Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) held a meeting in the Mural Room, Lower Level of the Town Hall on Thursday, December 3, 2009 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, John Bear, Lynne Devnew, Tony Kelso, and Pat Loring. Brendan Keohan and Sarianna Seewald were absent. Also present were Joe Grady, Conservation Administrator and George Wadsworth from the Planning Board. Mr. Frank Mangione from Fiscal Advisory Committee arrived at 9:15 a.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
No subject was brought forth.
FUNDING REQUEST APPLICATIONS FOR 2010
The CPC reviewed and voted on each funding request application.
Grange/Fire House (2010-01) – Representing the project sponsor, Local Housing Partnership (LHP) were Diane Bartlett and George Wadsworth. Mr. Wadsworth reported that Habitat for Humanity has backed out of the project originally agreed to last year, to convert the two structures into two affordable housing dwellings, and that this funding request in the amount of $150,000 would be to assist another contractor to complete the project. Mr. Wadsworth reported that the Fire Station has been condemned and will be demolished and as a result the timeframe to request a building permit is only two years. Ms. Loring voiced her concerns with the proposal in that when initially presented the project was for CPA funds to be used only to purchase the Grange and another entity (Habitat) would complete the construction of two
dwellings. It was noted that LHP is a volunteer committee and CPC questioned who would be overseeing the project on behalf of the Town and whether the LHP would be returning for additional funding to complete the project. CPC asked for more detail as to how the money would be used. Mr. Bear made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: the CPC recommends that an article be placed in the Town Meeting Warrant in the amount of $150,000 for the conversion of the Grange and Old Fire House to two affordable dwellings subject to the LHP demonstrating to the CPC how this money will be specifically used.
Vote: 3 – in favor; 2 – opposed (Loring, Morris). Motion passed.
Old Town Hall Exterior (2010-02) – DPW Director revised this request to be an assessment of the historical restoration of the building. The cost of the study is $1,600. The CPC discussed whether to fund the request from the administrative budget. Dr. Devnew reported the Historic Commission supported the project. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: the CPC approves the funding of the restoration study for the Old Town Hall in the amount of $1,600 from the CPC administrative budget.
Vote: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Old Town Hall Roof (2010-03) – DPW Director withdrew application.
Land Acquisition (2010-04) – discussed in executive session.
Land Acquisition (2010-05) – discussed in executive session.
Isaac Keene Barn (2010-06) – Representing the project sponsor were Brad Graham and Deb Samuels from Crossroads for Kids, Inc. The proposed funding request includes architectural and engineering plans of the barn and work on the foundation. Ms. Morris reported that the project met historical preservation criteria. Dr. Devnew noted the Historic Commission voted to support the project. Mr. Edward McGlinchey from 20 Forge Way questioned if this was best use of CPC money? It was noted that the Camp serves a public purpose and the CPC considers it an asset to the Town. Dr. Devnew made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Loring.
Motion: the CPC recommends that an article be placed in the Town Meeting Warrant for the historic restoration project of the Isaac Keene Barn in the amount of $85,000 for architecture and engineering plans and for work to shore up the foundation.
Vote: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Land Acquisition (2010-07) – discussed in executive session.
Historical Properties Survey (2010-08) – Dr. Devnew explained this proposal was a continuation of the town-wide survey of historical properties. The funding request was revised to $55,000 for a three-year project rather than a 5-year time frame. It was noted the Historic Commission would need to revise the written application. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: the CPC recommends that an article be placed in the Town Meeting Warrant for the continuation of the survey of historical properties in the amount of $55,000, subject to the funding application being amended to reflect change in amount and time frame.
Vote: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Tarkiln Plaque (2010-09) – Application withdrawn since CPC previously approved expenditure from its administrative budget.
First Parish Church (2010-10) – Representing the project sponsor was John Lehman. The project is partial funding of restoration of the windows of the Church. Dr. Devnew noted that the Historic Commission voted to support the project. Mr. Bear reported on his criteria evaluation. Mr. McGlinchey questioned if “separation of Church and State” would be an issue? Ms. Morris commented that the Community Preservation Coalition webpage identifies Church projects in other communities funded by CPA. Diane Bartlett asked if CPC had requested an opinion by Town Counsel. Ms. Morris replied that because of the precedent of other towns using CPA funds CPC had not requested Town Counsel’s opinion. Ms. Loring commented that this is the kind of project CPC has looked at in
the past, where an applicant funds at least 50% of a project and looks to CPC for partial funding. Mr. Bear made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Loring.
Motion: the CPC recommends that an article be placed in the Town Meeting Warrant for the restoration project of the windows at First Parish Church in the amount of $50,000.
Vote: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – POTENTIAL LAND ACQUISTIONS
At 9:55 a.m. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear 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: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
At 10:52 a.m. Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: to reconvene into open session.
Vote: A roll call vote was taken: 5 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Ms. Loring left meeting after the executive session.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Mr. Kelso made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Bear.
Motion: to approve the stipend in the amount of $6,000 for FY 2010 for Mr. Grady’s staff work with the CPC.
Vote: 4 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
The CPC signed bills.
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
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