Town of Sharon

Sacred Heart Reuse Committee

Meeting Minutes of 9/7/11

Amended and Approved on 10/4/11

Sharon Community Center

 

Committee Attendees

Karen Friedman, Chair  

Jim Michael - absent

Valeda Britton  - absent

Ed Keenan - absent

Larry Seggelin

John Davis  

Carl Gladstone

David Straus  

Michael Ginsberg

 

 

Other Attendees

None

 

 

Chair Report

Chair Friedman called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.

 

RFP Discussion

Chair Friedman started this evening’s discussion by stating she had a conversation with Stuart Saginor, Executive Director of the Community Preservation Coalition. Mr. Saginor said that since the Sacred Heart land is already dedicated for recreational use and was not purchased with CPA funds then CPA funds cannot be used to take down the building. Ms. Friedman said there is currently legislation being worked on to change the law so that in instances such as this, where there is a piece of land that has restrictions of use for recreation but is not being used for recreation, the CPA funds can be accessed to create outdoor recreational space.

 

Mr. Ginsberg asked if we should use the building as part of the RFP or propose to the Board of Selectmen to raise money by taxation to take the building down. He suggested it will be a hard sell for any RFP we put out and it is something to think about.

 

Chair Friedman said we should wait until after this RFP cycle.

 

Mr. Gladstone said that for next year’s budget cycle, we would need to get on the Town Meeting schedule should this RFP not receive any responses.

 

Ms. Friedman said that Ben Puritz invited the Committee to the 9/20 Selectmen meeting to provide an updated RFP status.  Ms. Levitts will schedule the Committee meeting with the Board of Selectmen.

 

Mr. Davis discussed the revised RFP changes with the Committee that now includes the suggested changes from the 2010 and 2011 Town Meeting votes. He also said that the property description section of the RFP was sent to Town Counsel who had previously approved the prior RFP.

 

Mr. Ginsberg asked about the pre- proposal conference. Mr. Davis said this is an opportunity for those interested in asking questions of the committee regarding the RFP. The dates for the conference need to be plugged into the RFP. It should be done 2-3 weeks after the issuance of the RFP.

 

Chair Friedman says she foresees the Board of Selectmen approving the RFP on 9/20/11 and would like to release it by the end of September.

 

Chair Friedman moved to set the RFP due date as 1/13/12. Mr. Ginsberg seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor of this date. The Committee will post a meeting to review the responses on 1/17/12. It was suggested that a pre-proposal conference be scheduled for mid October at 2 PM. A subcommittee will be present to sit down and answer any questions.

 

The RFP submission will be placed on the Town website once it is completed.

 

Mr. Davis moved to accept the changes as reflected in the circulated draft RFP and incorporate the changes made by Town Counsel. He recommended it be put in final format for review by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Gladstone seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor. 

 

Chair Friedman said she will discuss the RFP publishing and time frame of issuance with Ben Puritz.

 

The Committee discussed potential target groups to receive the RFP. Chair Friedman will touch base with Brett McGowan. Each member will send Ms. Friedman target company suggestions. Ms. Friedman will circulate the complied list.

 

Meeting Minutes

Mr. Davis moved to approve the meeting minutes of 8/1/11 as amended.  Mr. Ginsberg seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor.

 

Next Meeting

9/20 with the Board of Selectmen

 

Adjournment

Mr. Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM and Mr. Straus seconded the motion. The Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor.

 

Attachment

1. 8/3/11 email from Karen Friedman regarding her phone call with the CPC

2. Updated RFP dated 8/29/11