Politics & Government

Meals Tax, Sacred Heart Reuse Funding Approved at Special Town Meeting

The third time was the charm for the meals tax as town meeting approved the article along with 10 others at Monday’s Special Town Meeting. 

Less than 150 voters took part in the meeting which took a little more than two hours to complete.

Only article five to use community preservation funds for the Sacred Heat property needed a hand vote for an amendment with other articles passing with a voice vote.

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Before approval, the article was amended to decrease the amount in Community Preservation Funds to be used from $80,000 to $60,000 with a stipulation that the funds shall not be used for the cost of irrigation. 

Residents speaking against the inclusions of funds for an irrigation system felt it was not needed. 

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“I was shocked when I received the warrant and saw the sprinklers was part of the warrant, it’s the most expensive part of the project.  It seems to me it was another backdoor approach to create another sports field instead of spontaneous use,” resident Richard Kramer said

Selectman Bill Heitin admitted that the irrigation system was part of the warrant to help maintain the fields which would be used for youth sports practices but not for any games.

The vote for the amendment was 77-51 in the affirmative. 

Article 1 which will allow the selectmen to lease 411 East Foxboro Street for a cell tower was approved with a voice vote. 

According to Heitin, up to four providers can be placed on the tower each at a rate of $3,600-$3,800 a month to help supplement the water department’s budget.

As expected no action was taken on Article 2 as the planning board did not issue a report on the article. Without a report, town meeting had no authority to act.

Articles three and four were also postponed indefinitely. 

After two previous attempts, a 0.75 percent meals tax was approved as part of article six. The tax will apply for all restaurants in Sharon along with prepared meals sold at grocery stores and in other establishments in Sharon.

$118,000 per year is expected from the tax.

Article 7 will approved the transfer of $100,000 from other funds for the resurfacing of roads and sidewalk repairs around town. $92,490 will come from the finished high school roof project.

An additional $24,900 was transfered from the finished high school roof project to the standing building project in Article 8.

In an effort to improvie the town’s credit rating and put more money into the town’s rainy day fund, Article 9 to add $300,000 to the town’s stablization fund was approved. Currently there is $120,000 in the stablization fund.

With voters approving Article 10, $50,000 will be appropriated for the planning and execution of Sharon’s 250th Anniversary in 2015. The funds are expected to get the planning started with the rest of the money expected to come from private donors though fundraising efforts.

“We need this money so we can get started and start getting these bands and things we have to go with. They all want money to hold them upfront for the dates but we will campaign for the money,” Selectman Joe Roach said.

Article 11 adds language to the zoning bylaws to define the adult zoning district in the Light Industrial Zone. Zoning rules include the banning of adult estalishments in buildings containing other retail, consumer, or residential uses, or within a shopping center, shopping plaza, or mall.

A special permit will also be needed for approval.

Article 12, which allows the selectmen to negotiate and enter into a contract for the disposal for the town’s solid waster for a period of not more than 25 years was approved. 

With Article 13 approved, the town will allow the selectmen to manage and lease land at 1300 General Edwards Highway on Route 1 for a billboard. 

Article 14 amended the town’s sign bylaws and added definitions for what a billboard and an electronic message center are.


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