Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Meeting Held on Monday, August 13, 2018
7:00pm - Selectmen’s Hearing Room, Town Hall
Members Present: Not Present:
Robert D’Amelio Joseph Durant
George Luoto Peter Breton
Anne Marie Lourens
Linda Ghiloni
John Parent
Michael Chaves
Marianne Iarossi
7:00pm – Application for Funding
1. Brigham Circle Community Center – Glen Davis, Housing Authority representative was in attendance. Mr. Parent informed those present of the restrictions of using CPC funding for housing projects. CPC funds may only be used for rehabilitation or restoration if the community housing was acquired or created using CPC funding. Therefore, this project is not eligible for funding.
2. South Street Riverwalk – Jack Hunter, Director of Planning and Community Development was present to explain the application for design funding that will include existing conditions, wetlands flagging, schematic plan by a landscape architect, design development and construction drawings/specs, electrical engineer design/specs for lighting and cost estimates. The design will identify invasive species along the river and recommend replacement with native plantings while realigning the current path for handicap accessibility and is a project that will further enhance the current upgrades on South Street.
Also in attendance were Arthur Redding, Richard Braga representative of the Business Improvement District and Pam Helinek, Conservation Agent. It was stated that Community Development would ask a number of stakeholders (Conservation, BID, Recreation representatives) to be part of the design process so they can gain input for actual design. A number of support letters were received in support of the project.
Mr. Parent stated that he was in favor of the design funding but warned those in attendance that the CPC has limited funding for construction costs. It was stated that there could be several sources including grant funding that could be available to help with the end construction costs.
Mr. D’Amelio motion to approve the $40,000.00 request for design through Undesignated Funds, seconded by Mrs. Iarossi and carried….
Vote: 7-0 in Favor
3. Liberty Park Improvements – Jack Hunter, Director of Planning and Community Development explained the application for design of this project that would tie into other improvements in the downtown. Again, handicap accessibility, parking runoff, and a number of improvements would be addressed through the design. A “bump out” cantilevered over the Assabet River could be a feature used for music events, library and veterans activities, while opening up views to the river.
As was stated in the Riverwalk design project meetings of stakeholders, additional sources of funding and significant conservation concerns would all be explored and investigated.
Mr. Parent motioned to approve the $90,000.00 design for Liberty Park improvements through Undesignated Funds, seconded by Mr. D’Amelio and carried…
Vote: 7-0 in Favor
Financial Information
Spreadsheets from the Town Accountant and Mrs. Ghiloni indicating the funds the CPC currently has to work with were briefly discussed.
Minutes of Meetings
Mr. D’Amelio motioned to approve the minutes of January 10, 2018 as written, seconded by Ms. Iarossi and carried….
Vote: 6 in Favor
1 Abstained – Mr. Luoto
Minutes of the February joint meeting with the Conservation Commission to discuss benefits of creating a land trust did not have a quorum of CPC members present, therefore there is no need to approve.
Change in Timelines of Applications
Mrs. Ghiloni requested changing the application deadlines for both May and November Town Meetings giving the Committee adequate time prior to the closing of Town Meeting Warrants to research project requests. The Committee members did not have any issues with these timelines.
Mr. D’Amelio motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm, seconded by Mr. Parent and carried…
Vote: 7-0 in Favor
M: Mr. D’Amelio
S: Mr. Parent
V: 7-0 in Favor
2 Abstained – Mr. Durant and Mr. Breton
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