Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Meeting February 27, 2008
Wellfleet Town Hall Hearing Room
Present: Peter Hall, Chairman; Dorothy Dolan, Barbara Gray, Elaine McIlroy, Jan Plaue, Marcia Seeler, Judy Taylor, Victoria Pecoraro
Absent: John Ketchum
Also Attending: Peter Watts, Vasilios Katsaurias, Peter McMahon, Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, FinCom liaison Patricia Foley
Chairman Peter Hall called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Agenda Additions
A discussion of CPA money for the Library was added to the agenda.
Minutes of 1/23/08
Plaue moved to approve the minutes of January 23, 2008. Dolan seconded and the motion carried 7-0.
Dues Approval
Taylor moved to approve the $1,500 fee for CPA Coalition. Judy Taylor seconded and the motion carried 7-0. This vote will be taken each year.
Uncle Tim’s Bridge
Town Administrator Paul Sieloff was present to discuss funding for Uncle Tim’s Bridge. He gave an update on the Uncle Tim’s Bridge project, which is not the limited project it originally was when CPA money was designated for the project. The project now entails a total replacement. The Selectmen have voted to place the $187,000 on the Town Meeting Warrant. If this gets voted down, Sieloff pointed out the possible consequences of not being able to go forward with the project, losing a good contract, and closing the bridge. Discussion of the importance of the bridge followed. Fund raising using bridge planks and the demolition of the old railroad trestle were discussed. Seiloff asked about use of CPA funds at a future date. McIlroy clarified some new CPA provisions that allow for
municipal repairs. The authenticity of the replacement bridge was also discussed.
Application #08-01 Restoration of Gips House
Peter McMahon came forward to discuss Application #08-01. He reported that the Modern House Trust (MHT) has received its 501 (c)(3) status. The National Seashore has also submitted the paper work to get the Gips House on the State Historic Register. The Park is the body that will guarantee that this will happen. McMahon also had notified the NPS of the CPC’s concern over the length of the lease. He submitted documentation from the Park Service on the lease and restoration plan. McMahon also has material from Harvard on putting scholars in residence into the Gips House. He hoped that the proposal could go forward to the April Town Meeting. This would keep the momentum going, he said. It would also help with MHT’s further fundraising efforts. He contrasted the Modern House
character with current monster house issues.
Hall expressed concerns about the twenty-year lease and its renewal. McMahon pointed to the Highland Center in Truro, which is going forward with renewed leases.
Gray moved to approve the application for the Gips House with the contingency that funds not be released until a lease has been reviewed and approved by the CPC. Dolan seconded. The motion carried unanimously 8-0.
Peter Watts of the MHT and National Seashore Advisory Committee came forward to express his appreciation.
Application #08-04 USDA Self Help Housing – Land Acquisition
Judy Taylor discussed the interest of townspeople to participate. Taylor said the Housing Authority has received a dozen responses from people who would qualify for the program. Elaine McIlroy reported on land that is available in the Old King’s Highway area. Access can be obtained from Long Pond Rd., McIlroy said. Taylor said the program would take a couple of years. Gray asked about a timeline for projects in the works, and McIlroy and Taylor reviewed the status of Housing projects that have been granted CPA funds. Dolan asked for written reports as well. This will be the function of a staff person. Peter Watts spoke on the 650 acres within the National Seashore that might be available for Affordable Housing.
Dolan moved to approve the application. Gray seconded. Discussion of the purchase and wording in the Warrant Article followed. From the floor, Pat Foley read the draft Warrant Article which seemed to satisfy the CPC. The motion to approve Application #08-04 carried 8-0.
Future Use of CPA Funds for Library
Elaine McIlroy sounded out the Committee about possible funds to help pay for two small additions to the library. The Trustees and Friends will try to raise half of the $300K needed. There was discussion as to the legality of new construction under the CPA, and Committee members agreed to research it further.
Signs
Signs brought little discussion because the signs have already been made by the DPW. The Committee voted to pay them the $361.94 for materials. CPC decided signs should not be placed until a project is underway.
Staff Position
There was a lengthy discussion about the staff position. Being fair and consistent was insisted upon. All those with an application submitted will be interviewed at the next regular meeting on March 26. Jan Plaue will schedule half hour interviews from 9:30 a.m. on, following a brief meeting in open session. In preparation for the interviewing process, the committee will meet briefly on March 19 at 9 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________ ________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Peter Hall, Chairman
________________ Date
CPC approved these minutes at the meeting held 3/26/08.
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