EASTHAM COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting: January 5, 2006
Attendance: Martin McDonald, Glenn Collins, David J. Skiba, Dianne O'Neill, Cheryl
Gayle, Sue Horton, Elizabeth Simmons, Committee Members; Mary Elizabeth Burgess, Town Planner; and one member of the public Brian Twomey, of North Eastham.
Minutes of December 21, 2005, Public Informational Meeting were approved upon motion by Sue Horton and second by Liz Simmons.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 2, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. at Eastham Town Hall, with anticipation of applications being received by January 31, 2006.
The Project Evaluation Form generated by the Town of Sandwich was discussed favorably, and members concurred that standards from the Local Comprehensive Plan should be utilized in evaluating applications for CPA funds. After discussion, CPC members agreed to have a scoring column on the margin of the Eastham CPA Application criteria with scores to guide the decisions but not to be solely determinative. The standards for scoring application criteria will be 0 for either unacceptable/low or non-applicable; 5 for acceptable/satisfactory; or 10 for excellent/high. All such scoring sheets shall have a statement that "The scores on the scoring sheet shall serve as a guide to decision making but shall not be solely determinative". Mary Elizabeth noted that the Town warrant closes on
February 9, 2006, and that the Selectmen may keep some space on the warrant open a little later for CPC applications. The Clerk shall inquire of the Town Administrator as to specific timing and number of spaces.
Cheryl Gayle reviewed the Local Comprehensive Plan and suggested that all members read the same. Sue Horton distributed the open space policy, and Mary Elizabeth provided copies of the Local Comprehensive Plan to all members.
Elizabeth Simmons discussed the potential of subcommittees for reviewing applications, and members concurred that initially the full membership would review applications until such time as the CPC is overwhelmed with applications. CPC members agreed that applications should be read by all members prior to meeting with the applicants to discuss.
It was noted that the next Roundtable Discussion with the Cape Cod Commission is slated for January 17, 2006, at the Superior Court Building, Barnstable, at 2:30 p.m.
Glenn Collins reminded members of the requirement of a "needs study and plan" to be done and updated annually.
Selectmen have sent a proposal to pursue the acquisition of a large tract of land in North Eastham for ground water protection, and Glenn Collins shall communicate CPC initial support for said proposal to the Selectmen.
Sue Horton expects the Open Space Committee to submit an application for signage along trails.
The members discussed the potential of acquiring existing houses, which are to be torn down, and relocating said houses for affordable housing. A letter from David Crary was read wherein Mr. Crary encouraged the use of existing buildings for affordable housing rather than building new buildings and suggested that a portion of his 19 acre parcel off Bridge Road is available for open space acquisition.
Mary Elizabeth talked about Brown Fields property, specifically the gas station on Route 6, South Eastham, once known as the "Neighborhood Gas Station, and the desire to have the State Environmental Lien removed so that the property may be utilized for affordable housing. Sue Horton suggested that state legislation to eliminate or mitigate the lien be pursued with the local state representative. Mary Elizabeth indicated that a $50,000.00 grant is available for development of rental housing in Town.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Skiba, Clerk
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