urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags013fEASTHAM COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting: January 18, 2007
Attendance: Glenn Collins, Elizabeth Simmons, Kathryn Sette, Sue Horton, Henry Curtis, Peter McDonald, and David J. Skiba, Members; and Martin
McDonald, Selectman
Cheryl Gayle, Member, arrived at 6:15 p.m.
The minutes of January 11, 2007 were approved.
1. The Swift-Daley House project was discussed as a historical public use with the financial aspects seemingly appropriate. Kathryn moved and Liz seconded that the proposal be recommended:
To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of Twenty-four
Thousand Six Hundred ($24,600.00) Dollars from the Community
Preservation Fund historic resources reserve for the purpose of
restoration of the Swift-Daley House on Route 6, Eastham, MA,
including the acquisition of an appropriate deed restriction; or take
any action relative thereto.
Peter had recused himself; all other members voted in favor.
2. The Town Clerk Vital Records/Artwork Preservation application was discussed as historic preservation and the accessibility of records was applauded. Kathryn moved and Peter seconded that the proposal be recommended:
To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of Thirty-nine
Thousand Eight Hundred Two ($39,802.00) Dollars from the
Community Preservation Fund historic resources reserve for the
purpose of the Eastham Town Clerk Vital Records Preservation
and preservation of two (2) works of art in the possession of Town
Hall; or take any action relative thereto.
All members voted in favor with a request that the Town Clerk provide a letter of care and security of the possession of the materials while being restored. Glenn will follow up with the Town Clerk.
3. The Gravestone Conservation Project for Bridge Road Cemetery and Cove Burying Ground was discussed as an historic preservation project. Sue moved and Liz seconded that the proposal be recommended:
To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of Nineteen
Thousand ($19,000.00) Dollars from the Community Preservation
Fund historic resources reserve for the purpose of the Gravestone
Conservation Project at the Bridge Road Cemetery and the Cove
Burying Ground, which shall include restoration to thirty-nine (39)
gravestones; or take any action relative thereto.
All members voted in favor.
4. The Bridge Connecting Project was discussed. Glenn noted the price was now $47,000.00, whereas the application had been for $35.000.00 originally. David moved and Kathryn seconded that the project be recommended subject to a final determination of the amount to be recommended. All members voted in favor.
PersonNameMartin McDonald arrived and inquired whether a pool of money for Open Space acquisition could be set aside for immediate utilization in the future by the Selectmen and Town Administrator. Members discussed the current set asides already in place and the need for Town Meeting participation. Martin will report back on how some other Towns are addressing the issue to enable swifter response to available opportunities.
5. Considerable discussion on the Pond Study project including the signage and the boat took place. David requested further study of volatile organic compounds in pond water, especially Moll’s Pond. Some members thought the boat was an appropriate application while any signs should be coordinated with other community projects to avoid excessive signage. All members applauded the information that has been gathered and the service of volunteers on the projects, but several noted that the project is merely a study. Peter asked where the project was going, and Cheryl questioned whether it was appropriate for CPA funds. Cheryl moved and Peter seconded not to recommend the Pond Study project as an open space project under Community Preservation Act. Discussion involved the fact
that the Community Preservation Act requires "preservation or rehabilitation of open space". The vote was unanimous not to recommend the project but to indicate that the Study is a worthy one, which should continue and come under the budget of the Health/Natural Resources Office or other Town budget item.
6. The Elementary School Playground project was reviewed. Hank indicated that Attorney Landreth suggested that Attorney Gilmore respond to the questions relative to prevailing wage law requirements on the project. Attorney Gilmore suggested, without cost to the CPA legal fund, that public funds such as CPA funds on a public project such as a school playground would require prevailing wage. Hank suggested the project might be viable if only the playground equipment were purchased with CPA funds. Glenn shall request a breakdown of the materials from the applicant and an update on the funds to be raised for the next CPC meeting.
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator, had re-requested of Glenn that the CPC consider opening applications for an open space project and perhaps windows in the front of Town Hall, which may be leaking. Sheila reiterated a need for more time. After considerable discussion, David moved and Kathryn seconded:
The Community Preservation Committee will consider late
applications for the next Town Meeting only upon a majority
vote of the CPC members that the application serves a dire
emergency with parameters of time, damages, absence of
other resources, and loss of opportunity to be paramount.
All members voted in favor of the policy.
7. The Seabury-Sparrow House was brought to discussion. Kathryn indicated that she and the Historical Society supported the recapture of CPA funds through a mortgage, together with historical restrictions. Hank reiterated the importance of preserving the house and that the historic restrictions on such funds would be sufficient to deter abuse by subsequent applicants for private homes. Kathryn mentioned that all four (4) sides of a structure would need to meet historical standards. Kathryn moved and Cheryl seconded that the Seabury-Sparrow House project be recommended with restrictions for rehabilitation of all sides of the premises and with mortgage security without interest for recapture of Community Preservation funds upon sale of the property. Cheryl, Glenn, Sue, Hank, and Kathryn
voted in favor subject to final review of the article to be drafted. David and Liz voted against the recommendation. Liz had concerns regarding the escalation of costs beyond the application request due to unforeseen problems and David had concerns relative to funding a privately owned property.
The next meeting will be January 25, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., with the following meeting February 8, 2007.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Skiba, Clerk
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