TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
Final Minutes, July 25, 2005, Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee members Bob Wilber (Chairman), John Bolton, George Dargaty, Laura Spear, Corinne Green, Dave Walrath (Vice-Chairman), and Associate Member Margie Lynch
Also Present: Kathy Sferra and Linda Hathaway
The meeting was called to order with quorum at 7:35 PM
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
BILL AND MINUTES
Memo received regarding keeping horses in Stow
[Dave Walrath joined the meeting at this time]
June 27, 2005 Minutes: Laura moved, Dave seconded and approval was unanimous to accept the minutes as amended
NEWS AND VIEWS
· Corinne was appointed by the Recreation Dept for CPC (Laura Greenberg will send paperwork over)
· George was appointed by the Council on Aging
· John was appointed by the Board of Assessors
· Dave said the Finance Committee will do appointments tomorrow night
· Chris Saccardi has left the Conservation Preservation Coalition to go to law school. He has already been replaced by Kathy Roth.
· Bob reported that 8 more towns are gearing up for CPA adoption (including Northampton.)
GENERAL BYLAW REVIEW
· Action Item: Dave has a list of items to address and will get the letter out in the next day or two. There are two areas to address: content and procedure. In particular there is a discrepancy between the charter and bylaw regarding vacant positions. The charter states that if there is a vacant position, the sponsoring committee will appoint a new member. The bylaw states that the selectmen will appoint a new member to the position. Another consideration is how define terms for members.
· Bob acknowledged that continuity is good and those members who want to continue, and are doing a good job, should be allowed to.
MORE NEWS AND VIEWS
· West School Project: Bob stated that some neighbors were upset with the way the project was handled. To ensure proper follow through, Bob suggested that a point person be assigned to each project. George mentioned that sometimes we may need an outside person as the point person. Bob agreed that for certain projects this would make sense. John suggested it might be wise to appoint two people to share responsibilities while members are still learning the different processes (especially for larger projects).
CUSHING PROPERTY – CHAPTER 61B
· 106 acres located by the corners of Stow, Bolton and Hudson. This is one of the largest remaining parcels in Stow, in a quadrant that has very little open space. It is also adjacent to two other large parcels that are potentially being pursued by other developers.
· The owner has signed an agreement with Habitech. The Town has received the contract and has 120 days to match the offer. The purchase price is $1.6 million for 70 acres. Our understanding is that the first right of refusal applies to all 106 acres. John is not sure that the clock has started on the 120 days because Exhibit A has not been clearly shown. If the clock has started on the 120 days, then the Selectmen will discuss the timing of the Special Town Meeting. Linda Hathaway stated that time for a vote and a recount also needs to be considered. Kathy Sferra said that the Town has 120 days to vote but the actual closing
would not take place until May 2007.
· John said that he is doing an appraisal for the Town, & John Avery has done one as well. There is more flat land than expected. According to information provided to John, there are 10 buildable lots.
· The committee discussed options and alternatives for the property. Several committees have an interest in the parcel and some are planning on hiring planners to do assessments of the property. It was agreed that the Town will need to consider a variety of possible uses for the property before making a decision.
· The committee proposed that a land planner be hired to assess the property for multiple uses/options. It was agreed that CPC funds could be used to offset the cost of a study, as long as the study related to the three allowable areas under the CPA (specifically affordable housing and open space/recreation.)
· Bob and George will attend the Selectmen’s Meeting tomorrow. Bob will speak on behalf of the CPC. He will recommend a comprehensive study advocating a better understanding of the land and possibilities for the space (including affordable housing, open space/recreation) so that we can make an informed decision as a Town.
· Laura will bring the CPC’s proposal for a land planner and possible funding to the Planning Board for feedback tomorrow.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
· Covered under News and Views
· Action Item: All members (asap) ~ as your committees make their appointments, please forward the appropriate paperwork to Bob.
REVIEW STATUS OF APPROVED PROJECTS
· Red Acre Road Open Space and Affordable Housing: On Hold
o Dave thought the CPC had the authority to vote and return the funds to the Open Space reserve. Laura contacted Jacquie Cronin, the Town Accountant, and Chris Saccardi of the Community Preservation Coalition ~ both thought we needed to bring this to a Town Meeting to agree to return the money back to the Open Space and Affordable Housing reserves.
o Add this item to the Special Town Meeting Articles
o Chris Saccardi recommended putting a “waiver” in all projects that stipulates that funds not spent within a certain time frame will be returned to the general fund.
· Maple Street APR: Complete
o Jacquie needs written confirmation to move the remaining funds to Open Space reserves.
o Bob believes that $4,500 was spent on the appraisal & $11,000 was spent on the Town’s share of interest acquired. This would leave $8,100 remaining. Action Item: Laura will verify that the numbers add up. If they do, she will have Jacquie move the funds.
o Action Item: Deb will work with Jacquie to acquire a detailed break down of each project.
· Acquire Open Space: On Hold
o Nothing has been expended
o Bob said we should keep the money where it is. Kathy Sferra agreed and believes the projects are still there and need to be done.
· West School Parking: Open
o Bob stated we are close to being done. The blacktop walkway is in, but the parking area still needs a gate. Corinne asked if it still needed a handicap access ramp ~ it was thought this was part of the blacktop construction. Action Item: Laura will do a status check with Ernie.
· Black Smith Shop: Closed
o $184 remaining ~ Laura moved to return the remaining funds to the historic preservation fund, John seconded and approval was unanimous. Action Item: Laura will notify Jacquie Cronin and request that she move the funds.
· Pilot Grove, Affordable Housing: Closed
o Remaining balance of zero
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
· Red Acre Road ~ Open Space
· Red Acre Road ~ Affordable Housing
· Cushing Property 61B
o Bob suggested: The CPC has a strong interest in exploring the potential uses for the property and in particular for affordable housing and open space/recreation opportunities. Laura said the CPA stipulates that we understand how this will breakdown and for what uses before allocating funds.
o Action Item: Bob will email Laura names of planners for evaluating Cushing property. Action Item: Laura will check with Karen Kelleher for information regarding EOEA and have her forward that information to the Lower Village subcommittee.
A member suggested that we pull together a subcommittee to work on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting (to be held the second week in October)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEED RESTRICTION PROGRAM
· Bob is still trying to get approval from DHCD. Action Item: Bob will draft a letter to the DHCD and send it out to the committee for review this week.
· A member said that Jon Witten recommended we just move forward. Bob agrees. John suggested moving forward with 1 or 2 deed restrictions, and if they get accepted, then moving forward with more.
WEB SITE CHANGES
· Laura noted that not all associate members are on the distribution list. She questioned if all the members listed were still interested in being active associate members. Action Item: Bob will send letters to the associate members, giving them the option of staying involved as associate members.
· Affordable housing FAQs and general FAQ links should be reviewed and updated. The committee agreed to target September for updates.
· Post deed restriction and fact sheet for affordable housing
· Add some pictures to the web site: West School Parking picture and Mosley picture. Action Item: Bob will see if he has either of these in electronic format.
· List Deb’s home email and phone number as the CPC contact information
Bob suggested making the changes. Everyone can then go on the site, take a look & make suggestions.
BRAINSTORMING SESSION FOR NEW CPC PROJECTS
· Meetings with other groups/committees, to generate interest and ideas for future projects, should be done in the fall.
· Action Item: Deb will email the Project File of statewide approved projects to CPC members.
· Corinne said the Recreation Commission is looking into trying to improve a parcel of land along Sudbury Road and the Assabet River (near Barton Road). The Martins are in the process of deeding the land to the Town. The Recreation Commission plans to improve the canoe access and parking. They may approach the CPC for funding such as: earthworks to created better access to the river, construction for parking, building a landing, signage, etc.
NEXT MEETING Monday, August 8, 2005 at 7:30PM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Deb Seith
CPC Administrative Assistant
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