COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MAY 8, 2006
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Connors, Cyndi Andrade, Andrea Langhauser, Tom Terpstra, Scott Dittrich. The recently hired Finance Director, Jane Wall, joined us as a non-voting member.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Terrio, Betsy Pyne, Kevin Hughes
Meeting called to order at 8:20 under the direction of Andrea Langhauser
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING: To Prepare for Town Meeting
Jane Wall prepared financial spreadsheets, on file with CPC, that detailed the activity and balance for the four CPC accounts dedicated to - affordable housing, historical preservation, open space and the undesignated fund.
Town Meeting Articles
CPC Articles are #3 and 23 through 29. Each article was discussed individually to summarize CPC position and strategies on possible questions. The Advisory Board is in Favor of all articles.
Andrea will be in charge of introducing each CPC article after the Advisory Board reads the motion. If question arises at Town Meeting, the committee agreed that Kevin Hughes should be the member to answer and discuss Down Payment Assistance. If questions arise regarding Habitat for Humanity Homes the committee agreed that Scott Dittrich should address. Financial Director Jane Wall suggested allocation of funds from each CPC spending source: Committee agreed without a vote. She will send an email on spending sources to Jack Hathaway and copy Andrea Langhauser so it will be available to Advisory Board and Town Moderator at Town Meeting.
Article 3 - Transfer of funds into Administrative/Operating Budget to cover unforseen expenses in Fiscal 2006 (Weeber Property survey and title search)
- Requested transfer will be $20,000.00
- Jack Hathaway will speak regarding the need for transfer since it is grouped with other administrative expenses.
Article 23 - Administrative/Operating Budget - as written
- Request $30,000.00 which is $5,000.00 more than last year.
- Committee could request as much as 5% (up to $80,000.00)
Article 24 - 10% Open Space appropriation - as written
Article 25 - 10% Affordable Housing - as written
Article 26 - 10% Historic Preservation - as written
Article 27 - $100,000.00 Affordable Housing Down Payment Assistance Fund - as written
- A Down Payment Assistance Log will be maintained in the Town Clerks Office
- Information will be recorded as follows:
Application #, Date, Applicant Name, Applicant Address, Phone Number, Email Address, Date Application Returned
- Will supply Marie Chiofolo with a spreadsheet, to record and maintain needed information
- The maximum amount of the Down Payment Assistance was discussed an will remain at $20,000.00, allowing for 5 potential grants being awarded.
Scott Dittrich makes a motion to set the Down Payment Assistance available through the Community Preservation Fund at 5/$20,000.00 grants - available through application
Tom Terpstra seconds the motion
All in Favor
Article 28 - $335,000.00 to Norfolk Grange for the purpose of restoration
- Betsy would normally do presentation for the Historic Committee, but is expected to be out of Town. Cyndi Andrade will approach Bill Domineau to present Historic Committee support for the project.
- Andrea will introduce Suzanne Greene to present Grange Project
- Reasons for CPC support:
One of the Towns most significant Historic resources
Privately owned but public interest is protected through financial lien
Historical Preservation Restriction and right of second refusal
Improvements will make building more accessible
- Funds are available by reducing the balance of the historic account and taking the remainder from the unrestricted account
Article 29 - $85,000.00 to Restore Town Pond - as written
- Need substitute Motion on hand at Town Meeting
- Town Counsel is presenting drafting to change purpose to “preserve and create” rather than “restore” and to increase funding to $110,000.00 per the revised budget received from Butch Vito (DPW)
- Town Pond was deeded to Conservation Committee by Ken Wood. Scott Dittrich was told by Mrs. Wood that he wanted it to be used by the public for swimming and fishing.
- CPC supports using funds to improve the accessibility to the site, create beach and fishing spot, performing water testing and installing water quality improvements as may be needed.
- Conservation Committee supports the project as long as the water quality analysis that is being conducted shows that the pond can support swimming.
- The Conservation Committee may bring this point up at Town Meeting but CPC - does not need to address it directly
- Andrea will introduce, Recreation will do presentation.
- CPC is posted to meet prior to Town Meeting so that they can vote on the substitute motion.
WEEBER PROPERTY
- Richard feels that there needs to be someone available to answer questions regarding property.
- The status of Housing for Humanity involvement may be asked
- Neighbors are not pleased with affordable housing
- Establishing the ownership of the access way to Chicatabut Avenue is holding up project
- Town Counsel will continue to research and take necessary measures for Town to clear title
- Needs to be a road not a driveway (stub)
- Two lots will not be compliant with Town Zoning. Andrea recommended Friendly 40B
- Site survey was originally estimated at $1,000.00 if performed by the county
- Final cost is approximated at $24,000.00 because the county couldn’t perform work in time period established in the purchase and sale agreement.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
- Andrea had suggested that the CPC prepare an annual Strategic Plan
- With Project goals and tasks assigned to each committee member
- One task for open space preservation might be to Rank Properties
It was thought that the June Meeting would be a good time to discuss the Community Preservation Development Plan. Committee will agree on at least the outline of the plan.
(The time frame required would be approximately 2 hours)
Next Meeting Scheduled for May 17, 2006 @ 7:30
Cyndi makes a motion to adjourn
Scott seconds to motion
All in Favor
Meeting adjourns @ 9:20
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