Community Preservation Committee
February 6, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Dia Trancynger (DT), Catherine May (CM), Joe G. Strauch (JS), Olga Weiss (OW), Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV), Eugene Chague (EC), Albert Harper (AH), and Anthony Patella (AP). Members absent: Chairman Frederick Keator (FK). Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
KMV called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM. Members were introduced to the audience.
Planning Board – Open Space and Recreation Plan Update
Joe Kellogg, Planning Board Chairman, presented the project to the Committee. He said the original Open Space and Recreation Plan update was prepared in 1997/1998. A second update was prepared in 2006 and has not received final approval for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
When the CPA was adopted one of the selling points was that the funds would be used to acquire open space. There is disappointment that the Town has yet to acquire open space with CPA funds. Over the last several months, the Planning Board recognized the need to re-write the Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Plan should identify and prioritize open space acquisition projects. The Plan is also a prerequisite for many state and federal grant programs. The Plan is an important tool.
AP asked about the cost of the Plan and when work would begin. Mr. Kellogg said he is confident that the $20,000 is sufficient to complete the Plan. The Town Manager has offered $10,000 to begin property inventory work this spring. The CPA funds would be available July 1, 2012. AH asked about the consultant selection process. JK said the project would require a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Lenox Housing Authority – Curtis Porch Restoration
Martha Joyner, Lenox Housing Authority - Executive Director, presented the project. This is the final application for the Curtis Porch Restoration project. The Housing Authority raised the following matching funds: $1,577 in private donations, $50 in flower pot rentals and $438 through an Arizona Pizza fundraiserThe Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Capital Management Program has programmed $17,000 for the project in FY’12.
She projects that there is $45,000 in work to be completed. The $45,000 estimate is what she considers a worst case scenario because it assumes all the remaining columns will need to be replaced. She is requesting $28,000 in CPA funds.
OW confirmed that this is the final request and Ms. Joyner said yes it is the final CPA application. KMV thanked Ms. Joyner for her continued work. The Committee agreed that the Housing Authority worked very hard to raise matching funds for this project.
Village Improvement Committee (VIC) – Roche Reading Park Improvements
Lynn Sutton, VIC Chairman, presented the project. She said the VIC is responsible for beautification efforts in the village and Lenox Dale. The VIC plants and maintains flowers in the spring and summer and installs holiday decorations in the winter. They hope to expand their efforts in the coming year. They would like to make modest improvements to Roche Reading Park. This is an allowed CPA funding activity because the property was purchased with CPA funds. The VIC requests $24,000 to cleanup and refresh the Park. Sharon Hawkes, Lenox Library Executive Director, offered a letter of support. Ms. Sutton said she estimates $10,000 for cleanup and regarding, $10,000 for a new fence and $10,000 for plants and shrubs.
DT asked the number of trees to be planted and the type of fence to be installed. Ms. Sutton said they plan to plant approximately 30 trees. The fence is wooden with lattice work and has been approved by the Historic District Commission. Discussion ensued regarding the number and size of the trees.
Ms. Sutton asked for clarification regarding the availability of funds. MA said that FY’13 funds will be available on July 1, 2012. Since the funds are not available until July the trees would be planted in the fall.
Discussion ensued regarding matching funds. Ms. Sutton said the library is providing funds for the installation of the fence. Ms. Sutton said she is in the process of organizing a spring plant sale. DT said she worked on fundraising efforts for the PTO. When the PTO tried to organize a plant sale there was pushback from the business community. Ms. Sutton said she is coordinating this project with the Chamber of Commerce and has not had any negative feedback. She is also coordinating the sale with the Berkshire Botanical Garden so she is not in conflict with their annual plant sale.
Historical Commission – Church on the Hill Cemetery Restoration
Lucy Kennedy, Historical Commission volunteer, presented the project. The Church on the Hill Cemetery is a Town cemetery and it is not part of the Church. The Town has four cemeteries. This year the Town appropriated $89,000 for the maintenance of the four town cemeteries. Only $5,000 is set aside to headstone repairs.
Ms. Kennedy explained that the cemetery restoration is a multi-year project. The first step is to obtain professional assistance to evaluate the scope of the restoration work. The Commission requests $50,000 for FY ’13 to prepare a restoration plan. The Commission estimates that the restoration will be $300,000.
AP asked about maintenance once the cemetery restoration work is completed. Ms. Kennedy explained that currently the cemetery needs significant restoration. Once this work is completed it should be easier to maintain. Many of the headstones have been neglected for generations. As part of the project the Commission hopes to establish ongoing activities to maintain the cemetery. JS said he walked in the cemetery this weekend and it is in need of restoration work. EC asked if the restoration plan will include information about who is buried in the cemetery. When the veterans decorate the cemetery it would be helpful to have complete information. Ms. Kennedy concurred with EC.
Ms. Kennedy said she will apply for Massachusetts Historic grant programs. She cautioned that these grants are highly competitive and she cannot guarantee matching grant funds. She stressed the fact that the Historical Commission is exploring fundraising ideas.
Housing Trustees – Affordable Housing Trust
David Klausmeyer, Lenox Affordable Housing Trust Chairman, presented the project. The Trustees seek funds to build capacity to advance affordable housing projects. The Trust was created to accept and hold resources. The Trust can respond immediately to opportunities. The Trustees request $30,000 for the Trust.
The Trust received a Peer to Peer grant for the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Trustees are meeting with the Peer Consultant tomorrow. There is $130,000 in the Trust. The Trustees have been approached about a land donation.
Minutes
DT made a motion to approve the January 30, 2012 minutes as written. Seconded by OW and the Committee voted 8-0 to approve.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: February 27,2012
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