Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) held a meeting in the Mural Room, Lower Level of the Town Hall on Thursday, December 4, 2008 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, John Bear, Lynne Devnew, Tony Kelso, Brendan Keohan, Pat Loring and Sarianna Seewald. Also present were Frank Mangione from Fiscal Advisory Committee and Christine Stickney, Planning Director.
PUBLIC FORUM
No subject was brought forward.
2009 APPLICATIONS
The CPC discussed each of the funding request applications for 2009 Town Meeting. Sponsors of each request were present for the discussion.
War Memorial – Chairman of the War Memorial Committee, Joe Shea was present for the discussion. The CPC discussed whether to recommend funding the full amount of the request of $105,000. Mr. Shea reported he had spoken with Town Counsel and Town Counsel indicated that fundraising by a town committee could not be done until after Town Meeting vote. Mr. Shea asked that the CPC fund the full amount and any money not spent would be returned to the CPC. Several members questioned the incentive of fundraising if the full amount was granted. Members also asked about other endowment funds under the control of the Board of Selectmen. It was noted that CPA funds were used as seed money for some past projects with the remainder being raised by private donations. Dr. Devnew reported the Historical
Commission voted to support the project at the full amount.
Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding of the War Memorial restoration project in the amount of $55,000.
Vote: 2 in favor (Loring, Bear); 5 – opposed. Motion failed.
Mr. Keohan made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding of the War Memorial restoration project in the amount of $75,000.
Vote: 5 in favor; 2 – opposed (Morris, Devnew). Motion passed.
It was noted that the two votes in opposition were in favor of funding the full $105,000 amount for the project.
Sidewalk & Bike Path – Representing the Sidewalk and Bike Path Committee was Richard Rothschild. Mr. Rothschild reported that the abutters had been contacted and all but one is willing to provide an easement for the path over their private property and indicated the section of path abutting Lapham Woods may be modified to stay within the roadway right-of-way. Mr. Kelso asked if the committee would also study locating the path on the other side of the road. Dr. Devnew noted another concern of the CPC was whether the committee would be able to obtain construction funding. Mr. Rothschild replied that other funding sources have been investigated but most of those sources require that project design be completed. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding for design plans and specifications of a pedestrian/bike path in the amount of $56,000.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Camp Wing Housing Plan – Chairman of the Local Housing Partnership, Diane Bartlett was present for the discussion and confirmed that the proposal was for development of all affordable housing units. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding of engineering plans and specifications in the amount of $50,000.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Recycling of Houses Program – Diane Bartlett reported that LHP and Planning Director are looking at town-owned properties where to move a donated house. It was noted that the money would not be expended until a lot was available. Dr. Devnew reported the Historical Commission supported the program. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding in the amount of $100,000 for the Recycling of Houses Program.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Housing Property Acquisition – This funding request was discussed in Executive Session.
Conservation Fund – Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding in the amount of $77,450 to return the Conservation Fund to a level of $100,000.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Historical Land Survey – Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding in the amount of $9,000 to continue the survey of historic properties.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Tarkiln Community Center – Representing the Tarkiln Study Committee was Tag Carpenter and Terry Vose. Mr. Carpenter reported on the committee’s meeting with the Board of Selectmen, who voted to support the project. Dr. Devnew made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Seewald.
Motion: that the CPC recommends to Town Meeting to support the CPA funding in the amount of $435,720 for the purpose of restoration of the Tarkiln Community Center.
Vote: 7 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Ms. Loring complemented the members of the Tarkiln Study Committee for all the work the committee had done.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:20 a.m. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Dr. Devnew to go into executive session.
Motion: to go into executive session to consider the taking, purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property which, if discussed outside of this session could have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the governing body.
Vote: A roll call vote was taken: 7– in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Ms. Loring left the meeting at 9:25 a.m. during the executive session.
At 9:50 a.m. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Seewald.
Motion: to reconvene into open session.
Vote: A roll call vote was taken: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Housing Trust Assistance Program – Mr. Keohan gave an update of the program.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The CPC approved the expenditures from the Conservation Fund for revisions to the Open Space Plan maps and layout of the Open Space Plan.
The CPC reviewed draft minutes of the meeting on 11/20/2008. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Seewald.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 11/20/2008 as presented.
Vote: 6– in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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