Finance Committee Meeting
Open Warrant Meeting
Minutes – October 29, 2007
Sharon High School Library – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Charles
Goodman (late), Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson,
Edward Philips (Hamilton)
Absent: Joel Alpert, Jonathan Hitter, Gregory Sydney
1. The first item on the agenda before the Open Warrant Meeting at 8 p.m. was to meet the new Finance Director, William “Bill” Fowler.
2. Mr. Fowler gave a brief presentation on his background, then he listed some of the items he was working on, such as, personal property bills on-line, water bills on-line, and meeting with banks regarding better investing and better rate on the town’s money.
3. The Finance Committee requested information from him regarding the Revolving Fund for Horizons for Youth.
4. There was much discussion held regarding the pros and cons of this Revolving Fund and the $100,000 cap.
5. The next item on the agenda was Article 4, Limit to Reconsider Motions at Town Meeting.
6. Paul Bouton, Moderator, reported on why he felt it was necessary to initiate this article.
7. There was considerable discussion on this article.
8. OPEN WARRANT MEETING.
9. ARTICLE 1. Amend Zoning By-Laws such that Senior Living Overlay District as approved at May 2007 Town Meeting is eliminated in its entirety. Finance Committee voted indefinite postponement, 9-1-0.
10. ARTICLE 2. Amend Subsection 4385 of the Senior Living Overlay District By-Law by reducing some of the dimensional standards in the By-Law. Finance Committee voted indefinite postponement, 8-2-0.
11. ARTICLE 3. Amend Section 4389 of the Zoning By-Laws by such that the Senior Living Overlay District would require a special permit rather than site plan approval. Finance Committee voted indefinite postponement, 8-0-3.
12. Ira Miller stated that the Town Meeting was definitive in its vote to have the development of Sharon Hills to enter into a site plan agreement with lots of benefits to the town with development of the property which would not be forthcoming if that were changed. It is our understanding through Town Counsel that actions they have taken with the Planning Board allows them, even if these articles pass, to go ahead with the zoning that was passed. We could change the zoning, but that would be grandfathered for 8 years under the zoning. Plans can be changed even though under conventional sub-division. The best course for the town would be to indefinitely postpone and town to continue as zoning was passed at the last meeting.
13. There was some discussion of Article 3 by the audience and the Finance Committee.
14. ARTICLE 4. Limit to Reconsider Motions at Town Meeting. Finance Committee voted to recommend as written, 6-4-1.
15. Articles 5-9 were to be discussed at a later time to allow proponents to attend.
16. ARTICLE 10. Establishment of Horizons for Youth Revolving Fund. Finance Committee voted indefinite postponement, 8-2-1.
17. There was much discussion on this article by the Finance Committee, Mike Bossin, Chair, Horizons for Youth Committee, and Ben Puritz, Town Administrator.
18. ARTICLE 11. Former Horizons for Youth Property Capital Maintenance/Improvement funding. Finance Committee voted 9-1-1 to recommend acceptance in the amount of $133,000.
19. There was considerable discussion on Article 11.
20. ARTICLE 5. Technical corrections to the Business D district Zoning By-Law adopted at March 12, 2007, Town Meeting. Finance Committee voted 8-0-2 to recommend approval.
21. ARTICLE 6. Accept for use as a public way lands adjacent to the current layout of Old Post Road. Finance Committee voted 10-0-0 to recommend acceptance.
22. ARTICLE 7. Amend the sign general By-Law to provide signage regarding a lifestyle retail center in Business District D. Finance Committee voted 5-4-1 to recommend acceptance.
23. There was much discussion of Article 7 by the Finance Committee, proponents, and the audience with new information from the ad hoc Design Review Committee, which is appointed by the Zoning Board of Appeals, presented by Bob Shelmerdine regarding the signage as to size and illumination.
24. ARTICLE 8. Amend the Zoning By-Law to allow off premises directional signage in residential district regarding a lifestyle retail center in Business District D. Finance Committee voted 4-4-2 to recommend acceptance.
25. ARTICLE 9. Amend Zoning By-Law regarding drive-thru accessory uses within Business District D. Finance Committee voted 7-2-1 to recommend acceptance.
26. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to move for reconsideration of Article 7, amend sign general By-Law.
27. There was discussion held on the motion.
28. VOTED: 4-4-0. For: Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Against: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Nelson.
29. Ira Miller stated that it stays the same.
30. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ted Philips to move for reconsideration of Article 8, Amend the Zoning By-Law.
31. There was discussion on the motion.
32. VOTED: 4-4. For: Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Against: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Goodman, Nelson.
33. Ira Miller stated there was no change. The developer has the ability to put up three 60 ft. pylon signs. As opposed to one 30 ft. sign on S. Main Street. It is o.k. to have the two 60 ft. signs as opposed to one at the front which shows people where to go.
34. Michael Intoccia stated that if we do not change the by-law, we will have three 60 ft. signs all lit up.
35. ARTICLE 12. Lot SHAPE Article. Finance Committee voted 7-2-2 to recommend acceptance.
36. ARTICLE 13. Inclusionary Housing. Finance Committee voted indefinite postponement, 9-0-1.
37. ARTICLE 14. Name Ballroom in Community Center. Finance Committee voted 11-0-0 to recommend acceptance.
38. ARTICLE 15. Accept Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43D for expedited permitting program. Finance Committee voted indefinite postponement, 7-1-2.
39. There was some discussion on Article 15.
40. ARTICLE 16. Acceptance of Ch. 90 Funding for Roadway Improvements. Finance Committee voted 11-0-0 to recommend acceptance.
41. ARTICLE 17. Easement 145 Beach Street. Finance Committee voted 9-0-2 to recommend acceptance.
42. ARTICLE l8. Release easement Eisenhower Drive. Finance Committee voted 9-0-2 to recommend acceptance.
43. ARTICLE 19. Funding mechanism for Community Preservation Account Land Acquisition – Billings Street. Finance Committee voted 9-1-0 to recommend acceptance.
44. ARTICLE 20. Funding mechanism for Community Preservation Account Acquisition of Affordable Housing – 9 Glenview Road. Finance Committee voted 9-1-0 to recommend acceptance.
45. ARTICLE 21. Community Preservation Account – Transfer for Administrative and Planning Purposes. Finance Committee voted 8-2-1 to recommend acceptance.
46. ARTICLE 22. Funding mechanism for Community Preservation Account Land Acquisition – Horizons for Youth property. Finance Committee voted 11-0-0 to recommend acceptance.
47. ARTICLE 23. Establish Revolving Fund re 9 Glenview Road lease proceeds. Finance Committee voted 9-2-0 to recommend acceptance.
48. Conclusion of Open Warrant Meeting.
49. There was discussion held regarding moving Article 4 to come up first to be in effect for all following articles.
50. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman that the Finance Committee not introduce the motion to change sequence of Article 4.
51. VOTED: 3-4-1. For: Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan. Against: Anderson, Fitzgerald, Miller, Nelson. Abstain: Philips.
52. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Maria Anderson that the Finance Committee move Article 4 for this Town Meeting, which gives the moderator the ability to ask for new information before entertaining a motion for reconsideration.
53. VOTED: 4-2-2. For: Anderson, Goodman, Miller, Nelson. Against: Gladstone, Kiernan. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Philips.
54. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 5, prior to Town Meeting.
55. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
56. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.