FINAL
Present for the Community Preservation Committee and attending the meeting were: Janet Weidner, Andy Goldman, Karin Wetmore, Warren Doty, Tim Carroll, Jane Slater and Chuck Hodgkinson. Also attending were Frank Fenner, Bette Carroll, and Christine Flynn. Allen Healy was absent.
The meeting came to order at 6:05 PM. Ms. Weidner outlined most of today’s agenda will focus on the upcoming September 26, 2011 Special Town Meeting.
TEA LANE FARM HOUSE RENOVATION: Ms. Weidner summarized the Committee’s recommendation at the April 26, 2011 Annual Town Meeting to indefinitely postpone the CPA article requesting $150,000 of CPA Historic Preservation Funds to partially pay for the renovation of this historic structure. The Committee thought it would be better to bring a complete plan and funding proposal to Town voters.
Mr. Fenner outlined the complete plan and cost for the renovation. The current total budget estimate is $550,000. He added there is a favorable building environment.
Ms. Slater said the Historical Commission supports the project and request to increase the CPA portion of the total cost from $150,000 to $300,000. She added this does not include any possible renovations made to the barn. If it is decided to tear down the barn at a future date, the Historical Commission must first be consulted.
Mr. Doty added that once the renovations are completed, the Town will solicit proposals and most likely lease the farm and its use to a farmer whose plan is preferred. He added no criteria have been established for these proposals.
Mr. Goldman commented the original intent for adopting the Community Preservation Act was to spend approximately 75 percent of the CPA funds on affordable housing. He added this has been done and it is not his role to judge proposals. The voters should decide. He closed by saying he supports the Historical Committee’s recommendation.
After brief discussion a motion was made to recommend the use of $300,000 of CPA funds as proposed to partially fund the renovation of the historic Tea Land Farm House. The funds would come from the following sources: $60,000 Historic Preservation Funds; $120,000 Undesignated Reserve Funds; $120,000 Community Preservation Budgeted Reserve Funds. The motion was seconded. In discussion Mr. Doty pointed out there are still available CPA funds for affordable housing. The motion passed unanimously with six in favor.
HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY: Ms. Flynn explained the MVC’s Joint Affordable Housing Committee is approaching all six towns to fund an update to its affordable housing needs study which was last done in 2001. She added the Chilmark Selectmen unanimously endorsed the proposal.
The survey is intended to gather data that will help towns quantify affordable housing needs by type of dwelling -- home, rental -- and by demographic segment. The Committee asked if senior and assisted housing needs will be included and Ms. Flynn said yes. She added Chilmark’s share of the total cost is $2,700.
After brief discussion a motion was made to recommend that voters approve the use of $2,700.00 of CPA Affordable Housing Funds to pay for Chilmark’s share of the total cost—provided the proposal is approved by all six island towns. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with six in favor.
Ms. Weidner suggested scheduling and advertising a public hearing to receive public comment on these two recommendations for Wednesday, September 21, 2011 @ 6:00 PM. The Committee agreed.
MEETING MINUTES: The draft April 20, 2011 meeting minutes were approved by consensus.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is Wednesday, September 21, 2011 @ 6:00 PM.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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