Community Preservation Committee
February 13, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Chairman Frederick Keator (FK), 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 7:34 PM. FK offered a change to the presentation format. In the past, the Committee has listened to the project presentation and then conducted a question and answer session. FK asked the Committee to listen to the presentations scheduled for this evening, and schedule a separate meeting for question and answer sessions. The purpose of this change is to allow time for the Committee members to review potential conflict of interest questions. FK offered information regarding how to contact the State Ethics Commission.
Lenox Land Trust – Undermountain Preservation Project
Kevin Sprague, Lenox Land Trust President, presented the project to the Committee. Mr. Sprague said he has been the President of the Land Trust since 2004. The Board fluctuates between twelve and fourteen members. He said the Land Trust holds conservation restrictions on three properties. To guide their efforts, the Land Trust prepared a list of parcels that they hope to preserve.
The Land Trust seeks to preserve approximately 270 acres bounded by Undermountain Road, Cliffwood Street, Yokun Avenue and Parson’s Marsh. Much of the property is zoned R1-A and could be subdivided into one acre building lots. An appraisal was prepared and single family building lots are the highest and best use of the property. The estimated Conservation Restriction value for the Sprague property is $1,800,000 and the Lenox Club is $730,000. The Land Trust hopes to acquire a conservation restriction to preserve the scenic vistas and allow public use of the properties. In addition to the CPC, the Land Trust hopes to partner with organizations such as the Berkshire Natural Resource Council and Mass Fish and Wildlife.
Mr. Sprague sees this as a long term project. The project has been discussed in the abstract for at least ten years. The land remains undeveloped. Now is the time to plan for the future. He explained that there is little risk to the Town. The Land Trust requests that money be banked for the project. If the project does not come together the money can be used for another open space project.
Mr. Sprague explained that the timing of the CPC application deadline and the Lenox Club membership meeting was not in sync. He apologized to Lenox Club members who were surprised by the application. He said the Lenox Club could opt out of the project at any point.
He concluded by stating that this is an important preservation project. He thanked the Committee for their consideration.
Tom Romeo also spoke on behalf of the Lenox Land Trust. He is a long-time member of the Land Trust. He said that the Land Trust pin-pointed properties for preservation and conservation. This is an important project. The Land Trust supported the adoption of the CPA and he is concerned that the Town has not completed an open space preservation project.
FK offered a brief overview of the CPA funding structure including the 10% set aside and the undesignated balance.
The Mount – Stable Restoration
Susan Wissler, The Mount Executive Director, presented the project to the Committee. She started by saying the Mount almost closed to the public a few years ago. The financial picture has changed in the last 36 months. The Mount is in a much stronger position.
The Mount includes the main house, the stable and the gatehouse. Since 1998, there has been extensive restoration of the main house. The stable and the gatehouse are also in need of restoration. Ms. Wissler noted that the restoration of the stable and gatehouse are essential to the operation of The Mount, serving as administrative offices and main programming space for public activities. To date, The Mount has received approximately $530,000 in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and a private Boston-based foundation to restore the stable and gatehouse. The restoration work has started. The Mount requests $75,000 in CPA funds to assist with the completion of the project. CPA funds would be used for foundation
stabilization and restoration as outlined in the application.
Ms. Wissler closed by saying that The Mount is establishing itself as a year-round cultural venue, hosting lectures, workshops, conferences and theatrical productions. The stable restoration project will allow The Mount to continue to develop itself as a cultural center and attract new audiences.
CM, DT and OW thanked Ms. Wissler for a well organized application package.
Church on the Hill – Steeple/Bell Tower Repairs
Robert Brown, Church on the Hill Trustee, presented the project. He started with a housekeeping detail. He filed the CPC application to meet the application deadline. After he filed the application he received additional information from the project engineer. He submitted copies of the information to MA. MA confirmed that she received the copies and that they were distributed to the Committee at the January 30, 2012 meeting.
In 2010, it was discovered that the lightning protection system in the steeple was a series of iron rods that were at least 200 years old. He noted that they discovered old papers that link the iron rod protection system to Benjamin Franklin’s design. The system was outdated, ineffective and dangerous. The Church installed a modern lightning protection system and views this as Phase I of the steeple restoration project. The cost of the system was $8,000. Phase II will consist of a structural engineering study and the necessary repairs. The estimate is $45,300. He hopes the Committee will consider the $8,000 as a match. He said that before work begins the steeple must be cleaned of bird droppings. This is a significant project because it must me cleaned by a
professional hazmat team and the estimate for this work is $5,000.
He explained that the Church on the Hill has been a good steward for 200 years. The church population has dwindled in recent years. The Trustees have made every effort to trim expenses and raise revenue. He thanked the Committee for their consideration. Father C.J. Waitekus, Pastor of Saint Ann’s Church, offered his support for the Church on the Hill project.
Ventfort Hall – Construction of Exterior Elevator
Adele Gravitz, Ventfort Hall Grant Writer, presented the project. Ms. Gravitz offered background information. In 2002, there were 3,380 visitors to Ventfort Hall. In 2011, there were 12,000 visitors. Ventfort Hall earns 60% of its revenue through programs and 40% from contributions. They have little debt and a solid credit rating.
Currently, most activity is restricted to the first floor. An elevator is required by the building code in order to fully utilize all levels of the building. Ms. Gravitz is preparing other grant applications. The Massachusetts Cultural Commission has offered positive input. She said that if the other funding components do not materialize they will pull their request for CPA funds.
She offered information about the benefits of the elevator. She is working to secure a Landscape Architects Conference in 2013. She said the conference could bring as many as 1,000 visitors to Lenox. The elevator will enable her to bring the conference to Ventfort Hall. Without the elevator – there is not enough room to accommodate the conference.
She is working with Bill Thornton, Building Commissioner, to open the basement to public use. To preserve the integrity of the interior of the building they will construct an exterior elevator.
Ventfort Hall request $125,000 and the total project cost is $1,000,000. She said CPA funds would be a vote of confidence and show that Lenox supports Ventfort Hall. She asked the CPC to be brave and be the first organization to support the project.
Minutes
This item was tabled to the February 27, 2012 meeting.
Other Business
The Committee decided to conduct a meeting one hour prior to the February 27, 2012 – 7:30 PM Public Hearing for the purpose of allowing the four applicants who offered presentation this evening time for question and answers. MA will contact the applicants and inform them of the meeting.
FK asked members who may have a conflict of interest to contact the State Ethics Commission as soon as possible. Members agreed to complete and submit conflict of interest disclosure forms by Wednesday – February 15, 2012 @ 5:00 PM.
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: February 27, 2012
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