Boards move forward on town plan and revaluation


SHARON — The Board of Selectmen reported favorably on an amendment to the Town Plan of Conservation and Development at its regular meeting May 8 and passed it along to the Planning and Zoning Commission for action at a hearing June 13. First Selectman Malcolm Brown and Selectman Tom Bartram were present; Selectman John Mathews was unable to attend.

The amendment adds a provision for property owners to apply to put land in open space status, something that was "inadvertently left out" of the plan, said Planning and Zoning Chairman Barclay Prindle.

Depending on the zoning, the size of the parcel, and the use of the open space, landowners can receive some tax relief by agreeing to keep a piece of land intact for a period of 10 years.

But because the provision slipped through the cracks, there is currently no way to apply to so designate a parcel.

"Not that there were a lot of people trying to do it," said Prindle.

After the Planning and Zoning hearing (and expected approval) June 13, the selectmen must approve the amendment.

In a related move, the selectmen voted to have the town attorney draft a version of an ordinance allowing a property owner to designate a parcel for subdivision without going through Planning and Zoning if that parcel is designated for affordable housing and if the parcel is sold or donated for development by either a non-profit organization or the town.

The town of Kent adopted a similar ordinance in January, at the urging of that town’s selectmen and affordable housing advocates. The earlier law in Kent allowed a property owner one "free" split, exempt from most zoning regulations; the new law in effect adds a second.


In other action:


• Assessor Patricia Braislin recommended that the town award the contract for the upcoming revaluation of taxable property to Vision Appraisal for $147,000. A lower bid was received; however, that company would have had to purchase software that would bring its bid total higher than the $147,000 figure.

First Selectman Brown noted "with delight" that the winning bid is considerably lower than the anticipated $180,000.

• Marshall Miles of radio station WHDD came to discuss renting the second floor of town-owned 67 Main St. (formerly home of radio station WKZE). Brown said the selectmen were unable to vote immediately on the matter as the logistics of building a fire-retardant wall and divvying up space between the radio station and Town Hall storage had not been worked out. The issue was tabled.

• The selectmen decided, in the matter of a fence that is in the town’s right of way at 10 Dakin Road, that beginning May 24 a fine of $10 per day would be levied if no action was taken. The homeowners, Pam White and Paula Josa-Jones, first appeared before the selectmen Jan. 9, after the highway crew reported the fence’s proximity to the road and the difficulties created for snow plowing.

• The board agreed to Jim Gillespie’s request for a waiver of the usual sight line requirement for a driveway on Herb Road. Brown said he visited the site with Gillespie and measured it, although the terrain made it a tricky task.

"I had Jim crouch down so his eyes were three-and- a-half feet above the ground, and I walked until he couldn’t see my ankles."

Because of the almost nonexistent traffic along the gravel and dirt road, the estimated 154-foot sight line for the driveway was deemed adequate.

• The selectmen named Dorraine Roeske as Planning and Zoning alternate, replacing the late Ducky Bancroft.

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