December 16, 2003
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Norman Katz, Selectmen Walter Joe Roach and David I. Grasfield and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the minutes of December 2, 2003, as presented.
AvalonBay - Local Initiative Proposed Rental Housing
Abutters were notified of this hearing for an initial review of a proposal by AvalonBay Communities, Inc. to develop the 27-acre Goodband property with frontage on Norwood Street and Edgehill Road. Chair Katz began by stating that this is the beginning of the review of this proposal through the Commonwealth’s Local Initiative Program (LIP). He also stated that “something is going to happen to this property.”
Len Zandrow, Scout Master, along with members of Boy Scout Troop 95 who are working on their Community Citizenship Merit Badge, requested permission to interrupt this hearing after the initial presentation of Avalon Bay to present a Certificate of Appreciation. Permission was granted.
Liz Smith, Scott Dale and Steven Schwartz (Attorney) were present on behalf of AvalonBay. Approximately 18 interested residents were present. Ms. Smith began by introducing Avalon Bay as a Company. She presented a background of the Company and emphasized that the development, construction and management is all in-house with AvalonBay Communities. Information was distributed showing photographs of existing Avalon Bay Communities (147 communities with 13 in Massachusetts). She stated that AvalonBay is one of the largest producers of mixed-income communities in the Commonwealth.
The proposal for Sharon consists of 250 units with a mixture of one, two, and three bedroom apartments, located in 20 two and three story buildings. Avalon Bay has a Purchase & Sale Contract on this property. Ms. Smith outlined the three-step qualification process for the “LIP” as follows: (1) Selectmen endorse the proposed project (2) File LIP Application with (Department & Housing & Industrial Development) DHCD (the Selectmen will co-sign), and (3) DHCD Issues Project Certification Letter. Under the LIP program, all 250 units would count toward the Town’s affordable housing quota vs. the 40B Comprehensive Development, where only the affordable units are counted. Estimates of increased taxes to the Town, total $490,000.
Troop 95
A member of Troop 95 read a Certificate of Appreciation to Town Administrator Ben Puritz for his work on behalf of the youth in Town through the Sharon Youth Coalition and the Recreation Advisory Board.
Continued AvalonBay
Plans were shown of the proposed project with the main entrance on Norwood Street. Abutters asked questions and expressed on the following topics:
traffic study and related traffic problems;
use of access road to Route 95;
subdivision regulations do not apply;
egress and ingress and signalization of intersection;
Town did not have right of first refusal on this property;
after approvals, construction to take up to 18 months;
if Board does not endorse LIP proposal, AvalonBay will apply for 40B Comprehensive Permit and go through the ZBA permitting process without initial Selectmen input;
formation of a committee with representatives of the neighborhood;
water, flooding and environmental concerns.
sewage treatment (on-site treatment plant);
historical preservation of 100 year old house (plans for demolition);
effect on property values to neighborhoods;
adequate buffer zone/fencing;
projected increase in crime/noise/high quality environment;
impact of increased services by the Town;
on-site management representative;
limits on profits for LIP;
projection of school-age children;
possibility of additional development at site; and,
loss of other options available for this property through zoning.
Chair Katz stated that AvalonBay is not a charity and that 250 additional units would require the Town to provide additional services, that the law says we have to have a certain percentage of affordable housing, and that having the LIP process will allow some input from the Board and residents and may be an advantage to the Town. He further stated that the neighbors may want another meeting before the Selectmen. A sign-up sheet was offered for volunteers to form a Citizen’s Advisory Committee. This item will be discussed at the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen to form an open channel of communication with the neighbors.
Recess
The Board recessed at 9:15 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 9:30 P.M.
Snow & Ice Budget/Snow Storm Update
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, gave a detailed budget report on the recent snow storm. He stated that there is still $50,000 left in this line item. He also reported on the difficulties of snow removal (with up to 32 inches of snow), but stated that “overall we were better compared to other Towns.” He reported on extraordinary efforts by members of the Department of Public Works and public safety employees.
Selectmen Roach praised the efforts of the 15 DPW employees who worked around the clock plowing, and sanding the roads. He directed that letters of appreciation be sent to the Department of Public Works ( with mention of all who worked the storm including those who manned the phones), Police Department and Fire Department.
Norwood Street, High Plain Street and Edge Hill Road County Request
Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, discussed two requests to the Norfolk County Engineer department. These requests will support the Norwood Street/High Plain/Edge Hill Road intersection signalization project. The Norfolk County Engineering Department will perform the traffic study and existing conditions survey at no cost to the Town. This data collected will be utilized by a traffic engineering firm as supporting data in the design of traffic signal timing and dedicated turning lane length to be funded by Chapter 90 monies and to be presented for Capital Outlay and Finance Committees. There was some discussion as to whether or not this project should be delayed pending negotiations with AvalonBay. Selectman Roach stated that this project cannot wait for 2-2 ½
years.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to sign the letter to have Norfolk County Engineers do a traffic study and existing conditions survey for the Norwood Street/High Plain/Edge Hill Road intersection.
Extension of Unpaid Leave of Absence
The Board reviewed correspondence from Joan M. Leighton, Town Accountant, requesting an additional 60 days of unpaid leave of absence to February 26, 2004. Ben Puritz reported that Ms. Leighton has had successful surgery and has begun rehabilitation.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to grant the additional 60 days of unpaid leave of absence to Joan M. Leighton.
Request for Banner - Veteran Agent
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Veteran Agent as follows:
Memorial Day - May 24 - June 1, 2004
Flag Day - June 7 - June 15, 2004
Request for Banner - Friends of the Sharon Public Library
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Friends of the Sharon Public Library as follows:
May 10 - May 17 - Second Position
Exploratory Well Sites
Selectman Grasfield referenced correspondence from Rory McGregor, Water Management Advisory Committee, dated December 12, 2003, requesting a priority for well sites as follows:
1. Gobbi Gravel pit. 2. Canton Street 3. Blair Circle and 4. Maskwonicut Circle. Selectman Grasfield stated that he would like to see the Town pursue these test and support the position of the Water Management Advisory Committee.
Mr. Richard Gray Complaints
Selectman Roach reported on a meeting with Richard Gray, his attorney, Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, and Building Inspector Joseph Kent. He stated that after a 2 1/4 hr session, Mr. Richard’s issues “have been put to bed.”
Executive Session
VOTED: (Grasfield/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of Collective Bargaining and Legal matters and, at the conclusion thereof, to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Grasfield, aye; Katz, aye.
The Board adjourned at 9:55 P.M.
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