TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
Final Minutes, August 6, 2007 Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee members: Bob Wilber (Chairman), Karen Gray, Kathy Sferra, Laura Spear, John Bolton, *Kate Hogan.
Associate Members: Margie Lynch & Jim Sauta Administrative Assistant: Deb Seith
The meeting began with quorum at 7:38pm.
BILLS AND MINUTES
Laura moved to accept the minutes from July 23, 2007 as amended, Kathy seconded, and there were 4 votes to approve (Bob abstained because he was not present at the meeting.)
West School Invoices: Karen submitted 4 invoices for payment. The parking lot and gate have been completed. A path needs to be widened, the front needs to be made wheel chair accessible, and a tree still needs to be taken down. Karen said they might make the stoop larger and create a removable ramp.
Deb submitted her hours for July.
NEWS AND VIEWS:
The Rappaport Institute Report: Bob mentioned an email from Stuart Saginor from the Community Preservation Coalition. Stuart’s email stated that “the Rappaport Institute, which has been critical of CPA in the past, is now questioning some of the basic tenets of the Act and criticizing adoption patterns to date. In light of this report, the Community Preservation Coalition is working very hard to ensure that the positive features of the Act are properly communicated.”
Deed Restriction Program: Deb sent a follow up email to Erin Bettez, LIP Staff at DHCD, but had not received a response as of this evening. Bob said that he plans to set up a meeting with someone at DHCD in the near future. Action Item: Deb will email Representative Walrath and Senator Resor to follow up and request that a letter of support be sent to DHCD. Action Item: Bob will follow up with DHCD, request initial thoughts/feedback and request a meeting.
Bob mentioned that he would like some pictures of CPC projects. Deb took a few of Lake Boon. Action Item: Deb will contact G.H. Gledhill, Cemetery Committee, regarding the Stone Wall Restoration project and photos. Laura mentioned that G.H. attended a Lower Village planning meeting and he reviewed his plans in light of a potential pathway.
UPDATE ON ACTION ITEMS
Laura said that Malcolm Fitzpatrick and other Planning Board members had suggested buying Deed Restrictions on inexpensive homes that are currently on the market. Kathy said that there are some houses currently on the market in Stow for under $350,000. In general the Committee thought this was an interesting idea.
Deb has been collecting information from other Towns regarding their CPC application process. She still needs to analyze and compile the information.
Margie distributed copies of the CPC policy that she tweaked (see below). The Committee discussed the language and if it needs to be less broad, use some examples, and tweak the language a bit regarding established uses. Action Item: Laura will make the discussed changes and bring it to the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Steve Mong & Al Tyler talked to the Committee about an Agricultural Restriction that Al has applied for on his land behind Applefield Farm. Steve explained that they have been in contact with Chris Chisholm at the Department of Agricultural Resources and requested that a member of the CPC be a point person to guide them through the process. They also mentioned that they would be asking for some CPA funding.
Kathy asked if there could be an APR on the Pulte land that is going to be transferred to the Town at the same time. The Committee thought it was worth looking into.
* Kate Hogan joined the meeting during the Villages at Stow discussion
Villages at Stow: Mike Kopczynski, Stow Housing Partnership/Trust, joined the discussion at this time. Laura gave a brief overview of the possible project. The Stow Housing Authority has been discussing with Villages at Stow about the possibility of buying 4-5 additional affordable units. Villages at Stow will use houses previously tagged for moderate units (3 bedroom homes).
$302,000 Price for Home
($20,000) Discount given by Villages of Stow
$282,000 Adjusted Cost of Home (within the LIP formula)
$100,000 CPC funds used for the purchase
$182,000 Affordable Price for Buyer
In general the Committee agreed that Villages at Stow should offer more of a discount. Action Item: Bob will talk to J.T. about the price of the homes. He will also set up a meeting for himself, J.T., John, Margie, and Mike Kopczynski to discuss the project (prior to the Housing Authority submitting a formal application for CPA funds.)
The Committee briefly discussed the Elm Ridge Deed Riders. Action Item: Deb will ask Jon Witten, Town Counsel, to review the Deeds and determine if the restrictions are for 30 years or in perpetuity.
The Committee agreed to resume their regular schedule for meetings in September (2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. The next meeting is on September 10, 2007.
Kathy moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of approving minutes from the Executive Session held on December 11, 2006, for the purpose of discussing the litigation strategy in the Kunelius matter, per MGL C.39, s23b, and to adjourn at the conclusion of executive session. The motion was seconded by John, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote of members present (John, Kathy, Karen, Kate, and Bob.)
Respectfully submitted by,
Deb Seith
CPC Administrator
ATTACHMENT #1:
facilities), the acquisition, creation and preservation of historic resources, and the creation and preservation of community housing. The Stow Community Preservation Committee seeks to advance all three goals to the maximum extent feasible.
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