Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
The Community Preservation Committee held a meeting in the Mural Room, Basement of the Town Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, Diane Bartlett, Jody Hall, Tony Kelso, Pat Loring, Arthur Vautrain and George Wadsworth.
General Business: The Committee discussed changing the meeting day to Tuesday.
Public Forum: The remainder of the meeting was a public forum regarding discussion of the Town Meeting articles that the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is sponsoring. Ms. Morris began the forum with a review of the accomplishments and lessons learned from the CPC over the past year.
Mr. Vautrain explained Article 12, which was a request of funding of $100,000 for the Conservation Fund for small land acquisitions. Mr. Vautrain noted that no land purchase would be done without the approval of both the Conservation Commission and the Community Preservation Community.
Ms. Morris reported on Article 13. She indicated that at this time a purchase and sale agreement had not been signed so detailed information about the parcel was not open for discussion.
Ms. Morris reviewed Article 14, the 10% allocation for funding for open space, affordable housing, and historic preservation. Mr. James Sullivan of Tremont Street questioned the allocation of the state share of the funds. Ms. Morris will check with the Accountant.
Mr. Wadsworth explained Article 17, the transfer of a portion of the Delano Farm land from the CPC to the Water Enterprise for water supply purposes and to fund that transfer with water revenues. Ms. Amy MacNab, 269 Tremont St. questioned how the value of the land would be determined.
Mr. Wadsworth reviewed Article 23, the funding of the historic preservation of the Wright Building. Mr. Wadsworth reviewed estimated figures for restoration and ADA Compliance of the building. Mr. Wadsworth also questioned if the amount of funding for the historic preservation study was adequate. Mr. Frank Mangione, 19 Sampson St., asked if the CPC would commit to funding, even if the cost of renovation is greater than the amount being requested by the Teen Center group. Ms. Morris indicated the Committee had not taken any votes yet and Mr. Wadsworth responded he would like the Historic Commission to review the proposal. Several proponents of the Teen Center spoke in favor of renovating the Wright Building for use as a teen center. Three teenagers gave their reasons for the need for a teen center.
One issue discussed was whether the Committee would fund the renovations regardless of the use of the building.
The Committee took no votes.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
| 
