Town of Sharon

Sacred Heart Reuse Committee

Meeting Minutes of 11/21/11

Amended and Approved on 1/17/12

Sharon Community Center

 

Committee Attendees

Karen Friedman, Chair  

Jim Michael - absent

Michael Ginsberg  - absent

Ed  Keenan

Larry Seggelin

John Davis  

Carl Gladstone

David Straus  

 

Other Attendees

None

 

 

Chair Report

Chair Friedman called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. She asked the Committee members if they had any luck contacting the recipients of the RFP. Ms. Friedman said she had not had any responses. Mr. Keenan said one recipient wanted to bubble the tennis courts and the Bruins sent a letter that they were not interested.

 

RFP

Mr. Davis said he spoke with Mark Donahue, Principal in Donahue Associates, in Brockton who said that he had an interested client. He suggested that the Conservation Commission identify wetlands and buffers as this information might be valuable to potential developers. He also suggested that the soil be tested as well so there is more information to share with developers. Mr. Davis said that the information we have is old and follow up with the Conservation Commission regarding flagging and the DPW regarding the perk test is needed.

 

Mr. Davis also said that requiring the applicant to take down the building is a deterrent and if we do not get any proposals, we need to think of a way to raise money to take the building down.

 

Ms. Friedman said she spoke with Brett MacGowan regarding what the Recreation Department and Recreation Commission would do with the land. She said that a lacrosse field, small soccer field or a multipurpose field for Pop Warner practice is what they would like. She asked Mr. MacGowan to figure out the costs to create the fields.

 

Mr. Davis stated that if the Board of Selectmen wanted alternative uses from the Recreation Department then what role does the SHRC play?

 

Mr. Keenan said if the RFP does not pan out then it seems like a field would be developed. He said he would like to see all of the sports associations chip in for the costs.  It was stated that Mr. MacGowan thought he might be able to get a grant for handicapped use.

 

Mr. Davis said he would like to see plans or drawings and questioned if the parking will be preserved and how will the multi purpose field fits on the site. He does not see how parking is not lost.

Mr. Seggelin asked if the RFP was sent to an indoor tennis court organization and Ms. Friedman said yes, an RFP was sent.

 

Ms. Friedman said that Mr. Ginsberg has moved out of Sharon and unless they receive a waiver from the Board of Selectmen, he cannot participate on the Committee. Ms. Friedman said she will follow up regarding the appropriate quorum numbers for the Committee.

 

Ms. Friedman suggested that everyone continue to follow-up with the assigned recipients.

 

Ms. Davis said he spoke with Jeff Russell of the Old Colony Y and they are not interested in the property because they do not have the funds at this time. Mr. Russell offered his services to the Committee in an advisory capacity if needed.

 

Ms. Friedman said she will follow up with the Hockomock YMCA to determine their interest.

 

Mr. Davis stated that Ms. Britton submitted her resignation from the Committee.

 

Ms. Freidman will also send Mr. Michael an email to determine his interest in continuing as a member of the Committee.

 

Mr. Seggelin said he will follow up to determine if any tennis companies are interested.

 

Mr. Gladstone stated that the Sharon Sea Eagles practice at the Foxboro Y.

 

Ms. Friedman said she chatted with Mr. MacGowan about a pool and he said it is a money pit. Building just a pool is not viable from a cost perspective.

 

Mr. Straus asked what the plan is to find funds to take down the building if no RFP’s are received.

 

Ms. Friedman said the Committee needs to go back to the Board of Selectmen if no RFP responses are received, to determine how to raise funds.

 

Mr. Keenan suggested that perhaps a grant could be found.

 

Ms. Friedman said she will reach out to the Conservation Commission regarding the flagging of the property.

 

Minutes

Mr. Davis moved to approve the minutes of 10/4/11. Mr. Gladstone seconded the motion and the Committee voted 6-0-0 in favor of approval.

 

The minutes of 10/17/11 are considered note taking and cannot be approved as there was not a quorum of members.

 

Adjournment

Mr. Davis moved to adjourn and Mr. Keenan seconded the motion. The Committee voted 6-0-0 I favor of adjournment at 8:15 PM.

Next Meeting

1/17/12

 

Attachments

None