COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
November 12, 2013
A Public Hearing and regular meeting of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) was held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 6:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Chair Helen Sides, Vice Chair Kevin Cornacchio, John Boris, Bart Hoskins, Joanne McCrea, Ed Moriarty, Mickey Northcutt, Tim Shea, and Leslie Tuttle. Also present was Jane Guy of the City of Salem and Deborah Jackson, City Assessor.
Public Hearing
Ms. Sides stated that the purpose of this public hearing is to solicit input regarding the development of the Community Preservation Plan. She stated that the Plan will be used to guide the Community Preservation Committee’s decision-making when reviewing and recommending project applications for Community Preservation Act funding.
Ms. Guy reminded audience members to take a handout and sign in. She stated that in the handout is a survey and that participants may provide comment verbally when the public hearing is opened up and/or may turn in the survey. She noted that additional ways to provide written comment will be provided at the end of the presentation and that the presentation will also be uploaded to the City’s website some time tomorrow.
Ms. Guy provided a Powerpoint presentation overview of the CPA. Ms. Jackson reviewed the surcharge calculations and exemptions.
Ms. Sides opened up the public hearing to questions and comments.
Andrew Carr, 7 River Street, submitted a written summary of his proposal to use CPA funds to fix up and preserve the two downtown fountains designed by John Collins in 1976. He also submitted a written summary of his proposal for the creation of a park which would celebrate the former Parker Brothers to be located in the open space in front of the former Great Escape restaurant greenspace. He provided webpage addresses for his proposals (www.parkerbrotherspark.com and www.salemarchitecture.com).
Pat Donahue, 12 Dearborn Lane, stated that she is co-chair of the Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery (FOG), which is a fairly new volunteer group and that, through its efforts, Greenlawn Cemetery is in the process of being considered for the National Register of Historic Places. They have hosted two tours and noted that people who attend comment that they did not know of all its history. She stated that it is a historic and a natural resource which is worthy of consideration for funding and that the main goal is to begin with the chapel which was built in 1894.
Pamela Hartford, 10 Orne Square, stated that Salem undertook a cemetery master plan about six years ago and suggested it be reviewed. She stated that she was aware that CPA funds cannot be used for maintenance, but implementing a master plan is considered preservation. She stated that it could affect all five public cemeteries which all need preservation work.
David Hart, 104 Federal Street, stated that he is a member of the Salem Historical Commission and suggested that the Preservation Master Plan be put on-line.
Teasie Riley-Goggin, 9 Wisteria Street, asked if the 5% administration budget includes the fees for the Community Preservation Coalition. She stated that she understood that with CPA funds there is an opportunity to float a bond if the CPC so desires, but recommended against it, noting that, if in five years Salem no longer wants to be included in the CPA, it will still have to pay off the bond monies remaining.
Ms. Guy stated that the 5% will eventually include Coalition fees, but noted that in FY14, Salem is not getting state funds. Therefore, FY15 budget will likely include the fee for the Coalition, but she did not know what the amount this fee will be.
Rob Pelletier, 7 Victory Road, stated that he was with Eagle Scout candidate Dominic Serino from Salem Boys Scouts Troup 224. He stated that they have been looking at doing a project at Fort Lee, the old cannon bunker base from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The last large preservation project done there was in 1976. He noted that there are lots of trails up there, the old bunker is still in tact, as well as all of the cobblestones and one of the two memorials that were installed in 1976. Initally, they planned a small project, but suggested it be a project that the CPA be involved, either as open space or historic resource. He noted that it is on the Department of Defense’s list of most endangered historic, military sites and that it is part of the Winter Island historic base area. The area is so overgrown, it is just a little bit more than just the Boys Scouts can handle. He would like to get the city involved, and maybe get some funding and some volunteers.
Jeff Bellin, 396 Essex Street, Chair of Bike Path Committee, stated that he loves walking in Greenlawn Cemetery and that any open space in a city is rare and is important to maintain. He agreed that Parker Brothers was an important part in history, that there is currently no memorial for Parker Brothers and that some way to honor that history is perfect. He stated that, as far as the fountains, he did not like how the top part was replaced, but noted that he has been to meetings regarding the redesign of pedestrian walkway. He felt that that whole area with the two-level map is really unusable. It is such a large swath of area, which is difficult for anybody to use except to look at. He stated that one of the ideas proposed was one of those leveled fountains, like they have in the walkway
near the North End, where fountains come up through the holes, but you can turn off the fountains and actually use the area for other things. He stated that he might be in favor if there is a way to incorporate both.
Mr. Carr stated that he was thinking of ways to cover it during the Winter or puzzle piece in so it could be flat. He felt it was a shame to pull it away because it is popular and interactive.
Mr. Bellin stated that some people do, but questioned if it was the best use of the space. He stated that Salem’s historic resources are why people come to Salem and why he supported CPA. He stated that he feels what gets neglected is the history of the Willows. He added that Pioneer Village is also dilapidated. He stated that he was glad we are here and discussing CPA.
Laurie Weisman, 396 Essex Street, stated that she is on the Historical Commission. She asked if CPA funds be used for updating plans.
Ms. Guy believed that it is not out of the question that some plans could be funded from the CPC’s 5% admin expense budget, if the CPC deems a specific plan could be helpful in their role of selecting projects.
Tim Jenkins, 18 Broad Street, asked for an explanation on the use of funds for maintenance.
Ms. Sides read the definition from the Act: "Maintenance", incidental repairs which neither materially add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong the property's life, but keep the property in a condition of fitness, efficiency or readiness."
Mr. Jenkins stated his observation that one of the greatest historic resources that has been allowed to get dilapidated is the senior center built in 1858. He stated that the cupola is rusted and almost all the cornicing, dentils and moldings are gone. He recommended a strategy for getting the most bang for the buck, getting volunteers, and trying to do more to preserve historic resources than we have. With regard to open space, he stated that parks and cemeteries are wonderful resources and felt with volunteers it might be possible to stay on top of them, but noted it requires ongoing maintenance. He stated that it seems we need longer term strategies for maintaining once work has been done.
Steve Serino, 32 Briggs Street, asked if there was a realistic time frame for proposals getting accepted because some projects have some time sensitivity.
Ms. Guy stated that the CPC is trying not to rush the process. The board is learning the regulations, gathering all the data, reviewing all the plans out there that have been vetted publicly and going to all the boards to get their comments. All the information will be used to develop the plan and then the application materials. She stated that the CPC does not have a timetime, because the CPC wants to take the time to do it right.
Ms. Sides stated that it has been a big learning curve for everyone - to absorb a lot of these existing plans and to review what other cities and towns are doing.
Barbara Cleary, 104 Federal Street, suggested that when considering general historical preservation criteria, the CPC consider the architectural and historical importance of resources so that the things that are most important rise to the top and consider the public benefit of resources that a lot of people use or see. She encouraged the CPC to look at the Master Preservation Plan and consider updating it. She asked if there is a timeframe for submitting these initial set of comments and if there will be an opportunity to comment on a draft plan.
Ms. Guy stated that the CPC is asking for initial comments by November 22, 2013 and that the CPC has not discussed a comment period for the draft plan, but anticipated there would be one.
Pat McCormack, 105R Dearborn Lane, stated that he had emailed a PDF document regarding Winter Island to Ms. Guy. He stated that it is a basic outline and suggestions for long term uses that emphasize the rich history of Winter Island. He suggested rehabilitating the barracks officers building , perhaps as a museum in conjunction with the Marine Research Institute, and incorporating some green elements. He stated that it might be funded with state and federal funds with direct interest of parties that might need access to a deep water port. Winter Island could serve as a center for scientific education. He stated that it was an over-reaching project, but suggested that some funds be set aside for looking at its feasibility.
Stan Franzeen, 34 Daniels Street, asked if applications will be accepted from individuals and non-profits.
Ms. Sides replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Donahue stated that Salem has lost a lot of its shoreline and that there is not a lot of open space. She suggested, if parcels of land come up for sale near the North River, the City consider purchasing them so that they can be made into more attractive parcels, such as places for a park or kayaking. She noted that other communities spend a lot of their CPA funds to buy open space. She stated that whatever we have left, we should try to preserve.
Ms. Sides closed the public hearing and thanked the audience for their participation.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Shea made a motion to approve the minutes of October 8, 2013. Mr. Boris seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Ms. Guy stated that after November 22nd, she will try to take all the information and start working on the list of criteria. She will use the Newburyport as a format, with general criteria and then sub-criteria for each of the categories. She is hoping to have it for the December meeting for the CPC to vote on. After that she will work on the plan, which she will try to complete for January. She asked CPC members to send her an email of any other criteria that they would like considered for discussion at the December meeting.
Ms. Guy stated that the City Council will be reviewing the CPC’s recommendation for the budget at its meeting on November 14th. She noted that to submit the budget, the Finance Department needed to place funds in a salary and a non-salary line item. In this regard, $3500 was put into the salary line item and $16,500 in non-salary. She stated that $3500 was the annual figure that was come up with for her to do night meetings, take minutes, etc. The CPC can yea or nay that.
Mr. Shea suggested voting on the salary before the Council meeting so there is no question. He stated that it sounded like a low amount to him.
Ms. Sides asked if it was fair.
Ms. Guy replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Boris made a motion to approve $3500 for an annual stipend for Ms. Guy. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. McCrea asked if Ms. Guy had an idea what it would cost to update the Preservation Master Plan.
Ms. Guy stated that, in general, plans are $20,000-$25,000. She stated the city will typically get a matching grant.
Ms. Tuttle stated that she thought a lot of the things in the plan are still floating out there.
Ms. Guy stated that there are certainly things in it that are not relevant, but a lot of it would still be relevant today.
Ms. Tuttle noted that Winter Island is on it and Winter Island is on the Harbor Plan. She stated that we keep reading about these things that need to be done and nothing has been done in 30 years.
Ms. Guy stated that this is our opportunity to get some things done.
Ms. Guy stated that the admin budget can be used to hire professional help (i.e. appraisals, consultants, legal assistance and general studies); therefore, the CPC can pay for studies that help you to do your job. Funds can be used for other due diligence and newspaper ads for the public hearing. Ms. Guy noted that funds cannot be paid for from one account and then reimbursed with CPA. Therefore, since there is currently no funds in the CPA account, the Department of Planning and Community Development covered the $1000 cost for newspaper ads for the public hearing. The admin budget will be available once the the surcharge revenues start coming in after the January 1st bill is issued. She noted that the 5% cannot be carried over to next year. The funds will then revert to the
general budget for projects. She stated that once the CPC gets to the point that it is actually spending money, she will develop a way of reporting it to the CPC.
Mr. Boris asked if public advertising will be needed for projects.
Ms. Guy stated that she believed it would be the same as other funded projects. If it is a city project, done through city purchasing, it will follow public bidding procedures. If it is given to a non-profit, it probably does not require public bidding, but might require prevailing wages.
Mr. Boris stated that he felt that those legal, advertising and other costs should not have to come out of CPC funds.
Ms. Guy stated that she did not know the answers to all those type of questions yet.
Mr. Shea asked if the CPC funds can be used to take existing open space and do something with it.
Mr. Hoskins believed that development of resources, such as playgrounds, walking paths, benches, etc. would fit the criteria.
Ms. Guy stated that CPC can be used to create recreation, such as a park.
Mr. Hoskins stated that we could be in the ironic position that there has been determined a project as a high priority, but no one applies for it. He stated that it never occurred to him that the CPC could set money aside for a project should someone step forward to make it happen.
Ms. McCrea questioned setting money aside for a project that doesn’t have a champion to put together an application.
Ms. Sides stated that it comes to the overlapping of categories and something like Winter Island keeps showing up in all of these plans, then there is something pretty significant about what the needs are.
Mr. Boris stated that cemeteries seem to overlap, too.
Ms. Guy stated that that could be one of the criteria, if it shows up in more than one plan.
Ms. McCrea agreed with the comment from Ms. Cleary about having public benefit.
Mr. Hoskins stated that the Coalition has stated that funding studies from the categories is only when it is the first step towards a project, otherwise it has to be funded from the admin budget.
Next Meeting Date
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
There being no further business, Mr. Shea made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Boris seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Administrator
| 
