Wilber School Redevelopment Committee

Approved Minutes January 10, 2005

Attendance:

Committee members: Jim Goldsmith (Chairperson), David DePree (Co-Chairperson), Marilyn Z. Kahn, Melissa Mills, David Gordon, James Glaser, Craig Edwards, Reese Schroeder, Joel Tran, Marcia Liebman, Michael Baskin

Guest: Richard Kramer

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Jim Goldsmith.

 

Opened meeting with discussion concerning possible warrant articles. Jim Goldsmith presented two warrants for consideration:

  • Seek approval for asbestos abatement because of the inherent liability with owning and redeveloping a building containing hazardous materials.
  • Seek a change in zoning to include retail use. Current zoning allows for office and residential uses, not retail sales. Retail sales use is a viable alternative for a portion of the building and important in creating property value.

 

Committee will further investigate proposed warrants at next meeting.

 

Committee agreed to invite town engineer and planning board members to future meetings to discuss waste water treatment at the site.

 

Committee discussed a process for researching alternative reuse development options at the site and the need for interviewing potential real estate developers, brokers, lenders, etc. Committee to seek out interested parties willing to share information with committee. It was also learned that the Selectmen could authorize the advertisement of a request for development proposals.

 

It was agreed that the Committee requires input from Selectmen at this time and will schedule meeting with them.

 

David Gordon prepared a draft work plan to include tasks and timeline required to accomplish Committee goals by the upcoming May 2005 Town meeting. (Well done David.) It was agreed that the work plan be adopted as an outline for all future meetings and be updated as required at Committee meeting. Committee agreed to break-up into task groups at January 17 meeting to tackle work plan items.

 

Jim Goldsmith invited Ken Michel of Michel Associates to the January 17 meeting to discuss tax credits and their use in the redevelopment of the site.

 

Jane Desberg, Director of Sharon Housing Authority will also appear at the January 17 meeting to discuss affordable housing needs in Sharon and their use at the site.

 

Jim Goldsmith submitted a list of questions for consideration by Committee members at the next meeting.

 

Public Relations Task Group will prepare a press release for distribution to media and concerned citizens and abutters.

 

Feasibility Task Group will analyze alternative uses for the site to be used in discussion with real estate professionals. Suggest inviting real estate professionals to the January 24 meeting.

 

Mike Baskin will speak with STV about the availability of past building asbestos abatement and existing condition studies.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        David K. DePree