Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – October 26, 2009

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

Members Present:  Maria Anderson, Brian Fitzgerald, Donald Gilligan, Gordon

                               Gladstone, Charles Goodman (late), Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan,

                               Joel Lessard, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson, (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Keith Garte, Edward Philips

1. The agenda was to continue discussion and voting on Warrant articles.

2. David Martin, Chair, Historical Commission, reported on the need for Community Preservation Committee funds to use for Phase II of the historical inventory of houses in Sharon.  They would like to continue to survey and archive houses in town.

3. There was some discussion on this Article 10, Community Preservation Committee, Historical section.  Corey Snow, Chair, CPC, stated that 10% of the CPA funds on the historical category are either spent or set aside.  Susan Rich, Historical representative on CPC, stated that the Mass. Historical Commission indicated the properties are very valuable and should be protected.

4. The next item on the agenda was the Library section of Article 10, Community Preservation Committee.

5. Barbra Nadler reported that Capital Outlay approved the replacement of the front door and trim in the amount of $18,400.  Community Preservation Committee suggested using CPC funds for this project and to expand the project to include the vestibule.  Because the Capital project had already been appropriated at Town Meeting, CPC could not fund.  They would fund the vestibule project.

6. After much discussion, the Finance Committee suggested the Library needs to have a specific estimate and design plans.

7. Jon Hitter reported that Peter O’Cain sent an e-mail that Article 13, Water Zone Land Purchase, would not be brought up until May Town Meeting.

8. Richard Gelerman, Town Counsel, answered questions regarding the Brickstone articles and explained some of the issues and processes.

9. There was considerable discussion and explanations on many of the possibilities associated with the Brickstone project.

10. There was much discussion on the Finance District issue, the benefits to the town and the developer, the costs, and the risks to the town.  The town would sell bonds up to $22.5M.  The town would get a 9,000 sq. ft. fire station instead of 7,000 sq. ft.  All other items were the same.

11. John Twohig, Marty Spagat, and other Brickstone members were present to explain some of the issues regarding the Finance District.

12. Rich Powell, Selectman, also present to give input on Finance District.

13. Discussion was held regarding impact if project becomes a Chapter 180 Charitable.  Provisions call for PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes).

14. Discussion on site plan review to be done by the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Also discussion on permitted delays.  Eighteen month time frame on Mountain Street that could be extended to more than 20 months.  If Bay Road cannot be used after that time, permitted to go back to Mountain Street up to three years.  There would be a six-day work week, 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Shorter hours on Saturday.

15. Discussion on using Bay Road to build road.  John Twohig indicated that there was no place for staging area.  Wetlands on right and left of land.  Bay Road would have to be shut down.  He indicated that they wouldn’t get permission to do that.

16. There was more discussion on the proposed fire station, its cost and cost to equip and staff it.

17. Laura Nelson reported on the confusion regarding Article 17, Sign By-law, between the zoning by-law and general by-law.  Zoning by-law is more restricted and requires a 2/3 vote.  General by-law only majority.

18. There was much discussion on this article.  Some language needed to be cleaned up and made clear that this is in general by-law.

19. Ben Puritz reported on Planning Board recommending acceptance of Article 15, Roadway Acceptance of Eisenhower Drive Extension.  Selectmen have a hearing on November 3.

20. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to recommend approval of Article 17, Sign By-law.

21. A suggestion was made to make clear at town meeting what the issue is.  Consensus of the Finance Committee should be stated whether it should be in zoning or stay in general.

22. VOTED:  9-1-0.  For:  Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller.  Against:  Nelson.

23. Ira Miller reported there was no activity on Horizons for Youth.

24. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to reconsider the Historical Commission section of Article 10, Community Preservation Committee.

25. VOTED:  4-6-0.  For:  Hitter, Kiernan, Miller, Nelson.  Against:  Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Lessard.

26. A MOTION was made by Joel Lessard and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to recommend approval of Article 15, Roadway Acceptance of Eisenhower Drive Extension.

27. VOTED:  8-0-2.  For:  Anderson, Fitzgerald, Gilligan, Gladstone, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller.  Abstain:  Goodman, Nelson.

28. The next meeting will be on November 2, 2009, at 7 p.m. at Sharon High School Library to vote on Article 3, Brickstone – Changes to MOU, and Article 4 Brickstone – Finance District, before the Open Warrant meeting at 8 p.m.

29. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

30. VOTED:  10-0-0.

31. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.