Community Preservation Committee
December 10, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Chair Frederick Keator (FK), Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV), Albert Harper (AH), Joe G. Strauch (JS), Catherine May (CM), Eugene Chague (EC), Anthony Patella (AP) and Channing Gibson (CG).
Absent: Olga Weiss.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
FK called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
CM made a motion to approve the November 19, 2012 minutes. Seconded by JS and the Committee voted 5-0 to approve. AH and AP abstained because they did not attend the meeting.
FK asked MA if there had been any inquiries regarding the application process. MA said that The Mount, the Affordable Housing Trust, the Historical Commission (Church on the Hill Cemetery) and the Fire Department (antique truck restoration) have consulted with her regarding projects.
AH and MA advised the Committee that the consultant who prepared the Church on the Hill Cemetery Plan will be presenting her findings to the Historical Commission on Wednesday – December 12 @ 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held at the Academy Building. The Committee was invited to attend the meeting. It was noted that a number of Town departments and boards will be involved in the restoration project and have been invited to attend this meeting.
There are different approaches to funding the restoration work. The consensus of the Committee was that CPA funds could fund a portion of the project but there should be other funding sources as well. It is important to have an estimate for the full restoration to determine how to fund the project. Since it is a Town owned asset is it also important for the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to offer input on the priority for the project.
MA said she prepared a handout regarding the status of FY’12 and FY’13 projects. MA offered a brief overview of the existing FY’12 and FY’13 projects as follows:
FY’12
Berkshire Scenic Railway/Town of Lenox – For Fiscal Year 2012, the CPC recommended and Town Meeting approved $100,000 for the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum landscape restoration project. The approval required the Museum to provide $150,000 in matching funds. Last year the CPC granted an extension. On December 6, 2012, MA talked to Jay Green of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. They continue to operate the museum. They do not anticipate resuming rail service. They are still hopeful that they will be able to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation on the landscape restoration project. However, they do not think the project will be “shovel ready” in the near future. Mr. Green said he understands that the CPC may wish to reallocate the funds
to projects that are ready to move forward. He asked that the Museum be allowed to reapply for funds when the project is ready to move forward. He would be glad to attend a future meeting to offer additional information. FK said that there is no need to vote on this tonight. It is something the Committee should consider during the budget planning process.
FY ‘13
Church on the Hill Cemetery Restoration Plan – The project is nearing completion. On December 12, 2012, the consultant will offer a presentation on findings and recommendations as noted earlier in the meeting.
Open Space and Recreation Plan - The Planning Board has convened the Open Space and Recreation Sub-Committee. The Conway School of Design has been hired to complete the project. The project should be completed by March 2013 and should be well under the $20,000 allocation. FK asked the projected costs. MA responded that Conway School will receive $6,500 and this will include everything except the Americans with Disability (ADA) report. The ADA report will probably be an additional $2,000 - $3,000.
Roche Reading Park Restoration - Lynn Sutton will offer an update later in the meeting.
Church on the Hill – Steeple Restoration – The Church has hired a restoration contractor. The project should be completed by June 2013.
The Mount - The project is complete.
Ventfort Hall - On December 5, 2012, MA talked to Adele Gravitz. Ms. Gravitz prepared and presented the CPC application. She said she is working full-time for another organization but is still in contact with Ventfort Hall. She will discuss the project with Tjasa Sprague but she does not think this project will have the required matching funds to move forward.
Curtis Porch Restoration – The project is complete. There will probably be a small portion of the Fiscal 2012 allocation ($28,000) that remains unspent and will need to be returned to the proper reserve accounts.
Lynn Sutton, Village Improvement Committee (VIC), offered a project update for the Roche Reading Park project. Town Meeting approved $20,000 in CPA funds. She said the VIC raised $1,500 at the Memorial Day Plant Sale. She said that she discussed the project with the BOS and it was determined that CPA funds should be used for physical improvements. Potential improvements include: selective tree removal, removal of the exciting Hemlock hedge, removing the existing chain-link fence and installing a wooden fence, and grading/ installing grass seed. She has obtained quotes and the estimated costs are $26,725 and this exceeded the current budget.
Ms. Sutton offered suggestions on how to trim costs. She suggested leaving a portion of the chain-link fence. She also said that she is working with the Library Director to determine if any of the trees were “memorial trees”.
AP suggested that the VIC should work with the DPW to cut costs. He suggested that the DPW could remove the Hemlock hedge. JS said the Town could also remove other trees if needed. AH questioned the estimated $17,974 for the wooden fence. He felt this was high. Ms. Sutton explained that the proposed fence includes posts that are resistant to ground rot. This is more costly but last much longer. Members suggested working with the abutters to determine if they all willing to contribute to the project. FK said Ms. Sutton has done a good job coordinating the project. He hopes she can work with the DPW to reduce the cost of the project.
FK asked MA for an update regarding Sawmill Brook. MA said Tim Geller, Director of the Community Development Corporation of Southern Berkshire, is required to meet with the BOS once a year to offer a status report. Mr. Geller offered his report to the BOS in September. KMV attended this meeting. She is encouraged that the state might start accepting applications for ownership housing projects as early as 2013. Mr. Geller is a member of a state-wide committee that is working the Department of Housing and Community Development to advance ownership housing projects.
The next CPC meeting will be January 14, 2013 at 7:00 PM.
Motion by AH and seconded by EC, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 1/14/13
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