TOWN OF STOW
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes, September 26, 2005, Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Present: Community Preservation Committee members: Bob Wilber (Chairman), Karen Gray, Kathy Sferra, Dave Walrath (Vice-Chairman), and George Dargaty
Administrative Assistant: Deb Seith
The meeting was called to order with quorum at 7:35 PM.
BILL AND MINUTES
Committee Members Laura Spear and Corinne Green joined the meeting at 7:37PM.
September 12, 2005 minutes: Laura moved, Karen seconded and approval was unanimous to accept the minutes as amended (except from Corinne who abstained).
NEWS AND VIEWS
· Deb started to use the Quick Books program but found it is geared towards small business needs (checks, invoices, estimates, profit & loss, etc) and not budget tracking. She spoke with the support desk and the representative confirmed that this version of Quick Books does not have a budget tracking feature. Has a budget feature but according to the rep – probably would not meet the CPC needs (and costs an additional $100). Deb put together a quick outline of what she could do in excel & asked for clarification of what was needed. The Committee needs a summary budgeted expenses, actual expenses & current balances. It is
also necessary to break down the budget by category (Historical, Open Space & Recreation, and Affordable Housing) and project (West School, Maple Street, etc). Corinne suggested that Quicken might have a budget feature. Action Item: Deb will look into Quicken/Excel and see which will suit the needs of the Committee. Deb will then set up a system and work with Jacquie Cronin to accurately update the numbers.
· Bob reminded everyone of the CPA’s fundraiser to be held on October 6th. The CPA is creating a display for the event & requested photos of CPC projects. Bob sent them a picture of the Mosley Project. The Committee was able to view some pictures of the West School project & chose one to submit. Action Item: Deb will submit the photo & blurb to the CPA.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES –
· Action Item: Kathy will follow-up with Susan regarding one change to the Cushing Property warrant article.
· The Board of Selectmen did not submit their own article regarding the Cushing Property.
· The Board of Selectmen voted to exercise its right of first refusal with two stipulations: 1. the Town can successfully negotiate a P&S with the land owner within 30 days
2. there is a favorable Town vote.
Vacant Property of burned down building on Crescent Street
· Ross Perry (Chair of Selectmen) approached Laura and asked if Ed Newman (Town Moderator) had discussed the vacant property as a possible site for affordable housing. Laura said he had not.
· Dave wondered how many units could fit on the lot given the size of the lot & possible water/septic constraints.
· Laura suggested the possibility that one building could have different units on different floors.
· Karen wondered if it could be connected to the Town services (water and septic).
· Bob mentioned there might be interest in having some parking spaces for the Town Buildings there. Most members thought it wasn’t an ideal location for parking.
· It was the general feeling that this might be a good spot for an affordable housing unit. Bob suggested gathering more information. Based on that information the CPC may choose to move forward securing the opportunity and then proceeding with design, RFP, etc.
· Action Item: Deb will talk to the Zoning Board and get a copy of the original building application and find out why/if it was denied. Deb will talk to the Board of Health and find out what the lot is zoned for (bedrooms/septic) and get a copy of the current lot plan (well and septic marked).
Cushing Property
· On Friday, September 30th at 8:30am the Mixed Use Working Group is meeting with B&T (consultant). B&T will be presenting two concept plans.
· Action Item: Deb will post a notice about the meeting for the CPC and Open Space Committee.
· The Working Group had asked B&T to consider the feasibility of the following: ball fields, passive/active recreation space, and 6 affordable housing/ market rate lots (in addition to the land owner’s required lots). It was agreed that the housing should fit in with “feel of Stow.”
· Bob raised the question of traffic being an issue (Walcott Road is a very winding country road) if the property is used for recreation.
· It was reviewed that the CPC had voted to spend up to $15,000 on the consultant’s fee. The actual fee is $10,500. The Conservation Committee voted to contribute $3,500 (1/3 of the cost up to $5000). This leaves the CPC with $8,000.
· Bob suggested that it is time to move forward with contracting an appraiser because we need to get more specific (cost of developing, cost of road, etc). Laura wondered if an appraiser would need to get onto the property, and if so if the land owner would allow this. Bob believes that an appraiser can work off of plans (assuming the planner has done his/her job well). Bob believes we should describe what our needs are and seek 3 bids and ask for hourly rates.
· Karen moved to give Bob (Action Item) the authority to begin the process of soliciting bids from appraisers. Corinne seconded. Kathy amended the motion to say the cost would not exceed the funds left over from the approved $15,000. The vote was unanimous to accept the motion with the amendment.
UPDATE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING
· Margie, who could not be present at this meeting, did speak with Sarah Young. Sarah said the Department of Housing and Community Development’s lack of response is due to the office being overwhelmed. Margie suggested contacting Sarah again.
· It was the agreed that the CPC should move forward and contact Sarah (notifying her that we are doing so.)
· Dave pointed out that the CPC law requires that we consider using existing housing rather than building new construction. So – by implementing our plan we are adhering to the wording of the law.
· It is believed that DHCD has already technically approved our plan since it is a component of the original housing plan that was submitted and approved under EO418.
· Karen moved to authorize Bob (Action Item) to write a letter to Sarah Young (and copy Senator Pam Resor and Representative Pat Walrath) stating that we are moving forward with the program and although we appreciate a meeting with the DHCH, we assume that our program does meet the CPC requirements. Laura seconded and the vote was unanimous to approve.
Deed Restrictions
· Dave was wondering when the documents regarding deed restrictions would be made available to the public, as these ties in with the fact that we are going to announce that we are “moving forward” with the affordable housing program.
· Things that need to get done:
Post the forms online – clearly marked as “drafts” (in PDF format)
Submit an article to the paper announcing the launching of the program
Put a blurb in the Council on Aging newsletter
Announce a public meeting for the purpose of input & feedback
· In Bob’s letter to Sarah Young, he will give her a deadline of November 15th to set up a meeting.
Revised Meeting Schedule (Action Item: Deb will distribute & post)
· Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30PM
· Wednesday, October 19th at 7:30PM
· Monday, October 24th (at the Town Meeting)
· Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30PM (to prepare for the public meeting)
· Public Meeting – November 14th at 7:30PM
· November 28th at 7:30PM (to gather, sort & evaluate information)
GENERAL BYLAW REVIEW
· Action Item: Dave will have something in writing for the October 12th meeting.
· 2 main issues: Clarify terms of office & Clarify appointment process
REVIEW STATUS OF APPROVED PROJECTS
· West School Project: Karen said that the ramp us still the main issue (the angle might not be proper for wheel chair use.) Also, there is a mound where they had to cross over some wires. The Historical Commission is still having discussions on the best solution.
· Action Item: Deb will double check what is left in the project fund (believed to be approximately $13,000) and forward that information on to Karen.
NEXT MEETING Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 7:30PM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Deb Seith
CPC Administrative Assistant
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