Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 14, 2009

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

 

Members Present:  Keith Garte, Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman,

                               Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira Miller (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips

 

1.      The first item on the agenda was to discuss Warrant articles with Ben Puritz present for information.

 

2.      Article 16.  Horizons for Youth – Lease Authorization Extension.  The Warrant asks Town to give authorization to Board of Selectmen to grant up to two ten-year extensions.  Now a 20 year lease, add two ten-year extensions, up to 40 year lease.

 

3.      Ben Puritz reported having a meeting with principals.  The article is a placeholder.  They may not complete before Town Meeting and Selectmen may take off the table.

 

4.      There was some discussion on this information.

 

5.      A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to move for indefinite postponement of Article 16, Horizons for Youth-Lease Authorization Extension.

 

6.      VOTED:  8-0-0.  For:  Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller.

 

7.      Article 8.  Off premises consumption for square and for heights – beer and wine only.  Five licenses for three districts:  Shaw’s Plaza, Sharon Commons, Route 1.  This new article proposing five more licenses for new district.  Five grocery type.  Beer and wine for center of town and Heights Plaza.  Total of ten licenses.

 

8.      There was some discussion on this article.

 

9.      A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Ira Miller to recommend amendment to Article 8, Off Premises Consumption, to limit number of licenses to five and include with other district.

 

10.  There was discussion held on the motion.

 

11.  VOTED:  4-4-0.  For:  Gladstone, Goodman, Lessard, Miller.  Against:  Garte, Gilligan, Hitter, Kiernan.

 

12.  Article 13.  Purchase of land by Sharon Department of Water Zone: Assessors Map 31, parcel 16 owned by Nicholas G. Diesso to be purchased for the protection of Well #6.

 

13.  Ben Puritz reported that the water line is on the edge of the property.  Owner of property is amenable and willing to enter into Purchase and Sales Agreement.

 

14.  There was some discussion on this article.

 

15.  The next item on the agenda was presentation and discussion with Brickstone.

 

16.  John Twohig, Attorney for Brickstone, John Connery, John Kosmersky, Bob Vaness, and Tom Houston were present.  Information to be discussed on height, fire station, finance district, and outline of Development Agreement, only Mountain Street access.

 

17.  John Connery presented the fiscal impact.  Additional fiscal information was 15% reduction, $2,963,000.  Gain of $14,491,000.  Would not occur until fifth year.

 

18.  There was considerable discussion on the new information.  The Fire station would be either 7,236 sq. ft. or 9,000 sq. ft. if Finance District passes.  To be built during construction of main project.  Height/building area no more than 10 floors of habitable stories.  Mountain Street construction access.  First seven months Mountain Street only.  Truck trips between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Under police control.  Months 13, 14, and 15 peak on Mountain Street.  After 18 months Mountain Street closed.  Next 18 months Bay Road only.  Pre-sales of 60% to 70% minimum.

 

19.  The timeline on the project:  2010 permitting.  2011 Confirm construction.  Gain over $11M before cost start.  Rock processing operations.  MEPA process.  Full environmental report on noise, dust, and air quality.

 

20.  Richard Gelerman, Town Counsel, explained about the Finance District and how it would work using Special Assessments and selling bonds.

 

21.  There was much discussion on the Finance District.

 

22.  Richard Gelerman announced that the Planning Board voted 3-2 in favor of Article 1, Height and 5-0 in favor of Article 2, zoning change for fire station.

 

23.  A request was made for Chief Mann and Chief Bernstein to come to the October 19th meeting.

 

24.  The next item on the agenda was Article 9, Zoning article that seeks to amend the uses allowable in the light industrial district.

 

25.  Tom Houston reported on doing modification to light industrial district to encourage development.  Attorney Mackey is the largest property owner in the district.  The change is to add additional uses in the light industrial district.  No hazardous material other than household use.  Special permit by Board of Appeals.  Waste water treatment plant by DEP.  Requires drinking water quality.

 

26.  Attorney Mackey proposed warehouse rentals and offices on the site.

 

27.  There was some discussion on the proposal.

 

28.  The next meeting will be October 15.

 

29.  It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

 

30.  VOTED:  8-0-0.

 

31.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.