TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
FINAL Minutes, July 23, 2007 Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee members: Dave Walrath (Vice-Chairman), Karen Gray, Kathy Sferra, Laura Spear, Kate Hogan, John Bolton, J.T. Toole.
Associate Members: Margie Lynch Administrative Assistant: Deb Seith
The meeting began with quorum at 7:36pm.
BILLS AND MINUTES
Lycott Environmental Invoice: Kent Seith, President Lake Boon Association, gave a brief update on the Lake Boon Preservation Project and submitted an invoice for payment. The treatment is going well and the non-native weeds are showing signs of dying. There have been some reports of algae blooms and this is normal. The barrier between the first and second basin will be removed soon. Kent submitted an invoice from Lycott Environmental for the first payment; the total amount was for $30,000 (Hudson already paid their portion of $10,000). Laura asked if there had been any feedback from Hudson. Kent said he hadn’t heard anything so he assumes everyone is happy.
VOTE: J.T. moved to pay the Stow portion of $20,000 for the Lycott Invoice, Kathy seconded and approval was unanimous.
Deb submitted an Encumbrance Form and a Bills Payable Form.
$235.87 Printing for Deed Restriction Package
$145.42 Office Supplies
$ 15.75 Postage for Deed Restriction Package Mailing
$397.04 Total
VOTE: J.T. moved to accept the encumbrance and payments as printed, Kathy seconded, and approval was unanimous.
Deb submitted her hours for June.
VOTE: J.T. made a motion to accept the Minutes from June 18, 2007 as amended, Laura seconded, and 6 votes were in favor (Jon abstained because he was not present on June 18th.)
NEWS AND VIEWS:
BOS liaison: Deb reported that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) voted to appoint Ellen Sturgis as their liaison to the CPC. The Committee asked what role Ellen would play. Deb believed that Ellen would be a point person for the CPC as needed. In general the Committee felt that having a liaison to the BOS would be helpful. Action Item: Deb will invite Ellen to attend a future CPC meeting.
Note from Community Preservation Coalition (attached): The Coalition requested feedback regarding a proposed Coalition Legislative Advisory Board. In general CPC members felt that it was good idea and there are other Massachusetts Associations with similar models. They thought having it mainly virtual with 1-2 face-to-face meetings a year (or when an important matter arises.) Action Item: Deb will send the Coalition the Committee’s feedback.
UPDATE ON CURRENT PROJECTS
Deed Restriction Project: The packages were mailed to DHCD, Representative Walrath, Senator Resor, and Dan O’Connell (Secretary of Housing and Economic Development.) We are just waiting for a response now.
Lake Boon Preservation Project Update: Given during Bills and Minutes when Lycott invoice submitted.
Recreation Commission: see attached email for update.
NEW BUSINESS
·ce="Times New Roman" size="+0" color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;"> $282,000 Adjusted Cost of Home (within the LIP formula)
$100,000 CPC funds used for the purchase
$182,000 Affordable Price for Buyer
The Committee discussed Bonding but no consensus was agreed on. The Committee discussed the fact that using homes from the Moderate category might defeat part of the initial plan at Villages of Stow. It was pointed out that any Affordable units that are gained through this process will be affordable in perpetuity, whereas the Villages at Stow units (as originally approved) are not in perpetuity.
Action Item: Deb will ask Stuart Saginor (Executive Director, Community Preservation Coalition) about funds that have been allocated, at previous Town Meetings, to one of the 3 areas (Historic, Affordable Housing, Open Space and Recreation) and what happens to those funds if the project does not move forward. Do the funds go back into General Unreserved (except for any funds that were part of the required 10% allocation) or do they have to stay within the specified category (i.e. Affordable Housing Unreserved, Historic Unreserved, or Open Space/Recreation Unreserved.)
The Committee discussed the Pulte Homes on Hudson Road. The Builder is not building all the required affordable units, choosing instead to pay for 3-4 units ($350,000 - $400,000, money to go into the Stow Housing Trust.) The Committee wondered if some of that money could possibly support part of the Villages at Stow proposed project.
The Committee briefly discussed the Whitney Homestead. Laura asked if the Whitney Homestead could qualify as a group home for affordable housing (per resident). J.T. mentioned that Group Homes put a large burden on Housing Authorities and unfortunately the Stow Housing Authority is not currently in a position to support a burden like that.
Kathy and Dave distributed a draft for a proposed CPC policy (attached). In general terms the policy states that the CPC will not support a project that advances one CPA goal by directly diminishing another CPA goal. The Committee discussed that it needs to update its Community Preservation Plan and perhaps this should be addressed and written into a possible Mission Statement or as Operating Guidelines. The Committee also discussed how broad the wording should be. Action Item: Margie will tweak the policy and make it broader.
The Committee agreed to meet on August 6th .
Laura moved to adjourn at 8:45pm, John seconded, and approval was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted by,
munities that have remitted their Coalition dues. We would like to gather your input on a new member program we are implementing: The Coalition Legislative Advisory Board. As a member-based organization, we want to make sure our legislative efforts are consistent with the needs of the majority of CPA communities.
We're looking for your guidance on how best to structure this group.olor="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">ATTACHMENT #2 : Recreation Commission Update
Date: July 23, 2007
To: Community Preservation Committee
From: Mike Busch – Recreation Commission Chairman
Laura Greenough – Recreation Director
appropriate for recreation.
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