Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – October 1, 2012
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Arnold Cohen, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin, Ira Miller,
Laura Nelson, Edward Philips (Hamilton)
Absent: William Brack, Brian Fitzgerald, Jacqueline Modiste
1. The first item on the agenda was the new draft list of articles for Town Meeting.
2. Article 1. Outdoor Advertising.
3. Ben Puritz stated that the Planning Board will be considering this article at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, October 3, and an amendment to the General Sign By-law as well. It is a revenue source for the town.
4. There was some discussion on this article.
5. Article 4. Adult Zoning. The understanding was that the Attorney General’s office didn’t like the wording.
6. Lisa Whelan stated that it was almost word for word the same as Attorney General Hurley. The Attorney General removed the sample. The Planning Board to hold off until the Attorney General comes up with a new model.
7. Article 2. Sacred Heart (pending). Demolition and design possibly using CPC funds.
8. Ben Puritz reported that there were no contracts from the Sacred Heart Committee. This will not be actionable.
9. Article 3. Funding for High School track. On the maybe list.
10. Ben Puritz stated that he had received a telephone call from the Superintendent of Schools concerned with the condition of the track. The resin on top of the track was unstable and a safety hazard. Need to repair for spring season. A placeholder. $150,000 discussed. It would go before Capital Outlay for further review.
11. Article 5. Change of Special Permit Granting Authority.
12. Lisa Whelan stated that the Planning Board just wanted to make the by-law more consistent so Planning Board is permit granting authority and authorized to issue other permits. Just swapping out Planning Board instead of Zoning Board of Appeals.
13. There was some discussion indicating this was a significant change, and they wanted to see what currently exists and what it would be changed to.
14. Article 6. Technical correction for PO Square.
15. Lisa Whelan stated that the town’s design guidelines were being replaced with P.O. Square design guidelines.
16. Ben Puritz stated that there is no design guideline except P.O. Square.
17. Article 7. Change general by-law for improved consistency and comprehension.
18. Lisa Whelan revamped the fine chart, which had a lot of numbering errors, to include police regulations up front followed by Board of Health and listed each by-law where it appeared. None of the fines are different. Made text and chart consistent. Controlled by text. Other changes aside from penalty. Didn’t want the by-law to conflict with state.
19. There was some discussion on this article.
20. Article 8. First Sergeant James A. Keating Park.
21. Article 9. Paul Lauenstein Citizen regarding Citizen’s United States Supreme Court decision.
22. Lisa Whelan stated that anyone can petition. This is a resolution and every so often they want the town to have a voice. It is advisory. A sense of Town Meeting.
23. Article 10. Laura Russell – Citizen Petition regarding dental amalgam resolution.
24. Article 11. Laura Russell – Citizen Petition regarding dental amalgam by-law change.
25. Article 12. Laura Russell – Citizen Petition regarding dental amalgam insurance.
26. Lisa Whelan reported that Articles 10, 11, 12 are resolutions by the same person. Use of mercury amalgam. Have the town consider the town use of mercury. Seeking safer use for dental amalgam. Article 11 is a by-law petition. Add new Article 41 regulating use of dental mercury. Post warning use of dental amalgam. Patients sign a consent form. Regulated by FDA. Federal regulating state what states can and cannot do. Preempted by Federal. State regulation on board telling dentist in terms of warning and consent. Petitioner wanted to do this. Thought it would be preempted. It would be looked at by Attorney General.
27. Lisa Whelan also stated that other states have regulated this but no towns. Article 12, town considers when offering dental plans to employees on cost neutral dental plans. Some plans will not pay for cosmetic. Pay for same amount whether mercury or non-mercury.
28. Article 13. Acceptance of Cattail Lane.
29. Ben Puritz stated that it went through the usual process with Inspector and Planning Board.
30. Article 8 – First Sergeant James A. Keating Park.
31. Deputy Chief McGrath reported what was described in the Presidential Citation. James A. Keating was killed in France. Posthumously received Silver Star and Purple Heart. On memorial in front of Town Hall. During assault on Company G on 8 November 1944, First Sergeant Keating dragged a wounded man to a foxhole. He didn’t leave the wounded soldier. He was struck from a machine gun. Died in the field. The Citation was delivered to parents in Sharon. Asked relative still living in Sharon if they would like this memorial. They indicated they would be very pleased. The Historical Commission approved it. Selectmen voted to support park to be made for Keating. Seeking Town Meeting approval to name park after Keating.
32. Article 9. Paul Lauenstein – Citizen Petition regarding Citizen’s United States Supreme Court decision.
33. Paul Lauenstein reported that 68 communities have passed resolutions for amendment. Massachusetts seventh state to call for Constitutional amendment. Question is can we have democracy, a system of government of elected representatives, who act in best interest of people, while beholden to people or entities who gave to campaign or too busy fund raising. People of Sharon deserve opportunity to discuss this. Distorted by massive money pouring in.
34. There was some discussion on this article.
35. Bill Fowler, Finance Director, stated that a new budget format would not happen this year. Start a little earlier next summer, third week in August.
36. Ira Miller stated that recommendations were due November 5. Assign write-ups by the next meeting.
37. The next meeting will be October 11, 2012.
38. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
39. VOTED: 7-0-0.
40. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.