COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting: May 17, 2007
Attendance: Members Glenn Collins, Elizabeth Simmons, Sue Horton, Cheryl Gayle, Peter McDonald, Henry Curtis, and David J. Skiba; Town Administrator
Sheila Vanderhoef; and Vickie Goldsmith from Habitat for Humanity
The minutes of the April 19, 2007, meeting were approved and the report on the May 7, 2007, Town Meeting was accepted by the Members.
Vickie Goldsmith of Habitat for Humanity on Cape Cod presented her program including their typical operation of building from the ground up with donated and purchased materials and with volunteer services. The most properties developed to date are in Barnstable followed by Mashpee and Chatham. Vickie indicated that Habitat will do as few as a 1 one-bedroom home; that they are able to work in conjunction with other Housing Agencies; and that they are able to share parcels of land. The public process of Habitat generally spotlights the advocacy for affordable housing. Sheila Vanderhoef indicated that there are few, if any, lots owned by the Town of Eastham which would be suitable for construction of Habitat homes at this time and that the parcels the Town does own are so small that they are being
considered for sale to abutters to generate revenue for Town purposes. Habitat typically builds two bedroom and three bedroom homes with standard designs targeting families at 65% of median income with ultimate principal, interest, insurance and tax payments for the homeowners in the $625.00 per month range. Affordable deed restrictions in perpetuity are imposed. It may be possible for the Town either to acquire land or decrepit buildings for Habitat either to build upon or rehabilitate. Sheila mentioned that there might be houses in Town, which family members do not wish to retain and which may be available for acquisition with Community Preservation funds.
In other matters Glenn asked Sheila about the funding for the Elementary School Playground Project. Sheila will check when funding may take place. Additionally it was noted that the Bridge Connecting Project in Wiley Park would need to go out for rebidding. Sheila suggested that the Community Preservation Committee keep an eye on funds for future disbursement on larger affordable housing acquisitions such as the Purcell property.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 21, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. The Eastham Housing Authority and the Critical Planning Committee shall be invited.
Hank Curtis indicated that the Seabury-Sparrow House should be represented at a future Town Meeting. The members concurred that Lou Roy should be consulted first.
Glenn mentioned that he might be resigning from the Conservation Commission, which makes his position on the Community Preservation Committee a question to be answered. The members voted that Henry Curtis shall be Chairman of the Community Preservation Committee for a one-year term; that David J. Skiba shall be Secretary for a six-month period; and that Cheryl shall continue as Vice-Chairman until a new vote is taken. David noted that the Community Preservation Committee should be reconstituted if the Affordable Housing Task Force is in the process of being dissolved since one of the members of the CPC is to come from the Affordable Housing Task Force.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Skiba, Clerk
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