Town of Sharon

Sacred Heart Reuse Committee

Meeting Minutes of 10/4/11

Amended and Approved on 11/21/11

Sharon Community Center

 

Committee Attendees

Karen Friedman, Chair  

Jim Michael - absent

Valeda Britton  - absent

Ed Keenan

Larry Seggelin

John Davis  

Carl Gladstone - absent

David Straus  - absent

Michael Ginsberg

 

 

Other Attendees

Rob Maidman – Eco Development Committee

Alice Cheyer

 

Chair Report

Chair Friedman called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  

 

RFP Discussion

Chair Friedman started this evening’s discussion by stating that along with John Davis, Carl Gladstone and Mike Ginsberg, she met with the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to provide an updated RFP status.

 

Mr. Davis said the BOS seemed satisfied that the Committee is headed in the right direction. The submission date is January 13th for responses The Selectmen wanted to add in to the RFP that the applicant would pay all property taxes. Mr. Davis said he crafted the language and had Town Counsel approve it. The BOS would like the Committee  to continue to meet to explore how the site can be reconfigured to pursue sports ball fields in one form or another should there be no response received to the RFP.  They asked the Committee to think about the adjacent properties and what would happen if they needed to be moved.

 

Chair Friedman said that she and Ms. Levitts will ensure the RFP mailing is completed. She also stated that the BOS said that if the RFP does not yield responses, we need to think of other ideas for the land.

 

Mr. Davis said if this RFP does not result in a viable submission, the Committee needs to explore ways to get the structure removed before tinkering with the RFP again. He said the albatross may be inhibiting. The cost to demolish the building however may be discouraging especially if we look at building a ball field, the building needs to come down. This may need to be discussed at Town meeting for funding options.

 

Mr. Ginsberg suggested the Committee contact the Recreation Director and Recreation Advisory Committee and ask them to put together a preliminary plan for the SHRC and them to go jointly to the BOS to discuss possibilities for the property. He said the Recreation Director is trying to figure out how to use the landfill property as well. Both pieces of land are competing, should they be available to build fields. The sports groups will need to decide which is the best interest to use.

 

Chair Friedman mentioned that if we need a consultant, that may be possible for the next round.

 

Chair Friedman introduced guest Rob Maidman who asked to speak to the Committee. Mr. Maidman said he has been following the Committee and is speaking from an economic development view and as a tax payer to help find a suitable use for the property. He wants the property to contribute to the Town not detract from it. Mr. Maidman questioned the lease term of 10 year.

 

Mr. Davis said what is written in the RFP reflects a minimum of 10 years; more than 10 years is preferable. More than a 30 year term would have to go to Town Meeting.

 

Mr. Maidman said that 10 years is an unrealistic short term to consider an investment. He finds it unclear. He said he would like to see more options and suggested the RFP be more specific with what can be built.  He said with more specifics people will think “I can build that”.  He also suggested the RFP include ways to convey how things can pass through the Town regulatory Boards as Sharon has difficulty in getting projects done. He asked how the RFP will be publicized.

 

Chair Friedman said we have a list of where to publish and post, real estate websites and any suggestions would be welcome in making it public.

 

Mr. Maidman asked if the Committee knows of any Towns with comparable issues/type of land. He also asked what type of flexibility did the BOS give to defray the cost to remove the building.

 

Chair Friedman replied currently nothing. Mr. Davis said that they are open minded to it though.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said it seems silly to have the building sitting there. It would be a benefit to the Town if it were taken down.

 

Mr. Keenan said that B’nai B’rith would have taken the building down but housing is not allowed.

 

Chair Friedman said she will find out what avenues other towns that were denied CPA funds for recreational purposes took. 

 

Mr. Ginsberg said if nothing happens with the RFP we are back to square one. He said the Committee should recommend to the BOS to create an article to raise money to take the building down. It would have to be done as sensibly and economically as possible. Then we could be in a position to say look at this beautiful piece of land.

 

Chair Friedman said the BOS said they would be open to let the tennis and basketball courts be a part of the project. This would need to be discussed with the Conservation Commission.

 

Mr. Seggelin said the building is condemned. Is there any state or federal funds available to take it down for safety issues?

 

Mr. Davis said the answer is no. There are statutes in Massachusetts to take down condemned buildings but we are the owners.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said we cannot borrow money to take the building down.

 

Mr. Maidman asked what channels are being used to publish the RFP.

 

Chair Friedman said it is being sent to large sports organizations, indoor recreational associates, NE Museum Associations, architectural firms, on line etc.

 

Mr. Maidman said that this property is a real challenge. There is nothing visible that leaps out.

 

Mr. Davis said the project is located in a recreational neighborhood, close to 95 and Route 1. It is geographically in the center of Town. At only 5 acres, the property is tough to build on. He is not sure if the foot print is big enough. He said that Mr. Maidman made some good suggestions. He said he would like to issue the RFP and perhaps issue an addendum.

 

Mr. Maidman said that the ground water is 16-26 feet. The subsoil has a percolation rate of minus. It is dense and impermeable. That raises the issue of waste water. He said you need extensive remediation of waste water and it would need its own treatment plant. He is suggesting that in addition to soil, the challenge is to find the right party. He said he will look into finding an alternative set of contacts because of visual restrictions. He said the initial thrust to build a recreational facility won’t do. He suggests we may have to go to Town Meeting for a zoning change. The building is degrading and becoming more of an eye sore.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said that on 1/13/12 we will know where we stand and can move forward from there.

 

Mr. Maidman said that in order to move forward we may need to have more flexibility in zoning use and the ability to mix use it is needed.

 

Chair Friedman said we should schedule meetings with the Recreational Advisory Committee, Conservation Commission and representatives of the community gardens to speak with.

 

Mr. Ginsberg said to ask Brett McGowan for information already complied for the land if the building were gone. They have already created suggestions of what should be put there.

 

Ms. Cheyer suggested advertising in realty magazines. She said that Nancy Wluka offered to place the RFP on a realty website and suggested that a Committee member write up something for the RFP.

 

Mr. Keenan suggested creating a follow-up procedure. The Committee agreed that would be a good idea.

 

Mr. Davis said the Committee spent a lot of effort creating the RFP. He does not want to spend too much time on an alternative. He wants to formulate a more proactive approach. He wants to follow-up with advertisements and be better with the sales pitch/marketing of the RFP. He wants to concentrate on selling the RFP.

 

Meeting Minutes

Mr. Davis moved to approve the meeting minutes of 9/7/11 as amended.  Mr. Ginsberg seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor of approval.

 

Next Meeting

10/17

 

Adjournment

Mr. Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM and Mr. Keenan seconded the motion. The Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor.

 

Attachments

None