COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 17, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Terrio, chairman, Betsy Pyne, Scott Dittrich, Tom Terpstra, Richard Connors, Jane Wall, Andrea Langhauser, Michele Thoener, Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jason Talerman, Kevin Hughes, Cyndi Andrade
Meeting called to order @ 7:44 p.m. by chairman Paul Terrio
Agenda for January 17, 2007 Meeting
copy attached
VISITORS:
J. Duncan Glover 11 King Philip Trail
Jack & Linda Knox 15 King Philip Trail
Sarah Del Mastro 31 Lakeshore
Arthur & Johanna Frontczak 14 Main Street
copy of sign-in sheet attached
PREVIOUS MINUTES
Community Preservation Committee Members review Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2006 and January 4, 2007
Scott Dittrich moves to accept the minutes of December 20, 2006 as written
Seconded by Richard Connors
All in Favor
copy in CPC files
Scott Dittrich moves to accept the minutes on January 4, 2007 as written
Seconded by Betsy Pyne
All in Favor
copy in CPC files
STAHL PROPERTY
Richard Connors gives a brief update of the Stahl Property.
As previously explained, there is an interest in selling the property to the Town of Norfolk
Mr. Stahl doesn’t want the land used for development, he wants it to remain as open space.
The land owner isn’t interested in reconsidering the land be used for development purposes
Norfolk Land = 11.2 acres
Wrentham Land= 3.5 acres
Total = 14.7 acres
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Will not be appraised as build able land
Fred Bucklin has been approach to appraise the value of the land as open space
Appraisal should be complete by the week of January 22, 2007
Mr Bucklin feels that this is a beautiful piece of property. It would be to the Town’s advantage to purchase.
PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC DOCUMENTS
Marie Chiofolo submitted a request for Preservation Act Funding - Basic Information Form
copy attached
Restoration of Vital Records
The Town Clerk is attempting to restore birth, death and marriage records that date back to 1870, the year the Town of Norfolk was Incorporated.
The restoration of Vital Records will include the years 1870-1990
Requesting $10,000.00 in CPC Funds
Capital Outlay Committee has helped to cover costs in the past.
Vital Records cannot be scanned into a computer they need to be kept in their original format.
All Vital Records are Public documents except for those classified as impounded
There are specific guidelines and materials required to perform this project
Records are currently stored in the Town Clerks Vault
The purpose of this project is to preserve the records from physical handling
The work will be performed by the Town Clerks Office
Vital Records at the state level are stored in the same manner as the Town of Norfolk’s Records
“As of June 13, 2006, the definition of Historic Resources as it pertains to Chapter 44B Section 2 of the MGL - The Community Preservation Act was amended to include documents and artifacts”.
Several Committee Members have show an interest in seeing vital records
Committee Members would like to discuss at Next Meeting
DPAP
Paul Terrio explained to Committee Members that there is a DPAP Applicant who is currently at the end of the application process.
She has been awarded a $20,000.00 Down Payment Grant and has also secured a mortgage for an affordable unit on Town Hill.
Dan Hill, Town Counsel representative was present.
He has reviewed the Down Payment Assistance Program
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Dan Hill, Town Counsel Representative was present, he review DPAP and expressed concern with the 5 year term. The recommendation was to build a restriction into the deed rider so that the $20,000.00 would be deducted from the purchase price of the property.
Town needs lasting benefit from the property.
Other Recommendation:
Place a longer restriction on the affordable property, being purchased with DPAP Grant
Build restriction into the deed rider so that the property stays affordable
Make program more restrictive
DPAP Grant should be sent to the closing attorney prior to closing, the $20,000.00 will then be deducted from the purchase price of the property.
* Committee Members Paul Terrio and Andrea Langhauser will be restructuring the Article and wording for the DPAP
Paul moves to accept Town Counsels recommendation for the current DPAP applicant as set forth in the letter dated January 17, 2007. The $20,000.00 DPAP Grant will be deducted from the purchase price of the property. (FY07)
Seconded by Scott Dittrich
All In Favor
Dan Hill requested that he review any proposals for DPAP prior to circulation
TOWN POND
Anne Proto was present to give an update on the Town Pond Project
Appealed to the Department of Environmental Protection
Chemical vs Mechanic removal of Phragmites
Anne explained that chemical removal was chosen after consulting with several biologists. When using chemical removal to destroy to phragmites, the chemical agent is placed on each individual plant, so that other vegetation in the immediate area isn’t affected. When using mechanical removal there is the chance of destroying other vegetation.
The disadvantage of mechanic removal are: There is a chance of damaging other vegetation and the man power required. The Department of Public Works doesn’t have the time to take on a project of this size.
Scott Dittrich inquired as to where the Town Pond Project stands? Unfortunately it’s a waiting game.
Norfolk County will be doing a survey of the Town Pond
Scott Dittrich questioned if we where at a stand still with Town Pond? Anne doesn’t feel we are at a stand still. There are just details that need to be worked out.
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We are still waiting for DEP to come back with their findings. If the swimming is aborted at Town Pond the project can continue to go forward. The property can be used for Fish and Game purposes.
Con Com denied notice of intent for chemical removal of Phragmites @ Town Pond
Unfortunately, Con Com representative was not able to attend meeting.
Community Preservation Members have requested Con Com representation @ meetings without
success
Con Com approval is required in order to move forward with work at Town Pond.
(the land is managed by them- no work can be preformed near a waterway without approval)
NORFOLK GRANGE
Betsy Pyne updated the committee on the progress with the Norfolk Grange.
Massachusetts Historical Commission has approved the Historic Restriction. (They have requested a few corrections - these corrections will be handled by George Hall) When complete Town Counsel George Hall will be securing signatures on the legal document.
Norfolk Grange has hired Chris Noonan to oversee the Norfolk Grange Project. He will be coming on board in the Spring of ‘07 (approximately)
HIGHLAND LAKE PROPERTY
Fred Bucklin has been approached to appraise the Highland Lake Property
Committee Members have walked the property
The owner of the property is interested in selling the property for $575,000.00
It is not a 61 A or B Property
There were several residents of the Highland Lake Area present at the meeting.
copy of sign in sheet attached
Kevin Roach being the owner of the Highland Lake Dam brought with him maps showing the location of the dam and the lay out of the land. He explained to the committee that he controls the dam and that when the water level rises he is responsible for removing wood panels to release water.
Mr and Mrs. Knox brought to the committees attention that swimming in the lake at this time isn’t an option due to the amount of algae present during the summer months. They stated that the lake is 80% covered with algae at any given time. The algae problem does decrease if there is a large amount of rain fall. Mr. & Mrs. Knox are encouraging the purchase of the land for open space and recreational use.
The question of water quality was addressed? It was felt that the water quality was extremely poor and that it would need to be corrected prior to approval of swimming at Highland Lake.
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The cost associated with bring the water up to code for swimming is in question.
Betsy reported on her findings when she approached the Board of Health regarding the water quality and perc testing at Highland Lake.
Perc Testing did pass
Water testing records were not found
(Andrea will check if any studies have been performed on the lake by the DEP)
Betsy questioned the DOC sewerage mishap at the Highland Lake?
Andrea explained that the water would correct itself over time, a lot of factors come into play. No time frame can be determined exactly.
At this time the Community Preservation Committee feels that they need to continue investigating the Highland Lake Property for purchase. Additional information needs to be gathered as follows:
Water Testing and Water Quality need to be determined
(Water testing needs to be done in June, July and August for accurate results)
When testing water - What exactly should the CPC be testing for?
Restrictions on property and the use of the lake need to be investigated by an attorney
Town Engineer will preform study of property (no charge for service)
Dam Property needs to be evaluated ( Lot 18 B and Parcel ID # 2274 Lot 9)
Investigation into the right of way
Parcel # 20 needs to be researched
Con Com needs a representative at CPC Meetings
Con Com needs to voice input on the Highland Lake Property prior to making decision
(Scott will be sending a letter requesting that representation from Con Com is required at the next CPC Meeting)
It needs to be determined if the MBTA/Commuter Rail Line owns any portion of the Highland Lake
VOUCHERS
Committee signed and approved payment of the following:
Payroll Acct # 2150 578000
Next meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m. Room 124
Posted with the Town Clerk, scheduled through BOS will appear on Town Website Calendar
Richard Connors moves to adjourn
Seconded by Betsy Pyne
All In Favor
Meeting adjourns @ 10:45 p.m.
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X_____________________________________________
Cyndi Andrade, Clerk CPC
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