MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach, Selectman William A. Heitin, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Ben Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.
SHEILA PALLAY: REAPPOINTMENT TO COUNCIL ON AGING
Ms. Pallay said that she is very excited about being involved with the renovated Community Center and the new Adult Center. She believes that serving on the Council on Aging is a wonderful opportunity to give something back to the Town.
ARNOLD KUBLIN: REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING
Mr. Kublin said that when he looks at what the Council on Aging has accomplished in terms of the new facility and he is very proud. He said he has received comments from other communities regarding the wide range of programs offered by the Council on Aging including the intergenerational programs. He said he also serves as the liaison between the Council on Aging and the Sharon Men’s Club.
HY LAMB: REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING
Mr. Lamb says that he has lived in Sharon for over 50 years and has been involved on many different committees prior to being appointed to the Council on Aging. He is very excited about the opening up of the wonderful building.
MILLIE BERMAN: REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING
Ms. Berman is an alternate to the Council on Aging. She also volunteers for Meals On Wheels twice a week. She sees herself serving as an ombudsman to the seniors in Town and plans on seeking out volunteers to run the programs at the new Adult Center.
ALLAN LURY: REAPPOINTMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY
Mr. Lury said that the responsibilities of the Committee have been taken over by the Economic Development Committee which the Selectmen created about 18 months ago. He serves as a member of the Economic Development Committee as well. Currently he is the only member of the Development and Industry Committee and stated that it no longer meets. The Selectmen asked that there be an ad placed on cable for new members for this committee.
OLD POST ROAD TRAFFIC DESIGN HEARING
Chairman Roach stated that this hearing would be postponed to the meeting of October 2, 2007.
SEQUENCING OF ARTICLES FOR THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007 TOWN MEETING
Selectman Heitin said that the Board normally places those articles first that they believe would be of most interest to the residents. He has placed the Articles in order based on his preference. Selectman Powell agreed that it was important to put the zoning articles up front. Selectman Heitin would like to place the Rattlesnake Hill citizens petition articles in front and follow with Moderator Bouton’s suggested article to limit reconsideration. All Articles relating to Sharon Commons would then follow.
Article sequencing is below
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NOVEMBER 5, 2007 TM- ARTICLES |
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Number |
Article |
Sponsor |
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1 |
Amend Zoning By-Laws such tat Senior Living Overlay District as approved at May 2007 Town Meeting eliminated in its entirety |
Venkatesh Garani |
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2 |
Amend Subsection 4385 of the Senior Overlay District By-law by reducing some of the dimensional standards in the By-Law |
Venkatesh Garani |
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3 |
Amend Section 4389 of the Zoning By-laws by such that the Senior Overlay District would require a special permit rather than site plan approval |
Venkatesh Garani |
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4 |
Limit to Reconsider Motions at Town Meeting |
Board of Selectmen (initiated by Paul Bouton) |
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5 |
Corrections to the Business D district Zoning by-law adopted at March 12, 2007 Town Meeting |
Board of Selectmen |
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6 |
Accept for use as a public way lands adjacent to the current layout of Old Post Road |
Board of Selectmen |
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7 |
Amend the sign general by-law to provide signage necessary for development of a lifestyle retail center in Business District D..... |
Board of Selectmen |
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8 |
Amend the zoning by-law to allow signage for development of a lifestyle retail center in Business District D ……. |
Board of Selectmen |
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9 |
Amend zoning by-law to allow drive-thru accessory uses within Business District D |
Board of Selectmen |
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10 |
HFY Fall Town Meeting Revolving Fund |
Board of Selectmen |
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11 |
Lot SHAPE Article |
Planning Board |
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12 |
Inclusionary Housing |
Planning Board |
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13 |
Name Ballroom in Community Center |
Board of Selectmen |
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14 |
Accept 43D for expedited permitting |
Board of Selectmen |
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15 |
Acceptance of Ch. 90 Funding for Roadway Improvements |
Board of Selectmen |
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16 |
Easement at 145 Beach Street |
Board of Selectmen |
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17 |
Release easement on Eisenhower Drive |
Board of Selectmen |
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18 |
Funding for CPA Land Acquisition – Billings Street |
Community Preservation Committee |
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19 |
Funding for CPA Acquisition of Affordable Housing – 9 Glenview Road |
Community Preservation Committee |
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20 |
CPA – Small Transfer for Planning Purposes |
Community Preservation Committee |
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21 |
Funding for CPA Land Acquisition – Horizons |
Community Preservation Committee |
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22 |
Utilization of funds from lease at 9 Glenview Road to be placed in separate account |
Community Preservation Committee |
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the sequencing of Articles for the Fall 2007 Town Meeting as discussed
OLD POST ROAD TRAFFIC DESIGN HEARING
Chairman Roach explained that the hearing had been rescheduled for the meeting of October 2, 2007.
ABANDON EASEMENT ON EISENHOWER DRIVE
The Selectmen said that the water main which originally was the reason for the easement has been reestablished in a new location. Town Administrator Puritz explained that modifying or abandoning the easement would not provide an opportunity to review the plan approval.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the abandonment of the water easement on the Eisenhower Road as outlined in the Town Engineer’s report to the Board of Selectmen on September 21, 2007.
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining, real property and personnel matters and at the end thereof to reconvene in Public Session
The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 7:45 p.m.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened in Regular Session at 8:42 p.m.
JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND THE SHARON HOUSING AFFORDABLE TRUST
In attendance: Chairman Roach, Selectman Powell, Selectman Heitin, Melissa Mills and Andrew Goldberg
Chairman Roach opened to the meeting and turned the meeting over to Selectman Powell who serves as the Chair of the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust.
VOTED: (Powell/Mills) Voted unanimously to adopt the Declaration of Trust for the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust
As the document needs to be signed by members and notarized it will be left in the Town Clerk’s office for all members.
Selectman Powell spoke about potential funding opportunities for the Trust and asked about the status of the Trust’s application with the Community Preservation Committee. Ms. Mills explained that the application had been submitted and there had been no response. Mr. Goldberg explained that he works in the low cost housing field and said he would research the feasibility of the Town applying for grants such as a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and/or a Federal Home Loan Grant. Selectman Powell said that he would contact some of the relevant state agencies and ask them if they would attend a meeting to discuss programs that would provide funding. Selectman Powell said that the Trust needs money as well as projects where the money would be spent.
Selectman Heitin commented that he thought it would be beneficial if the Trust had a joint meeting with the Housing Partnership in order to develop joint goals. Ms. Mills stated that under the Community Reinvestment Act local banks need to provide lower rates or grant special terms to lower income people. She suggested the Trust speak to the local banks and develop a program in Sharon in conjunction with the Community Reinvestment Act program. Other potential available monies are $900,000 from Brickstone which is included in the Memorandum of Understanding. Selectman Powell volunteered to create a draft letter to send out to banks, agencies, and committees stating that the Trust is up and running. Town Administrator Puritz added that there are no Community Preservation Committee spending initiatives in the November Town Meeting and he believes they are moving forward with initiatives for the Annual 2008 Town Meeting. Ms. Mills said that she was hoping to hear back from the Community Preservation Committee regarding the Trust’s application. . In conclusion Selectman Powell said follow-up items include: a meeting with the Trust, Housing Partnership and Jane Desberg, inviting someone from the State to speak about relevant programs, writing a letter to local banks, and speaking with Corey Snow about the status of the application that Melissa Mills submitted.
VOTED: (Heitin/Mills) Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting Joint Meeting of the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust and the Board of Selectmen.
The Joint Meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust adjourned at 9:04 p.m.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously to adjourn for the evening
The Board of Selectmen adjourned for the evening at 9:05 p.m
Roach: Aye
Powell:Aye
Heitin: Aye