FINAL
Present for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and attending the meeting were: Jane Slater, Chairman, Janet Weidner, Pam Goff, Tim Carroll, Bill Rossi, Andy Goldman, Allen Healy, Karin Wetmore and Chuck Hodgkinson. Andrew Fischer was absent. Also attending were Dan Waters, David Nathans, David Damroth and Zach Lee.
The meeting came to order at 6:00 PM.
The Committee discussed the number of island-wide CPA applications that were received this year. Everyone agreed that not all applications need to be recommended to voters and the Town has held back on spending CPA funds while anticipating the development of relevant Town initiatives – such as the Middle Line Road Housing Program.
Ms. Slater opened the continued hearing at 6:15 PM to review the Selectmen’s request for CPA funds.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN: Mr. Rossi explained the Board of Selectmen held its first public meeting and discussion on December 3 to review the proposal to use $410,000 of CPA Open Space Preservation/Parks & Recreation funds. The concept includes a new 99-year Squibnocket Beach lease that will add approximately 10.5-acres to the Town’s Squibnocket Beach. This would expand the Town’s beach by five times its current length and provide space to relocate the Squibnocket Beach Parking Lot. The total lease cost is $400,000. The request also includes $10,000 to cover all costs relative & incidental thereto—such as legal fees. He then asked Chuck H. to summarize the project and concept for those CPC members and the public who could not attend the December 3
meeting at the Library.
Mr. Damroth attended the December 3 presentation and expressed concerns about the long-term viability of the 10.5-acre parcel of land. He thought rising sea levels and storm impacts would reach the new parking area within 30 years. He asked the Committee to table the warrant article, set aside the funds to provide an additional 1 ½ years to study the proposal. He thought other ocean-front properties could be purchased by the Town. Mr. Goldman asked if Mr. Damroth’s concern is for the Squibnocket Farm Homeowner’s Association’s plan for building an elevated roadway or for the parking area. Mr. Damroth responded he is concerned with the Town’s share of roadway maintenance
expenses and the parking area location. Mr. Rossi added he believes the Town is already spending approximately $8,500 per year on parking lot maintenance. With no further public comment a motion was made to close the hearing at 5:40 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to recommend to Town voters the appropriation of $410,000 of CPA Open Space funds for the Town’s Squibnocket Beach project as proposed. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with eight in favor.
DISCUSSION DAN WATERS, MV MUSEUM: Ms. Slater thanked Mr. Waters for attending tonight’s meeting and asked him to once again summarize the Museum’s plans for the Marine Hospital and the CPA fund request. Mr. Waters also thanked the Committee for its time. He then 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 Register of Historic Places. The total restoration and new construction 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 expressed its concern with the Museum’s ability to raise the $ 9 million needed for the entire project and would not want to see a new roof installed without finishing the overall project. Mr. Nathans said the Museum already has $6 million in cash and pledges for the project and they hope to open the facility in the spring of 2017. The Committee said this is reassuring.
After further discussion a motion was made to reconsider the November 20th vote. The motion was seconded and passed with seven in favor and one opposed (Mr. Carroll). A subsequent motion was made to recommend the Museum’s request for $31,512 of CPA Historic Preservation funds to voters at the April 2014 Annual Town Meeting. The motion was seconded. In discussion it was agreed to add a special condition for the appropriation that requires the Museum to pay back 100 percent of Chilmark’s CPA fund contributions for this project if the property is sold within the ten years following the April 28, 2014 Annual Town Meeting. The other requirements as outlined by Town Counsel will also be followed if the appropriation is approved by voters. The motion came to a vote as
amended with the special repayment condition and passed unanimously with eight in favor.
ISLAND HOUSING TRUST (IHT): Chuck H. explained that Philippe Jordi could not attend tonight’s meeting. Philippe wanted to clarify his application that seeks $65,000 as Chilmark’s share among three Towns to help fund the restoration of six affordable apartments they are purchasing in Vineyard Haven. If approved by Town voters, Mr. Jordi would like to use the $65,000 toward the acquisition price of the six apartments – rather than for renovations. This would reduce the principal amount to be mortgaged and subsequent debt service payments. Chuck H. explained Town Counsel’s opinion that this proposed use is still allowable for CPA Affordable Housing fund use.
Chuck H. also confirmed that if IHT receives a FHLB grant, the request for Chilmark CPA funding will be withdrawn. This decision should be available at the end of December. A subsequent motion was made to allow the use of the $65,000 of CPA funds to lower the mortgage principal amount – if approved by Town voters. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with eight in favor.
ADMINISTRATION
The November 20, 2013 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented with seven in favor and one abstention (Ms. Wetmore).
The FY 2015 draft budget was reviewed. After brief discussion a motion was made to approve the budget as presented. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with eight in favor.
An updated schedule of the current CPA fund balances including the recently received 100 percent state matching amount of $198,425 for FY 2013 was reviewed.
January 9, 2014; 4:00 PM; Island-wide CPC Meeting @ West Tisbury Town Hall: Chuck H. updated the Committee on the island wide CPC meeting and agenda. Ms. Slater and Mr. Goldman agreed to attend with Chuck H.
The next CPC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2014 @ 6:00 PM.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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