Community Preservation Committee
September 14, 2009
Minutes
Members present: Roscoe Sandlin (RS), Chairman, Midge Sandlin (MS), Joe G. Strauch (JGS), Ken Fowler (KF), Jim Sorrentino (JS), Olga Weiss (OW), Fred Keator (FK) and Scott Pignatelli (SP)
James Jurney, Jr absent with notification.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
RS opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.
MS made a motion to approve the March 23, 2009 minutes, seconded by JS. The Committee voted 8-0 in favor.
RS offered an update on Triangle Park. There might be an opportunity for the neighbors to work with the CPC to purchase the land at the corner of Cliffwood and Main to expand Triangle Park.
Members discussed the September 29 legislative hearing on SB 90. The purpose of this hearing is to give testimony on the benefits of the Community Preservation Act.
RS discussed the idea of a Lenox Business Improvement District (BID). One suggestion is to allow commercial and industrial property owners the opportunity to opt-out of paying the CPA assessment and instead allow the property owners to form and pay for a Business Improvement District. CPA funds would decrease by approximately $70,000 per year. FK is concerned this will create a conflict between residential and commercial and industrial property owners. It was noted that the CPA exemption is “all or nothing”. Town Meeting can exempt commercial and industrial properties. However, participation in a BID is optional. OW is concerned that residential property owners will not support the exemption. Members are interested in learning more about a
BID but are not prepared to support or oppose the concept of exempting commercial and industrial property owners. RS said the town will continue to do research on the development of a BID.
The meeting included a public workshop on the use of FY11 CPA funds. It was noted the Martha Joyner, Executive Director of the Lenox Housing Authority, was in the attendance for the workshop. She thanked the committee for their support for the Curtis porch restoration project. She said that the Housing Authority plans to submit an application next year.
Members noted they are disappointed that more people are not in attendance for the workshop. Members will assume that the public is satisfied with the application process and will follow the same format as last year. Fiscal Year 2011 application forms will be available in November and the applications will be due in early January. The committee will finalize the application schedule at its next meeting. The next meeting will be Monday – November 2nd @ 7:00 PM.
MA reminded members that there are CPA administrative funds available for planning activities. Members could consider using CPA administrative funds for an open space inventory or revising the historic property inventory. Members should discuss this at that next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 11/2/2009
| 
