Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – December 3, 2012
Sharon High School Library, 6:00 P.M.
Members Present: William Brack, Arnold Cohen, Brian Fitzgerald, Gordon Gladstone, Charles Goodman
(late), Alexander Korin, Ira Miller, Laura Nelson (late), Edward Philips (late),
(Hamilton)
1. The Finance Committee met prior to Town Meeting to take positions on articles from the Warrant that hadn’t been voted due to late information. Peter O’Cain was present to give his input.
2. Article 1. Abandon Johnson Drive for the purpose of relocating the road.
3. There was some discussion on this article regarding the Planning Board’s not including Johnson Drive. The Planning Board vote was unanimous. If any abutter opposes the abandonment, the County will not approve it.
4. A MOTION was made by Arnie Cohen and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend approval of Article 1 to Town Meeting.
5. VOTED: 5-1-1. For: Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Miller. Against: Korin. Abstain: Goodman.
6. Article 2. Rezoning to expand Light Industrial District.
7. There was much discussion on this article. The Planning Board vote was 3-1-1. No Johnson Drive lots, but they retained the Mass. Department of Transportation lots.
8. Ira Miller reported that Town Counsel had spoken to Michael Viano who is not opposed to the Planning Board’s motion of excluding the Johnson Drive proposal. Town Counsel indicated on the defect, the Planning Board must publish on the date of its hearing on two successive weeks. The first publication was less than 14 days. They published for the November 7 meeting that was canceled because of a snow storm. They couldn’t publish until November 16 for November 28, but that was only 12 days. A resident has 21 days to file an objection. The Attorney General can nullify the vote. The Attorney General may waive this defect by notifying the Town Clerk. The town must post the defect. If any claim is made, the Attorney General may not waive the defect in notice.
9. A MOTION was made by Arnie Cohen and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend approval of Article 2 as approved by the Planning Board.
10. VOTED: 6-2-1. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Philips. Against: Fitzgerald, Nelson. Abstain: Goodman.
11. Article 3. Amending the sign by-law regarding permanent free standing sign dimensions.
12. There was some discussion on this article.
13. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Brian Fitzgerald to oppose Article 3.
14. There was discussion held on this motion.
15. Town Counsel, Dick Gelerman, explained some of the details of the Memorandum of Understanding such as town owned land, no exclusivity. Subject to RFP. We may draft an RFP and get exclusivity on privately owned land. Deal with John Carroll exclusively only if he has exclusive right from landowner.
16. VOTED: 2-6-1. For: Goodman, Nelson. Against: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Fitzgerald.
17. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to recommend approval of Article 3.
18. VOTED: 6-3-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Philips. Against: Fitzgerald, Goodman, Nelson.
19. Article 4. Funding for the demolition of Sacred Heart.
20. Ira Miller had a new Article 4 for the Finance Committee to examine and consider.
21. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Bill Brack to reconsider the previous vote.
22. VOTED: 9-0-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
23. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend approval of Article 4, as written.
24. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Arnie Cohen to amend the motion to read not less than two public forums.
25. VOTED: 8-1-0. For: Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Against: Goodman.
26. VOTED: 9-0-0. Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Goodman, Korin, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
27. Article 6. Change of Special Permit Granting Authority.
28. The Planning Board added the Zoning Board of Appeals to be contacted for site review.
29. A MOTION was made by Arnie Cohen and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend approval of Article 6 as changed.
30. VOTED: 4-5-0. For: Brack. Cohen, Fitzgerald, Korin. Against: Gladstone, Goodman, Miller, Nelson, Philips.
31. Article 5. Funding for High School track.
32. A MOTION was made by Arnie Cohen and SECONDED by Bill Brack to recommend approval of Article 5.
33. VOTED: 7-0-2. For: Brack, Cohen, Fitzgerald, Gladstone, Korin, Miller, Philips. Abstain: Goodman, Nelson.
34. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
35. VOTED: 9-0-0.
36. The meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m.