Lenox Community Preservation Committee
February 23, 2009
Public Hearing Minutes
Members present: Roscoe Sandlin (RS), Chairman, Midge Sandlin (MS), Joe G. Strauch (JGS), James Jurney, Jr. (JJ), Joseph Kellogg (JK), Fred Keator (FK) and Olga Weiss.
Jim Sorrentino (JS) absent with notification and Scott Pignatelli (SP) absent.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
RS opened the public hearing at 7:33 PM. He said tonight is an opportunity for the public to comments on the proposed CPC allocations. He said the allocation requests are as follows:
1. Library Debt Service $138,000
2. 5% Administration Allocation $ 20,625
3. Lenox Housing Authority $ 15,000
4. Historic Plaques for town and
Non-profit buildings $ 3,200
5. CDC Southern Berkshire - Saw Mill Brook $110,000
6. Ventfort Hall $ 20,000
7. Baczek Property $100,000
8. Library Association – Reading Park $ 75,000
RS reviewed the funds available for FY10. The projected funds available are $576,315. He stated that the town is not obligated to spend CPA money. However, ten percent must be reserved for each of the following: historic preservation, community housing and open space and recreation.
Scott Laugenour asked if the proposed allocations can be voted on separately. RS said projects can be voted on separately. FK explained that the CPC budget is presented in the same format as the other town budget. RS also noted that the individual project allocations can be reduced or eliminated. The budget amount cannot be increased and new projects cannot be added at Town Meeting. FK said this process should be clearly explained at Town Meeting. RS said he would discuss this matter with the Town Moderator.
Brian Shepardson asked about the status of the Baker’s Pond project. RS said that engineering work has commenced; however, the CPC has not authorized payment for any invoices associated with this project.
There were questions regarding the Baczek application. It was noted that the parcel is 140 acres. Currently, it is on the market and the asking price is $565,000. Greg Federspiel, Town Manager, offer a brief overview of the project. The Baczek property is located on East Street and has significant wetland areas. The Lenox portion of the multi-use recreation path would pass through this property. The property abuts the Lenox Sportsman Club as well as land owned by the State’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. There is potential to partner with each of these organizations to purchase the property. He concluded by saying that he will also be looking for funds from the Housantic River Restoration Fund Program. He is willing to stipulate that CPC funds be
contingent on securing other funding sources. If the other sources of funding do not come to fruition the money appropriated for the project will be returned to the CPC.
Scott Laugenour asked if Sawmill Brook was still an active project. RS said Tim Geller, Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire (CDC) is in the audience and asked Mr. Geller to give a brief update. Mr. Geller said Sawmill Brook is an active project. He noted that their current CPC application request is to fund construction costs. The CPC funding is a small percentage of the overall project construction costs. The CDC must receive funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to construct this project. If they do not receive DHCD funds they will not be able to use the appropriated CPA funds.
There were a number of questions regarding the Library Association Reading Park application. Members of the public voiced concern regarding the overall $700,000 project costs. Plans for the Reading Park were made available for public review. Upon inspection of the plans Gail Street questioned the high cost of the project. Scott Laugenour said he supports improvements but does not want the Reading Park to be overproduced. There was a great deal of discussion regarding the library lease and the future maintenance of the Reading Park.
Kate McNulty Vaughan asked the committee to provide a brief overview of the applications as well the committee ranking of the project. RS offered a brief review of each project and said that at the February 17th meeting the members informally ranked the projects as follows with 1 being the top priority and 8 being the lowest priority.
1. Library Debt Service
2. 5% Administration Allocation
3. Lenox Housing Authority
4. Historic Plaques for town and
Non-profit buildings
5. CDC Southern Berkshire - Saw Mill Brook
6. Ventfort Hall
7. Baczek Property
8. Library Association – Reading Park
Ms. McNulty Vaughan asked for clarification regarding the Ventfort Hall project. RS explained that the CPC asked the Ventfort Hall Association to submit a revised application because the original application contained items that were not eligible for CPA funding. The CPC is only considering the revised application.
Brain Shepardson asked about the public bid process. JK explained the public bid process applies to public projects; however, it does not apply to private projects.
Martha Joyner asked if there were building lots as part of the Baczek application. She questioned if the town would get the building lots. She questioned if the Sportsmen Club and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife would want a share of the building lots. Mr. Federspiel said the Baczek application is an effort to jump-start this project. There is potential to divide two or three building lots. There was also discussion regarding the fact that there is not a playground in North Lenox. This could be a future playground.
RS said members of the public were welcome to review the CPC application files. The CPC will accept written comments until March 23rd. The CPC will meet on Monday – March 23rd @ 7:00 PM to determine its recommendations to Town Meeting. RS closed the public hearing at 8:15 PM.
FK made a motion to approve the February 17, 2009 minutes with a second by OW. JK noted one correction. The minutes were approved unanimously with minor corrections.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: March 23, 2009
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