Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Meeting Held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008
7:00pm in Town Hall Selectmen’s Hearing Room
Jennifer Burke called the meeting to order at 7:00pm
Members Present: Absent:
Jennifer Burke Paul Byrne
Linda Ghiloni
Jim Vereault
Emma Parente Open Seat: Park Commission
Joe Durant
Ron White
John Parent
Jennifer informed those present that the committee would be listening to presentations tonight and asking questions. They will then take the information and have their deliberations and make recommendations at the meeting on January 22, 2008
Presentations by Applicants for First Round Funding:
1. Hudson Historical Society
Hugo Guidotti, Herb Busch, Kay Johnson, Alan Kattel, Lew Halprin and Barbara ________presented a request for $23,000.00 from the CPC to complete an artifact inventory and support a one year insurance policy at their new location. Hugo Guidotti outlined the information in the request - $20,000 to hire individuals to photograph the artifacts, with descriptions; and $3,000 for a one year insurance policy to protect the artifacts against loss from fire, smoke, water or theft. The members will purchase Pass Perfect software, a new graphic oriented laptop computer and digital camera and lights ($3,300) to facilitate the project.
Lew Halprin stated that he would handle the technical aspect of the project and Kay Johnson indicated she would assist with information describing the artifacts.
Joe Durant mentioned that the pictorial information would benefit the museum in the event of a loss for claim since that could be used by the insurance company to appraise objects that were damaged.
Janice Long from the Senior Center suggested contacting her office to see if any of the seniors currently enrolled in computer classes would be interested in participating in the cataloging process.
2. Senior Center Renovation
Michelle Ciccolo, Community Development Director, Janice Long, Senior Center Director and Ron White, Council on Aging were present to request $1.3 million from the CPC to complete the historic features of the Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project. It should be noted that the request is for historic features such as exterior clapboards, trim, windows, porches, quoins, shutters, etc, and not the expansion of the building. Michelle Ciccolo described the entire project, its cost to the town through the debt exclusion on the February 5th ballot. Any funding from the CPC would reduce the principal, therefore saving the Town money in the long run. Janice Long provided information on the need for the project due to a lack of programming space, the inadequate administrative space for
dealing with clients and the current deplorable condition of the several areas in the building. They are no longer able to use the kitchen since it is out of code, therefore the meals on wheels program is suffering; the ceramics program (conducted in the cellar) egress is up a very narrow staircase or through the bulkhead which must be left open during classes. Michelle Ciccolo indicated that they would be applying for two additional grants through DHCD/CDBG and the Mass Historic Commission over the next couple of months.
Joe Durant questioned the amount of the request, indicating that it is approximately one half the amount CPC expects to raise of the next five years.
Linda Ghiloni asked when grants were due and would a lesser amount be feasible.
3. Acquisition of 43 Brigham Street – Fossile Property
Linda Ghiloni was in attendance to inform the committee of the Division of Recreation’s intention to acquire the property for $350,000.00 both conservation and recreation purposes. This is a piece of land Recreation has been pursuing to purchase since 1997. Recent negotiations with the land owner indicate he may be willing to sell for $350,000.00 with some considerations on his approved subdivision for Brigham Hill 3.
Jim Vereault asked if any discussions had taken place for just the land along the river and Linda Ghiloni stated that she was interested in preserving the entire parcel, using only the upland (or buildable portion) as a practice field for the high school and the land along the river and pond would remain in their natural state. Jim Vereault also indicated that this parcel if part of a larger vision for a loop trail in that section of the Assabet River and Linda Ghiloni stated that it might not be an actual built trail due to conservation restricts of building in the 100 foot buffer, but it would be walkable without an actual trail.
Minutes:
Linda Ghiloni motioned to adopt the minutes of the July 17 and November 26, 2007 meetings as written. Jim Vereault asked if Jennifer had met with the Town Account and whether funding amount questions had been answered. Jennifer stated that the state matches based on anticipated collections and we would get $320,000 in October of 2008.
The motion to adopt the minutes was seconded by Joe Durant and carried…
Vote: 7 – 0 in Favor
Linda Ghiloni informed the committee that the Park Commission would appoint a member to the CPC to replace George Chiasson at their next schedule Park Commission meeting.
Jennifer Burke also mentioned that she will be having a conversation over the next few days with the Executive Director of the Community Preservation Coalition. This group is our resource for information on implementation of the CPA. She was also going to request that the Coalition conduct a workshop for our committee in the next few months.
Joe Durant motioned to adjourn, seconded by Linda Ghiloni and carried…
Vote: 7 – 0 in Favor
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