WILBER SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 29, 2007
Draft Minutes
Attendees:
Wilber School Redevelopment Committee—David Depree (chairman), Craig Edwards, Ed Hershfield, Philip S. Kopel, Marilyn Kahn, Bob Levin, Marcia Liebman
Development Team—Joe Timilty (Frontier Enterprises), Mark Beaudry (Meridian Associates), Jason Korb (Beacon Communities), Kerri-Ann Richard (GeoHydro Cycle), Stephen A. Sousa (Sousa Design Architects Inc.), Chia-Ming Sze (Chia-Ming Sze Architect Inc.)
Others—Barbra Nadler (Sharon Public Library), Jeanette P. Keating (abutter), James J. Keating, Jr. (abutter)
Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm by Depree.
Rachelle Levitts has resigned as committee secretary.
Committee last met on 10/10/06. Timilty and development team have since been meeting with Sharon Board of Selectmen as well as other town boards. The purpose of tonight’s meeting was to update the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee and to give feedback to the development team.
Overview
In the past year, there have been changes in financing, economy, and laws concerning historic preservation and the environment. As a results the Wilber property units will be subject to fair housing (no age restriction), will total 75 (later, 79) one- and two-bedroom apartments (total 120 bedrooms; later, 129 bedrooms), will be rented at $1.90 per square foot ($1600-$2200/mo), and will include an on-site waste treatment facility. Twenty per-cent of the units will be affordable, allowing 100% to counted as affordable, as they will all be rental units. Parking will be allotted at 1.7 spaces per unit. The site will be 31% permeable. In the front, the same look will be maintained, with the windows restored and replaced. A three-story addition will be added to the back of the building. A “green” component has been added and the development team is working with Ed Connolly of Sharon.
Waste-water
A waster-water treatment plant is to be incorporated into the building at the site of the old gymnasium with subsurfaces at the corner of South Main Street and Chestnut Street. The primary pumping disposal area will be in front of the building, where the soils are best. A reserved subsurface area will be located on the South Pleasant Street side of the property and includes part of the municipal are (due to soil type), but is not expected to be needed. (Concern was expressed by committee members, however, as it still limits use of parts of the municipal area.) It is 2100 feet to Well #4, as the water flows. This provides a 2.9-year travel time. (DEP requires a 2-year travel time.) The on-site waste-water treatment plant will reduce the level of nitrates to 5 mg/l. (The municipal building, to be built later, is factored into this calculation.)
In order to not add any nitrates to Well #4, eight 3-bedroom houses (or the equivalent) around the property will be hooked into the site waste-water treatment plant. (Finances are to be determined by the BOS.) Calculations are for 18,150 gpd (129 bedrooms on site times 110 gpd = 14,190 plus 24 bedrooms to be hooked into treatment plant times 110 gpd = 2,640 gpd for a total of 16, 830 gpd) but—in reality—with low-flow toilets, etc. to be installed in the units, usage is expected to be half that amount.
Water table
Geohydro studies consistent with previous studies by Weston & Sampson and by Horsley-Witten. Water table on site is 25-30 feet. There will be 14-15 feet between water table and site waste-water treatment system.
Treated water will be pumped for pressure distribution. Maximum mounding is 3.8 feet, with +5.6 feet for seasonal increases. Neighborhood studies show 7-17 feet between maximum groundwater level/mounding and basement floors.
Other
Currently the lease has still not been signed, due to discussion about lump-sum payment, which is required by the state. The contract is with the Town Attorney. There was concern voiced by the WSRC because the unsigned contract was given as a reason by the developers as to why their financing could not yet be finalized.
Although use of more than 10,000 gpd usually means by-passing local of Board of Health and dealing only with DEP, Article 7 of BOH by-laws requires that developer also report to BOH, which developer sees as a positive requirement in developing town approval.
Auditorium to be “moth-balled” for 5 years (per tax credit granting State/Federal Historical groups) and then will be made into 4 additional units (9 bedroom)s for a total of 79 units (129 bedrooms).
There will be no gray-water recycling internally due to the need for dual plumbing.
Roof rain-water will be recaptured for reuse.
Lighting will be discreet. Parking lot lights will be directed down-ward.
Plan is to start work in Spring 2008. It is expected that work will be completed within 12 months.
Small park to be created by developer. Will include some of the municipal land. Land-scaping in park and “buffer areas” around property will be of native species. Developer agreed to a memorial park bench/plaque (to be determined at a later date by the WSRC) in memory of Jim Goldsmith.
Time capsule from Class of 1981 to be included in dedication ceremony.
The next step if for the development team to meet with abutters and other interested townspeople to give a similar presentation and to get more feedback. Timilty stated that he and his team have already met with most of the town committees.
Other committee business
Levin/Kopel moved to approve the minutes of October 4, 2006; approved unanimously.
Kopel/Levin moved to approve the minutes of the open meeting of October 10, 2006 as amended; approved unanimously.
Levin/Kopel moved to approve the minutes of the executive meeting of October 10, 2006; approved unanimously.
Levin/Kopel moved to approve for release the executive minutes of August 28, 2006, September 4, 2006, September 11, 2006, September 18, 2006, September 25, 2006, and October 10, 2006; approved unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia C. Liebman