Wilber School Redevelopment Committee

 Draft Minutes March 21, 2005

 

 

Present: Jim Goldsmith, Melissa Mills, Marilyn Kahn, Craig Edwards, David Gordon, Bob Levin, Michael Baskin, Joel Tran.

 

Guests: David Martin, Jim Keating, Jeanette Keating, Shirley Scofield, Dorothy Appel and the reporter from the Sharon Advocate.

 

Approved Minutes of the March 15 meeting. Moved, Marilyn Kahn, Second, Joel Tran. Unanimous vote.

 

 Abatement. David Gordon reported speaking to Bill Heitin who questioned the availability of funds for this at the May Town Meeting. This appears to be contrary to what was expressed at a WSRC meeting that was attended by Bill Heitin and David Grasfield. Also the time frame for development would be critical.

 

MGL 40R – Melissa reported that George Bailey suggested development funds for smart-growth mixed use redevelopment with an affordable housing component may be available. He will investigate this for us.

 

If we issue a RFP in Spring/Summer time frame it will be at least 90 days to receive proposals back. We then need to evaluate the proposals, perhaps be able to make a choice in early 2006 and a developer can then move through permitting.  Construction may then start in 18-24 months.

 

Joel suggests first doing an outline before a specific RFP – set up a summary, get back comments, revise and bring forth. David Gordon suggested looking at options first ie. maintaining Historical Elements of the building.

 

David Martin and Shirley Schofield of the Historical Commission questioned the charge of the committee when some members talked about razing the building..

 

Joel  - We should summarize ideas to date – redevelop with Library at rear, structure, façade changes, etc. – our criteria and objectives, critical impacts, financial impacts, septic, traffic and parking impacts.

 

We should check into PO Square Guidelines, Historic Guidelines, and Zoning restrictions.

 

Need to develop evaluation criteria for proposals and assign values to each.

 

Jim Goldsmith commented about the emails we have been receiving. How should we be responding? All agree we should acknowledge them and invite senders to meeting.

 

Jim will contact Selectman and determine their position on abatement and developing the building as it stands or site with or without this building.

 

Meeting Adjouned 9:15 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Bob Levin and Marilyn Kahn