Community Preservation Committee
August 27, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Olga Weiss (OW), Albert Harper (AH), Joe G. Strauch (JS), Catherine May (CM), Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV), Eugene Chague (EC) and Anthony Patella (AP).
Absent: Chair Frederick Keator (FK).
Board of Selectmen present: David Roche (DR), Channing Gibson (CG), Ed Lane (EL) and Ken Fowler (KF).
Absent: John McNinch
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner, Greg Federspiel (GF), Town Manager and Kim Graham (KG), Community Center Director.
KMV served as Acting-Chair and called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
AH made a motion to approve the July 20, 2012 minutes. Seconded by CM and the Committee voted 6-0 to approve. (OW was not present for the vote.)
Meeting with the Board of Selectmen
KMV thanked the Selectmen for attending the meeting. Committee members offered introductions. KMV explained that the Committee has prepared a mission statement and is rethinking its application process and timeline. The Committee would like to include the Board of Selectmen in the planning process and open the lines of communication. DR will serve on the Committee.
Discussion ensued regarding FY’13 Funding for Church on the Hill. KMV noted that there was disagreement at Town Meeting regarding this project. OW said she talked to Dr. Robert Brown and the minister regarding the concept of having the Town own the Church building. She noted that the Church has a declining membership. The current congregation has fifty-eight members and they cannot support and maintain the building.
DR expressed his support for CPA. However, he is concerned about distributing funds to not-for-profits. He supports the use of CPA funds for Town projects. CG and EL suggested a list of priority projects. KMV explained that the Open Space and Recreation Plan should help identify open space and recreation projects. AH and OW said the Historical Commission is developing a list projects. KMV serves on the Affordable Housing Committee and Trust and explained recent efforts to develop a list of projects. The Committee would like to develop a list of potential projects and fund projects on that list. The Committee will put more effort into the planning process for FY ’14.
AH discussed the idea of saving CPA funds for substantial projects. He questioned the use of CPA funds on small projects.
AP advocated for a more pro-active approach to project selection. Currently, the Committee solicits applications once a year. He questioned if this was the best way to fund project and said the Committee needs to take more responsibility for finding projects. OW suggested that the Committee fund project that are important to the Town. KMV pointed to the Curtis Porch Restoration Project as a project with community support. She said the Committee should also work with the Capital Improvement Committee. CG suggested the CPC send a representative to Finance Committee/Selectmen meetings.
GF observed that there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the planning process. He pointed to the fact that the Historical Commission is developing a list of projects. The Affordable Housing Committee has a Housing Production Plan, and the Planning Board is preparing a revised Open Space and Recreation Plan. He is encouraged by the long-range planning activities. KG suggested that Town boards and committees work together regarding the use of CPA funds.
KMV concluded by thanking the Selectmen for attending the meeting. The next CPC will be October 1st @ 7:30 PM. DK will serve on the CPC and offer updates to the Selectmen.
Church on the Hill
Dr. Robert Brown was present to discuss the CPC bid requirement for the Steeple Restoration Project. The CPC included a condition requiring the Church to obtain three bids for the project. He explained that the Church has received two bids: Tom Moore bid $39,800 and Murphy Brothers bid $62,000. The Church met with a third contractor (Robert Morgan) and expected to receive his bid in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, the Church has not received a bid from Mr. Morgan. Dr. Brown contacted Mr. Morgan. Dr. Brown was advised that the company had other commitments and that the Church should seek other contractors. Mr. Brown said it is important to complete the work as soon as possible. He stressed that the Church has made every effort to comply with the requirement for three bids. He is confident that Mr. Moore has presented a reasonable and affordable proposal. Mr. Moore completed the steeple restoration project in Lee and comes highly recommended. JS made a motion to accept the
bids as presented and to accept the low bid offered by Tom Moore. Seconded by CM and the Committee voted 7-0 to approve.
The Committee scheduled a site visit for Monday – September 24th @ Noon. The Committee will meet at Church on the Hill. MA will schedule a site visit for The Mount and advise the members of the date and time.
Discuss the Mission Statement
KMV recommended that the Committee table this discussion to the October 1st Meeting. AP suggested that the Committee also prepare a list of organizations that should be invited to participate in the CPC planning process. OW suggested that the Committee prepare a form to distribute to organizations that wish to participate in the CPC planning process. AH and OW will prepare the form. The members agreed to complete the following tasks for the October 1st meeting:
1. Review the Mission Statement.
2. Review the 2008 CPC Plan.
3. Each member will prepare a list of organizations they think should be invited to participate in the CPC planning process.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved:
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