COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 15, 2006
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Terrio, Richard Conners, Scott Dittrich, Tom Terpstra, Betsy Pyne, Cyndi Andrade, Michele Thoener, Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT: Andrea Langhauser, Kevin Hughes, Jason Talerman
Meeting called to order @ 7:30 p.m. by chairman Paul Terrio
Agenda for November 15, 2006 Meeting
copy attached
PREVIOUS MINUTES
October 18, 2006 Meeting Minutes were voted and accepted as amended by the committee
hard copy filed with CPC records
TOWN POND
Tom Terpstra gave the Committee an update on the Town Pond Project
Verbally there was an agreement give to recreation for approval of the removal of Phragmites from the Town Pond, it was then denied at the next meeting. Unfortunately, the Phragmites removal is one of the first steps in preparing the Town Pond for recreational use.
Water testing in August is complete
There were two tests performed - high bacteria was detected
- it was within acceptable safe swimming range
- testing was higher than June Testing
Phragmites removal was turned down by the Conservation Commission
Scott questioned whether the project was at a stand still due to the Conservation Commission not wanting to remove Phragmites? Project is still viable and the Conservation Commission has been asked to join the next meeting, by the Selectmen.
Betsy requested that the Community Preservation Committee forward a letter to the Conservation Commission outlining the necessity of a Conservation Committee Member be in attendance at CPC meetings. The purpose of their presence would make it possible for the committee to function efficiently. A copy of the letter should be forwarded to the Selectmens Office.
Paul Terrio has committed to drafting a letter.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Guest speaker - Sarah DelMastro
Sarah introduced herself. She is a Town of Norfolk Resident. She has been involved in 40B projects in the past and has gone to numerous planning board meetings. She concluded from her involvement, that the Town of Norfolk, at the present time, has no Affordable Housing Plan. She is currently and actively putting together an Affordable Housing Plan. This plan will be submitted to the State of Massachusetts for review.
Sarah’s next focus is to for an Affordable Housing Committee. She is hoping to draw members from other existing committees in Town to establish communication.
By doing this she is hoping that this will protect the Town of Norfolk from aggressive 40B’s and to also show that the town is pro actively creating affordable housing.
Sarah has met with the Housing Authority and Scott Dittrich regarding her proposed plan.
Scott Dittrich explains to the committee that creating affordable housing is extremely time consuming and costly.
***10% of the Community Preservation Fund goes towards Affordable Housing***
Scott suggested using some of that budget to hire personnel to handle affordable housing issues and to also use funds to cover costs associated with affordable housing.
Paul suggested contacting Borelli regarding the release of 55 and older and affordable housing unit on Town Hill. He will draft a letter inviting Borelli to our next meeting on December 20, 2006.
There is the potential, for at least, one unit on Town Hill to close in the month of December. The person that is currently trying to close on that property will be a DPAP candidate on November 27, 2006.
CURRENT LOTTERY
As of today, there are no DPAP currently lottery winners, that have presented the Community Preservation Committee with either a Purchase and Sales Agreement or a Pre-Approval for a Mortgage.
Two of the five DPAP packages went unclaimed and were returned to the Community Preservation Committee.
The next five DPAP candidates will receive their award letters the week of November 27, 2006.
Those letters will be mail Certified Return Receipt.
NEW LOTTERY
At Fall Town Meeting ‘07 - the Town of Norfolk voted to deposit an additional $100,000.00 into the Down Payment Assistance Program.
Paul Terrio made a suggestion to hold a NEW LOTTERY in the hopes of awarding Down Payment Assistance Grants.
Most committee members feel, that at the current time, this is not an option. (See Current Lottery)
Will discuss further at next months meeting, including establishing new rules and regulations
NORFOLK GRANGE
Betsy Pyne gave a brief update on the Grange Project, on behalf of the Historic Commission
- Waiting for word from Town Counsel that Preservation Restriction is complete.
- Right of Refusal complete (included in Mortgage )
- Mortgage complete
Massachusetts Historic Society needs to review all documents drafted.
The Norfolk Grange has been Incorporated.
Still unable to get documents from Town Counsel complete.
*** Paul Terrio will contact Jack Hathaway in the hopes of getting paperwork complete by George Hall***
STAHL LETTER
Richard Connors delivered letter to Mr. Stahl. He still has not responded to the Community Preservation Committees request to do an appraisal on the property.
Mr. Stahl originally stated no housing on property.
He would prefer to use property for Open Space and Recreation.
Scott feels that the property would be a positive investment for the Town of Norfolk.
Question was raised as to whether Con Com had walked the property? NO, they did not!
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT
Copies of the Community Preservation Act were handed out to committee members. The document is outdated. Paul would like each member to take a portion of Act and review. There are updates needed.
VOUCHER
Committee signed and approved payment of the following:
W.B. Mason Acct# 2150 578000 $94.49
Next Meeting scheduled for December 20, 2006 @ 7:30 p.m. Room 124
Posted with the Town Clerk, scheduled through BOS, will appear on Website Calendar
Cyndi Andrade makes a motion to close the meeting
Richard Connors seconds the motion
All In Favor
Meeting adjourns @ 9:30 p.m.
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Cyndi Andrade, Clerk CPC
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