July 5, 2011
7:00PM
Monson Community Preservation Committee
29 Thompson Street, Historical Commission Office
In Attendance: Michael Benfield, Denis Swierad, Leslie Duthie, Robert Presho, Karen King, Bill Skillman, Mary Swierad of the Historical Commission, Tamara Cabey of the Historical Commission, James O’Toole of Beebe Road, Karen O’Toole of Beebe Road., Michael Roescher of 8 Washington St.
Karen King made motion to accept minutes from the May3rd meeting. Robert Presho second the motion- there were no revisions and there was no discussion, motion carried.
Karen O’Toole asked if any money would be allocated towards rebuilding the Town of Monson. She asked about the replanting of trees and flowers. Leslie said the funds would probably not go towards trees and flowers but that we do have funds specifically for housing. Leslie gave a CPA funds handout to attendants and explained the confinements of what CPA funds can go towards. Michael Roescher asked about the iron bar in front of the cemetery being replaced. He expressed a concern about the integrity of the materials used to replace and repair historical structures and features. Dennis said that the historical integrity would be maintained wherever possible however the cost of these repairs could delay the work being done where there is little funding.
Michael Roescher asked about Recreation funds and how they can be used to help rebuild the Town. Leslie said that Recreation has to be used to construct a new structure; it cannot be used to re-vamp an existing area. Michael asked about the skate park and Leslie said we cannot make improvements to existing areas within the community however, projects may become eligible for funding if they are being put into new places, i.e. putting the skate park in the bowling alley.
Leslie spoke to the Housing Coalition about creating a grant fund with CPC housing money to aid in qualifying families to rebuild post-tornado. A family or individual can make up to 100% of the median income for your town in order to qualify. For example the limitation is 69,300 for family of 4. If they qualify under these regulations, they can apply for funding under this CPC housing grant. Leslie feels that there has to be a period of time where the house that is worked on is occupied by the qualifying persons. Michael Roescher asked if there was a restriction on these projects now and Leslie said there would be on any houses built with these funds. Karen asked about Habitat for Humanity and Leslie said they would be a great partner for these projects. People who qualify under
the income requirements would be eligible for funds to assist in Tornado Relief. CPC would decide what the Grant is, how it is applied for, what the qualifying factors are other than the HUD income requirements and who oversees the projects. Michael Roescher asked if we would give priority to Monson residents and Leslie said the applicant must be a town resident. Bill reminded the group that all applicants who were approved by CPC would still have to go to Town Meeting to be approved by taxpayers either as individuals applying for CPC funds or as a Housing Grant. The wording of the warrant would be decided by the CPC. Michael R. expressed a concern about funds going to non-Monson residents and Leslie and Bill both reassured him that CPC funds are Monson tax dollars and only go to Monson residents.
Jim Haynes is a project manager for Habitat for Humanity. Shelly Garring, the housing circuit rider, strongly suggested working with Habitat for Humanity. They have a system in place and are prepared to do these types of projects. Karen will speak to Habitat for Humanity and gage their interest in being involved with a CPC project.
Karen went to a HAP meeting with FEMA- they are another avenue we could use and they may partner with Habitat for Humanity. Dave Haley is giving the house on Lincoln St away to a tornado victim who can have it moved and put onto a foundation. Dennis said that CPC funds could pay to move the house and give it to a family of low income. Karen O’Toole asked about lots being considered conforming or not conforming. Karen King said it could be smaller but not bigger. Dennis said you have 2 years to build on a lot that is non-conforming before you then have to make it conforming.
Leslie feels that people should get FEMA money before going anywhere else- FEMA will give less if you are receiving funds from elsewhere. Once people receive FEMA funds they can then seek other sources of aid.
Leslie brought up the Longmeadow Fund- they ask for a tax return for income verification. Karen and Leslie are on Monson Saving’s committee. They will be requiring pay stubs to verify income.
Bill recommended having an informational event to spread the word to the taxpayers about this grant. Michael R. asked about CPC having a Facebook page. Leslie feels that it is better to go through the town website. Michael feels that FB is an extremely valuable resource. Karen O’Toole said Mass Mutual has two pages because they find that that is how people want to find things out. Karen King is concerned because this is a Town-based committee. Facebook would be a violation of the open meeting laws. Karen K. suggested utilizing the Monson Communications Facebook page to spread the word for CPC.
Karen O. asked when we would make a decision by- CPC said it would have to be before the Sept. 2nd application deadline. Leslie and Bill feel that we need to create the Grant Fund and lay out the details and requirements of it and that this committee needs to be in control of it. Leslie would be looking to take the creation of a fund to town meeting not specific applicants. Michael R. asked about the cemetery iron pipe again and Dennis said they are getting estimates. The fence itself was in poor condition, only the 25 feet ruined by the tree was going to be covered- $12,000 for the 25 feet. Michael R. wants to make phone calls and see if he can get better prices to replace the pipe.
Leslie explained that CPC is required to put 10% of its funds into Open Space, 10% into Historical Preservation and 10% into housing. The other 70% can be used for any of the three categories or for Recreation. There will be a reassessment this year in the Assessors’ office and that may make a difference on our matching funds. Bill suggested that we invite Habitat for Humanity to our next meeting. Karen K. added that we should invite HAP and Dennis added the Housing Authority.
Bill asked Robert if the housing authority could decide to build low income housing. Robert said they are having issues with the state when it comes to funding for such projects.
Michael said he would not be in town for the August meeting and would like to schedule another meeting before then to decide on a course of action.
Bill made a motion to meet on July 12th. Karen K. second the motion. All in favor, motion carried. Audra will post the meeting and submit the agenda before this Friday.
The agenda for the July 12th meeting will be mainly housing projects. We are inviting HAP, Habitat for Humanity and the Monson Housing Authority to discuss the projects and who would run them.
Leslie is going to look into the need to bid for these projects or if we could just choose Habitat for Humanity or HAP.
Leslie feels that as a Committee we need to decide how much money we want to allocate for this fund. Dennis said 80,000 and Bill agreed that if we are going to do something it should be big enough to have a significant impact. Leslie pointed out that if any of the money is not used by the project than the remainder would come back to CPC for housing.
Updates:
Dennis said Memorial Hall has 347,000 worth of damage. They decided to wait until December. Larry will email all who were going to bid and they will advertise again in December for the spring. There is too much going on. They are having the insurance repairs done. The same person who did the roof a few years ago is going to do the repairs.
Conservation is getting ready to spend the 50,000 looking at the acquisition of land on Reimers Road. - the former Wesson property. 150 acres on the east side of the road. Touches 2 landlocked, town owned properties. We also have right of first refusal for 50 acres across the street.
Michael R. asked about reforestation and Leslie said that on July 20th 630 there will be a reforestation meeting with DCR. The press release has yet to go out but more information will be available soon.
Leslie discussed the Conservation Commissions work towards reforestation and recommended for more information Michael R. was welcome to go to a conservation meeting.
Audra will make a spreadsheet from the CP3 database and email it to everyone for status updates on the various projects.
Next meeting will be next Tuesday July 12th.
Dennis said this will be his last meeting. Tamara will be taking over from the Historical Commission. Dennis will send a letter of resignation to the BOS. His official last meeting will be once she is sworn into office.
Historical Commission discussed the inventory of damage done to Historical homes.
Bill Made a motion to adjourn, Robert second the motion. All in favor- motion carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:13pm
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