Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 5, 2009

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

 

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Keith Garte, Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone,

                               Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson,

                               Edward Philips (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Charles Goodman

 

1.      Minutes were not voted at this meeting.

 

2.      The first appointment was Peg Arguimbau, Chair, Conservation Commission, to discuss the Conservation Commission’s Warrant article regarding completion of the 1999 land swap.  Due to a lawsuit the time ran out before Legislature could act.  Now Town has to re-authorize the Selectmen to petition the Legislature to do the swap.

 

3.      Next appointment was Paul Bouton, Town Moderator.

 

4.      Paul Bouton presented some changes regarding procedures of first motions, affirmative motions and negative motions that he is considering.  He is trying to make these less confusing and eliminate an unnecessary vote.

 

5.      There was considerable discussion with a number of suggestions, options, and ideas on how these changes might or might not work.

 

6.      The next appointment was Paul Lauenstein, Chair, Planning Board to give an update on the following articles:  Article 1 – Brickstone – Height.  Article 2 – Brickstone – Fire Station.  Article 8 – Zoning article that seeks to amend the uses allowable in the light industrial district.  Article 16 – Roadway acceptance of Eisenhower Drive Extension.  Article 18 – Sign by-law change (technical changes).

 

7.      Paul Lauenstein reported on the Brickstone Height article.  The Planning Board will vote on October 14.  There were changes in the Senior Living Overlay District.  Reduce footprint of development.  Six towers the same.  150 bed nursing home merged into building.  Two six story; two eight story, two ten story.  82 feet higher than Rattle Snake Hill which is 400 feet tall.  Elevator shaft higher.  Limited to ten floors of living space.  Floors underneath for parking.  Waste water treatment in the basement.  No limit on putting in ground.

 

8.      There was much discussion on this information.  Brickstone would be asked to bring elevations, old and new, to clarify the height at the next meeting.

 

9.      Paul Lauenstein reported on the Fire Station.  Not controversial.  Clarifies what they are going to install.  Underground water storage tank.  Force water into building.  Put up fire station.  Underground water tank for high water system to get water 482 feet high.  Planning Board to vote on the 14th.

 

10.  Paul Lauenstein reported on Article 8.  Light industrial.  Located along edge of Old Post Road.  South of Lexus dealer.  A significant part of this land is in ground water protection district.  The Planning Board will vote on the 14th.

 

11.  A request was made for Tom Houston to bring a map of this area to the next meeting.

 

12.  Article 16.  Roadway acceptance of Eisenhower Drive Extension.

 

13.  Paul Lauenstein reported that the Planning Board will make their recommendation on the 14th.  Peter O’Cain has list of confirmed items.  Small emergency access road built on one of the lots.  Putting emergency access road as easement.  The location is in the new cul de sac.  Left off Bishop.

 

14.  Article 18.  Sign by-law change (technical change).

 

15.  Paul Lauenstein reported that it is a general by-law, not zoning.  Got printed in zoning, but it is a general by-law.  Planning Board to vote on the 14th.

 

16.  There was some discussion on this article to correct error.  Discussion with Town Counsel and Marlene Chused, Town Clerk.

 

17.  Jon Hitter reported on follow ups from last week.  The acreage on Article 14 was ¼ of an acre.  On the off premises consumption, Article 7, five food stores town wide.  Not 25.  Multiple districts.

 

18.  There was some discussion on this information.

 

19.  Jon Hitter stated that the only articles we haven’t heard anything about is Article 6 for the school for placeholder for Circuit Breaker.  Will follow up with chairman.  Article 5 will have to be split.  In order to provide funding for the architect and CM and OPM to go forward until January, there will have to be some funding.  Not part of the override.  The override can’t spend any money until after the ballot in January.  Have to have bridge funding to continue the process of documents to go forward in the construction documents if town approves at the ballot.

 

20.  There was some discussion on this information.

 

21.  Jon Hitter stated that Brett McGowan will be coming before us on the 14th to discuss Article 10, Revolving Fund expenses.

 

22.  A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend positive action on Article 15, Animal Control.

 

23.  VOTED:  10-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

 

24.  A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend positive action on Article 12 to increase the limit on work off amount from $750 to $1,000.

 

25.  VOTED:  10-0-0.  For:  Anderson, Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips.

 

26.  There will be an update on Community Preservation Committee article.  No more information on Horizons for Youth lease extension.

 

27.  There was some discussion regarding the Charter Commission.  Open hearing on October 26.  Final report November 9, 2009.  Submit to voters on May 18, 2010.

 

28.  There was much discussion regarding Paul Bouton’s ideas about the motions at Town Meeting.

 

29.  There was more discussion regarding the Charter Commission and the role of the Steering Committee, Priorities Committee, Finance Committee, and Building Committee.

 

30.  Laura Nelson left the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

 

31.  The next meeting will be October 14.

 

32.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

33.  VOTED:  9-0-0.

 

34.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.