TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
FINAL Minutes, March 14, 2005, Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee Members Bob Wilber (Chairman) Ernie Dodd, Laura Spear, John Bolton, Corinne Green, Dave Walrath, and Jim Sauta (Associate)
The meeting was called to order at 7:38 PM.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
BILLS AND MINUTES
Bills- A bill for $328.49 (25.25 hours) for secretarial work performed by Susan Flint Hosier was presented and approved unanimously. Bob Wilber moved to approve paying the bill as-is and John Bolton seconded.
Minutes-
Feb 25, 2005: Laura moved, Corinne seconded, and all voted to approve the minutes as amended.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Ø Dave Walrath clarified that the CPC needs to either appropriate or allocate 10% of its funding on Open Space before funds can be spent on Recreation.
Ø Dave Walrath spoke to a little league baseball coach and confirmed previous discussions regarding a critical need for fields in Stow, not just for soccer. Currently, Stow is sharing baseball fields with Maynard in order to accommodate the excess demand for little league fields. The coach that Dave spoke with is going to speak to the recreation department about renovation of fields, particularly the Pompositicutt School field.
Ø Bob Wilber spoke with Ms. Kunelius concerning the status of the Red Acre Road project. Given the circumstances surrounding the project, the board agreed to leave allocated funds until there are further developments that would assist the committee in making a fully informed decision concerning this matter.
Ø The group discussed what to do with unspent funds that have been allocated for specific projects. For example, was the West School Parking Lot Project completed? Ernie Dodd said that the sidewalks had not been completed as of yet. As a result, the committee agreed that the unspent funds ($14,000) should be kept from the General fund until the project is complete.
Ø Laura Spear mentioned that Chris Saccardi, Assistant Director of the Community Preservation Coalition, asked for a list of CPA projects that each community was sponsoring at Town Meeting. She took the action item to let Chris know what projects would be sponsored once the final warrant articles are approved.
Ø Laura Spear mentioned how CPC funds were requested for the purchase and installation of a sprinkler system in the Town Hall. Bob had directed Karen Gray of the Historical Commission to fill out a CPA application form. Laura stated and the committee agreed that the cost of such a project should be clearly defined. Ernie Dodd volunteered to investigate and retain an estimate from a company which installs building sprinker systems.
Ø Laura Spear and Dave Walrath brought to the attention of the board that Susan Hosier is the “Website Scribe,” and information that the board wishes to post on the website should be presented to her to post. The web site is to include agendas and final minutes, which Susan will get from the Town Clerk.
Ø Bob Wilber mentioned that a Stow Paper representative indicated that we should utilize them as an outlet to make information concerning our activities and accomplishments available to the public. The cable TV channel, Stow TV, is an additional resource.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT UPDATE
Bill Wrigley advised Bob Wilber that the Finance Committee Secretarial job and CPC Secretarial job should not be posted as a single position. The board agreed to go forward with a posting for only the CPC position. In fact, Pat Perry may have already posted the position. Bob Wilber mentioned that he spoke briefly with a potential candidate who could retain the position until the end of August. The board agreed that short-term solution is not ideal although if a suitable long-term candidate is not found within the required two week time period it may necessary to consider a short-term solution.
BUDGET UPDATE
Laura Spear said she would forward a copy of the budget with four tabs.
A- Regarding the reserves
B- Year as of February 28th, 2005 -1.5 million
C- Summary of the CPTF
D- Approved budget and its line item breakdown.
Refer to the attached spreadsheet for details.
There was discussion about the administration budget for FY06. Laura Spear presented a proposal, and Ernie Dodd moved to accept the Budget as amended and John Bolton seconded that motion. The board agreed unanimously.
Ernie Dodd suggested that board investigate if the $184 remaining funds allocated to secure the Blacksmith’s shop could go toward painting the shop. He suggested it might be a good project for the Boy Scouts. The board is investigating the feasibility and legality of such a project.
PROPOSED CPC WARRANT ARTICLES
Final draft warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting are due by March 23. Laura Spear drafted the articles on reserves, administrative budget and SCT Hale Woodlands property (see attached). Laura made a motion to accept the amended articles contingent on approval by legal counsel. Corinne Green seconded that motion, and the committee unanimously agreed.
Bob Wilber drafted the CPC report for the Town Annual Report. Bob will send the draft by email to committee members. Dave Walrath made the motion and Ernie Dodd seconded that motion that Bob can approve the final content for the report. The committee unanimously agreed.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEED RESTRICTION
Bob Wilber stated that the Deed Restriction is getting close to completion. Jon Witten amended some items including but not limited to the following: the effective date of value (time of the signing of the Purchase and Sale Agreement), the seller must notify the CPC when he or she intends to sell a home that has a Deed Restriction, and creating a monitoring agent to certify the selling price.
Jennifer Young, a representative for Jane Gumble, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, told Bob Wilber that she thought properties with the proposed Deed Restriction would qualify as Affordable housing, although she said that she had not seen a similar type of Deed Restriction before. CPC Legal counsel Jon Witten did not express concern. Bob and Jon are to meet with Jennifer by the end of this month to finalize approval.
NEXT MEETING: March 28
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
John P. Bolton
Member, Community Preservation Committee
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