anderson, Lessard, Nelson. Abstain: Fitzgerald.
51. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend acceptance of Article 7.
52. VOTED: 5-4-1. For: Alpert, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Against: Anderson, Goodman, Lessard, Nelson. Abstain: Fitzgerald.
53. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to make a recommendation of Articles 5, 8, and 9, drive-thru accessory uses, at Town Meeting.
54. VOTED: 9-1-0. Against: Nelson.
55. Article 10. Horizons for Youth Revolving Fund.
56. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 10.
57. VOTED: 3-6-1. For: Alpert, Fitzgerald, Nelson. Abstain: Kiernan.
58. There was some discussion on this article.
59. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to recommend acceptance of Article 10 up to $100,000.
60. VOTED: 5-5-0. For: Anderson, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Against: Alpert, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Lessard, Nelson.
61. Article 13. Inclusionary Housing.
62. Paul Lauenstein noted that the Planning Board was unanimously in favor.
63. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 13.
64. There was much discussion on this article.
65. VOTED: 9-0-1. Abstain: Philips.
66. Article 15. Accept 43D for expedited permitting.
67. There was discussion held on this article.
68. It was MOVED and SECONDED to recommend indefinite postponement of Article 15.
69. VOTED: 7-1-2. Against: Philips. Abstain: Gladstone, Kiernan.
70. OTHER BUSINESS
71. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to pay the annual dues to the Association of Town Finance Committees in the amount of $226.
72. VOTED: 10-0-0.
73. The next meeting will be October 15. October 17, public hearing of the Planning Board. Regular meeting Monday, October 22. Open Warrant meeting on October 29.
74. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
75. VOTED: 10-0-0.
76. The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.