COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 13, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrea Langhauser Chair, Scott Dittrich, Tom Terpstra, Cyndi Andrade, Clerk Kevin Hughes, Betsy Pyne Co-Chair, Paul Terrio, Richard Connors, Michele Thoener, Secretary/Clerk
Meeting called to order @ 7:35 by Co-Chairwomen Betsy Pyne
Agenda for August 13, 2007
Copy attached
VISITOR LIST:
John Oliviere 99 Boardman Street
Arthur Frontczak Highland Lake Area
Johanna Frontczak Highland Lake Area
Pauline Hadley 9 King Phillip Trail
Frances Holman 9 King Phillip Trail
Gary Eblan 12 King Phillip Trail
Matt McDonald Norfolk Boomerang
Remo A. Vito, Jr. DPW Norfolk
copy of sign in sheet attached
PREVIOUS MINUTES
Committee Members review and discuss changes to previous month’s minutes
Changes made
Richard Connors makes a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes as amended
Seconded by Paul Terrio
All in Favor
HIGHLAND LAKE
Kevin Hughes interested in finding out what tonight’s meeting is about?
Betsy Pyne explains it’s to determine how each committee member stands regarding Highland Lake.
Mr. Oliviere was present, at the meeting to distribute information he has accumulated regarding Highland Lake. He gave the committee a book titled “Law of Water Courses”, and information on Water Grants. His intention was to help the committee get answers to questions surrounding water, ponds, and lakes and to suggest applying for a Grant for the purpose of cleaning the lake area.
It’s been determined that the Highland Lake is approximately 10 acres in its natural state, it is not a great pond, and it’s more a privately owned lake.
If the Town were to purchase the lake the dam would not be included, it is non a separate property.
David Lutes is the Community Preservation Committees “new” Conservation Committee Member.
Betsy Pyne would like to get an opinion from David Lutes as to where he and ConCom stand regarding Highland Lake?
David has had only one opportunity to talk with ConCom at their last meeting. He feels the general sense is that there are a number of questions that need to be addressed before a decision.
Water Quality?
Sediment Sampling?
Open Space Value to Land?
Tom Terpstra has the results of the water quality testing
David Lutes has been authorized to explore whether to study the Highland Lake Property.
ConCom is optimistic about purchasing Highland Lake, their concern is issues surrounding the ownership of a lake.” Lake Issues”
ConCom would like to review the Water Quality and Sediment Testing Results
Due to water quality testing - Highland Lake doesn’t not meet Water Quality Standards to be used as a swimming lake.
Anne Proto and Butch Vito did check the water quality, in all Town Ponds, several years back to determine their use for fishing and swimming. The best water quality was found at Kingsbury and Town Pond.
Scott Dittrich feels that there are still too many unanswered questions, making it impossible for the committee to vote this evening. He feels that there is still a lot of investigation required.
Andrea Langhauser would like to discuss the Highland Lake in depth.
Board of Health Records were reviewed and the sewerage problems are in the past. Water quality problems associated with the prison over flow have been resolved.
She also stated that if there were existing sewerage problems the test results would reflect.
Sediment Reports are in the Board of Health files (1995-1998)
Betsy Pyne has perc results - 6 test sites (shown on map) - holes 4 & 5 passed (off Main Street)
According to zoning there are 7 build able lots at Highland Lake (off Main Street)
Andrea Langhauser questioning if we want to place on Warrant Article?
Paul Terrio would like to place an offer.
Kevin Hughes is questioning costs associated with purchasing Highland Lake and building homes on the 2 build able lots.
Andrea doesn’t recommend voting at this time.
Residents with lake front property are concerned about boating and access to the pond.
Questions?
1.) Right of Way
2.) Water Quality
3.) Sediments Study
4.) Cost of Engineering
5.) MBTA’s Role
6.) Affordable Housing
7.) Dam needs to be researched (could fall under Title Search)
8.) Maintenance Clause
9.) Ownership of Water Area
10.) Do property owners own to center of pond?
Betsy Pyne feels there is a significant amount of history located at the Highland Lake Property. The Historic Commission wants to support ConCom on their decision.
Richard Connors questioned who would control the land?
Scott Dittrich doesn’t recommend purchase of Highland Lake for Affordable Housing.
Andrea suggests looking to use in the future?
As stated earlier, the residents in the area are concerned with the Lake use. “Boating”
Pauline Hadley’s brother was the original Civil Engineer of Highland Lake. She is under the belief that each resident owns to the center of the lake.
Gary Eblan a resident near Highland Lake Has many concerns and numerous questions that still need to be addressed. He is concerned with pollution, noise, and litter.
The question of the ownership of the dam has been questioned?There is a possibility that the Department of Corrections owns half of the dam
Butch Vito suggested making gate system contingent on dam ownership.
Betsy requested that the residents on the lake locate deeds and plot plans for the CPC.
Andrea Langhauser stated that the decision this evening doesn’t have to be final.
Kevin Hughes makes a motion, to make an offer, to the owner of the property to purchase Highland Lake conditional upon satisfactory answer to list of items discussed and Town Meeting approval no later than Town Meeting 2008, for use to be determined prior to Town Meeting.
Seconded by Richard Connors
Andrea Langhauser, David Lutes, Paul Terrio, Scott Dittrich, Kevin Hughes, Cyndi Andrade, Richard Connors in Favor
Tom Terpstra not in Favor
Betsy Pyne abstains
Paul Terrio stated that limiting to passive recreation will change his opinion.
Tom Terpstra stated that the Recreation Department is lukewarm to the purchase of the Highland Lake Property.
MASTER PLAN SECTIONS A&B
Andrea Langhauser brought to the Committees attention that the Master Plan will be voted at Fall Town Meeting.
Implementing Goal # 1 Affordable Housing - the town needs to work with the CPC to find locations for affordable housing development.
Implementing Goal # 1 Open Space – the town needs to work with the CPC to identify parcels of land available for purchase.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Paul Terrio makes a motion for the Committee to proceed into Executive Session
Seconded by Andrea Langhauser
All in Favor
Executive Session called to order @ 9:25
CONTACT LIST
Contact List has been update.
copies on file with CPC
VOUCHERS
Community Preservation Coalition Membership Dues 2150 578000 $1,500.00
W.B. Mason - office supplies 2150 578000 82.90
(vouchers signed by committee members and submitted for payment)
Next Meeting (s)
Next Meetings are scheduled as follows:
September 19, 2007 @ 7:30 in Room 214
October 17, 2007 @ 7:30 in Room 214
Town Meeting October 23 and 24 @ 7:30 King Philip High School
(posted and scheduled with Town Clerk. Will appear on Town Website Calendar)
Kevin Hughes makes a motion to adjourn
Seconded by Tom Terpstra
All in Favor
Meeting adjourns @ 10:05
X__________________
Cyndi Andrade, Clerk
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