Community Preservation Committee
January 10, 2011
Minutes
Members present: Frederick Keator (FK), Chair, Catherine May (CM), Joe G. Strauch (JGS), Suzanne Pelton (SP) and Olga Weiss (OW).
Dia Trancynger, Jim Sorrentino and Ken Fowler absent.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
The meeting started at 7:10 PM.
CM made a motion to approve the November 10, 2010 minutes. Seconded by JGS and the committee voted 5-0 to approve.
Update on the Curtis Porch Project
On behalf of the Lenox Housing Authority, Martha Joyner offered an update on the Curtis Porch project. She began by introducing Lenox Housing Authority Board members: Cindy Nasman, Marge Pero, Tess Sorentino and Cathy May. She also introduced Roy Goldsmith the project contractor.
She said that the Housing Authority received $15,000 in FY’09 and FY’10. The funds were use to renovate the roof and the upper railing. Town Meeting approved $50,000 for FY’11. Approximately $22,000 is remaining and will be spent by the end of the fiscal year. FY’11 funds are being used to replace columns and flooring. She has worked with the Historic District Commission to ensure all work in done in an appropriate manner. Bradley Architects prepared the renovation plans for the project.
OW asked if there were other sources of funding. Ms. Joyner replied that there were several sources. The Commonwealth Capital Planning System paid for the following: $25,000 & $8,000 toward roof projects, $18,000 for walkways, $2,800 for Bradley Architects and $18,000 toward labor and materials. The Housing Authority raised $500 from selling used walkway bricks and $1,800 from selling surplus light fixtures to the Dalton Housing Authority. The Curtis Consignment shop raised $1000 for the porch project. SP asked Mr. Goldsmith if the column were the same as the Lenox Library. Mr. Goldsmith said yes.
FK thanked the Housing Authority for making this such a successful project. It is a great example of a community project.
Library Bond
Claudie Duby, Town Treasurer, offered information regarding the status of the library bond. Ms. Duby explained that the Town Meeting vote did not specify that the library be a 10 year bond issue. The library was bundled with other projects and was part of a 15 year issue. The Town has a buy-back provision and can pay the library off in 10 years. However, the current payments are based on a 15 year payoff and not a 10 year payoff. The CPC will need to set aside additional money to achieve a 10 year payoff. Two years have been paid and eight years remain. Greg Federspiel, Town Manager, suggested that the CPC has options to address this situation. FK asked the interest rate and Ms. Duby replied approximately 3%.
FK thanked Ms. Duby for her work regarding this matter. He said the CPC will discuss this at the next meeting.
Update on Town Project
Mr. Federspiel offered information regarding library renovations. The priorities are: 1) roof repairs; 2) window sills and casings; and 3) window shutters. He explained that there was ice damage to the roof. He worked with the insurance company to determine their obligation. The roof project will be out to bid as soon as possible. The insurance claim has slowed the bid process. Mr. Federspiel said that he anticipates that the roof and window sills/ casing will be completed in the current fiscal year. He is not sure if there will be enough money to complete the shutter renovations.
OW asked about other funding sources. Mr. Federspiel said that there was $18,000 left from the original library project. (It was restricted and could only be used for renovations.) Town Capital Improvement funds $50,000 and CPA funds $50,000. The project total is $118,000.
FK asked about future projects. Mr. Federspiel said future projects include re-pointing the bricks, painting the building and rehabilitation of the window shutters. Ms. Duby suggested that the shutters could be a high school project. The students could renovate the shutters. The consensus of the CPC was that this was a great idea and someone should contact the school.
Mr. Federspiel offered information regarding the Baker’s Pond project. Mr. Federspiel said the project is complete. The Conservation Commission did not approve all the trails associated with this project and $2,589.81 remains in this account. Mr. Federspiel said the Kennedy Park Committee would like to use this money on other Kennedy Park improvement. Members said they thought the funds need to be returned because the funds were designated for Baker’s Pond and that project is complete.
SP and OW offered information regarding the Historical Commission Form B project. The consultant bid for the project was $7,000. The consultant has started work on the project. The consultant will update and correct 122 Form B’s. This includes all the properties located in the Historic District and other significant properties located on Cliffwood, Walker and West Streets. SP said the state defines historic as 50 years or older. The Lenox Historical Commission generally uses 1923 as a defining date and there are 243 buildings constructed prior to 1923.
FY’12 Budget
Mr. Federspiel reviewed CPA funds available for FY’12. In FY’11 he anticipates $295,000 in local collections and $128,347 in state matching funds. He suggested that for budgeting purposed the CPC consider $300,000 in local collections and $120,000 in state matching funds. He also reviewed completed projects as well as projects that have been withdrawn. He suggested that the CPC vote to return unspent project funds to the CPC undesignated fund and reserves where necessary. FK clarified that the funds are returned to a separate CPA account. Mr. Federspiel agreed and said CPA funds are in a separate account and not a part of the Town General Fund.
Ms. Duby said that residents have inquired about the process to rescind the CPA. She suggested that the CPC consider completing existing projects such as the Curtis Porch when it makes recommendations regarding the FY’12 budget. She is concerned that the CPA will be rescinded in the next two years.
JGS made a motion to return the following unspent funds to the CPA undesignated fund or the reserve account when a 10% reserve is required:
Baczek Land $100,000.00
Community Center Windows $50,000.00
Cannon Restoration $1.00
Sawmill Brook $110,000.00
Baker’s Pond $2,589.81.
SP seconded the motion and the committee voted 5-0 to approve.
CPC Application Deadline
MA reminded members that the CPC FY’12 applications are due on Thursday – January 13th at 5:00 PM. She will contact members regarding the applications she receives. The next meeting is Monday - January 24th @ 7:00 PM.
At 8:25 PM OW made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by CM and the committee voted 5-0 to approve.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 1/24/11
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