Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 28, 2008

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

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone,

                               Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Ira Miller, Edward

                               Philips, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

               Absent:   Joel Lessard, Laura Nelson

1. Ira Miller reviewed the agenda for the evening which included the Zoning Board of Appeals budget, Conservation Commission request for a Reserve Fund Transfer, and discussion on inclusionary housing, one of the articles for the May Warrant.

2. Brian Fitzgerald reported on the Capital Outlay Committee tour of the town.  There were some items for capital expenses.  The committee started at the Middle School.  Both the Middle and the High School were looking for new lockers.  The auditorium at the Middle School; the sound and lighting booth.  Need to fix seats in the auditorium at the high school.  The committee viewed the elevator at the library.  The Police Department needs a new police vehicle.  The DPW needs a new street sweeper.  The Fire Department needs a new pumper and emergency vehicle.  We viewed the Civil Defense that uses a building that needs to be renovated.  Windows and doors need to be replaced.  It was stated that the building is used for a half hour a week.

3. There was continued discussion regarding the Capital Outlay tour. Large cost for pumper for Fire Department and street sweeper for DPW.  Approximately $2 million for schools will be needed.

4. There was a question about Brickstone paying for fire equipment.  It was stated that this money was originally to be for equipment, then was set aside for personnel.

5. Jon Hitter announced another meeting of Capital Outlay for this Thursday for Horizons for Youth capital request.

6. The first item on the agenda was the Zoning Board of Appeals review of their budget for FY’09.  John Lee, Chair, made the presentation.

7. John Lee reported that the budget will be the same except for a request for funding for five additional hours a month for the Administrative Assistant.  She performs 20 hours a month.  There is an increased work load with the 40B and Sharon Commons.  Administrative Assistant Kate Delaney has zoning knowledge.  Additional five hours over the month the Board feels is necessary.  $5,129 for salaries.  Requesting to go up to $6,411.25.

8. There was some discussion regarding keeping legal costs down and staying within the budget.  It was also reported that the Simpson project was rejected for safety and environmental reasons.  This project was to be 204 apartments on Route 1 and would have helped a lot with the 40B requirement.

9. The next item on the agenda was the Conservation Commission.

10. Greg Meister reported on a preliminary request.  There was more work to be done on Cedar Swamp, a final report is due February 11, and three invoices are outstanding.  There was $1,573 left of the original $25,000 previously received, but we are short $3,773.18.  Greg Meister also reported on an opportunity to buy 20 acres of land on the Community Center side of the lake.  If the DPW did some of the excavating, the cost might be $5,000.  There would be two appraisals, at a cost of $5-$6,000.  The location is from the lake down to Morse Street.  There are athletic fields available.

11. There was considerable discussion on these two distinct items.  Overage of original, $3,773.18, and the second sum not sure.  More information would be needed regarding this opportunity to purchase land.

12. Jon Hitter reported that the Conservation Committee is on the agenda for Capital Outlay.  This is to present an opportunity to buy 35 acres at Norfolk Place, Lee Road, and S. Main Street from Mrs. Piona.

13. Greg Meister commented that Cedar Swamp starts during the growing season, and the report recommends work to be done for the spring at a cost of approximately $20,000.

14. The Conservation Commission will be back on February 11 with their budget and other information.

15. The next item on the agenda was the inclusionary housing article for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.  Paul Lauenstein made the presentation with Susan Price and Amanda Sloan of the Planning Board.

16. Paul Lauenstein stated that the Planning Board is interested in defending the town from 40B.  40B allows developers high density regardless of the zoning with less than 10%.  Sharon is less than 10%.  With the approval of Avalon Bay at 5-6%.  Simpson Housing has been denied which changes equations quite a bit.  Inclusionary housing was designed to provide against backsliding once we reach 10%.  Nothing can be done locally if subject to 40B.  The developer can go to Housing Appeals and they would overrule local zoning boards.  Inclusionary housing would require developer of larger developments over 6 units.  We would request 15% affordable.  Five or less would not have to contribute.  View inclusionary housing as an insurance policy.  If, in the unforeseeable future, those houses would have to contribute like Brickstone.  The arrangement provided cash to the town whether it is sufficient.  Contribute $1.9 million to the town for generating 69 affordable units.  The idea was that they were going to provide funds.

17. There was discussion held regarding inclusionary housing and concerns of a moratorium on 40B with the Simpson rejection and what changes were made to the article that was previously presented.

18. There was some discussion regarding the hearing on Wednesday night requesting a change in terms at Hunter’s Ridge with respect to age restriction so that only one of the two meets the 55 age restriction.

19. There was some discussion regarding impact of a $1 million house next to a $250,000 house, the price of which is determined by DHCD, as far as neighborhood, taxes, and resale.

20. Paul Lauenstein stated that if we passed this inclusionary housing, Brickstone wanted to be exempted from this by-law which does not require us to provide 40B.  The grandfathering only lasts for 7 years.  That last tower might be subject to inclusionary housing if we were to exempt them.  We have entered into an agreement with them.

21. It was questioned that if inclusionary housing passed, would that affect Simpson?

22. Paul Lauenstein replied that they were rejected and would have to start again.  They have much more affordable housing and have met the requirement.

23. There was discussion regarding the center of town, a high rise could go in, and inclusionary housing could be used to handle that if it was in the by-law.

24. Paul Lauenstein said we haven’t changed anything in the by-law.  We’re here to listen.  How can our committee deal with the external pressure being imposed on our community by the state?

25. There was continued discussion regarding on-site vs. off-site and agreement that off-site was not good by Paul Lauenstein and Finance Committee members.

26. OTHER BUSINESS

27. Ira Miller stated that the Water Enterprise Fund was a placeholder on the Warrant for Town Meeting.

28. Joel Alpert reported on the Priorities Meeting.  Plan to limit taxation 2.96%, mid-level.  Asking on budgets 2.96% increase over last year.  There would be a shortfall.  $500,000 for School Committee; $149,000 for Board of Selectmen.  Go along with maximum amount that can be increased.

29. Ira Miller stated that because the three year override vote at the ballot raised the levy limit for the full $2.9 million, the amount the town meeting could raise those funds.  This committee was not in favor of the three year override.  Only raise the budget $600,000.

30. There was discussion regarding the override and that Town Meeting could appropriate an additional $1.2 million.  Revenue isn’t coming in yet and excise taxes are dropping.  It was stated that Sharon has the youngest available age vehicle in the whole state.

31. There was more discussion regarding the Snow & Ice budget that is almost depleted, and increased costs of the Fire Department with overtime.

32. Ira Miller stated that we are supposed to get an update on the revenue list.  The next Priorities meeting, February 28.  The Schools wanted to present their budget to their committee before presenting to the public.  By the end of February.  On the 11^th we will look at hard numbers for our sector to have at the next Priorities meeting.

33. Ira Miller reported that he was invited by the School Committee to attend the meeting for Massachusetts School Committee Association for Health Insurance:  Should your town investigate GIC.  He will attend that meeting.

34. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter to approve the minutes of November 5, 2007.

35. VOTED:  8-0-2.  Abstain:  Anderson, Fitzgerald.

36. On February 4 the Board of Health will present their budget.

37. The next meeting will be on February 4.

38. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

39. VOTED:  10-0-0.

40. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.