November 1, 2006
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 P.M. in the Sharon High School Library, Pond Street, with Chair William A. Heitin and Selectmen Walter Joe Roach and Richard A. Powell and Benjamin E. Puritz, Town Administrator.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 P.M.
Minutes
The Minutes of October 17, 2006 were held.
Horizons for Youth/Goodwill property Acquisition/CPA Funding
The Board discussed its intention to enter into a Purchase & Sale Agreement contingent upon the vote at the November Town Meeting and funding at a supplemental ballot question with Goodwill Industries to acquire 57 acres of land, at a purchase price of 4.85 million, located on Lakeview Street that was used as the Horizons for Youth camp. The Board discussed the history of ongoing negotiations, including appraisals made, and the Board’s pursuit of CPC funding of 1.2 million to help offset the costs. The Board plans to discuss possible capital funds with the Capital Outlay Committee and intends to fund the balance of the purchase with a Debt Exclusion Ballot Question. The primary purpose of the acquisition is for the Town to maintain control over this parcel of land, but
Chair Heitin stated there are no grand plans as yet. Limited discussions have included the lease of the lakefront parcel for continued use as a summer camp and the opportunity for passive and active recreation areas. Board members expressed their opinion that they have negotiated a fair price and that development of this land would be a great risk to the lake.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into a Purchase & Sale Agreement with Horizon for Youth LLC, dba Goodwill Industries, for the amount of 4.85 million of which this Board is also receiving 1.2 million from CPC to offset the 4.85 million.
Laura Nelson questioned whether or not Selectman Roach had a Conflict of Interest as his residence is nearby. Selectman Roach replied that he had requested such an opinion from Town Counsel and was advised that his property is far enough away that the sale should not impact his property value. Town Counsel further suggested he get a letter from a real estate agent as to any possible impact to the value of his property, which he stated he did; and, that letter is on file within the Town Clerk’s Office.
Request for Permission to Solicit Funds - Lions Club
The Board reviewed a request from the Lions Club, dated November 1, 2006 to solicit funds at the intersection of Main St. and Billings Road Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 for approximately 3 hours each day between 9 a.m. and noon.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to allow the Lions Club to solicit funds on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 for approximately 3 hours each day between 9 a.m. and noon as requested pending review and approval of the Chief of Police.
Review of Capital Request - COA
Norma Fitzgerald was present to review Capital Requests for the years FY’10 in the amount of $40,000 and FY’11 in the amount of $60,000 for replacement of vehicles. She has no requests for the next fiscal year.
Financial Analyst Article - FINCOM
Mr. Miller could not attend this evenings meeting. This item will be rescheduled for next week.
Capital Outlay Request - Data Processing
Robert J. Uyttebroek, Town Treasurer, and Don Hillegass, Data Processing Manager were present to discuss $15,000 for a new telephone system and $15,000 for 50 user-site licenses for Microsoft Vista - operating system that will replace Microsoft XP. It is expected that this new software would not be used until the summer of 2007. Questions were asked as to the price and the benefits of owning the licenses before purchasing new PC’s.
Accept Deed - King Philip Rock Parcels
Chair Heitin reviewed the events leading up to the acquisition of approximately six acres of gross land known as the King Philip Rock parcels. Items discussed included:
vote of May Annual Town Meeting;
vote authorized both ConCom and Board of Selectmen to enter into negotiations for acquisition the property for up to $600,000;
option that Selectmen preferred was not chosen;
ConCom entered into P&S for approximately six acres for $600,000;
three acres of this land had restrictions added previously by the Planning Board so that it could not be built on or used;
petition article for Fall Town Meeting was to repeal the vote taken;
Selectmen offered two scenarios: (1) $150,000 - protect land through private conservation restriction and allow 3 homes to be built; and, (2) purchase the bulk of the land for $300,000 with a public conservation restriction and also with 3 homes being built;
Selectmen tried to come to an agreement with ConCom for $300,000 option; and,
Selectmen to reluctantly sign the deed/meet the Town’s obligations.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to sign the Quick Claim Deed for the property known as King Philip Rock.
Interview for Sharon Housing Partnership
The Board interviewed Mary Tobin for membership on the Sharon Housing Partnership. Ms. Tobin has a background in environmental science and public health and experience in advocacy work. She would like to apply that experience in finding creative ways for the Town to meet its affordable housing requirements and goals. She expressed her interest in the 40B process, stating that in her opinion, “that particular statute is very flawed.” Ms. Tobin has attended the last two- three meetings of the Sharon Housing Partnership and updated the Board on the Winslow Road Project.
Brickstone - Public Hearing - Re: Rattlesnake Hill – Proposal for Age-Qualified Apartment Development
Chair Heitin briefly reviewed the history of the last two Public Hearings on this project and stated that representatives from Brickstone intend to address concerns raised this evening.
John Twohig, John Kusmiersky, Bob Vanesse, John Conroy, and Robert Daylor were present on behalf of Brickstone. Approximately 60 interested citizens from Sharon and abutting Towns were present. It was stated that three topics would be covered this evening (1) alternatives for this site and what can happen here; (2) traffic impact study/traffic simulation; and, fiscal impact. Presentations and discussions included:
financial benefit of 8 1/2 million net annual fiscal impact;
commitment of Brickstone to pay permit fees - additional 6 million;
high pressure water system;
Striar proposed development;
Brickstone owns entire property;
Brickstone proposes use of 43 acres for 1800 units of age-qualified housing;
discussion of maximum possible alternative development using entire acreage;
presentation of site plan/main entrance on Bay Road/Emergency Entrance on Mountain Street;
plans to do road improvements on Bay Road;
statement that there is no significant accident history on that part of Bay Road;
consideration of public safety issues/sight line/widening of road/softening curves;
landscaping of entrance;
residential units/lowest traffic generator with senior housing/no significant traffic generator;
Bay Road able to carry up to 2,000 vehicles peak use/currently uses 30% in the morning and 28% in the evening of its peak with 60% capacity available;
traffic simulations/project traffic out 10 years;
minimal impact re construction traffic - will not remove dirt off site;
limits to start and stop times;
staggered off-peak hours for workers;
on-site meals prepared by vendors/on-site parking/materials to be removed and cleaned up every day;
welcomes peer review consultants; and,
other mitigations to traffic/safety, include improvements to Cobb Corner, adding East Street left turn.
The Hearing was open to questions from the audience. Questions/answers and concerns included:
abutters raised serious concerns/limitations re traffic simulation including accuracy of number of cars/issue of snow/consideration of actual peak time/omission of “S curve” on road/sight line not good;
abutters have witnessed and attest to large number of accidents at this site;
statement that “traffic simulation” is a “cartoon;”
neighbors upset that information requested has not been provided;
questions why consultant has not been hired with the $45,000 fee given to Town;
no plans to sell the land to the Town of Sharon;
owners can develop land as a matter of right;
questions the statement that those over 55 do not drive;
Stoughton residents concern of impact to their Town without any benefits;
witnesses attest to Bay Road as dangerous street;
charges of “rape the land,” and “urban development in suburbia;”
no public notice given to the Town of Stoughton;
development would devalue property and add traffic to dangerous street;
concerns of sewer treatment plant/leaching field for up to 2500 residents on pond and wells;
expression that proposal amazes/thought Sharon has sense of Community and who they are as concerned with open space and environmental issues;
questioned age of presenters (61, 68 and 33) and whether they still drive if over 55;
complaint from Chair of the Board of Selectmen in the Town of Stoughton as to why they had not been invited;
promise by Selectmen Powell to do a better job of notification;
abutter statement that Bay Rd is divided between Sharon/Stoughton and they did not contact Stoughton Police as to accident records;
Concerns re traffic/accidents from residents of the Town of Easton;
area is zoned as rural/listed as scenic road;
process of installation of traffic signals/meeting warrants;
other negative reactions expressed re traffic simulation/process and data used;
potential negative impact on Borderland State Park;
need to visit Police Department of all three Towns re accident records;
request to make records available;
Board’s statements that there have been no formal communications or emails to be made available;
lack of information available on website; and,
scheduling of another meeting in the near future.
Recess
It was the consensus of the Board to take a recess at 9:55 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 10:10 P.M.
Community Preservation Committee Article - George Bailey & Corey Snow
George Bailey & Corey Snow were present on behalf of the Community Preservation Committee. Discussion re CPA funds for Horizons for Youth Land included:
1.2 million toward the purchase of Horizons for Youth Land -Debt Exclusion borrowing 5 - 10 year term/ proportion share for CPC parcels for conservation and recreational use/secondary benefits of CPA funded land;
Open Space use of CPA funds is not as rigidly restricted as Recreational Use;
Recreational Use-- can later use CPA funds for improvements;
limits as to what CPA funds can be used for;
HFY purchase to be given maximum flexibility and minimize the impact to the taxpayers;
need for plan for HFY parcel;
annual allocation of CPA funding/no guarantee of debt service from the State;
appropriations required to be made under CPA law
Other CPC recommendations for appropriation of Community Preservation Act funds were discussed as follows:
$14,000 for overall plan/back-up funds for CPC Admin;
$10,000 for ConCom Open Space Plan;
$136,600 Sharon Housing Authority - Roofs at Hixson Farms;
$12,000 Sharon Housing Authority - Flooring at Pleasant Street; and,
$4,800 New Friends of the Playground - Drinking Fountains - Playgrounds.
Appointments/Reappointments WMAC
The Board has deferred action on this item. David Hearne has been scheduled for an interview for next week for membership on this Committee.
Update - Route 27 Intersection Improvements
Selectman Roach updated the Board stating that the project is almost done/ready to closeout.
Update - North/South Main Street
Selectman Roach stated that work is proceeding on S. Main Street including the moving of the World War II Monument and construction of stone walls. He stated we will reach our goal before the snow.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items of Personnel Matter, Real Property Acquisition and Pending Litigation, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
Roach, aye; Powell, aye; Heitin, aye.
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10:55 P.M.
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