b>FINAL Minutes, January 22, 2007, Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee members: Bob Wilber (Chairman), Dave Walrath (Vice-Chairman), John Bolton,
Laura Spear, Corinne Green, Karen Gray.
Administrative Assistant: Deb Seith
Also Present: Kent Seith, members of the Lake Boon Association (LBA), members of the Lake Boon Commission (LBC) Eric Bachtell and members from Recreation for Stow (RFS), Selectman Ruggiero, and Bob McDonald (Associate member, Historical Commission).
The meeting began with quorum at 7:35pm.
BILLS & MINUTES
in the preparation meeting. Both the meetings were included in the bill received from DLA Piper. Laura moved to pay the invoice of $5,000 to DLA Piper from administrative funds, John seconded, and approval was unanimous.
LAKE BOON ASSOCIATION – Lake Restoration Project
Kent Seith reviewed the LBA’s proposal and highlighted new developments. The Town of Hudson passed their warrant article to fund the project for $38,000. The Hold Harmless indemnification is in place (The Town Administrator has a copy and the fee proposal did not increase as a result of the extra protection.) The Committee and members of the LBA/LBC discussed future maintenance of the lake. The LBA/LBC are committed to keeping the lake healthy once it is restored: they have had discussions with Bill Wrigley regarding on-going funding for lake management, they continue to apply for grants, they will continue their education programs, septic pumping, etc.
The funding for the Restoration Project was reviewed:
Total cost: $115,000 Hudson’s contribution: $38,000 Stow’s contribution: $77,000
VOTE: Dave made a motion to recommend to Town Meeting that $75,000 from Open Space reserve funds and $2,000 from Unreserved funds be used for a Lake Boon Restoration Project – contingent upon legal review of the indemnification, John seconded, and there were 5 votes in favor and 1 vote to abstain (Karen).
RECREATION FOR STOW (RFS)
Eric Bachtell updated the committee on what has been done in the past 2 weeks & what their next steps are.
Updates:
1. Submitted project proposal to CPC.
2. Secured $5,000 in private funding for Recreation Master Plan (RMP).
3. Identified three qualified consultants to be sent bid packages for the RMP.
4. Created draft scope of services document for bid process to secure a qualified consultant for RMP.
5. Added Snow property to research of potential recreational sites.
6. Individually discussed RFS initiative with each member of the Board of Selectmen.
Next Steps:
1. Secure CPC funding for RMP.
2. Finalize task force (select members & define scope of work.)
Laura clarified that this is a different proposal than the original one (discussed at the Jan. 8 CPC meeting). It was agreed that this updated proposal includes current fields in Stow, does not focus only on the Pine Bluffs property, and is for a Recreational Master Plan that can be brought to Town Meeting.
Bob asked that the relationship between the RFS and Recreation Commission be firmed up. Corinne said that the Recreation Commission supports the need/concepts of the RFS and John Sangermano is their liaison to the group.
Karen asked that the RFS publish some articles in local papers so that the public can be informed of their plans. Eric agreed that the RFS would do this.
Members from the Lake Boon Commission (LBC) asked that they be included in discussions/plans for any property close to the lake. Several residents and members from the LBC/LBA voiced concerns about having the property by Pine Bluffs developed.
Bob McDonald (Associate member, Historical Commission) shared information regarding the history/archeological importance of the area. The Committee received a letter from Liz Painter (Historical Commission) asking that the CPC expend funds to finance an archeological study of the Pine Bluffs area. Bob McDonald also provided an estimate for such a study. The Committee encouraged the Historical Commission to submit a formal proposal to the CPC.
It was agreed that the Recreational Master Plan project would be driven by the Recreation Commission (work done by a sub-committee or working group). It was also agreed that the Recreation Commission would oversee the proposal process, evaluate the work done, be accountable for the work, and report back to the CPC.
VOTE: Dave made a motion to appropriate $5,000 of engineering services (administrative) funds contingent upon the Recreation Commission assuming formal ownership of this activity and with the stipulation that the Recreation Commission agree to return the results of the study to the CPC and any other approved boards, Laura seconded the motion, further discussion:
The committee clarified what the Recreation Commission would be responsible for overseeing the following work:
ved
5 votes were for approval and 1 vote to abstain (Karen Gray).
John left the meeting at this time (9:05pm).
NEWS and VIEWS
Dave asked if the Committee should consider bringing something to Town Meeting that would require either a Public Meeting or Public Hearing before the CPC votes to put something before Town Meeting. The members agreed this was worth discussing. The members also thought it might be appropriate to have a Public Meeting to discuss all the warrant articles that the CPC plans to bring to Town Meeting this year. Action Item: Dave will look into this before Town Meeting (define what things we need to do to have a Public Hearing/Meeting.)
The Community Preservation Coalition’s grant money will be running out soon. In order for the Coalition to continue to exist they may be seeking money from Community Preservation Communities. Communities would be asked to pay a voluntary membership fee out of their administrative funds each year. The amount would be based on a sliding scale and right now the estimated cost to Stow would be $1500. The Coalition will be sending out more information at a later date. The members, in general, felt that the Coalition works very hard to help communities and protect the State matching funds. For this reason they felt that a membership fee would be appropriate. They would like to know when the Coalition’s grant will run out and how much money they need to function.
Action Item: Deb will contact the Coalition and find out.
Bob shared some information regarding work being done by the Coalition. These are some proposed changes to the Community Preservation Act:
age fees, hotel/motel taxes, or inclusionary zoning.)
#000000;">Respectfully submitted,
Deb Seith
CPC Administrative Assistant
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