Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 20 2003
The Community Preservation Committee held a meeting in the Mural Room, Basement of the Town Hall beginning at 8:00 a.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, Diane Bartlett, Jody Hall, Tony Kelso, Pat Loring, Arthur Vautrain and George Wadsworth. Joe Grady, Conservation Administrator was also present.
1. CHAPTER 61A – HARRINGTON
The Committee discussed whether to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to exercise first refusal for a parcel of land (lot 060-029-000) that property owner, Pauline Harrington had signed a purchase and sale agreement with Kevin Sealund. The Committee reviewed a draft letter that gave a history of the 14-acre parcel. Mr. Grady indicated that the Conservation Commission, Mass Audubon, and Wildlands Trust had previously tried to negotiate something with the property owner, but the price was too high for it to be purchased solely for its open space value. Mr. Wadsworth asked if the parcel would be a good site for community housing. The Committee agreed to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen to have them consider the potential of the parcel as a site for community housing.
2. TOWN MEETING RECAP
The Committee recapped Town Meeting. It was decided that it was important to have a detailed financial report ready for future town meetings. Mr. Frank Mangione of the Finance Committee asked if the Committee had done its due diligence with regards to the Swanson land acquisition. Mr. Grady responded that the facts were correct and that it was impossible for the Town to buy a piece of land for less than its assessed value. It was agreed that with future land purchases the Committee should try and communicate with the financial committees earlier in the process.
3. BEDFORD CPC CONFERENCE
Mr. Wadsworth and Ms. Bartlett attended the conference and gave a report.
4. HOUSING PROJECTS UPDATE
Ms. Bartlett and Ms. Loring reported on the status of the ground leases and conservation restrictions for the housing components for the Merlet and Delano properties.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The Committee signed bills for legal services; town meeting map preparation; copies of town meeting handouts; and p & s mailing.
The Committee reviewed the draft minutes of the meeting for 2/25/03. The minutes were amended to include a statement that the seller had yet to receive the p & s. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 2/25/03 as amended.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
The Committee reviewed the draft minutes of the meeting on 3/6/03. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Bartlett.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 3/6/03 as written.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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