Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 6, 2008

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

 

Members Present:  Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter (until 8:35 p.m.),

                               Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips (Hamilton).

                Absent:   Anderson

 

1.      The agenda included discussion on recommending Warrant Articles, presentation about Chapter 40R, Rezoning for Sharon Commons, and report of a committee member regarding a seminar of new developments in municipal law.

 

2.      The first item on the agenda was Laura Nelson’s reporting on various topics of municipal law:  Senior tax deferrals, employee benefits and compensation, and compensatory time.  Case studies were given.  There is a list of some of the towns that list employees in their annual report.

 

3.      A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to accept the minutes of August 25, 2008, as written.

 

4.      VOTED:  4-0-6.  For:  Goodman, Lessard, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Miller.

 

5.      Ira Miller announced that the committee will not have a position on Brickstone before the Warrant goes to print.  There is a public meeting on October 16.  Would need to make recommendation at Town Meeting.

 

6.      Ben Puritz explained each article in the Warrant as follows:

 

7.      Article 1.  Changes in the Brickstone Development Agreement with regards to access to Mountain Street for construction.

 

8.      Article 2.  Alcohol Rules and Regulations Revisions.  Regards to limited sale of beer and wine.  D District, Commons and Shaw’s Plaza for grocery type establishments.

 

9.      Article 3.  Adoption of Chapter 40R for Sharon Commons Subzone A & B.  40R adoption.  Building LIP for 168 units.

 

10.  Article 4.  Adoption of Chapter 40 R for Sharon Commons Subzone C.  Prospective 40R to expand 12 units.  40R provides incentive to town.  $200,000 up front.  Each building permit generates $3,000.

 

11.  Article 5.  Roadway Layout for Johnson Drive – (Part A).  Johnson Drive.

 

12.  Article 6.  Roadway Layout for Johnson Drive – (Part B).  Change in lot configuration.  Creating an Overlay District that would allow for construction of building, 50,000 sq. ft.

 

13.  Article 7.  Stabilization Fund from Avalon Bay, $310K for sidewalk.

 

14.  Article 8.  Stabilization Fund from Avalon Bay $400K for waterline improvements.  Acceptance of Avalon Bay mitigation payments.  Directing the DOR to establish Stabilization Fund.  Go through legislative process.

 

15.  Article 9.  Capital Outlay items for Horizons for Youth.  Proposal from Capital Outlay last spring.  $100,000 for improvements.  $40,000 siding.  Itemized list by Michael Bossin.

 

16.  Article 10.  Appropriation for Charter Commission ($25K per Andy Nebenzahl).

 

17.  Article 11.  Easement for Lakeview Street for sidewalk project.

 

18.  Article 12.  Sign by-law revision (re:  whether General By-law or Zoning By-law preferable or leave in both).  Sign by-law revision.  Remove from by-laws for consistency.  Also in General by-laws.

 

19.  Article 13.  Removal of burial fees.  State law.

 

20.  Article 14.  Increase demand fees.  Change in State law.  Demand fees for delinquent taxpayers.  Ceiling of $5.  The Finance Director would like to increase to $30.  At least double to $10.

 

21.  Article 15.  Technical Amendment to Article 17 – Regulation of Dogs.  Language clean up for regulation of dogs.  Existing fee $25.  For third violation would go to $100.

 

22.  Article 16.  Funding for Middle School Renovation planning (School Committee).

 

23.  Gordon Gladstone stated that the Middle School is a placeholder.  Nothing has transpired.  Meeting on the 16th.  Possibility that the funds that were appropriated at last town meeting will not be adequate to go forward.  School Committee put in placeholder.  We appropriated $410,000.  The funds would be needed for planning prior to May.

 

24.  Ben Puritz stated it would be borrowing and impact FY’10.

 

25.  Article 17.  Expand eligibility requirements for Sharon seniors to be able to take part in deferral of property taxes (COA).  Deferral of taxes for qualified seniors.  Raises gross receipts from $40,000 to $48,209.

 

26.  Ted Philips stated that the income level is $48,000.  Qualification level is the same.

 

27.  Ben Puritz stated that it lowers the rate from 8% to 3%.  The DOR just came out with guidelines.

 

28.  Articles 5 and 6.  Roadway layouts.

 

29.  Ben Puritz stated this is to establish a boundary.  An omission from way back.  Johnson Drive is near Route 95 in the area of Walmart.  In order to abandon some town land and property owner to purchase, need to meet criteria for Overlay District.  The article would create the line that now does not exist.  Town owned land with the property delineation.  It is a residential easement to be abandoned.  The purpose is to assemble the parcel to have a larger piece to develop.  No value to this land because it is unimproved.  Proximity to highway.  Ability to have proposed Overlay District.  Planning Board has to hold hearing.  Value of property by appraisal.  May not be done before Planning Board meeting.  Would yield $51,000.

 

30.  There was some discussion on these articles which determined the need for more information from Town Engineer.  An amendment to the Zoning By-law.

 

31.  Article 7, Stabilization Fund, Avalon Bay $310K for sidewalk.

 

32.  Ben Puritz stated that is the funding from Avalon Bay mitigation to create a Stabilization Fund to restrict for sidewalk use or repairs.

 

33.  There was considerable discussion regarding the procedure to deal with mitigation funds.  Similar to establishing Brickstone Stabilization Fund.  Discussion on use of funds for sidewalk maintenance and repairs.

 

34.  Article 8.  Stabilization Fund from Avalon Bay $400K waterline improvements.

 

35.  There was some discussion on Article 8.

 

36.  Article 9.  Capital Outlay items for Horizons for Youth.  This article didn’t get on May Town Meeting and was put on Fall Town Meeting.

 

37.  A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend authorization of Article 9, Capital Outlay items for expenditures for Horizons for Youth.

 

38.  VOTED:  8-0-1.  For:  Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald.

 

39.  Article 10.  Charter Commission Appropriation.

 

40.  Ben Puritz stated they are seeking up to $25,000.  It would come out of free cash.

 

41.  A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend acceptance of Article 10, up to $25,000 appropriation for Charter Commission.

 

42.  There was discussion held on the motion regarding the need for more information on what the money is used for.  The Charter Commission should come in to discuss.

 

43.  VOTED:  3-4-2.  For:  Gilligan, Goodman, Miller.  Against:  Gladstone, Kiernan, Lessard, Nelson.  Abstain:  Fitzgerald, Philips.

 

44.  Article 11.  Easement for Lakeview Street for sidewalk project.

 

45.  Ben Puritz explained about the easement.  Waiting for language from Norfolk County.  The committee will hold this article.

 

46.  Article 13.  Removal of burial fees.

 

47.  A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 13, Removal of Burial Fees in accordance with State law.

 

48.  VOTED:  9-0-0.  For:  Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

 

49.  Article 14.  Increase in Demand Fees.

 

50.  Ben Puritz explained that this was regarding delinquent tax fees for $5.  Allowed for up to $30.  Finance Director was seeking a minimum of $10.

 

51.  A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend approval of Article 14 up to $30.

 

52.  VOTED:  8-1-0.  For:  Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Against:  Goodman.

 

53.  Article 12.  Sign By-law revision.  Ira Miller explained that we had competing by-laws:  one under General By-law and one under Sign By-law.

 

54.  There was some discussion and this article will be held for information.

 

55.  Article 2.  Alcohol Rules and Regulations revision.  Properties that are affected:  Route 1, Sharon Commons, Shaw’s Plaza.

 

56.  Much discussion was held regarding information about Article 2, regarding sale of beer and wine in grocery store establishments.  A bill is pending to increase the number allowed each establishment from three to five or six in the state.

 

57.  The next item on the agenda was the presentation by Bob Shelmerdine of Sharon Commons regarding Articles 3 and 4, Adoption of 40R for Sharon Commons Subzone A & B and Subzone C.

 

58.  Under 40B there are two residential areas, north and south; 100 apartments, 38 condominium flats on the north, and 30 town houses on the south for a total of 168.  Chapter 40R is a Smart Growth Initiative.  Requires a zoning amendment change to Zoning By-laws, Overlay District.  State statute provided incentive.  Upon application of 40R Overlay District, units 101 to 200, State will pay town $200,000 in cash whether anything is built or not.  Second category, upon issuance of building permit, state will pay $3,000 to town for each permit.  Close to $700,000.  An application was submitted on September 30 to DHCD.  ZBA acts with site plan review.  Three phases on Sharon Commons.  40R is separate Overlay District.

 

59.  There was considerable discussion regarding the differences between a 40B and a 40R development.  Also discussion on the addition of an additional 42 units for a total of 210 units which would go into next category for an additional $150,000 payment from DHCD.  Bob Shelmerdine will return in two weeks to answer questions.

 

60.  The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 14.

 

61.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

62.  VOTED:  9-0-0.

 

63.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.