Community Preservation Committee
January 9, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Frederick Keator (FK), Chair, Dia Trancynger (DT) Catherine May (CM), Joe G. Strauch (JS), Olga Weiss (OW), Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV), Eugene Chague (EC), and Anthony Patella (AP). Members absent: Albert Harper (AH)
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
FK called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.
JS made a motion to approve the December 5, 2011 minutes. Seconded by CM and the Committee voted 8-0 to approve the minutes.
Review FY’12 Projects
Tim Geller, Director, CDC of South Berkshire, offered an update on the status of the Sawmill Brook project. The property purchase was completed on September 15, 2011. The Town of Lenox owns the property and the CDC of South Berkshire is the designated developer. The project will move to the design and construction phase when financing is available.
Martha Joyner, Director, Lenox Housing Authority, offered an update on the Curtis Porch project. The project is nearing completion. There are fifteen columns that to be completed as well as work on the railings. The Housing Authority raised the following matching funds: $1,577 in private donations, $50 in flower pot rentals and $438 through an Arizona Pizza fundraiser. Fundraising ideas for next year include a plant sale and selling commemorative tee-shirts. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Capital Management Program has programmed $17,000 for the project in FY’12. DT offered fundraisers suggestions including a horse show or a road race. Ms. Joyner thanked the Committee for their continued supported.
Kevin Chittenden, Superintendent of Train Operations, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, offered an update on the open space restoration project. He thanked the Committee for their support. The Railway is making progress toward securing matching funds and retiring its mortgage. The Railway remains an all volunteer organization.
Mr. Chittenden explained that Daly Trucking remains as a tenant. Daly Trucking is behind schedule in completing its new facility. The Railway anticipates that the earliest Daly will vacant the building is the summer of 2012. The Railway hopes the Committee will consider extending the grant for one year. MA stated that State Representative Smitty Pignatelli contacted her regarding the Railway project. He said that the Railway is working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to secure funding. He hoped that the Committee would consider an extension to allow the state additional time to work with the Railway.
DT asked Mr. Chittenden if the Railway was working with Lenox Chamber of Commerce or the Marketing and Events Committee. She praised the Railway for its special events and said that the Railway is an important tourist destination. Pam Green, Railway volunteer, said that the Fitzpartick family has been a generous contributor and she hoped to work with other inns and resorts. Ms. Green said the Polar Express program brought 3,900 tourists to the region in December. Ms. Green said that in addition to the Polar Express program the Railway added three new events including a wine tasting train, two murder mystery trains and Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express. She noted that all the event were sold-out.
Ms. Green explained that although there is great interest in the special events there are also limitations. The Railway is run by volunteers. Many volunteers travel up to three hours to run the train programs. Most of the volunteers have regular jobs and are only able to work on weekends. Also, the agreement with the Housatonic Railway does not allow the Railway to operate on weekdays. Ms. Green clarified that the State negotiates the contract with the Housatonic Railway that allows for the tourist train operations. DT urged the Railway to be more aggressive with area businesses because the Railway has a proven record of bringing tourists to Lenox, Lee and Stockbridge.
Ms. Green said the Railway is working with a marketing firm to promote its special events. The marketing firm suggested that the Railway work with tour bus companies and this has been a successful strategy. The Railway also produces the “Along the River Newspaper Guide” and it is distributed to rider when they enter the train. The Guide includes ads and this is a source of revenue.
FK said that the Committee reviewed the Historic Commission projects and the Affordable Housing Trust at the last meeting.
FY 13 Application Process
MA said the deadline for FY ’13 applications is Wednesday, January 11 @ 5:00 pm. She will prepare application packets and have them ready for the members to pick-up at Town Hall by Thursday, January 12.
Other Business
KMV suggested that members contact local legislatures to discuss the proposed changes to the CPA legislation. The changes would allow CPA funds to be used on town properties that were not purchased with CPA funds.
OW made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. JS seconded the motion the Committee voted 8-0 to approve.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: January 30, 2012
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