TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
FINAL Minutes, March 13, 2007 Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee members: Bob Wilber (Chairman), John Bolton, Corinne Green, Karen Gray, and J.T. Toole. * Dave Walrath (Vice-Chairman) – Dave arrived late to the meeting but prior to the Recreation discussion as noted in minutes.
Administrative Assistant: Deb Seith
The meeting began with quorum at 7:38pm.
BILLS & MINUTES
p; Historic Stone Wall Repairs at Lower Village Cemetery – G.H. Gledhill (Cemetery Committee)
o G.H. met with Bill Wrigley (Town Administrator) who advised him to request re-bids from contractors for the full scope of the project to avoid confusion at Town Meeting. Bill said there was no sense in getting a re-bid from the contractor that submitted an original bid for over $17,000. Action Item: G.H. found a new contractor and is in the process of getting the new bids.
o G.H. mentioned that someone forced one of the gates at the cemetery and he is considering ways to improve the gate situation for people and maintenance vehicles. John asked if any gates would be repaired during this project. G.H. said no, that would be for a new project because it would change his bids and possibly contractors.
o Karen reported that G.H. met with the Historical Commission and received their unanimous support for this project.
o G.H. spoke with Barbara Sipler (Historical Society) about the project. She was very interested and also mentioned repairing an area of fence. G.H. asked Barbra to write a letter to the CPC.
o G.H. said that he would closely oversee this project (physical work and expenses.)
o It was agreed that G.H. would include the Historical Commission and the Historical Society in a walk-thru prior to beginning any work. When asked, Karen said that the Historical Commission and Historical Society work well together.
o G.H. thought the project would take 2-3 weeks to complete. He assured the Committee that he would require the contractor to do the project in phases (take down one section and rebuild it before taking down another section.) J.T. asked if a finish date could be added to the contract, requiring that the work be completed by mid fall.
man;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">* Dave joined the meeting at this time.
VOTE: Dave moved to approve the first 2 warrant articles for Community Preservation Expenses and for Community Preservation Reserves, as provided by the administrative assistant dated March 12, 2007, J.T. seconded, and approval was unanimous.
STOW RECREATION DIRECTOR’S WORKING GROUP PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION
Introductions were made of the members of the Community Preservation Committee and of the Stow Recreation Director’s Working Group. Bob asked that all attendees respect the different views that might be heard.
Laura Greenough read a statement from the Working Group (attached to these minutes.)
The Working Group urged everyone to hold off on making judgments until after the Recreation Master Plan (RMP) is received and reviewed in April. The Working Group acknowledged that they would prefer to provide the RMP/Financial Plan prior to requesting funding/warrant article; however, they feel the recreational need in Stow is too urgent to delay the project (and if they miss this Town Meeting then the project will be delayed an entire year and the Town would not have any new fields until 2010.) They feel they are doing their best to address all concerns raised by residents (especially regarding the Pine Bluffs area.) They feel they have made efforts to address these concerns with the consultant that is creating the RMP/Financial Plan (Gale Associates.)
The Working Group gave a presentation (attached to these minutes.)
Bob clarified that the CPC reviews proposals, and decides endorses them to bring to Town Meeting. The proposals must then be approved by residents at Town Meeting.
Some points from the presentation:
·="Roman'" size="-3" color="#000000" style="font-family:Roman';font-size:5pt;color:#000000;">t area of Stow, and contradict the CPA.
·Can this RMP legally be considered the Town’s Recreation Master Plan?
color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Many adults would like to play sports but can’t because it would take field time away from the kids.
·act is for $13,000 ($5,000 was from a CPC contribution.)
Q. Can the Town convert some Deed Restricted parcels from passive to active recreation?
A. The Working Group and Bob Wilber (personally) felt that this is extremely difficult, and sometimes lengthy, process and the majority of these requests are denied.
Q. How can you assure residents that you are looking at other sites?
A. The Working Group is trying to be as forthcoming with information as possible. They post everything on their website and assured the attendees that they are looking into other possible sites.
Q. Why wouldn’t you pursue a Special Town Meeting?
A. Initially the Working Group thought of this but was discouraged from it and told that Special Town Meetings were for zoning laws and issues, and possibly for a school building proposal.
Q. If a Special Town Meeting is called could you “piggyback” on it?
A. Yes, but there is no certainty of a Special Town Meeting and we don’t want to lose our opportunity this year.
Q. If you have a petition signed by a certain number of people could you request a Special Town Meeting?
A. Yes, with a petition of 200 hundred signatures, residents can request a Special Town Meeting under the authority of a justice of the peace if the Board of Selectmen (BOS) won’t allow one.
Later in the meeting, Dave clarified that it would take 100 signatures or 10% of voters (which ever is less) to call a Special Town Meeting. He also mentioned the Planning Board might be considering a Special Town Meeting and that might be something to follow. Dave stated that it costs approximately $10,000 to hold a Special Town Meeting. [Dave rechecked this at a later date & reported back to the Committee that 200 signatures are needed to call a Special Town Meeting.]
Q. Bob asked if the Town received an Urban Self-Help Grant to reimburse the project for $500,000 if 60% of those funds would be put back into the Community Preservation Funds (since 60% of the Town Funding would come from there.)
A. Originally the Working group was thinking it would be 50%, but agreed that the 60% made more sense.
Q. J.T. asked if Gale associates had any information regarding Astroturf and the negative effects on the long term physical development of children.
Q. J.T. asked that, no matter where the fields are, that Gale Associates build in realistic sound barriers because multiple fields on one site will impact residents greatly. He also pointed out that sound travels very well over water.
Q. J.T. assumed that Gale will have traffic/safety studies for whatever neighborhoods are used.
A. Yes.
Q. J.T. asked if any environmental studies would be done (specific to the chosen sites.)
A. Yes, that will part of Phase II in the process (Phase I is approving the RMP.)
Q. J.T. asked if the Board of Selectmen (BOS) has been approached about the $400,000.
A. The Recreation Commission will sponsor the Warrant Article. Selectman Tom Ruggerio is the BOS liaison to the Working Group. He has been given verbal and written updates throughout the process. The BOS has asked that the Working Group approach them once the RMP and Financial Plan had been completed.
Q. J.T. clarified that the BOS has not voted on this proposal as of this time.
A. No, but we don’t need their vote just yet. Any Warrant Articles for this project will go before the BOS with all other Warrant Articles for May Town Meeting.
Dave said BOS will need to vote on any ballot questions on April 10th at 5pm.
Q. Dave asked if the RMP and Financial Plan will be specific to a certain set of sites or if it the Plans will be more general and not focus on specific parcels.
A. The RMP will provide a needs analysis and conceptual designs for 2 parcels: Pine Bluffs and the Snow property.
Dave commented that 3 weeks or less is not a lot of time to digest all the information, call meetings, and make decisions.
Q. J.T asked if other parcels become available, can Gale include them in their RMP?
A. Not based on the current RFP.
Q. J.T. asked how many other sites are being considered.
A. The Working Group did not feel comfortable discussing the other parcels because they are privately owned.
Q. J.T. asked if any consideration was being given to fixing some of the current fields.
A. The Working Group believes that to take a field off line for maintenance will create more issues of playing space, and if the fields aren’t given the proper time to “rest” the work done wouldn’t last. The Working Group also believed that Community Preservation funds could not be used to fix current fields, only to create new fields.
Bob mentioned that there is an Open Space and Recreational Plan that is being submitted to the State. The Plan was compiled by a group nominated by the Conservation Commission and met at regularly posted meetings over the course of 3 years.
Corinne commented, as a member of the Stow Recreation Commission (SRC), that the need for recreational fields is something they have been talking about for a few years. In the last 2 years the need has grown tremendously and when Recreation for Stow approached them, the SRC welcomed their time, initiative, and extensive work/research. She acknowledged that the timeframe is not ideal but sometimes you have to take advantage of the energy and move ahead. Corinne stated that at this point it is unknown what the RMP will include, and she feels that it is worth saving a spot on the Warrant, so that the Town can have an option to consider the proposal. Corinne also mentioned that the amount approved on the Warrant Article can be reduced but not increased.
In regards to what would happen to the Warrant Article if the CPC chose not to support the project: Bob mentioned that he spoke with Bill Wrigley, Town Administrator, and they agreed that you can rely on the Community Preservation Act as written. The CPA states that Town Meeting can not consider a Warrant Article using Community Preservation Funds without the support/endorsement from the CPC for that specific project and expenditure.
ORIGINAL MOTION: Corinne moved to recommend to Town Meeting a warrant article to appropriate and transfer a sum of $600,000 or any lesser amount from Community Preservation Unrestricted Fund Reserves, to be expended under the direction of the Recreation Commission in consultation with the Stow Recreation Director’s Working Group subject to review of the Master Plan by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and subject to the requirement that an Archaeological Reconnaissance Study be completed based on the scope of work identified previously by the Historic Commission. J.T. seconded
Discussion: The Committee discussed who should be in charge of the funds. It was stated that pursuant to Town Charter a Working Group designated by a Town Director is not subject to Open Meeting Law. The Committee felt that the Stow Recreation Commission (SRC), as a Town Body, should be in charge of the funds. The Committee also felt that SRC should be subject to review from the CPC.
No one expressed support for the original motion.
MOTION to Ammend: Dave made a motion to amend the original motion to “… to be expended under the direction of the Recreation Commission in consultation with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), subject to the approval of…” J.T. seconded and approval for the 2nd motion was unanimous.
MOTION to Ammend: J.T. moved that the original motion be amended to “… subject to final review and approval of the Recreation Master Plan by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) by the April 17th meeting…”
Karen seconded
Discussion: The Committee discussed including/excluding a specific date deadline in the Warrant Article. Corinne felt that a specific date would be too restrictive and not allow for unforeseen events. April 17th is during April vacation, this date may not allow sufficient time to study the plan, voice comments/concerns, and quorum for committees may be difficult. Karen felt that the CPC needs to make their decision as soon as possible in order to allow for Community discussions prior to Town Meeting. Bob thought the CPC should not be rushed by a specific date; the Committee should take the time they need to make a proper decision.
VOTE: There was 1 vote in favor (Karen), 1 to abstain (J.T.), and 4 against. The 3rd Motion did not pass.
MOTION to Ammend: J.T. made a motion that the original motion be amended to “…subject to final review and approval of the Recreation Master Plan by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) prior to Town Meeting…” John seconded, 5 votes were in favor, and 1 opposed (Karen). The 4th motion passed.
Deb was asked to read the original motion (as written and amended above).
“Corinne moved to recommend to Town Meeting a warrant article to appropriate and transfer a sum of $600,000 or any lesser amount from Community Preservation Unrestricted Fund Reserves, to be expended under the direction of the Recreation Commission in consultation with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), subject to the approval of the Recreation Master Plan by the CPC prior to Town Meeting.”
J.T. seconded, 5 votes were in favor, and 1 vote to abstain (Karen).
Deb realized that she did not include the Archaeological Reconnaissance Study portion of the original motion when she re-read the motion.
MOTION: Bob moved to acknowledge that the Committee’s vote to approve the Warrant Article was based on the intent to include the entire original motion with the amendments approved above. Dave seconded, 4 votes were to approve, and 1 vote was to abstain (Karen). John had left the meeting at the time of this vote.
Final Wording for the Warrant Article as approved by the CPC:
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer a sum of Six-Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000), or any lesser amount, from Community Preservation Unrestricted Fund Reserves, to be expended under the direction of the Recreation Commission in consultation with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), subject to the final review and approval of the Recreation Master Plan by the CPC prior to Town Meeting, and subject to the requirement that an Archaeological Reconnaissance Study be completed based on the scope of work identified previously by the Historic Commission.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20pm
Attached to these minutes (below):
·000000;">·nbsp; The proponents of the RFS and the Recreation Committee have been evasive on where the target sites are situated. As far as I can determine, they have failed to mention the Pine Bluff location in any of their letters to the newspapers, the name “Pine Bluffs” has appeared on none of the agendas and it was not on their website until after the public information meeting last Thursday, March 8.
ould require that the town arrange with abutters to acquire the road, widen, pave and maintain it.
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t-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">" color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:7pt;color:#000000;">Submitter's address and phone number. Purpose: (Please select all that apply)
Stow Recreation Director’s Working Group ~ Affordable Housing
Laura Greenough, Stow Recreation Director ~ Historic Preservation
978-461-1411 ~ Open Space
Town committee (if applicable) Recreation ~ Recreation
Project Name: Recreation For Stow (RFS)
style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:7pt;color:#000000;">Fiscal Year Total Cost CPA Funds Requested Sources of Other Funding
; Grant, Time &
Materials Donations, Cap. Use
Fee, Town Funding
2008 _________________ ___________________
0; _________________ ___________________
man" size="-1" color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:7pt;color:#000000;">PURPOSE OF FUNDS: CPA funds requested would be used in combination with the other funding sources listed for design, development and construction of additional recreation facilities as recommended in the master plan.
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