EASTHAM COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting: October 19, 2005
Attendance: Cheryl Gayle, Sue Horton, Elizabeth Simmons, Peter McDonald, Martin
McDonald, Dianne O'Neill, David Skiba, Committee Members;
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator; Mary Elizabeth Burgess, Town
Planner; Linda Burt, Selectman; Joyce Brookshire, Selectman; Russ
Sandblom, Selectman; Susan Barker and several members of the public
and the press
At the meeting, it was determined that the normal meeting date will be the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. with the next meeting on November 10, 2005. Posting shall be done by Town Administrator or the Town Planner for the next meeting and generally must be filed 48 hours prior to the meeting.
The Town Administrator addressed the group indicating minutes of the meetings must be kept and when executive sessions take place, minutes must be taken but retained as confidential.
The Committee will serve to identify properties and may meet with Selectmen in executive session regarding proposals.
If a Committee Member steps down, the Board, if any from which the Member was delegated, must make a recommendation for a new Member.
The Community Preservation Act did garner state matching funds for FY06 with approximately $383,000.00 available from the Town with a match by the State less some pay downs of previous obligations for purchases such as the Hatch property and the Bridge Road property. The Aschetino property is being paid from CPA funds over the next several years.
With regard to Community Preservation funds, such funds may be set aside or spent in the ratio of 10% for housing; 10% for open space; and 10% for historical purposes on an annual basis. The Community Preservation Committee shall make recommendations to Town Meeting including the disposition of the remaining 70% after the required proportions of 10/10/10.
A threshold, according to the statute Chapter 44B of Massachusetts General Laws, indicates that the Community Preservation Committee should hold a public meeting to address "underlying needs, possibilities and resources of the Town". Subsequently the Community Preservation Committee may be able to identify properties and make recommendations. The Town Administrator indicated that the purchasing of conservation restrictions and easements, in some cases, might be more cost effective than acquiring actual fee ownership. The Town Administrator also suggested that land acquisitions anticipate water supply needs.
The Members of the Committee introduced themselves with a brief autobiography. Kathryn Sette was unable to attend and the Conservation Committee appointee is pending. A Special Municipal Employee status for the Committee was discussed.
Several members shall be attending a workshop on October 22, 2005, and will share information regarding community preservation at the next meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Skiba
Acting Clerk
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