FINAL
Present for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and attending the meeting were: Janet Weidner, Jane Slater, Pam Goff, Tim Carroll, Bill Rossi, Andy Goldman and Chuck Hodgkinson. Allen Healy, Karin Wetmore and Andrew Fischer were absent. Also attending were John Flender, Martina Thornton, Mitzi Pratt, Derrill Bazzy, Dan Waters, Bonnie Stacy, Richard Skidmore, Adam Moore, Susan Klein, Philippe Jordi, Meg Bodnar, Maureen Eisner and Edward Miller.
The meeting came to order at 6:00 PM. The Committee thanked Janet Weidner and Warren Doty for their service as the Planning Board’s and Selectmen’s representatives and looks forward to the contributions from Andrew Fischer and Selectmen Bill Rossi.
Ms. Weidner welcomed all of the guests and explained the purpose of tonight’s meeting is to meet the applicants for CPA funds, hear the proposals and ask questions. Afterwards the Committee will vote on whether or not to include each proposal on its public hearing agenda that will be held on November 20 @ 6:00 PM. After hearing public comment and receiving Town Counsel opinion on the project’s eligibility for CPA funds the Committee will then vote on whether or not to recommend each proposal to Town voters at the April 2014 Annual Town Meeting.
Ms. Slater added the six applicants for CPA Historic Preservation funds reviewed their requests at the October 15th Historical Commission meeting. The Historical Commission felt all six proposals were important to help preserve significant elements of Chilmark’s and the island’s history and recommends all six for the Committee’s consideration pending Town Counsel review. Ms. Slater did say the Historical Commission did not know if there are sufficient CPA funds to pay for all requests under consideration and would accept the Committee’s final determination once all factors have been considered.
JOHN FLENDER, CEMETERY COMMISSION: Mr. Flender explained the Cemetery Commission is seeking $3,500 of CPA funds to restore 35 slate gravestones from the late 1700’s to early 1800’s in Abel’s Hill Cemetery. The stones are splitting because of water infiltration and the freeze and thaw effects. He added Kai Nalenz of New England Gravestone Services visited the island for a talk and demonstration on this subject two years ago and has submitted a proposal for the work. A motion was made to include the request on the public hearing agenda pending Town Counsel opinion. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
ADAM MOORE, SHERIFF’S MEADOWN FOUNDATION: Mr. Moore reviewed the Foundation’s plan to meticulously restore the historic Hancock-Mitchell House on Quansoo Farm – circa 1655. The Foundation has been working for two years with the Chilmark Historical Commission to create a plan to save this Chilmark historic treasure. It may be the oldest house on the island that is still in its original location. Interestingly, the house has survived over 300 years of storms and still has its original support structure and construction materials intact. The house has no water or electric service. The total project budget is $1.1million and the Foundation is seeking $100,000 of Chilmark CPA funds. He added the Foundation plans to open the house for the public on
certain days of the week and said they have already hosted a guided tour of the house for 25 Chilmark School students. He also said the Foundation has applied to have the house listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. After discussion a motion was made to include the project in the November 20th public hearing pending Town Counsel opinion. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously with six in favor.
MITZI PRATT AND DERRILL BAZZY, SAVE THE GAY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE COMMITTEE: Ms. Pratt thanked the Committee for its time and reviewed the status of the Town’s plan to relocate and preserve the Gay Head Lighthouse. It is only 46 feet from the edge of the cliff and must be relocated very soon – while the soils are stable. There are three possible locations for the lighthouse which are being evaluated by structural engineers. The Committee is seeking a total of $500,000 of the estimated $3 million cost from the five island Towns with the balance being paid by the Town of Aquinnah and private fund raising. They hope to raise $1 million in CPA funds and grants and $2 million through private donations. The Committee mentioned if
approved, it would not want Chilmark’s contribution used to purchase land for the new location. Mr. Bazzy assured the Committee that the Town already owns two of the potential three locations and is under a Purchase and Sale agreement for the third.
The Committee discussed how the Gay Head Light is also a significant part of Chilmark’s maritime history. A subsequent motion was made to include the request for $51,854 as Chilmark’s share of the total $500,000 CPA fund raising goal in the public hearing pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
SUSAN KLEIN, MARTHA’S VINEYARD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY: Ms. Klein reviewed the history of the Ag Society which was founded in 1858. She explained that about 120 years of Ag Society meeting minutes are missing which is why she is spearheading the project to restore and catalogue the many remaining historic artifacts and documents. Ms. Klein presented a revised $58,216 itemized working budget for the project with a list of items to be covered by Chilmark’s share and request for $3,016. The Committee explained this is very similar to the MV Museum’s request two years ago and outlined the specific requirements on how Chilmark’s funds must be used – if approved. Ms. Klein agreed and acknowledged the
criteria. The Committee asked where the historic materials will be stored and made available to the public. Ms. Klein said the Ag Society plans to donate the restored artifacts and documents to the MV Museum. She added digital copies will be made available via the Society’s website. The Committee discussed how so much of the Ag Society’s history is a part of Chilmark’s agricultural heritage. A subsequent motion was made to include the request for $3,016 of CPA Historic Preservation funds in the public hearing pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with six in favor.
DAN WATERS, MV MUSEUM: Mr. Waters thanked the Committee for its time and explained he is the newly-hired development director for the museum. He first mentioned the Museum fully supports the Gay Head Light project and explained the Museum’s plans to restore the Marine Hospital it purchased for $2.9 million and owns free and clear of any debt. The plan is to restore the original 1898 building as the Museum’s facility for historic artifacts and register it in the National Registry of Historic Places. The total restoration project is estimated to cost $10 million and will take several years to complete. He plans to raise 90 percent of the total cost through private donations and is seeking $600,000 of CPA funds from the six island Towns to restore the building’s
slate roof, several chimneys and building support structure for the roof. Chilmark’s share of the total request is $31,512. The Committee asked many questions about the construction sequence for the restoration and the condition of the building and structural reinforcement of the roof. Some questioned why the roof needs to be recreated as a slate roof. Mr. Waters said the Museum wants to bring the building back to its original state which includes a slate roof. The Committee discussed how the Museum is the island’s museum and has many important artifacts of Chilmark history. A subsequent motion was made to include the project in the public hearing pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
MARTINA THORNTON, DUKES COUNTY MANAGER FOR THE COMMISSIONERS: Ms. Thornton explained how the County Courthouse’s electrical system is inadequate and not safe. It cannot support air conditioning and does not meet today’s electrical code. She estimates the required electrical engineering and system upgrade will cost $55,000 which she is seeking from the six island Towns. Chilmark’s share is $5,847. When asked about the County’s surplus and why that’s not being used for the project Ms. Thornton said the County’s Financial Advisory Board voted to use the surplus as follows: a total of $300,000 will be returned to the Towns in two installments; a $100,000 capital improvements fund will be created and $50,000 will be held to re-paint the
courthouse. Mr. Rossi said the funds are being returned to the Towns to give Town voters the opportunity to decide how to use the funds – versus have the County automatically spend the money to restore the courthouse or use it in another way. Ms. Thornton pointed out the state accounts for about 85 percent of the courthouse use and CPA funds include state matching funds. In discussion it was agreed that all islanders use the courthouse which is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. A subsequent motion was made to include the project in the public hearing pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed unanimously with six in favor.
PHILIPPE JORDI, ISLAND HOUSING TRUST: Mr. Jordi thanked the Committee for hearing his application and explained he is seeking $65,000 as Chilmark’s share among three Towns to help fund the acquisition and restoration of six affordable apartments they purchased in Vineyard Haven. He explained the building is privately owned and needs extensive updates. The Trust has a purchase and sale agreement for $600,000. The plan is to get $300,000 in bank financing by the end of the year. Mr. Jordi added if the bank financing is secured the Island Housing Trust will withdraw its CPA fund requests for raising $195,000 among a total of three towns--@ $65,000 each. The Trust is separately seeking $200,000 of CPA Affordable
Housing funds from Tisbury. He added the six apartments will be available to qualified recipients who earn between 50 % and 60 % of the County median income. If Chilmark’s CPA funds are deemed necessary and approved, one of the six apartments will receive preference points for applicants who work in or currently live in Chilmark. The Committee asked if an eligible Chilmark applicant is earning 70 % county median income will he or she get the apartment. Mr. Jordi said no because the income range for all apartments is targeted toward the 50-60 % income range. The Housing Authority’s list of applicants is mostly in this income bracket. Mr. Goldman said the Housing Committee reviewed the request at its October 8th meeting and recommends the project to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). After discussion a motion was made to include the project in the November 20th public hearing. The motion was seconded
and passed unanimously with six in favor.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN: Mr. Rossi explained the Board of Selectmen has been working on a Squibnocket Beach project. The negotiations are sensitive and have been discussed in executive session. If a plan comes together they will be seeking $400,000 in Open Space-Park & Recreation funds for this project. He hoped more details would be available in the near future—ideally before the November 20th hearing. If not, the project may no be ready for consideration at the April Annual Town Meeting.
After brief discussion a motion was made to have a space holder for this project at the upcoming public hearing – pending the project’s status and Town Counsel’s approval. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously with six in favor.
After the applicants left the meeting the Committee reviewed a schedule of available CPA fund reserves. It agreed there are sufficient funds for all requests—if they all were approved. The Committee then discussed at length that while these specific projects are valid for Chilmark consideration, the Town’s CPA funds should be earmarked for Chilmark-specific projects—not just current Chilmark projects but, those that may be possible and take place in the future.
ADMINISTRATION
The April 17, 2012 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The CPA fund request public hearing will be advertised and scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th @ 6:00 PM.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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