Community Preservation Committee
February 25, 2013
Minutes
Members present: Chair Frederick Keator (FK), Channing Gibson (CG),
Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV), Albert Harper (AH), Joe G. Strauch (JS), and Eugene Chague (EC).
Absent: Olga Weiss (OW), Catherine May (CM) and Anthony Patella (AP).
Also in attendance: Selectman Ken Fowler (KF), Greg Federspiel (GF), Town Manager and Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
FK called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
AH made a motion to approve the January 25, 2013 minutes. Seconded by JS and the Committee voted 6-0 to approve.
The Committee discussed the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The Committee will continue to plan for approximately $300,000 in new local receipts with a projected $75,000 state match. The Committee has fixed budget items including: library debt service, Sawmill Brook – Community Housing project debt service and five-percent administration costs. These fixed costs are approximately $281,000. Discussion ensued regarding new revenue and fixed obligations. FK will meet with MA and Charlie Browne, Town Account, tomorrow at 2:00 PM. EC might try to attend this meeting.
EC asked for clarification regarding the $350,000 that was reserved in FY’13 for Open Space. He is concerned that it is listed in the Open Space reserve and this includes Open Space and Recreation. FK said the funds appropriated for Open Space were for Open Space acquisition. Recent changes in the CPA statute expanded the opportunities for recreation projects. However, this change happened after Town Meeting vote. The intent for the $350,000 was for open space acquisition and it should not be used for recreation restoration projects.
Discussion ensued regarding stewardship of CPA funds. AH questioned if the Committee has a fiduciary responsibility to invest CPA funds in a higher yield account. GF said the Committee has an obligation to review the account but the day-to-day management is the job of the Town Treasurer. FK suggested the Committee could discuss this matter with the Town Treasurer.
FK said he checked with the Town Treasurer regarding the Cemetery Trust Fund. At the last meeting it was represented that there is no longer a Cemetery Trust Fund. The Treasurer confirmed that the Town still has a Cemetery Fund that includes sub-categories for the different Town Cemeteries.
FK opened the annual Public Informational Hearing at 7:30 PM. MA explained that given recent changes in the CPA statute - it is important to study the needs of the Town with regards to rehabilitating parks, playgrounds and athletic fields. The Committee will need to amend its Plan to allow for the rehabilitation of existing recreational assets. Currently, the Town is in the process of updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). The OSRP will be very helpful for determining community needs regarding recreational assets.
Susan Wissler, Executive Director of The Mount, offered a letter of support from Wendy Coakley, Guardian Life Insurance Company. Ms. Coakley was unable to attend the hearing but wanted to be on record regarding the Guardian Life Insurance Company’s support for The Mount. Ms. Wissler also asked to clarify a response she made at the February 11, 2013 presentation. She said she was asked if the she would request additional CPA funds for the Stable Restoration project. At the presentation she said she would not but upon further consideration she should have answered that she would never apply for CPA funds as “seed money” for a project.
Lynn Sutton asked the Committee if they have a scoring rubric for assessing CPC applications. AH explained that this year the Committee developed seven factors they will consider when making recommendations on CPC applications. He said this information was included in the FY’14 application package in the Mission Statement. Ms. Sutton said she is not “for or against” any specific project, however; she is a neighbor to The Mount. She expressed her support for the organization and said The Mount is a good neighbor.
FK closed the Public Informational Hearing at 7:55 PM.
Discussion ensued regarding the FY’ 14 project presentations.
The Lenox Fire Company- Antique Fire Apparatus Restoration - FK expressed support for Town’s excellent volunteer Fire Department. However, he questioned if this is the best way to support their efforts. Lenox is blessed with some wonderful antique fire trucks but he questioned if this a critical community need. EC thinks this might be a bitter pill for some residents. AH agrees with FK. AH is also concerned about storage for the antique fire trucks. KMV questioned the public benefit. She suggested a partnership with the Lenox Scenic Railway Museum. MA said that if the Committee recommends funding for this project, the Historical Commission is required to make a determination that the fire trucks are significant in the history of the Town. AH
indicated that his should not be a problem.
The Mount- Phase 2 Stable Restoration - Discussion ensued regarding the need for CPA funds. The Mount has been very successful in its efforts to raise funds for this project. Some members questioned if CPA funds were critical. FK reminded members that since the inception of Committee, the first stake in ground was for CPA funds to be a catalyst for leveraging other funding sources. The Mount has done this and should not be penalized. JS suggest that the Town gets a lot of bang for the buck with this project. FK and JS feel this is a solid investment. The Committee discussed how important the Mount is to the local tourist economy. KMV views that The Mount as the first priority after Town projects. EC agreed with KMV and views The Mount as a very professional
organization.
Affordable Housing Trust – Housing Ownership Grant Program
The consensus of the Committee members present was that the Trust does not need additional funds to begin the program. KMV stressed the merits of the proposed program. AH and FK are concerned that the program does not provide long term benefits. They suggested that a few individuals will benefit but the community as a whole does not. KMV suggested that the Trustees could launch a pilot program and if it is successful they will reapply for funds next year. FK and AH do not believe five years to an appropriate recapture period. They both suggested at least ten years. FK stressed that the Trustees should start small.
Ventfort Hall – Elevator Installation
FK is concerned that there are two projects before the Committee. The presentation was very confusing. Discussion ensued regarding the use of CPA funds for a sprinkler system noting that this part of the project was not included in the application. It is not clear if the sprinkler system will qualify as historic preservation. FK pointed out that Ventfort Hall raised a number of concerns regarding the Building Department and the Fire Department. FK would like to hear from these two departments. MA will invite Bill Thornton, Building Commissioner, Dan Clifford, Fire Chief and a representative from Ventfort Hall to attend the next meeting (March 11, 2013).
Lenox Historical Commission- Church on the Hill Cemetery
FK suggested the Committee needs to carefully consider this request. FK is concerned regarding the approach to the project. He questioned the funding hierarchy. AH supported Lucy Kennedy’s approach to the proposed funding request. FK believes the Department of Public Works (DPW) should be consulted regarding this project. JS questioned DPW involvement. He does not believe the DPW is qualified to assist with the proposed restoration project.
The consensus of the Committee was that there should be additional discussion regarding this project. GF suggested working toward a $150,000 cemetery project. AH will invite Lucy Kennedy to attend the next meeting. FK will contact the DPW.
Old Business
FK suggested that the Committee might need a backup meeting date because the March 11, 2013 meeting will be very busy. The Committee suggested March 25, 2013 as a backup.
Motion by AH and seconded by KMV to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 3/11/13
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