Finance Committee Meeting and
Open Warrant Meeting
Minutes – November 26, 2012
Sharon High School Library, 6:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
Members Present: William Brack, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman, Alexander Korin, Ira Miller,
Laura Nelson (Hamilton)
Absent: Arnold Cohen, Brian Fitzgerald, Edward Philips
1. The first item on the agenda was to review Article 6. Change of Special Permit Granting Authority.
2. There was some discussion on this article with the consensus being to wait for the Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, November 28, to hear about their position. Defer until Monday meeting prior to the Town Meeting.
3. The next item on the agenda was Article 5. Funding for High School track.
4. There was some discussion on Article 5 with the consensus being to wait for the Capital Outlay meeting on Thursday, November 29, and defer taking a position until the Monday meeting prior to the Town Meeting.
5. The next item on the agenda was Corey Snow, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, Article 4. Funding for the demolition of Sacred Heart.
6. Corey Snow reported that the Community Preservation Committee was unanimously in favor of the proposal, $315,000. Structure, $300,000 to demolish; $15,000 in planning. A second phase would be better broken out into another appropriation actually reusing the parcel. Building a multi-purpose recreational field.
7. There was considerable discussion regarding Article 4.
8. Selectmen in favor of Article 4, 3-0.
9. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Alex Korin to recommend $300,000 for demolition.
10. VOTED: 5-1-0. For: Brack, Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Nelson. Against: Goodman.
11. There was continued discussion on Article 4.
12. A MOTION was made by Chuck Goodman and SECONDED by Bill Brack to reconsider the vote on Article 4.
13. VOTED: 2-4-0. For: Brack, Goodman. Against: Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Nelson.
14. A MOTION was made by Alex Korin and SECONDED by Bill Brack to adjourn the regular session in order to convene the Open Warrant meeting.
15. VOTED: 6-0-0. For: Brack, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson.
16. Laura Nelson left the meeting at 8 p.m.
17. The Open Warrant meeting convened at 8 p.m.
18. Ira Miller stated that we are meeting prior to Special Town Meeting, December 3, 7 p.m. at the High School auditorium, to review all articles. All residents should have received a Warrant delivered to their home.
19. Article 1. Abandon Johnson Drive for the purpose of relocating the road.
20. Michael Viano, from Walpole who represents the owner, explained this article. It was not legally abandoned, just not used. This article seeks to clear up the level of parcels from the 1960s. The Town owns parcels that are not buildable. Could increase assessed value.
21. There was much discussion with proponent and town residents. Finance Committee will take position after public hearing.
22. Article 2. Rezoning to expand Light Industrial District. This would rezone parcels from Rural 1 to Light Industrial.
23. Mr. Viano explained that they are seeking to extend the Light Industrial District. Take the parcel and adjacent house. Owned by California based bank.
24. There was much discussion on Article 2 with proponent, Finance Committee and town residents. The Selectmen were 3-0 in favor of Article 2.
25. Article 3. Amending the sign by-law regarding permanent free standing sign dimensions. Would amend general sign by-law already allowed in District D. Some proposals by John Carroll.
26. There was considerable discussion on Article 3 with proponent and John Carroll, Finance Committee and town residents. Information from Ben Puritz and Susan Price. Four possible sites for billboards and for town revenue. Defer until after Planning Board hearing on Wednesday.
27. Article 4. Funding for the demolition of Sacred Heart.
28. Fund demolition and rehabilitation of site. $300,000 figure Finance Committee would recommend. Warrant talks about $315,000. $300,000 for demolition, $15,000 for landscape designer. If additional funding needed, it would occur at annual town meeting. Voted 5-1 to do that way.
29. Article 5. Funding for High School track.
30. Track is in disrepair. Needs to be renovated or replaced.
31. Capital Outlay meeting on Thursday. Defer decision until Monday just before Town Meeting.
32. Article 6. Change of Special Permit Granting Authority.
33. Planning Board holding hearing on Wednesday night. Heard discussion from Chair of Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals and correspondence from former Chair, Susan Price.
34. There was much discussion on Article 6. Susan Price explained some of the background of P.O. Square. Defer decision until after hearing on Wednesday. Selectmen did not take a position.
35. Article 7. Technical correction for P.O. Square.
36. Changing language to make more clear and consistent. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. Selectmen, 3-0.
37. Article 8. Change general by-law for improved consistency and comprehension. All fairly non substantive. Clean things up. Voted 6-0-0. Selectmen voted 3-0 in support of that article.
38. Article 9. First Sergeant James A. Keating Park. Voted 7-0-0. Selectmen voted, 3-0.
39. Article 10. Paul Lauenstein – Citizen Petition regarding Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Amendment to Constitution. Voted, 5-2-0 in favor.
40. Article 11. Laura Russell – Citizen Petition regarding dental amalgam resolution. Calling for town to adopt resolution. Voted 5-0-1 against adopting resolution. Beyond purview of Town Meeting. Selectmen, two against, no vote.
41. Article 12. Laura Russell -- Citizen Petition regarding new dental amalgam general by-law. Warnings in by-law. Voted 6-0-0 against.
42. Article 13. Laura Russell – Citizen Petition regarding dental amalgam insurance. Rebid dental plans that any plan would offer cost neutral plans whether it be mercury amalgam or not. Finance Committee didn’t want to get into negotiation on one plan Selectmen or school would offer.
43. Finance Committee voted 5-1-0 against approval. Selectmen, two against, no vote.
44. Article 14. Acceptance of Cattail Lane. Voted 7-0-0 in favor. Selectmen, 3-0 in favor.
45. The next meeting will be on December 3 at the high school library.
46. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
47. VOTED: 5-0-0.
48. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.