Town of Sharon

Sacred Heart Reuse Committee

Meeting Minutes of 6/20/11

Amended and Approved on 7/11/11

Sharon Community Center

 

Committee Attendees

Karen Friedman, Chair  

Jim Michael - absent

Valeda Britton  

Ed Keenan

Larry Seggelin - absent

John Davis

Carl Gladstone

David Straus

Michael Ginsberg

 

 

Other Attendees

Kate and Andrew Eidelberg 84 Cedar St.

Joan Sall 82 Cedar Street

Jeanne Sherlock Hockomock YMCA

Carole Isur 49 Harold Street

Todd Arnold 70 Cedar Street

Alice Cheyer 1 Glenview

Rich Kramer 77 Beach Street

 

 

Chair Report

Ms. Friedman called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and thanked all neighbors of the Sacred Heart School property for attending.   

 

Discussion

Ms. Friedman provided the guests with an update to the project by saying that at the last Town Meeting a vote was taken to determine if residential housing should be allowed on the property and the vote was no. She continued by stating that more members have been added to the Committee and a new RFP will be issued hopefully to gain recreational interest. Various Town sports groups had come before the Committee and talked about the use of the fields and the need for additional fields as well as parking. Ms. Friedman also said that Old Colony Y came to our last meeting and expressed interest in the property but need to perform a market analysis to determine the Town’s need. She also stated that the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and the Community Preservation Committee expressed their opinion regarding the use of the property as well. Chair Corey Snow of the Community Preservation Committee said monies were available from the Community Preservation Fund to tear the building down but the  property would need to be used for recreation al use . At last assessment, the cost would be $200,000 - $300,000 to tear it down which may be a reason why there was little interest expressed towards the first RFP. Ms. Friedman said this is where we are now and we want to hear from the residents.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said that if the building were town down, the sports groups would fund raise to create an all purpose field.

 

Mr. Straus said that the directive of the Committee is to find a proposal that is revenue positive for the Town and building a field would not be revenue positive.

 

Andrew Eidelberg of 84 Cedar Street said the Sacred Heart School has always been a vacant shell since he lived there. He would like to see it torn down as it’s a hazard and he liked the idea of seeing another field or trees in the space.

Mr. Davis asked Mr. Eidelberg if he had any concerns regarding an indoor facility being built and he said noise, access and parking as well as exits and entrances  were of concern.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said that a traffic pattern plan is being created between the Recreation Advisory Committee, the Recreation Department and the Town Engineer.

 

Mr. Davis said the notion is that the property is centrally located, and it is convenient to recreation fields and tennis courts. He said would be great to create a use that would benefit the Town and generate income.

 

Mr. Ginsberg commented that an entrepreneur would have to pay for the tear down because CP funds could not be used.

 

Mr. Richard Kramer of 77 Beach Street commented that the area is very well used. He said parking and traffic are problems. He said as attractive as it would be to find a use that would generate income he thinks creating a field would take the pressure off of the field shortage. He thinks the skiing trails would be impacted if another building were built and encourages the Committee to involve the community for input.

 

Mr. Keenan said that there is 21.5 acres at Horizon’s that would be good for fields and Mr. Kramer said that these are sensitive wetlands and parking may be at issue at that site.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said the sports groups do not have enough money to pay to tear down the building but there is a crying need for recreation for a 90 foot diamond. He also said that the Recreation Advisory Committee was going before the Selectmen regarding field use.

 

Todd Arnold of 70 Cedar Street commented that he would not want additional lighting on the fields in the residential neighborhood and expressed that he would not mind if another structure were built.

 

Chair Karen Friedman iterated that Old Colony Y had expressed interest in the property but that they were at the preliminary stages of research.

 

Mr. Kramer of 77 Beach Street said that he has an issue with a development that is an intensive water user as the site is close to well #3. Waste water he said is a serious concern.

 

Mr. Davis commented that the area would need to be studied and researched by experts to determine what facilities would be allowable with regards to water issues. Mr. Ginsberg said that the Conservation Commission did not express water concerns.

 

Mr. Eidelberg asked what the liability insurance cost is on the building until it is torn down. Mr. Davis said he is concerned with safety. The building is a risk and a hazard and thinks the insurance is part of the town insurance. Mr. Eidelberg asked if the Building Inspector condemned the building and Mr. Davis said there is no order yet by the Building Inspector to condemn the building. If it were condemned, it would need to be torn down and the Town would need to appropriate the funds.

 

 

Chair Friedman thanked the neighbors for attending the meeting and sharing their thoughts. She said our goal is to solicit as many plans as possible and hope to satisfy everyone.

 

Jeanne Sherlock of Hockomock 4 also came before the Committee and said the YMCA’s are all independent. Hockomock YMCA’s want to help where they can. Ms. Sherlock said a lot of steps need to be taken to determine if Sharon would be a good place  to build a facility. She said Foxboro is raising funds to build an outdoor pool and they are looking to raise one million dollars to support the project. Mr. Davis said the second largest draw of members to the Foxboro Y is Sharon residents.  Ms. Sherlock said the Foxboro YMCA has a family pool and a lap pool; they serve swim teams, offer swim lessons and family swim time. She said the facilities are driven by community need.

 

RFP

Mr. Davis suggested that the Committee begin by reviewing the matrix that was previously created and collectively come together at a future meeting to discuss.

 

Mr. Ginsberg suggested that the Committee provide the Board of Selectmen with a suggestion by the end of the year even if no responses to the RFP are received.

 

Mr. Davis suggested that perhaps the Committee can find a way to raise money to tear down the building.  Mr. Gladstone said there is no budget to take the building down. It was suggested that perhaps the Capital Outlay Committee could be could get involved.

 

Mr. Ginsberg suggested that Town Counsel’s opinion on the use of the CPC funds be obtained.    

 

Meeting Minutes

Mr. Davis moved to approve the meeting minutes of 6/6/11. Mr. Gladstone seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor.

 

Next Meeting

7/11/11

 

Adjournment

Mr. Gladstone moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM and Ms. Britton seconded the motion.