FINAL
Present for the Community Preservation Committee and attending the meeting were: Andy Goldman, Chairman, Karin Wetmore, Tim Carroll, Jane Slater, Andrew Fischer and Chuck Hodgkinson. Also attending were Clarissa Allen, Mitch Posin and Paul Munafo (Chair, Vineyard Haven CPC). Janet Weidner, Barbara Murphy and Warren Doty were absent.
The meeting came to order at 7:15 PM. Mr. Goldman opened the meeting and welcomed Andrew Fischer as the Committee’s representative for the Conservation Commission.
1. REQUEST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDS TO RESTORE A STONE WALL: Mr. Goldman welcomed Clarissa and Mitch to the meeting and summarized they have submitted a request for CPA funds to restore the unique, historic stone wall along South Road starting at Allen Farm Road and running east toward Fulling Mill Brook. Mitch explained that he has cleared most of the brush to expose this unique stone wall that is set back from South Road and has a nice complement of select trees and erratic boulders. He added that he will need assistance restoring the wall and handling the massive boulders. An itemized cost estimate was reviewed with the Committee. Once finished he plans to keep both sides of the wall clear of brush. After discussion the
Committee agreed this project is consistent with the expressed goal of restoring Chilmark’s historic stone walls along the public ways leading to Town Center and will have a dramatic impact and improvement on the South Road Roadside District. A subsequent motion was made to recommend to voters at the April 2009 Annual Town Meeting a CPA Historic Preservation appropriation of up to $24,000 for the restoration of approximately 700 feet of this stone wall. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
2. SAIL MV REQUEST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDS TO ACQUIRE TWO, NEWLY BUILT WOODEN WORK VESSELS: Chuck H. distributed a detailed request for $18,000 of CPA funds to purchase two newly built 14-foot replicas of historic wooden work skiffs. The two skiffs will be used by the Sail MV sailing instructors for the youth sailing program that is organized through the Chilmark Community Center. The application was submitted by Brock Callen. Paul Munafo, the Chair of Vineyard Haven’s CPC explained how they received and voters approved the same request for two skiffs that were to be used in Vineyard Haven Harbor. He added that Tisbury’s Town Counsel and the Department of Revenue (DOR) are reviewing this appropriation to see if it meets the
requirements set forth for historic preservation funds in the Community Preservation Act. The Committee agreed this is a somewhat liberal interpretation of the statute as it is for two newly built replicas rather than the restoration of original, historic vessels. After much discussion the Committee agreed to take no action until Paul receives the DOR opinion. They thanked Paul for attending the meeting, his assistance and hard work.
3. HELM LOAN PROGRAM: Chuck H. informed the Committee that the Island Affordable Housing Fund (IAHF) has requested the $60,000 appropriation for the Helm Loan Program that was approved by voters at the April 2008 Annual Town Meeting. He added that similar requests have been sent to the other island towns that approved funds for the same program. The Committee discussed the unique attributes that it successfully negotiated exclusively for Chilmark’s participation in this program. A draft “Grant Agreement” was distributed and discussed outlining Chilmark’s unique program and a proposed method for distributing the funds to qualified recipients. After discussion the Committee agreed to review the proposal with the Town
Accountant. If acceptable it will then be sent to the IAHF for review and adoption.
4. CPA RESERVE FUND BALANCES: Chuck H. distributed a detailed schedule of CPA fund balances and uses by fiscal year from CPA adoption through 9/30/08.
5. MEETING MINUTES: The July 23rd regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
6. NEXT MEETING: Starting November 2008, all future CPC meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month @ 7:00 PM. The next CPC meeting will be Wednesday, November 19 @ 7:00 PM.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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