TOWN OF SHARON

PLANNING BOARD

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Planning Board held on February 8, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., in the Town Offices.

 

                             PRESENT:   REGINA MANISCALCO, CHAIR

                                                WAYNE BRADLEY, CLERK

                                                ARNOLD COHEN

                                                PAUL LAUENSTEIN

                                                PETER O’CAIN, ASST. TOWN ENGINEER

 

Business Transacted:

 

I.                Meeting called to order.  The Minutes of the January 25, 2006, meeting were reviewed and accepted with corrections.

 

II.            MORSE STREET EXTENSION

 

Mr. O’Cain explained that the applicant wanted to slightly shift the subdivision road within the right of way to bypass a utility pole and a large tree that were in the way.  Mr. Cohen asked if the Board shouldn’t have a plan to review before making such a decision.  Ms. Maniscalco agreed, adding that the Board needed to know how far the road will be moving.  Mr. O’Cain said that he would advise the applicant to prepare a plan showing the change and come before the Board.

 

III.       SIMPSON COMMENTS

 

The Board reviewed Mr. O’Cain’s prepared comments and will prepare its own comments to be sent to the Selectmen by email.

 

IV.           HUNTER’S RIDGE

 

The Board endorsed the revised subdivision plans that were prepared in response to the settlement agreement.

 

                                                                   ________________________________

                                                                                      Administrative Assistant

 

V.               OTHER BUSINESS

 

---Mr. Cohen reported that he had attended the CPA meeting.  Approximately $600,000 per year will be coming to the Town that can be used to buy land for three purposes:  historical preservation, affordable housing and open space.  Each category has to use a minimum of 10% of that amount.  The CPA committee wants to make a presentation to the Town seeking suggestions for using this money.  They have asked that the Planning Board offer some suggestions of how the money could be used.

 

---Ms. Maniscalco said that she would get in touch with the MAPC and former Board member Thomas Houston to see if they can come in for the next meeting as potential candidates as a planning consultant.

 

---Mr. Lauenstein explained that the water banking by-law may be a possibility again.  There is proposed legislation to allow Town’s to implement a water banking program.  Some towns on the North Shore are being required to do water banking.  Meanwhile, we have been told we can’t have such a by-law, but other towns are being required to water bank.  The only stipulation is that if you require a developer to pay a fee, it has to somehow benefit the developer and not the entire community, otherwise it is considered a tax.

 

VI.           There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.