Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – October 14, 2008
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone (late-9:19 p.m.), Josh Kiernan, Ira
Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)
Absent: Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman, Jonathan
Hitter, Joel Lessard
1. There was no quorum at the beginning of the meeting.
2. The first item on the agenda was a presentation by Andy Nebenzahl, Chair, and Paul Pietal, Vice Chair, of the Charter Commission, to address the question of funding for the Charter Commission. A vote was taken in the absence of information at the previous meeting and went down 3-4-2.
3. Andy Nebenzahl gave a summary of what the Charter Commission has been doing and the need to hire a consultant to help with their work and draft documentation for the Charter. The $25,000 requested appropriation was for the consultant.
4. There was considerable discussion regarding the need for the $25,000 and the time constraints the Charter Commission is under.
5. The next item on the agenda had to do with the Johnson Drive zoning by-law. Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer, Richard (Rick) Merrikin, Engineer, Philip Macchi, Attorney, Eugene (Gino) Chitvanni, Owner, were present to make presentation and answer questions.
6. Philip Macchi presented the background and what was being proposed for an overlay district for a commercial endeavor and how this procedure would be accomplished through the three articles for Town Meeting.
7. There was much discussion held on Articles 6, 7 and 8 and that there was to be a public hearing by the Planning Board on October 29.
8. John Lee, Chair, Zoning Board of Appeals had been watching on TV and appeared at the meeting after hearing statements made by Mr. Macchi or Mr. Merrikin that there was no opposition to the project, and Mr. Lee informed the Finance Committee that there was a petition by the neighborhood to the County Commissioners.
9. The proponents indicated they would be happy to talk with Walpole neighbors.
10. At 9:19 p.m. there was a quorum of the committee with the arrival of another committee member.
11. Article 13. Easement for Lakeview Street for sidewalk project.
12. Peter O’Cain provided information regarding Article 13 and the Lakeview Street sidewalk project. There would need to be an easement from six property owners to do the project without having to move utility poles and stone walls.
13. There was some discussion on this article. There will be a hearing by the Planning Board on October 15.
14. There was more discussion on the Charter Commission’s request for $25,000 with an objection that the Commission should go through an RFP process to hire a consultant. Possible exception if the consultant is an attorney.
15. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend Article 1, Changes to Brickstone Development Agreement, at Town Meeting.
16. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
17. Article 2. Alcohol Rules and Regulations Revisions.
18. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend Article 2, Alcohol Rules and Regulations Revisions, at Town Meeting.
19. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
20. Article 3. Funding for Middle School Renovation Planning (School Committee).
21. There was some discussion on Article 3 to recommend in the Warrant that the project has merit. Continuation of process is something we would like to do as opposed to just saying recommend at Town Meeting. Committee would like to give some guidance, and the number to be reviewed at Town Meeting.
22. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend Article 3, Funding for Middle School Renovation Planning, at Town Meeting in the understanding on our write up we will change in favor of the project.
23. VOTED: 5-0-1. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Nelson.
24. Articles 4 and 5. Adoption of Chapter 40R Overlay District for Sharon Commons Subzone A & B, and Subzone C.
25. There was some discussion on Articles 4 and 5 and decision to wait until the Monday meeting to vote.
26. Articles 6, 7 & 8. Johnson Drive. Selectmen would negotiate sale of property. To be held until the Monday meeting.
27. Articles 9 & 10. Stabilization Fund from Avalon Bay, $310K for sidewalk improvements, and $400K for waterline improvements. Objection was wording. Said there was one already established and it wasn’t.
28. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend approval of Article 9.
29. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
30. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend approval of Article 10.
31. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
32. Article 11. Capital Outlay items for Horizons for Youth. Voted on October 6, 2008, 8-0-1.
33. Article 12. Appropriation for Charter Commission, $25,000. Voted not to recommend on October 6, 2008.
34. A MOTION was made by Don Gilligan and SECONDED by Ted Philips to reconsider our vote of October 6, 2008, on Article 12, appropriation for Charter Commission.
35. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
36. A MOTION was made by Don Gilligan and SECONDED by Ted Philips to recommend approval of Article 12 in the amount of $25,000.
37. There was much discussion on Article 12 with the decision to hold until the Monday meeting. No vote was taken on Article 12.
38. Article 13. Easement for Lakeview Street for sidewalk project. Wait for hearing.
39. Article 14. Sign by-law revision.
40. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED By Don Gilligan to recommend Article 14, Sign by-law revision, at Town Meeting.
41. There was discussion held on this motion with some members wanting a summary and others a comparison by a red-line version.
42. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
43. Article 17. Technical Amendment to Article 17 – Regulation of Dogs.
44. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Don Gilligan to recommend approval of fees of Article 17.
45. VOTED: 5-0-1. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Nelson.
46. Article 18. Expand eligibility requirements for Sharon seniors to be able to take part in deferral of property taxes (COA) from $40,000 to $48,000.
47. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Don Gilligan to recommend approval of Article 18.
48. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Gilligan, Gladstone, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
49. The next meeting will be a joint meeting with the Selectmen on Thursday at the Community Center at 7:30 p.m.
50. The next regular meeting will be Monday, October 20.
51. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
52. VOTED: 6-0-0.
53. The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 p.m.