Community Preservation Committee
February 7, 2011
Minutes
Members present: Frederick Keator (FK), Acting Chair, Catherine May (CM), Joe G. Strauch (JGS), Suzanne Pelton (SP), Eugene Chague (EC), Dia Trancynger (DT) and Jim Sorrentino (JS).
Olga Weiss and Ken Fowler absent.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
FK opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
JGS made a motion to approve the January 24, 2011 minutes. Seconded by CM and the committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes.
Peters Property Study
Greg Federspiel offered a presentation on behalf of the Town of Lenox. The property is roughly 50 acres and has access on Housatonic Street and Willow Creek Road. It is zoned industrial and residential. Mr. Federspiel explained that a feasibility study will allow the town to determine if a portion of the property could be used for industrial development and/or residential development. He anticipates that the majority of the property would be dedicated to open space or to expansion of the Mountain View Cemetery. The concept is to allow a portion of the land to be developed for industrial and/or residential to finance the purchase of the property. The property is listed with a real estate broker. Mr. Federspiel talked to the real estate broker and the property owner is not
interested in selling a portion of the property. The property is on the market for 2 million dollars. Mr. Federspiel indicated that the town might be able to re-coop 1.4 million from the industrial and residential development. Mr. Federspiel closed by stating that he has had follow-up conversations with consultants regarding the cost of the study. Mr. Federspiel believes the study will be less than he anticipated. He requested $55,000 and he is confident that the study will cost $40,000 or less.
JGS asked what information can be gleaned from the study. Mr. Federspiel suggested the study would provide analysis of industrial development, residential development and cemetery expansion. JGS asked if the study included a review of hazardous materials. Mr. Federspeil said the study did not include this review; however, the seller would need to provide a 21E and ensure a clean site prior to closing.
FK and JS asked about money for the land purchase. Mr. Federspiel said if the study is positive he would seek town funds to purchase the property including an application for FY ’13 CPA funds.
EC questioned the logic of using CPA open space funds to pay for a study to encourage residential and industrial development. He also asked about deed restrictions. Mr. Federspiel responded that there could be deed restrictions. He also said that the concept is to allow limited development to fund the preservation of the majority of the property. He anticipates that a minimum of 30 acres could be preserved as open space. He also suggested the residential development could be designed to include affordable housing units.
FK questioned the cost of the study and asked if there were other funding sources. DT said she favors the investment in the study; however, she questioned if the town should shoulder the entire cost. She asked if the property owner would contribute toward the costs to prepare the study. She suggested that the town and the property owner split the cost of the study.
Discussion ensued regarding the use of CPA money to pay for the study. Some members questioned if this is an eligible activity because CPA funds cannot be used to fund commercial and industrial development. Mr. Federspiel indicated he would contact the broker and determine if there is a willingness on the part of the seller to pay for a portion of the study.
Historic Lenox Station Open Space Restoration & Preservation Project
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. (BSRM) members Jay Green, Pamela Green, Kevin Chittenden, Tom Delasco, Shannon Delasco and Town of Lenox representative Greg Federspiel offered the presentation. Mr. Green gave a project overview. He said that they have revised the project budget. The original estimate was $1,301,200 and the new estimate is $1,043,790. He explained that in 2010 the BSRM purchased the adjacent property and building. The purchase was part of the of the BSRM’s Master Plan to expand and develop the museum. The BSRM and the Town propose a partnership which will restore and preserve 1.52 acres of open space located adjacent to the historic Lenox Railroad Station at the corner of Housatonic and Crystal Streets. The existing industrial building will be
demolished. The resulting open space will restore and preserve the scenic vista of Woods Pond and October Mountain State Forest long obscured by an industrial building. The project will create greater community access to the nearby public recreational areas and a potential bike path. The BSRM said they would be in contact with the Department of Conservation and Recreation regarding potential state funding for the project.
EC asked if the lower part of the parking facility will be available for kayakers and hikers. Mr. Green said yes and followed up by saying that kayakers and hikers use the existing parking facility. Discussion ensued regarding if this is an eligible open space project.
Discussion ensued regarding the long-term operation of the railroad. Mr. Green explained that the BSRM is a completely volunteer organization and there are no paid employees. The only debt is the mortgage on the adjacent property. MassDOT has a passenger easement with the Housatonic Railroad to allow the operation of the BSRM tourist passenger trains. The current agreement ends this year but all indications are that the easement will be renewed. The BSRM hopes to continue operating the trains but has made efforts to also position itself as a static railroad museum.
JS said he supports the BSRM and appreciates that it is a true volunteer organization; however, he questioned the use of CPA money to fund the building demolition. SP believes the restoration of the historic vista is a worthwhile CPA project. JS asked if Berkshire Bank is willing to allow for the demolition of the building prior to the repayment of the mortgage. Ms. Green said she is the lawyer for the project and believes that BSRM is in a favorable position to ask Berkshire Bank for permission to demolish the building prior to the discharge of the mortgage. There are no guarantees that the bank will grant this request but the BSRM has a good payment record.
FK asked about business partnerships. Mr. Green said there have been small scale contributions but no significant corporate fundraising efforts. FK also asked if the town could buy the property. Ms. Green suggested this could be a future topic of discussion. FK stressed that even if the CPC recommended funding this year there are no guarantees that there will be funding next year.
Mr. Federspeil suggested that the BSRM and the Town review the demolition schedule with Berkshire Bank. The most favorable outcome would be the ability to demolish the building prior to the mortgage discharge. It was agreed that efforts will be made to have this information prior to the CPC public hearing on March 7, 2011.
Reconstruction of an Historic Resource, Street Signs
Suzanne Pelton presented the application on behalf of the Lenox Historical Commission (LHC). She said that the reconstruction of the original street signs is an important part of the Lenox’s historic village preservation. She said that the LHC researched the project eligibility with Preservation Massachusetts and the Community Preservation Coalition. She noted that attached to the application are copies of letters of support from these organizations.
SP explained that Lenox is fortunate to have retained one of the town’s oldest street sign from the early 20th century. It is the Cliffwood Street sign located at Triangle Park. The LHC recommends that at some point the sign be given to the Historical Society for safekeeping as it is quite fragile. The LHC contacted sign companies to determine the approximate cost to make reconstructions of this sign. The estimate is $6,555 for eighteen signs on thirteen poles (some are double). The LHC applied for $8,000 to allow for unexpected contingencies such as increased shipping costs.
Discussion ensued regarding the history of the Lenox street signs. JS asked if the sign on Cliffwood Street is the sign style that was used when the Westinghouse Street Lamps were installed. SP said that there are no records giving the date of the street signs. The LHC estimates the date as 1910. The Westinghouse lights were donated to Lenox in 1914, so, yes; the signs and street lamps are likely of the same period.
SP said that there might be funds available from the DPW’s village improvement funds and CPA money will not be needed. The LHC felt it was prudent to put in an application to ensure the street signs are installed. She noted that it would be unfortunate to have put all the effort into village improvement and fail to use appropriate historical street signs.
CM asked if street signs are tied to the Americans with Disability Act. JS would like a letter from Jeff Vincent, DPW Director, stating that the signs meet proper standards for street signs.
CPC Annual Report
MA asked members to review the draft CPC report for the Annual Report. She noted that the due date has passed and she needs to get the report to Mary Ellen Deming as soon as possible. Discussion ensued regarding the information that should be included in the report. MA will forward a copy of the draft report to the members via email. She will work with FK to finalize the report by Friday.
CPC Budget
EC asked about the budget for open space. Discussion ensued regarding the CPA budget process. MA noted that she would be meeting with the Town Accountant to review the CPA account.
At 9:20 p.m. JS made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by JGS and the committee voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 3/7/2011
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