EASTHAM COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting: February 23, 2006
Attendance: Glenn Collins, Cheryl Gayle, Martin McDonald, David J. Skiba, Sue
Horton, Elizabeth Simmons, Peter McDonald, Kathryn Sette, Joy
Brookshire, Selectwoman, Bernard Kaplan, and a member of the press
Absent: Dianne O'Neill and Mary Elizabeth Burgess, Town Planner
The meeting was called to order by Glenn Collins.
Kathryn handed out a news article on Chatham relative to the Atwood House Museum construction.
Cheryl reported on the Cape Cod Commission Roundtable held February 21, 2006. Cheryl noted the list of other historic resources and questions and answers that may be found on CommunityPreservation.org. Cheryl further noted that amendments to the warrant article should be limited. It was noted also that archeological documents may be the subject of historic preservation; that the CPC needs a policy statement as to what we base our decisions upon; that Town Meeting may only vote upon CPC recommendations rather than outside initiatives. David discussed the need for sufficient detail in the warrant so that the proposed project and expenditure is clear. Cheryl noted that other groups such as the Community Development Corporation and the Housing Assistance Corporation offered cooperation with CPA
funds.
Peter viewed the Roy property and noted that the windows appeared to be watertight and not in immediate danger of failure. He further observed that the foundation extends outside the wall allowing for potential water damage to the structure.
Cheryl noted that since Mary Elizabeth was absent the balance of CPA funds was not available for discussion, and the members agreed to work on the basic assumption of approximately $800,000.00 available. Cheryl noted that administrative funds not used in a particular year would go back into the general CPA fund and that it was anticipated that six (6) to seven (7) warrant articles would be necessary.
Glenn then directed the meeting to consider the applications for Community Preservation funds.
Administrative funds: David moved and Sue seconded "Community Preservation Committee recommends that 2.5% of CPA funds be set aside by Town Meeting vote, which amount is less than the 5% amount allowed by state statute, and that said 2.5% of CPA funds be available for administrative expenses should the need arise. Any funds not expended shall revert to the Community Preservation fund as required by law." After discussing that this article should be the last among Community Preservation Act articles to be on the Town warrant, the vote was unanimously in favor.
Lou Roy/Seabury-Sparrow House project: No one moved to support the project. David moved and Kathryn seconded "Based on the lack of information and understanding, the CPC moves that the project not be supported at this time". After discussion by Martin that there is precedent to support private projects and perhaps it was a good proposal to support an historic house, Martin acknowledged that better guidelines would be beneficial. There was then a unanimous vote in favor of not supporting the project.
Nauset Road water protection: David abstained. Martin noted that Karl Weiss had concerns regarding the size of the parcel as well as the debris and stumps already existent on the property as a potential problem with water resources. Martin further noted that it was not an attractive parcel and had been on a lower priority level of previous Open Space Committees. Peter noted there was not a grave risk of multi-house development due to a questionable access. Kathryn moved, Sue seconded, denial of approval until further information is available including a complete 21E environmental review; total acquisition costs; and applicability of water resource needs. All members participating voted in support of the denial.
Neighborhood gas station proposal: Peter moved and Sue second that the Neighborhood gas station proposal for conversion of the premises to five (5) affordable units be supported as an affordable housing project and to support the expenditure of $300,000,00 of Community Preservation funds, with said expenditure contingent upon the following:
1. $150,000.00 of said sum would be released upon negotiation of a Release of the DEP lien for $150,000.00 within eighteen (18) months of the Town Meeting vote approving the expenditure; and
2. Upon a satisfactory potable water certification.
The additional $150,000.00 would be released upon the following:
1. The securing of title in the Town of Eastham or its nominee to the premises;
2. The securing of all necessary grants sufficient to fund the projected contract costs;
3. Permitting through Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws;
4. An approved Title V/alternative septic system for five (5) bedrooms on the premises; and
5. A perpetual deed restriction for affordable housing being entered.
Expenditure of said funds after the latter five (5) conditions have been met shall be subject to CPC approval of request for payment from the Town or its designated developer. If the initial $150,000.00 of funds revert to the CPA, then said sum shall be reserved for affordable housing while the remaining $150,000.00 shall revert to the Community Preservation fund without restriction.
During discussion Peter mentioned the fact that an alternative septic system would be required. Martin had suggested that the $150,000.00 be tied to project costs, and David reiterated his concern about the lack of a total project cost or budget cap on the entire proposal. Glen mentioned that all members were concerned that there was a lack of a total budget cost, but recognized that at this time a total cost is not available. Glenn, Cheryl, Martin, Sue, Liz, Peter, and Kathryn voted in favor of the proposal. David voted against the proposal based on the lack of a satisfactory projected cost or a total budget cap.
Glacial Pond Trails project: Cheryl moved and Martin seconded that the CPC recommend "the expenditure of Community Preservation Act funds for the Glacial Pond Trails project as an open space project as presented by the Open Space Committee to enhance the existing trail system in the Wiley Park system through Cottontail Acres and the South Eastham Conservation Area for the purposes of trailhead signs, directional signs, interpretive signs, signposts, display case, "Mutt-Mitts", dispensers, and waste receptacles with a total budget of $8,000.00". There was discussion as to whether to release the full amount of the funds and to whom. It was noted that the Town Accountant would pay bills as submitted by the Natural Resources Department. Glenn, Cheryl, Martin, David, Sue,
Peter, and Kathryn voted in favor. Liz opposed the project noting that the signs would take away from the natural environment.
Burying Ground proposals: Peter moved and Sue seconded recommendation of approval of CPA funds for historic preservation in the amount of $7,000.00 to be utilized at the Cove Burying Ground and Bridge Road Cemetery for replacement/preservation of existing stones and a preservation study with a copy of the final preservation study to be submitted to the CPC. Cheryl questioned whether all funds should be released immediately and Joy Brookshire noted that the Cemetery Commission does have a budget and answers to the Selectmen. All members voted in favor of the motion.
David Crary project: Peter moved and Liz seconded not to recommend the project due to lack of information regarding price, significance of the parcel as open space/water resource, and the benefit to the Town relative to the anticipated expense. All members voted in favor of not recommending the project.
Schoolhouse Museum project: Cheryl reported the Atwood House expansion project in Chatham as being similar to and supportive of this project. Martin read a letter from the Eastham Historical Society stating that the project was to preserve and protect artifacts and to provide handicapped access as well as to provide climate control further citing the Chatham Atwood House expansion project. David moved and Sue seconded that "Community Preservation Act funds for historic preservation in the amount of $250,000.00 be directed to the Schoolhouse Museum Restoration project for the purpose of providing a foundation and renovation to the existing structure and replicating an earlier wing on the building to preserve and protect artifacts. Said project to include handicapped access and climate
control for preservation of the contents. Said CPA funds shall be expended upon a schedule to be agreed upon between the applicant and the CPC. The applicant shall execute a deed restriction limiting the use of the premises in accord with the Massachusetts Historical Commission guidelines which restriction shall run in favor of the Inhabitants of the Town of Eastham". Peter had recused and removed himself from the hearing on this subject. Sue discussed the history of the building with the prior wings in service until 1936, and Glenn noted that it was well presented application. The sentence relative to handicapped access and climate control was added to the motion and seconded after discussion. The vote of those participating was unanimously in favor.
There was then discussion of the allocation needed to meet the standards of the Community Preservation Act, and David noted that the legislative body being the Town Meeting is responsible for assuring that 10% be allocated to each of the categories of open space, historic resources, and community housing. The Preservation Committee unanimously agreed that the debt service for the Aschetino property shall be attributable to open space under the Community Preservation Act. The members all concurred that the categories for each of the recommended projects, whether historic, open space, or housing, would be noted on the warrant articles. Martin noted if all of the recommended proposals passed that together with the Aschetino debt serve, the CPA expenditure would approximate $660,000.00. Glenn
reiterated his concern about the total amount of money actually available at a given point in time relative to expenditures.
After discussion about allocation, David moved and Kathryn seconded that the Community Preservation Committee recommend the setting aside the balance of all CPA funds for later spending under the terms of the Community Preservation Act. All members voted in favor.
It was determined that the next meetings tentatively be scheduled for February 28, 2006, and March 2, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. Glenn adjourned the meeting with unanimous vote.
Respectively submitted,
David J. Skiba, Clerk
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