Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 23, 2010
This meeting was the annual public informational hearing as required under M. G. L. Chapter 44B, section 5.
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) held a meeting in the Mural Room, Lower Level of the Town Hall on Thursday, February 23, 2010 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Members present included Chairman Holly Morris, Lynne Devnew, Tony Kelso, Brendan Keohan, Pat Loring and Sarianna Seewald. John Bear was absent.
The meeting began with the Chairman introducing each of the CPC members and then Ms. Morris gave a brief overview of the CPA Fund finances and the balances in each account.
REVIEW OF TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Ms. Morris summarized the first two proposed CPC articles.
Article 21 – Operating Budget – Proposed funding at $76,405 for FY 2011.
Article 22 – 10% Allocation for the Purpose of Open Space, Community Housing and Historic Preservation – Proposed funding at $152,810 for each purpose for total of $458,430.
Article 23 – First Parish Church Window Restoration – Mr. Jon Lehman from the First Parish Church explained the project, which is restoration of the large windows in the Church. The funding request is for $50,000 and Ms. Morris noted that the motion for the article would include an additional $5, 000 for ancillary administrative costs associated with the historic restriction agreement. Total funding appropriation for Article 23 is $55,000.
Article 24 – Isaac Keene Barn Restoration – Representing the applicant were Powell Robinson, Brad Graham and Deb Samuels. Ms. Samuels described the project, which is phase 1 of restoration of the barn and includes an engineering and architectural evaluation of the barn and stabilization of one corner of the barn’s foundation. The project funding request is $85,000 and the motion for Article 24 will include an extra $5,000 for ancillary administrative costs associated with the historic restriction agreement. Total funding appropriation for Article 24 is $90,000.
Article 25 – Historic Properties Survey – On behalf of the Historical Commission Dr. Devnew described the project which is a continuation of the survey of local historical properties. The amount of the funding request is $55,000.
Article 26 – Congress Street Land Purchase – Ms. Morris described the purchase which is to purchase 60 acres of land off Congress Street for open space and possible water supply purposes. It was reported that the existing cranberry bog would no longer be farmed as a result of the US Department of Agriculture’s Wetland Reserve Program. The purchase price for the property is $150,000. The total funding appropriation for Article 26 is $185,000 which includes ancillary costs.
Article 28 – Affordable Housing (Franklin Street) – On behalf of the Local Housing Partnership, Mr. Keohan explained the project which includes plans and specifications, exterior historical restoration and development costs for two affordable housing units at 153 and 159 Franklin Street. The amount of the funding request is $150,000.
REVIEW OF TOWN MEETING ARTICLES MOTIONS
The CPC reviewed the motion for each of the CPC recommended articles for Town Meeting.
Article 21 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Seewald.
Motion: to approve the wording to the motion for Article 21 as presented in the amount of $76, 405.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 22 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: to approve the wording of the motion for Article 22 as presented, in the total amount of $458,420.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 23 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Dr. Devnew made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: to approve the wording of the motion for Article 23 as presented in the amount of $55,000.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 24 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Motion: to approve the wording of the motion for Article 24 as presented in the amount of $90,000.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 25 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Dr. Devnew made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Seewald.
Motion: to approve the wording of the motion for Article 25 as presented in the amount of $55,000.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 26 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Ms. Seewald made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Keohan.
Motion: to approve the wording of the motion for Article 26 as presented in the amount of $185,000.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 27 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion to indefinitely postpone this article.
Ms. Loring made a motion that was seconded by Dr. Devnew.
Motion: to indefinitely postpone this Article.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed. Motion passed.
Article 28 – Ms. Morris read the Town Meeting motion. Mr. Keohan recommended changing the wording to read “exterior historical restoration” rather than “exterior historical preservation”. Mr. Keohan made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Kelso.
Prior to the vote Mr. Keohan explained the need for the money. Ms. Loring questioned if there were any other alternatives and what would happen to the Grange building if the Town sold the property.
Motion: to approve the wording of the motion as amended in the amount of $150,000.
Vote: 6 – in favor; 0 – opposed.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The CPC signed bills.
The CPC cancelled the meetings scheduled for February 25 and March 11, 2010.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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