Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – September 24, 2012
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin, Ira Miller,
Jacqueline Modiste, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)
Absent: William Brack, Arnold Cohen
1. The first item on the agenda was Ben Puritz to discuss Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles.
2. There was some discussion about the new draft list of articles including the possible demolition of the Sacred Heart dormitory. The potential revenue from the Outdoor Advertising article was one of the main reasons to have a Fall Town Meeting.
3. Article 1. Outdoor Advertising. Ben Puritz reported that Michael Viano, landowner on Johnson Drive, had initiated a rezoning request to allow for outdoor advertising which would allow for placement of billboards. Mr. Viano is going to the Planning Board on October 3 to make his presentation. This was going to be further reviewed with the Planning Board and serves as sign by-law review. It is residentially zoned with no residences except one on Johnson Drive.
4. There was much discussion on this article and the revenue it could generate. Based on revenue of $25,000 to $40,000 annually.
5. Article 2. Paul Lauenstein (citizen petition). United States Supreme Court decision. Unlimited political contribution by corporation. Campaign financing.
6. Article 3. Change of Special Permit Granting Authority in Business District A and Business District C from the Zoning Board of Appeals to the Planning Board because currently you need to go to both boards for the permit which is onerous for applicant. Consolidate permit process. Planning Board to determine whether to go forward or not.
7. Article 4. List from Lisa Whelan which clarifies General By-Laws to make them more readily understandable to citizens. More technical. Follow-up identified from Charter review process. Make more comprehensible to By-Laws. Clarifying fees. Lisa Whelan on Selectmen’s October 9 agenda. Doesn’t provide sufficient notice from Attorney General.
8. There was some discussion on this article.
9. Article 5. Acceptance of Cattail Lane (Board of Selectmen).
10. Ben Puritz stated that this went through the review process of being accepted as public road. Located off of Aspen Drive.
11. Article 6. Sacred Heart Landscape Designer Services & Building Demolition. Ben Puritz stated that the Sacred Heart Reuse Committee had sent out a second RFP to include provision that demolition of building was responsibility of proposer. Property could be utilized as multi-purpose recreational facility. Karen Friedman, Chair, was following up with Corey Snow, Chair, CPC. Removal of dormitory. Legal opinion from Town Counsel. Since the legislation enacted that further authority could utilize CPC funds to create recreation facility and maintenance. Cannot borrow funds.
12. There was some discussion on this article and the cost of $300,000 for demolition and $25,000 to $50,000 for landscape design plan.
13. Article 8. Officially create and name a park the “First Sergeant James A. Keating Memorial Park”.
14. Ben Puritz stated that this park would be adjacent to Wilber School and Station Street. Advanced by Deputy Chief McGrath and referred to Historical Commission. James A. Keating was killed in France in November 1944. There was a Presidential presentation. He felt it would be appropriate recognition.
15. Article 7. Adult Zoning area by-law (Planning Board decision).
16. Ben Puritz reported that the Attorney General said certain presentations of the by-law were inconsistent. Up to Planning Board if they want to go forward. Leaving up to Lisa Whelan what has to be done.
17. Article 9. Articles pertaining to dental amalgam. (Laura Russell). Fillings.
18. Ben Puritz reported that Laura Russell, Sharon citizen, has concerns from the use and the selections of mercury. This may be preempted in the form of a resolution. In review stage by Town Counsel.
19. There was some discussion on this article.
20. There was some discussion regarding the schedule and getting information in time to write recommendations.
21. The next item on the agenda was Bill Fowler to discuss a unified budget format. He indicated he could send a couple of samples but wouldn’t be able to change the format this year.
22. There was considerable discussion on this and that the Finance Department was short-handed.
23. Ben Puritz stated that October 9 is commencement date through December 11 for department reviews.
24. Ben Puritz requested that he would like to meet with Gordon Gladstone, Alex Korin, Bill Fowler and the IT team about a Computer Advisory Committee.
25. The next item on the agenda was comparative towns.
26. Laura Nelson presented fact sheets on the data of the eleven towns that were considered comparable and sometimes Scituate. Used all state-provided data. Also Sharon with contiguous neighbors, eight towns. An agreement between Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and School Department what are currently the comparable towns and re-open what towns should be comparable to Sharon.
27. There was some discussion on this information.
28. The next item on the agenda was to vote the prior minutes.
29. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the July 23, 2012, minutes, as written.
30. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Goodman, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Korin, Modiste.
31. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Chuck Goodman to approve the minutes of August 6, 2012, as corrected.
32. VOTED: 4-0-4. For: Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson. Abstain: Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Modiste, Philips.
33. The next meeting will be October 1, 2012.
34. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
35. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.