Community Preservation Committee
February 24, 2014
Minutes
Members present: Frederick Keator (FK), Chairman, Anthony Patella (AP) , Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV), Joe G. Strauch (JS), Eugene Chague (EC), Catherine May (CM), Channing Gibson (CG), Olga Weiss (OW), and Albert Harper (AH).
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
FK called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Minutes
CG made a motion to approve the January 27, 2014 minutes with corrections. Seconded by JS and the Committee voted 8-0 -1 to approve the minutes. FK abstained because he did not attend the meeting.
Existing Projects
Susan Wissler, Executive Director, and Ross Jolly, Facilities Director, The Mount (Edith Wharton Restoration), offered an update regarding the Stable Restoration Project. The original FY’14 CPA project was a comprehensive utility overhaul of the Stable. Complete funding for this project has not come to fruition and Ms. Wissler and Mr. Jolly decided to forego the utilities overhaul project at this time and focus on a less costly restoration of the Stable’s stucco exterior. The May 2, 2013 Town Meeting voted to approve $30,000 for the purpose of “General Stable Restoration”. Ms. Wissler and Mr. Jolly believe the stucco restoration falls within that description.
FK asked about other sources of funding for the stucco restoration project. Ms. Wissler explained that the budget for the stucco restoration project is $167,022. Ms. Wissler estimated that between the Massachusetts Cultural Commission and the FY’14 CPA funds - $120,827 has been raised toward restoration work for the Stable. The Mount will need to raise the remaining $46,195. Ms. Wissler feels confident that the remaining $46,195 will be identified by April 30. 2014.
Discussion ensured regarding the fact that CPA funds for this type of project must meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Preservation. Mr. Jolly explained that the nice thing about this project is that The Mount has already established a protocol for restoration work that meets the Secretary of the Interior specifications.
FK thanked Ms. Wissler and Mr. Jolly for the project update and said the Committee would discuss this project at the March 10, 2014 meeting.
FY- 15 Public Hearing
FK opened the public hearing at 7:25 PM and read the public hearing notice. Sharon Hawkes, Library Director, offered input regarding the proposed Roche Reading Park project. She said The Library Board supports the project as presented.
AP offered to answer questions regarding the Community Center applications because Kim Graham, Community Center Director, has the flu and cannot be at the meeting. AP explained that the basketball court restoration is an important project. He explained that Ms. Graham is working on additional information regarding the fencing and lighting.
CG said he is concerned that the proposal does not have more detail but feels the project is important. He said the Board of Selectmen (BoS) and Town Manager will oversee the project.
AH is concerned about the project as proposed. AH understands that it is a good project; however, he is concerned about the planning process. JS spoke in support of the project and explained that Foresight is a reputable company and he has confidence in their engineering proposal. OW said she is half way between AH and JS. She feels the application and Foresight proposal are sloppy. However, she does want the project to move forward. KMV suggested that her observation is that the Committee supports the funding for the engineering work but there is not consensus regarding funding for construction work in FY’ 15. She suggested that the Committee consider conditional approval for the construction phase of the project.
AH reiterated that he feels the project should be funded in phases. He does not think it is fiscally responsible to fund both phases of the project in the same fiscal year. AP said he understands the frustration but thinks the project should not be delayed. AP asked CG if the Selectmen have a preference. CG suggested that overall the Selectmen support this project and losing a year until construction is not a good idea.
FK noted that the basketball court has been in bad shape for a number of years and questioned the urgency. FK noted that until recently CPA funds could not be used for this type of project. CM spoke in favor of the project and said that the recent changes to the CPA legislation are an opportunity for the community to use CPA funds for important Town projects. She went on to explain that the Community Center serves a number of children. The basketball court is especially important to teenagers.
OW said maybe the Committee is to blame for the sloppy application. She suggested that the Committee develop a better application process that includes a seminar on how to apply for CPA funds.
FK asked if there are funds available in the Town Budget to serve as a match for the project. FK asked if the School Department could contribute funds to the project. CG does not know if there are other FY’15 funds available for the project. KMV again suggested that there is middle ground regarding this project. She suggested approval for the engineering costs and conditional approval for the construction funds. FK suggested that the Committee discuss the other projects and continue this discussion at the next meeting.
FK asked if there were any questions regarding the Town Beach proposal. AP explained this project is divided into multiple funding years. FK said that he senses that the Town Beach project will be fairly complicated. Discussion ensued regarding ownership of the Town Beach. The consensus of the Committee was that if CPA funds are to be used for improvements the ownership of the Beach should be clarified. CG will investigate.
There were a number of opinions regarding the level of importance the antique fire trucks are to the history of the community. Some members think the trucks are very important and others feel they are less important.
EC wants to ensure the trucks are not sold once the restoration work is completed. MA reminded the Committee that a condition of approval last year was that liens be filed at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. She will contact Jeff Lynch to see if that task has been completed.
AH suggested that the project be fully funded this year for $50,000. KMV, FK and OW do not favor this suggestion. They feel the multi-year approach allows a better opportunity for private fundraising.
The Historical Commission seeks CPA funding in FY ’15 for additional headstone repair, minor landscaping work, education signage and a downloadable audio tour/map. MA said after the last meeting she was asked to review the proposed educational expenses. She said it is her understanding that CPA funds cannot be used for education. Discussion ensued regarding the fact that the education signage and audio tour/map are a small part of the project. If that part of the project is removed, the request is reduced from $70,000 to $66,000.
AH confirmed that Jeff Vincent prepared a new request for proposal (RFP) for the remaining stone restoration work that includes the remaining FY’14 CPA funds, and a contingency for FY ’15 CPA funds pending Town Meeting approval.
EC suggested that additional CPA funds be set aside for Open Space projects.
FK closed the public hearing at 9:05 PM.
Motion by OW and seconded by KMV to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 PM. The vote to adjourn was unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 3/10/14
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