Finance Committee Meeting, 7:30 P.M., POSTED, NO QUORUM

Open Warrant Meeting, 8:00 P.M., QUORUM

Minutes – November 7, 2011

Sharon High School Library

Members Present:  Arnold Cohen, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander

                               Korin (late, 8 p.m.), Ira Miller, Jacqueline Modiste (Hamilton)

                Absent:   William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald, Joel Lessard, Laura Nelson

1. Ira Miller, was filling in for Chair, Joel Lessard, who was unable to attend.  Regular Finance Committee meeting prior to the Open Warrant meeting.  No quorum so unable to make recommendations on three articles:  3, 8, and 11.  Make recommendations on Monday, November 14^th meeting at 6 p.m. at the High School Library prior to Town Meeting.  The Planning Board has not taken positions yet except for Article 3.  Amend zoning by-law change – New definition of Assisted Living Facilities.  Planning Board did recommend.  The motion will be Town Meeting take no action and refer back to Planning Board for further study.

2. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to close this meeting.

3. VOTED:  5-0-0.  For:  Cohen, Gladstone, Goodman, Miller, Modiste.

4. The meeting closed at 7:55 p.m.

5. OPEN WARRANT MEETING, 8:00 P.M.

6. Ira Miller stated that the purpose of the Open Warrant Meeting was to review the articles in the Warrant for the Fall Town Meeting.

7. Article 1.  Acquire or take by eminent domain land on South Main Street by Gavins Pond Road for highway purpose.

8. There was some discussion on this article that is part of the signalization for the Sharon Commons.  Participants negotiating and private parties to pay for the land.

9. Article 2.  Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund – To accept voluntary donations to assist low income, elderly and disabled, pay their property taxes.  Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee in favor unanimously.

10. There was some discussion on this article.

11. Norma Simons Fitzgerald, Director, Council on Aging, stated that this is help for people who are not getting help elsewhere.

12. Article 3.  Amend zoning by-law change – New definition of Assisted Living Facilities.  No action to be taken on Article 3.  This is a mechanism to follow state laws and procedures.

13. The Finance Committee has not formally taken a position and didn’t have such members to discuss it.  It will be discussed at meeting prior to Town Meeting.

14. Article 4.  Citizen’s petition to convert management of a parcel that the Town owns at the end of Oakland Road from Board of Selectmen to Conservation Commission.  Transfer management of property, 10 acres.  Protect piece of land and maintained by Conservation Commission.  Located near well site.  It has been agreed that Selectmen will bring forth rules and regulations in a protective manner.  That document has been signed.

15. Ben Puritz stated this was endorsed by Selectmen and brought to DPW.  The limitations on use are storage of inert building material like stone, brick.  Secondary site for compost materials.  Not use as depository site for snow deposit.  Selectmen would take under consideration if immediate public safety concern.  Visibility because of heights of snow.

16. The Finance Committee had voted 8-1-0, and Selectmen, 3-0-0, for indefinite postponement.

17. Article 5.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Uses, Site Plan approval and Definition.  Selectmen and Planning Board unanimously in favor.  Finance Committee, 7-2-0.

18. Arnie Cohen reported that this applies to Business District A, center of town.  It modifies the zoning in that area.  Various changes outlined in the Warrant under Finance Committee recommendation.  Now would have to go before two boards.  New definition to make by-law clearer.  It makes certain types of uses without getting special permit.

19. Article 6.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Dimensional Standards.  Another proposed change related to Business District A.  It was designed to encourage desirable development in the center of town increasing tax base and making buildings more attractive.  Buildings closer to street.  No parking in front of building.

20. Selectmen in favor 3-0-0.  Planning Board 4-1.  Finance Committee 6-3.  Opposition was to the look and feel that would be generated, a canyon effect; large façade buildings on narrow street.  No solution to waste water treatment.  Would be needed to support any high density development.

21. Article 7.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Off-street Parking and Loading.

22. Arnie Cohen reported this is Business District A.  Changes the by-law relating to parking.  The thinking behind this article was that the zoning regulations for parking are same as for the Business District that covers Shaw’s and Heights Plaza.  It doesn’t make sense to have same regulations as for Shaw’s and Heights Plaza.  Not required to have as much on-site parking.  There is adequate parking in center of town.  It makes it easier for somebody to make a development in center of town.

23. Finance Committee in favor, 7-2, Planning Board, 4-1.  Selectmen had not taken position.

24. Article 8.  Zoning by-law change – P.O. Square Affordable Housing.

25. Arnie Cohen reported that as far as Finance Committee was aware, didn’t know if Planning Board going forward with this article.  At Public Hearing Planning Board didn’t make decision.  Applies to Business District A.  Anybody who wants to build housing in Business District A involving 8 or more dwelling units, at least 12.5% units must be affordable.  Would have to have special permit.  Under Mass. G.L. 40b, the state wants all the towns to have 10% affordable housing.  It would keep pace with that 10%.

26. Finance Committee to take position at meeting prior to Town Meeting on November 14 with additional information.

27. Article 9.  Edit scenic road by-law to include a $300 fine for cutting down each tree.

28. Town engineer, Tree Warden, or agent enforcing by adding a fine or penalty.

29. Alice Cheyer stated that the homeowner should call the Tree Warden to ask if this tree or stone wall is in the town right of way.  If a tree or stone wall is in the right of way, the Tree Warden has procedures before tree or stone wall is disturbed.

30. Article 10.  Rescind authorizations to borrow on assorted items.  The town has authorized borrowing and did not use those funds or did not go forward.  This is an old article, also.  Legally the town could borrow this money, but Selectmen would not go forward.  Rescind this authorization.  Selectmen and Finance Committee unanimous in recommending this motion.

31. Article 11.  Zoning Amendment Petition – Route 1 – Change of zoning to allow Landscaping/Nursery Business (675 General Edwards Highway) use in Light Industrial District.  Brought forth by town petitioner.  Business development by allowing landscaping service.  The Planning Board has not completed hearing.  Selectmen in favor of this, 3-0-0.  Finance Committee has not taken position.  Will wait until Monday.

32. Article 12.  Zoning by-law change – Lot Shape.  Town amended to stop the creation of odd shape lots to avoid impact on abutting neighbors.  Planning Board and Selectmen unanimous, Finance Committee 7-2.

33. Article 13.  Authorization to borrow for Water Department projects.  $820,000 to fund water main on Pond Street.  Appropriate funding did not make it into Annual Town Meeting Warrant.  Added to Special Town Meeting.

34. There was some discussion on this article.

35. Eric Hooper, Superintendent, DPW, stated there were three companies.  One was construction for water main.  Second was design and oversight.  Third was Police details.  That was where we got the $820,000.

36. Selectmen unanimous.  Finance Committee, 5-0-2.

37. Article 14.  Accept local motel/hotel rooms tax.  Finance Committee, 9-0-0; Selectmen, 3-0-0.

38. Article 15.  Community Preservation Funding Request – Purchase Antique Fire Truck.  Selectmen 3-0.  Community Preservation Committee 3-1-0.  Finance Committee 7-2-0.

39. Article 16.  To accept deeds in lieu of foreclosing on certain parcels.  Parcels left over on books.  Developer deeding to town to clear books and clear project.  Both Selectmen and Finance Committee unanimous.

40. Ira Miller made announcement that Veterans’ Day celebration to be at P.O. Square, to honor all military veterans.  Band to play National Anthem; historic 1923 Ladder #1 Fire Truck on display.  Over this past weekend Sharon lost a fine citizen, George Donovan.  We extend to entire Donovan family our extreme condolences in this time of your sorrow.

41. The next meeting will be on November 14, 2011, at 6 p.m. at Sharon High School Library.

42. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

43. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.