DRAFT
Finance Committee Minutes
Town of Bellingham – Municipal Center
Monday, April 4, 2011
1. FinCom Present: Carol Dill, Joseph Collamati, Katie Quinn, Raymond Szczepan, Roland Lavallee, Toni Picariello
2. FinCom Absent: Henri Masson
3. Meeting called to order: 7:15 p.m.
Appearing: Marilyn Mathieu; Peter Pappas of the Planning Board.
4. ARTICLE 15 - ZONING AMENDMENT (Scott & Karen Rhodes, 508-883-3108)
TO BE PASSED OVER.
The petitioner's will pass over this Article, per Attorney Scott Ambler.
Joseph Collamati/Katie Quinn motion to pass over this Article. VOTE: 6/0
5. ARTICLE 16 - AMEND ZONING BY-LAW, §3300 (Lee G. Ambler, Esq., 508-966-1951)(Planning Board hearing, 4/14/2011)
Lee Ambler appeared for the Petitioner. Below is the proposed By-Law and existing By-Law.
ARTICLE 16. AMEND ZONING BY-LAW SECTION 3300
To see if the Town will vote to Amend the Bellingham Zoning By-Laws Section 3300 Parking and Loading Requirements in the following manner:
Section 3320 (d) a portion of which reads “ plus one space per 100 square feet of function space not designed for eating,” be deleted.
Section 3320 (g) which reads “Retail Businesses, Printing Shop/Copy Center, Other Service Establishments:
One parking space per 150 square feet of gross floor area, but not fewer than three spaces per separate enterprise.”
Be amended to read:
Section 3320 (g) Retail Businesses, Printing Shop/Copy Center, Other Service Establishments:
One parking space per 150 square feet of area used by patrons plus one space for each employee on the largest shift.
Existing By-Law, §3300
3320. Schedule of Requirements
(d) Restaurant:
One parking space per 2 seats based on the legal seating capacity of the facility (including seasonal outdoor seating), plus one space for each employee on the largest shift, plus one space per 100 square feet of function space not designed for eating, plus one space for each 6 square feet of waiting area. Waiting area is defined as the area likely to be used by patrons waiting to be seated or served, particularly during peak times. Waiting areas do not have to have seats to be considered waiting area space. For those uses with high demand periods, outside waiting areas may also be included. Waiting areas shall be labeled on floor plans to be submitted to the Planning Board. The Planning Board shall review the proposed waiting area designation to determine if they believe it is adequate based on the
proposed restaurant.
(g) Retail Businesses, Printing Shop/Copy Center, Other Service Establishments:
One parking space per 150 square feet of gross floor area, but not fewer than three spaces per separate enterprise.
The Planning Board would not recommend this Article. Attorney Ambler explained that the Bylaw is too restrictive. He is proposing to amend the Bylaw to be more in line with what Milford has, 1 parking space for every 3 seats; 1 parking space for every 100 feet; 0 parking spaces for waiting area. There are less than 5 commercial restaurants in Town that meet those requirements and the existing Bylaw requires a great deal of parking. The kitchen and tables are counted in the gross floor area. Attorney Ambler wants to delete the "plus…eating". What is meant by "legal capacity"; the Fire Chief establishes the seating capacity. There are inconsistencies within the Bylaws.
Peter Pappas will bring up the issues discussed here to the Planning board.
Roland Lavallee is concerned that parking is not revisited when a new restaurant is opened.
Joseph Collamati/Carol Dill motion to take this under advisement and vote on April 19, 2011. VOTE 7/0.
6. Department of Public Works Articles.
A. ARTICLE 1 - Accounts 421, 422, 425, 426, Department of Public Works, Water & Sewer Budget
FinCom discussed all of the Department of Public Works' budget. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Four guys get paid under the Department of Public Works budget, the rest are paid under water or sewer. He has a total of 17 men, 3 of them are mechanics, and 2 in the water department, which leaves 12 workers. They repair catch basins, fill pot holes. There are a lot of road work that need to be done, our Department of Public Works workers cannot do the work, and the work will have to be sub-contracted.
It was asked why Bellingham cannot do the work. Roland Lavallee said the Department of Public Works in Medfield does their own work and they do a good job. It was mentioned that if Bellingham workers can't do the work and it is part of the job, why can't they be fired. Marilyn Mathieu explained that under the AFSME Union, it is "hell" to fire someone.
The road work on Rte 126 at Hopping Brook will be repaired by DOT, since they repaired the bridge many years ago and the state took it over. Marilyn Mathieu said she had a meeting with Senator Moore and he is dedicated to get more funds for bridge repairs.
The Department of Public Works budgets show that the Department of Public Works, water and sewer budgets each have hardware and minor tool line items.
Roland Lavallee brought up researching privatizing water/sewer. He feels the FinCom needs to talk to Denis Fraine and Board of Selectmen.
Marilyn Mathieu informed us that the gas budget will be close this year.
Raymond Szczepan/Henri Masson motion to recommend that budget as printed for Accounts 421, 422, 425 and 426. VOTE 7/0.
B. ARTICLE 8 - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept and enter into contracts for the expenditure of funds to be allotted by the State under authorization of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws, (as pertaining to Highway Funds) for the construction, reconstruction, and improvement of Town roads, said funds to be borrowed in anticipation of State Revenue; and expended under the direction of the D.P.W. Director; or act or do anything in relation thereto.
Donald DiMartino mentioned that the Town is expecting to receive approximately $510,000 from the State which will be used for various road repairs. $1M will be requested for road repairs at this Town Meeting. This will be scheduled for the FinCom's hearing on April 11, 2011.
Joseph Collamati/Raymond Szczepan motion to recommend this Article. VOTE: 7/0.
C. ARTICLE 17 - ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC WAYS - JAMIE DRIVE, TONI DRIVE, SIDNEY LANE
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept the deeds to Jamie Drive, Toni Drive, and Sidney Lane in the town of Bellingham to be accepted as public ways, title to the way and easements appurtenant thereto, and vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for associated costs, said sum to be raised by taxation; or act or do anything related thereto.
Donald DiMartino explained that Marinella Construction of Franklin was the developer and that the Planning Board released the bond.
3/9/2011: Police Department email: No problems. We don’t have an issue. Sgt. Lee Rolls
4/1/2011: Email from ConCom: The Conservation Commission recommends the acceptance of these streets.
Planning Board is meeting 4/14/2011.
FinCom will make their recommendation April 19, 2011.
D. ARTICLE21 - REVISION TO TOWN ZONING BYLAW, §4900: WATER RESOURCE DISTRICT MAP - EXPANDED ZONE II - WELL 12.
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 4900 Water Resource Districts of the Zoning Bylaws by, adding to the Water Resource District Map the expanded area of the Drinking Water Supply Well #12 Zone II shown on the map titled “Bellingham Water Resource District Map Addition Proposed May 25, 2011”, which is on file with the Town Clerk’s office, said map to be on file with the Town fourteen days prior to the town meeting, or act or do anything related thereto.
Donald DiMartino explained that the only change is the area around Well #12, which is located at Cliff Road off of High Street. The DEP has approved this.
3/30/2011 - Article 21: Expand WRD map for well 12 - The Conservation Commission recommends this article.
Planning Board hearing 4/14/2011
Joseph Collamati/Raymond Szczepan motion to recommend this Article. VOTE: 7/0
7. GENERAL DISCUSSION
A. Joseph Collamati and Roland Lavallee brought up the good deal of purchasing the Morse property for $1M. There is a offer to lease purchase over 3 years. The debt budget is decreasing. The property would make a good Department of Public Works building. The salt and sand could stay on Blackstone Street. This will be scheduled for the May 9, 2011 CIC meeting.
B. Carol Dill and Raymond Szczepan informed Toni Picariello that they would like to continue serving on the FinCom.
C. The FinCom does not need to meet with the Blackstone Valley Voc. School and they want a "congratulations" letter sent to Superintendant Fitzpatrick for being voted the best superintendent.
Adjourned:
FinCom: Raymond Szczepan/Joseph Collamati motion to adjourn. VOTE: 7/0. 9:00 p.m.
(Accepted April 25, 2011)
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