Community Preservation Committee
Meeting November 29, 2006
Town Hall Hearing Room, 9:00AM
Present: Peter Hall, Judy Taylor, Barbara Gray, Janice Erickson, John Ketchum, Dorothy Dolan, Victoria Pecoraro
Absent: Jan Plaue, Elaine McIlroy, Katie Sugg
Peter Hall called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes of 10/25/06
Judy Taylor moved to approve the minutes of October 25, 2006. Janice Erickson seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Financial Statements
Jake Ketchum explained a spreadsheet for financial balances. His figures account for totals allocated to the Open Space, Historic and Recreation categories as well as General Fund numbers. This format allows CPC to quickly ascertain available sums for each category and what remains unallocated. Gray and Taylor suggested an annual report to the public in easily understandable terms. Ketchum will check with the Town Accountant once the CPC agrees that the format for tracking the funds is suitable. Another issue Ketchum questioned is indicating the 3% surcharge on tax bills. Pecoraro said that the monthly financial reports could be in-house, but the accountant’s report would go into the Annual Town Report.
Peter Hall left the meeting and Vice-chair Judy Taylor assumed chairmanship at 9:30 a.m.
Review of Special Town Meeting
Before departing, Peter Hall suggested that future Town Meeting presentations should be kept short. Ketchum said there was misinformation about CPC that should be clarified. The 3% surcharge is not “free money,” Ketchum said. Janice Erickson said she had been working on a brochure on the Wellfleet CPC that explains the source of funding.
Informational Brochure
Erickson distributed draft copies of the informational brochure on CPC. Taylor suggested putting the year’s report into the brochure, but the brochure is for a different purpose the rest of the CPC agreed. Taylor reviewed the CPC Roundtable’s suggestions for the annual report to Town Meeting.
Gray moved that Erickson proceed with printing the brochures with an addition of the Recreation category. Erickson seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.
Historic Museum Re-application
A complete new application is needed if the Historic Society is going to submit their proposal again. Peter Hall had advised this before he left the meeting. Taylor suggested the Historic Society be invited to a CPC meeting to discuss their application.
CPA Roundtable Report
Barbara Gray and Judy Taylor had attended the CPA Roundtable held November 16, 2006. Gray distributed notes on the meeting and reviewed the highlights recommended by the CPA Act and Department of Revenue. Ketchum asked if CPC could be proactive about defining community needs. Taylor and Gray said each town develops its own the process of reaching out into the community. Taylor considered meeting with the Finance Committee. Ketchum said the Selectmen should be actively looking for suggestions for projects, rather than FinCom. Taylor said that a large figure of the General Fund can be dedicated to a particular housing project. Gray moved to get on Selectmen’s agenda to discuss the annual needs plan. Erickson seconded, and the motion carried 5-1-0. (Pecoraro abstaining after being out of the
room during discussion)
Procedure for Uncle Tim’s Bridge Project
Erickson discussed the next steps for the Uncle Tim’s Bridge project. Dolan outlined filings to be done with the Conservation Commission and Building Inspector. Taylor recommended checking with Rex Peterson or Tim Smith on the contract and steps to follow. Ketchum recommended using the Town resources. Pecoraro said that an in-place CPC Policies and Procedures would be of use.
Other Business
~ The Annual Report, due Dec. 15, 2006 will be composed by Peter Hall.
~ Member Profiles were completed and turned in.
~ The next meeting was scheduled for January 10, 2007
Adjournment
Pecoraro moved to adjourn. Dolan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Peter Hall, Chair
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Judy Taylor, Vice-Chair
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