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February 23, 2015, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
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Town of Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/3115
Meeting Minutes Vote: 7-0-2
February 23, 2015
Members Present:
Rob Barker, Sepp Bergschneider, Jim Casamento, Jerry Dorfman, Dianne Gustafson, Tim McKenna,
Mark Porter and Barbara Saint Andre
Members Absent:
Nichola Gallagher, Stephanie Leach, Jim Sims and Diane Wolff.
Guests Present:
Fred Lappin, President & CEO, Knollwood Memorial Park
Jeff Novins, Attorney representing Knollwood Memorial Park
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening:
A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order at 5:49 p.m. on Monday, February 23,
2015 in the Library Community Meeting Room at 786 Washington Street in Canton.
A. Approval of Agenda
Chairman Porter reviewed the items on the agenda and indicated an intention to adjourn the meeting in
time to allow members to attend the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen scheduled for 7 p.m.
B. Announcements
There were no announcements.
C. New Business
Article 30 — Amend Zoning Map to Establish an Overlay Zoning District Entitled "Canton Large
Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installation Overlay District (SPOD)" — Mr. Lappin
provided an overview of a proposal to construct a Community Solar Garden on the order of 1 to 2
MegaWatts on 10 to 14 acres of land owned by Knollwood Memorial Park. The land would be leased to
East Light Solar, a developer in the business of building and operating such facilities. Knollwood is
seeking to amend the zoning map to allow for this construction.
The benefits to the Town of Canton would be two-fold. First, abutters and the Town would be able to
purchase electricity from the facility at below market rates. Second, the Town would collect property
taxes on the installed equipment. As of now, these benefits are unquantified. Mr. Lappin had previously
presented this proposal to the Planning Board. Additionally, Mr. Lappin met with abutters last week to
better understand any concerns that they may have.
Mr. Dorfman inquired about the tax structure of the entity building the Solar Garden and whether the
project would have any impact on the tax-exempt status of the cemetery. Mr. Novins reported that East
Light Solar is a private corporation which would own and operate the facility. Knollwood would just be
leasing land to East Light Solar. Mr. Lappin reported that his accountants are looking into what if any
effect the project would have on the cemetery's tax-exempt status and that if any taxes were due that
Knollwood would pay them.
Ms. Gustafson asked about lease terms and what effect the facility would have on the availability of land
for burials. Mr. Lappin replied that they are proposing a twenty-year lease. Knollwood Memorial Park
and Sharon Memorial Park own approximately 340 acres in Canton and Sharon now, only 170 acres of
which are currently considered part of the cemetery and of that 170 acres, over 100 acres is still available
for burials. Mr. Novins reported that this project would have less density (i.e MegaWatts per acre) than
the facility at the Town landfill due to the topography of the land at the site of the proposed facility.
FINC0M02232015 M1NUTES.doc Page 1 of 2 02/25/15Source page 2
In response to citizen concern that this zoning could allow solar panels across the whole property, not just this one identified piece, Mr. Porter asked whether it is the intention of Knollwood to enter into a Development Agreement with the BOS. Mr. Lappin said that he was not sure. Mr. Porter counseled that if they are to enter a Development Agreement that this should be done as soon as possible and well before Town Meeting. Mr. Barker stated that Knollwood needs to provide more specifics on the benefits to the Town. Mr. Casamento asked if they could provide an order-of-magnitude estimate of the tax revenue to the Town. Mr. Novins stated that similar projects in other communities have generated payments to the town ranging from $5K/MegaWatt to $12K/MegaWatt. Some communities have agreed to a PILOT plan in lieu of taxes. Mr. Barker asked whether the coming expiration of federal tax credits creates any time constraints on the construction of the facility. Mr. Novins replied that federal tax credits do expire on December 31, 2016 and that East Light Solar would have to reevaluate the economics of the proposal if construction was delayed beyond this date. Ms. Gustafson inquired on whether the land is currently heavily wooded and Mr. Lappin confirmed that it is. Ms. Gustafson advised Mr. Lappin of the need to generate the most accurate physical representation of the finished project as possible. For example, show residents what one might see driving down Walpole Street. Ms. Gustafson advised that this visual representation could really help get an approval at Town Meeting. Mr. Dorfman inquired whether there would be an environmental impact study. Mr. Lappin and Mr. Novins confirmed that the developer will be responsible for the study, but that they would use the same engineer who did the environmental study for the Town landfill solar project. Mr. Murgia advised Knollwood to meet with the Board of Assessors in order to understand whether this project would result in real estate taxes for the developed land. Mr. Porter wrapped up the conversation, advising that Knollwood should meet with the BOS and work out a development agreement, if necessary, should get an accurate assessment of the financial benefits to the town and should provide a detailed map of the proposed facility. Ideally these should be provided to the Finance Committee prior to March 27, but barring that should definitely be available for review at least one week prior to Town Meeting. D. Old Business/Open Issues None E. Approval of Minutes None F. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday March 3, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the William J. Armando Recreation Center (also known as the Williams Estate). Adjournment: A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to adjourn the meeting at 6:39 p.m. was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 8-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Jim Casamento Respectfy.H itted, Mark o Chairm , Canton Finance Committee FINCOM02232015 MINUTES.doc Page 2 of 2 02/25/15