Community Preservation Committee
February 27, 2012
Minutes
Members present: 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 and Dia Trancynger. Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
KMV called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM. Members were introduced to the audience.
OW and AH recused themselves from the Lenox Land Trust discussion and left the meeting room. KMV stepped down as Acting-Chair and CM served as Acting-Chair.
Lenox Land Trust – Undermountain Preservation Project
Kevin Sprague, Lenox Land Trust President, was present to answer questions regarding the Land Trust application.
Mr. Sprague was asked to address the coordination of this application with the Lenox Club. Mr. Sprague explained that last week he made a presentation to the Lenox Club Board of Governors. The Lenox Club has not taken a formal vote on the application. He stressed the fact that he filed the CPC application because the Land Trust did not want to miss the application deadline. He will continue to work with the Lenox Club. He views this as a multi-year project.
JS asked Mr. Sprague to address the ownership of the Sprague property. Mr. Sprague said the property is owned by the Sprague Family Trust. JS and AP asked the cost of the CR on the Sprague property. Mr. Sprague said the appraisal indicated a value of 1.8 million. The property is developable and highly desirable. JS asked if the lots have been perc tested. Mr. Sprague said the soils are well drained. Mr. Sprague offered to submit a copy of the appraisal.
AP asked why the Land Trust is not looking at other properties, especially properties near Kennedy Park. Mr. Sprague said that the Land Trust developed a list of potential land preservation parcels. Their efforts are focused on working with willing land owners that have contacted the Land Trust. He stressed that the Land Trust has talked about Sprague/Lenox Club project for at least ten years.
CM asked if the Sprague Family would continue with the CR if the Lenox Club is not part of the project. She also asked about other funding sources. Mr. Sprague said the project could move forward; however, the Lenox Club property makes this a more attractive preservation project. Mr. Sprague said that the Sprague Family wants to preserve the property. He said that the Land Trust has discussed the project with Mass. Fish and Wildlife and the Berkshire Natural Resource Council. They are interested but there are no commitments at this time.
The Mount – Stable Restoration
OW and AH returned to the meeting. KMV returned as Acting-Chair.
Susan Wissler, The Mount Executive Director, was present to answer questions regarding The Mount’s application.
Ms. Wissler announced that today she received formal notification from Secretary Galvin regarding the $50,000 Mass. Cultural Commission grant award. This award was listed in their CPC application. The Mount requests $75,000 in CPA funding and has raised $530,000 in making funds. CPA funds would be approximately 11% of the project funding. The Mount has secured all the grant funding listed in the application. They hope to receive CPA funds so that they can complete the project.
The Committee remarked that the application was very well organized and complete. JS asked Ms. Wissler if she could complete the project if the CPC recommended an amount less than $75,000. Ms. Wissler said she would have do additional fundraising. The work needs to be completed as soon as possible. She explained that CPA funds will be used toward structural restoration and not cosmetic repairs.
KMV remarked that this project will allow The Mount to operate as a twelve month venue. This will benefit The Mount, but this is also in keeping with the Town’s economic development goals.
Church on the Hill – Steeple/Bell Tower Repairs
Robert Brown, Church on the Hill Trustee, was present to answer questions regarding the Church’s application.
AP referenced the fact that AT&T has an antenna in the steeple. He asked if the Church has requested funds from AT&T. Dr. Brown said the Church has not approached AT&T and explained that AT&T is under no contractual obligation to make improvement. KMV asked Dr. Brown about the length of the lease. Dr. Brown said it is a 30 year lease, and the Church is entitled to 50% of any profits if AT&T leases space to other carriers. To date, AT&T has not leased any space.
EC asked Dr. Brown to clarify the exact amount of the request. Dr. Brown said the definitive amount is $45,300.
OW asked about the project schedule. Dr. Brown said the project can begin as soon as the bird droppings have been removed. Bird droppings are a hazardous material and there are rules regarding safe removal. The Church will pay for the removal process.
JS asked if the Church could continue with the project if they did not receive full funding. Dr. Brown said the Church has limited resources and does not borrow money. They have a small investment account and might have to investigate using money from this account. They have rented the Chapel to a preschool and raise funds by charging for weddings.
Ventfort Hall – Construction of Exterior Elevator
Adele Gravitz, Ventfort Hall Grant Writer, was present to answer questions regarding Ventfort Hall’s application.
Ms. Gravitz said Ventfort Hall needs the elevator for the following reasons: 1) to meet the code; 2) to install an elevator the preserves the integrity of the building; and 3) to fulfill the mission of the organization to restore the building and expand programs. She referenced a letter of support from the Cultural Landscape Foundation.
Ms. Gravitz said Ventfort Hall has a good credit rating and covers all operating expenses. She asked the Committee to take a risk and be the first organization to commit funds to this project.
The Committee asked the number of employees at Ventfort Hall. Tjasa Sprague, Ventfort Hall, said there were 4-5 full-time equivalent employees. Most employees are part-time. She said that since 1997 approximately 8 million dollars has been spent on the purchase and restoration of Ventfort Hall.
EC asked about plans for the old elevator. Ms. Sprague said the landings would be used for storage – primarily wheelchair refuge areas. He asked for clarification regarding the term “totally preserved historic building”. Ms. Sprague said that Ventfort Hall applied to the State for this classification. The classification allows for certain waivers of strict compliance with the Building Code.
AH asked about total project costs and other funding sources. Ms. Gravitz said the project cost is 1.2 million. Ms. Gravitz is working with the Mass. Cultural Commission to secure grant funding.
AP said that the Superior Court House in Pittsfield is an example of an exterior elevator project. He said that project was done to preserve the historic character of the building and was done about two years ago. AP remarked about the beautiful stonework that was included as part of this project. Ms. Sprague commented that since Ventfort Hall is considered a totally preserved historic building that the State prefers that the exterior elevator be of a different design to denote that it is not part of the original historic structure.
KMV opened the Public Information Hearing at 7:45 PM. She explained that tonight the Committee will listen to public comment on the CPA program. She said the 2008 Community Preservation Plan is on the Town website. She said the Committee will begin deliberation on the funding requests on March 12, 2012.
Tess Sorrentino, Housing Authority Chair, spoke in favor of the Housing Authority application for the Curtis Porch restoration project.
Suzanne Pelton spoke in favor of The Mount’s application for the stable restoration. She thanked The Mount for hosting a community event to celebrate Edith Wharton’s 150th birthday. She remarked that it was open to the public - free of charge - and well attended by local residents. She encouraged the Committee to fund The Mount’s request.
Jonathan Epstein spoke in favor of The Mount’s application. He said that he moved to Lenox in 1993. He praised Susan Wissler for guiding The Mount through a hopeless financial situation. He is encouraged that The Mount is moving in a positive direction.
Susan Wissler, The Mount Executive Director, said she was thankful for all the community support. She spoke in favor of The Mount’s application. Ms. Wissler also praised Tjasa Sprague for her work to save and restore Ventfort Hall. She said that organizations like The Mount and Ventfort Hall struggle to maintain historic architectural features while making the buildings accessible to all. She offered her support for Ventfort Hall.
There were no other members of the audience who wished to address the Committee. The Public Information Hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m.
Minutes
OW made a motion to approve the February 6, 2012 minutes with corrections. Seconded by JS and the Committee voted unanimously to approve.
EC made a motion to approve the February 13, 2012 minutes with corrections. Seconded by OW and the Committee voted unanimously to approve.
Other Business
Members discussed past-practices regarding funding recommendations. KMV said that traditionally the Committee does not spend all its funds. Funds are “banked” for future years. OW said that the Committee can vote to recommend less than the amount requested. JS reminded the Committee that in prior years the members have ranked the projects. He feels this is a good idea. The next two meetings are March 12th and 19th.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 3/12/2012
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