Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) held a meeting in the Mural Room, Lower Level of the Town Hall on Thursday, February 15, 2007 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, Nancy Bennett, Tony Kelso, Brendan Keohan, Sarianna Seewald, and George Wadsworth. Pat Loring was absent. Also present were Frank Mangione, Fiscal Advisory Committee, Joe Grady, Conservation Administrator, and Betsy Sullivan, Board of Selectmen, and John Madden, Finance Director.
PUBLIC FORUM
A question was raised from the audience about Ms. Loring’s attendance and whether she had reviewed information regarding the proposed projects from the last meeting.
Betsy Sullivan provided comments from Selectman John Tuffy who was unable to attend the meeting. Both Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Tuffy felt it was the CPC’s responsibility to review submissions and then to pass projects along to Town Meeting for Town Meeting to make a decision. Mr. Bob O’Keefe of Perry Drive agreed.
TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Article 14 - CPC Operating Budget – Mr. Wadsworth presented past operating budget figures of the CPC. Mr. Madden reviewed Community Preservation Fund balances. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of $80,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the operating budget of the Community Preservation Committee for fiscal year 2008.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 15 – 10% Allocation – Mr. Madden reviewed the balances in each of the purpose reserves (open space, community housing, historic preservation). Mr. Madden estimated $216,000 to be placed in each reserve. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of $648,000 from the Community Preservation Fund for the purposes of meeting the requirements of the Community Preservation Act, M.G.L. Chapter 44B, Section 6 for the purposes of open space, community housing (affordable) and historic resources (preservation).
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed.
Article 16 – Synthetic Athletic Fields – Mr. Wadsworth reviewed information from the Community Preservation Coalition regarding allowable spending purposes. Ms. Morris reviewed the role of the CPC and presented a spreadsheet that shows other towns funding of synthetic fields. The CPC discussed whether to place an easement on the project. Ms. Morris reads a letter from Pat Loring regarding her position on the proposal. Each of the CPC members voiced their concerns on the project. Shawn Dahlen, Barbara Reilly, and Peter Muncey commented that the project should be brought to Town Meeting. Diane Bartlett reported the Local Housing Partnership is developing a housing plan that may require sizeable amount of money in the future. Mr. Wadsworth reported on the opinion of the
Planning Board regarding the project. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the purpose of the synthetic field project subject to receipt of the remaining 2/3 of the project being funded by P.R.I.D.E., Inc.
Vote: 1 – in favor (Kelso); 5 – opposed. Motion failed.
Ms. Morris made a second motion that was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth.
Motion: : the CPC recommends the appropriation of up to $500,000 for the Community Preservation Act Fund for the purpose of synthetic field project subject to receipt of the remaining amount of the project being funded by P.R.I.D.E., Inc.
Ms. Seewald asked the CPC to reconsider the dollar amount and made a revised motion that was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of 1/3 the cost of the site work and drainage improvements for the construction of the synthetic fields, not to exceed $670,000 from the CPA fund subject to the receipt of the remaining amount of the project being funded by P.R.I.D.E Inc.
Vote: 3 – in favor; 3 – opposed.
Mr. Kelso asked for reconsideration. Mr. Keohan seconded.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of 1/3 the cost of the site work and drainage improvements for the construction of the synthetic fields, not to exceed $670,000 from the CPA fund subject to the receipt of the remaining amount of the project being funded by P.R.I.D.E Inc. and to authorize the Town to acquire any and all interests in land, including an easement for the purpose of this article.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 2 – opposed (Morris, Wadsworth). Motion passed.
Article 17 – Tarkiln Community Center Plans & Specs
Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of $125,000 from the historic preservation allotment of the Community Preservation Act Fund to prepare construction and bid documents for the historic restoration of the Tarkiln Community Center.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 opposed. Motion passed.
Article 18 – Delano Well Site - The CPC postponed action on this article.
Article 19- Unused Funds from Completed Projects
Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: The CPC recommends rescinding unused money allocated to the following projects: King Caesar House (3,601.75); Keene Street Improvements (1,432.40); Jaycox Property (2,851.80); Jaycox Property – Legal (7,826.00); Bluefish River Fire House (803.84) and Town Green Irrigation (706.80) and to transfer the total of $17,222.68 back to the Community Preservation Act Fund.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
STM Article – Survey of Historic Properties
Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: the CPC recommends the appropriation of $6,000 for the historic preservation allotment of the Community Preservation Act Fund to continue the survey of historic properties that was started in the year 2000 and to meet this appropriation to authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen to borrow a sum of money for the purposes of this article.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Mr. Wadsworth discussed some comments he had made at a previous meeting.
The CPC discussed who will speak at Town Meeting.
Administrative Matters
The CPC signed the bill for the public hearing notice.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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