Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 14 2008
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) held a meeting in the Mural Room, Lower Level of the Town Hall on Thursday, February 14, 2008 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, Lynne Devnew, Tony Kelso, Brendan Keohan (who arrived at 9:15 a.m.), and Pat Loring. John Bear and Sarianna Seewald were absent. Also present were Joe Grady, Conservation Administrator, George Wadsworth from the Planning Board, and Frank Mangione from Fiscal Advisory Committee. Christine Stickney, Planning Director and Diane Bartlett, Chairman of the Local Housing Partnership was present for the discussion regarding the proposed housing articles for Annual Town Meeting.
PUBLIC FORUM
No subject was brought forward.
CPC FUNDING REQUESTS / TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Grange – Ms. Bartlett reported the deadline for proposal submittal in response to the Request of Proposal for rehabilitation of the Grange and old Franklin St. Fire Station to two affordable housing units is March 5, 2008. The CPC discussed whether to conditionally vote on the funding request or wait until after receipt of any proposals. The CPC postponed action until after the proposal submittal deadline.
CPC Administrative Operating Budget – The CPC reconsidered its vote from last meeting when it voted the administrative operating budget to the maximum 5% of the annual total revenue. Ms. Morris reported that 5% would be approximately $92,000. Dr. Devnew made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Loring.
Motion: to recommend that the CPC administrative operating budget for fiscal year 2009 be funded at $80,000.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Land Acquisition – Berrybrook
The purchase price for the two Berrybrook parcels is $2,100,000. Ancillary costs are estimated at $63,000. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: the CPC recommends that the Town Meeting appropriate $2,163,000 from the CPA fund to acquire for conservation purposes 40.5 acres of land known as the Berrybrook land acquisition.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Land Acquisition – Camp Wing
The purchase price for the Camp Wing property is $1,000,000. Ancillary costs are estimated at $40,000. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: the CPC recommends that Town Meeting appropriate $1,040,000 from the CPA fund to acquire for conservation and community housing purposes the 110 acres of land known as the Camp Wing land acquisition.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 0 – opposed.
Homeownership Assistance Program – Christine Stickney and Diane Bartlett were present for this discussion. The CPC discussed specifics of the program and had questions regarding payment of the loan in a declining housing market; screening process for eligible buyers; estimates for administrative costs of the program; examples of similar programs from other communities; and what happens to the property when it is resold. Ms. Loring commented that she had concerns regarding the second mortgage being forgiven particularly when the program involves use of taxpayers’ money. The CPC asked that Ms. Bartlett prepare a fact sheet explaining the program.
Tarkiln Community Center Restoration – Mr. Keohan arrived at the meeting during this discussion. Also present for this discussion were members of the Historical Commission: Terry Vose, Norman Tucker, and James Nihan. The CPC discussed the estimated cost of restoration and the use of the building. The CPC postponed action on this project until the bids are received on March 5, 2008. Dr. Devnew questioned the presentation of the CPA Fund finances and asked why borrowing was only shown just under the Tarkiln project rather than having borrowing needs shown as a separate line item. Dr. Devnew felt it inappropriate to show the need to borrow just under just one project.
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COALITION MEMBERSHIP DUES
The CPC postponed action on the membership until it could communicate with other communities regarding the dues.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The CPC voted to approve up to $2,500 from the administrative budget for preparation of maps/town meeting handouts by MapWorks, Inc.
The CPC signed bills for legal services regarding the purchase and sales for the Berrybrook and Camp Wing land acquisitions; and for legal services regarding title insurance for O’Neil Farm project. The CPC signed a bill from Duxbury Clipper for the public hearing notice.
The CPC signed an invoice to closeout the Delano Water Department land transfer town meeting article account and to return unused funds back to the Water Enterprise Account.
The CPC reviewed minutes of the meeting on 12/6/2007, 1/17/2008, 1/24/2008, and 1/31/2008.The CPC postponed action on the minutes of 12/6/07. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 1/17/2008, as presented.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 0 – opposed; 1 abstention (Keohan). Motion passed.
Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 1/24/2008, as presented.
Vote: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Keohan.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 1/31/2008, as presented.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 0 – opposed; 1 – abstention (Loring). Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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