COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 13, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Terrio, Chairman, Betsy Pyne, Scott Dittrich, Tom Terpstra, Richard Connors, Andrea Langhauser, Jason Talerman, Kevin Hughes, Cyndi Andrade, Michele Thoener, Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT: NONE
Meeting called to order @ 7:40 p.m. by Chairman Paul Terrio
Agenda for February 13, 2007 Meeting
copy attached
VISITORS:
Lydia May 17 King Philip Trail
Sarah Del Mastro Affordable Housing Committee
Fred Bucklin 79 Union Street
copy of sign-in sheet attached
PREVIOUS MINUTES (2)
Regular Monthly Meeting
Kevin makes a motion to accept the minutes of January 17, 2007 as amended
Seconded by Richard
All in Favor
Executive Session
Richard makes a motion to accept the minutes of the Executive Session as amended
Seconded by Andrea
All in Favor
NEW PROPERTY OFFER
John Cahalane introduced and opportunity to Scott Dittrich, Affordable Housing Committee Member, regarding a piece of property that is a unique opportunity with a short window to take advantage of.
Property is located near Hillcrest Village across the street from the Norfolk Grange. It sits on 1.5 acres of land.
Property has two uses:
Four family home that can be used as Affordable Housing
Future Development Option
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(Scott feels that there would be limited public complaint regarding using property as affordable.)
John Cahalane followed with detailed information regarding Property.
Map 14 Block 49 Lot 8 - Acreage 1.49
Four Family Home
Currently - three units are rented and one is available for rent
Three - one bedroom unit
One - two bedroom units
An exact date of construction is unknown, it is estimated to be in the early1900's
There is ample parking
Purchasing of property will add flexibility to the area
Due to the age of the structure it is currently utilizing a cesspool
Will need to pass Title V Inspection
Property can be considered Historic
Paul questioned if the existing structure can be expanded? That possibility needs to be researched at a later date. There are a lot of factors that come into play.
Asking Price $489,900.00 / Assessed Value $512,000.00
Committee Members questioned, John Cahalane, is this a highly motivated seller? NO
Is it possible to keep property off the market? John will discuss options with seller.
Community Preservation Committee would have to act as any potential purchaser of Real Estate.
A Market Analysis was conducted, using similar homes within the towns of Foxboro, Walpole and Franklin.
Property shouldn’t be considered an investment property.
Prior to purchase there are numerous things that need to be looked at:
Septic - Title V
Inspection
Building Structure
Lead Paint Testing
Appraisal
Potential Repairs and Updates Required
If the property is purchased it would fall under the responsibility of the Housing Authority.
Andrea makes a motion to proceed with a Home Inspection and Appraisal of property.
Seconded by Scott
All in Favor
List of things that need to be done to proceed to Town Meeting:
Article needs to be written for Town Warrant
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Inspection needs to be conducted
Appraisal needs to be conducted
Property visit needs to be scheduled
Letter of interest needs to be drafted to property owner
Kevin makes a motion to approve the expenditure, not to exceed, $1,500.00 for both the Home Inspection and the Appraisal of property. Funds will be deducted, to cover cost, from the CPC’s operating budget.
Seconded by Cyndi
All in Favor
Andrea will be writing Article for the Town Warrant
PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC DOCUMENTS
Marie Chiofolo, Town Clerk submitted an original project proposal.
As outlined in previous months minutes Marie Chiofolo is requesting Community Preservation Funds for the purpose of preserving Historic Documents currently being stored at the Norfolk Town Hall.
Betsy Pyne, Historical Preservation Committee Member, made a visit to Marie Chiofolo to speak with her regarding the Vital Records Preservation Project. While at the Town Hall she took the time to look at the records due to their Historic nature. Betsy Pyne is in favor of proceeding with project.
Marie Chiofolo submitted a MEMO, dated February 12, 2007 entitled, Grant request for Vital Record Preservation. The Memo breaks down the type of records being preserved (i.e. Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates; number of records; supplies required; and the cost associated.)
This project is a suitable use of Community Preservation Funds. As indicated it is a one time project.
copy of MEMO attached
Richard makes a motion to expend $10,158.00 out of the Historic Preservation Account to fund this project.
Seconded by Betsy.
All in Favor
Marie Chiofolo, accept the Community Preservation Committees request, that she write the Article.
STAHL PROPERTY - Letter/Offer
Fred Bucklin of F.W. Bucklin Appraisers
Mr. Bucklin reviewed and discussed property rights with Community Preservation Committee Members.
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Due to the fact, that the Property Owner Mr. Stahl, placed restriction rights on the property.
Mr. Bucklin appraised the land according to those property rights restrictions.
Property Rights
In Real Estate there is Real Property - defined as land, buildings, fixtures etc.
Real Estate - defined as Real Estate and Land
In this case the Land Owner has stated that he is willing to sell the land with limited use. He doesn’t want it to be used for development purposes.
When appraising the land, appraisers review the land bylaws to see what can legally be done with the property.
The Stahl property was appraised as Open Space. In doing this, the property value was reduced.
Stahl is giving up substantial value.
Bruce Waite / Land Consultant opinion is that the land can be subdivided into two the three house lots. There are both engineering and legal fees that will be incurred.
Prior to next meeting Mr. Bucklin will be researching the engineering and legal costs associated with this type of real estate transaction. ($)
Mr. Bucklin will be returning for February 21, 2007 meeting to update his findings.
The Community Preservation Committee review the proposed Stahl Offer Letter and made changes and revisions. During discussions the committee suggested that Mr. Connors deliver the offer Letter to Mr. Stahl. They have suggested that he extend an invitation to Mr. Stahl to join our February 21, 2007 meeting.
Richard Makes a motion to extend an offer to Mr. Stahl based upon the existing appraisal from F.W. Bucklin Appraisers. (Appraisal is based on restrictions placed by existing land owner.)
Seconded by Kevin
All in Favor
Offer letter has been updated and changes have been made. It was forward to Mr. Connors for delivery.
copy on file and attached
Article will be written for Stahl property
(it was suggested that the committee use the Webber Article as example for writing this new article)
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HIGHLAND LAKE update
Appraisal has been done.
Appraisal value is still unknown
Water testing is in progress, unfortunately the best time to determine water quality is in the warmer months.
Several land owners submitted documents regarding water quality at the Highland Lake.
copies on file with CPC
Lydia May, property owner at Highland Lake was present for discussion. She currently resides at 17 King Philip Trail. She has numerous concerns regarding the Town of Norfolk purchasing the property for Open Space and Recreation. Lydia is concerned that non residents of the lake will use her privately owned property to access to lake.
The committee recognizes that her concerns are valid. At this time, it is too premature to touch upon concerns. There has been no decision on how the committee is going to proceed with the Highland Lake.
Later in the meeting, committee members, went back into discussion regarding the Highland Lake Property. Several topics were discussed:
Title of the Property needs to be investigated
(Ownership is unknown @ this time)
Dam is a potential problem
(Ownership of dam is unknown)
Access off Main Street needs to be studied
Access from parcel 20 needs to be studied
ARTICLE FOR TOWN MEETING
Historical Records Grant
Richard makes a motion to approve the expenditure of $10,158.00 from the Historic Preservation Account to fund this project.
Seconded by Betsy
All in Favor
Marie Chiofolo will be writing the Article
Down Payment Assistance Program
Andrea, Paul and Kevin met with the Board of Selectmen regarding DPAP prior to tonight’s Meeting.
Kevin will be rewording DPAP Article
Kevin will be writing Article for thw DPAP
Kevin makes a motion to allocate $100,000.00 into the affordable housing budget to be used towards Down Payment Assistance Awards. There will be five / $20,000.00 awards available not to exceed 10% of the purchase price.
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Seconded by Betsy
All in Favor
Return unused funds to originating accounts
Kevin makes a motion to move remaining unspent balances in projects listed below into designated accounts.
Each project and amount was individually mentioned and directed.
PROJECT REMAINING BALANCE RETURN TO
Pond Street $1683.00 Open Space
Tramp House 905.05 Historic Preservation
Brick Walkways 8,824.53 Open Space
Weeber Land 1,000.00 Undesignated
Seconded by Richard
All in Favor
copy of account balances attached
Article will be written to move unspent balances.
10% Allotment
Kevin makes a motion to approve the allocation of 10% of funds to designated accounts.
Seconded by Andrea
All in Favor
Article will be written
(There is an option to Transfer Additional Funds if needed during Fall Town Meeting)
CPA Expenses / Administrative Expenses
Kevin makes a motion to move the amount of $35,000.00 into the CPA Expenses/ Administrative Expenses Account for Fiscal Year 2007.
Seconded by Richard
All in Favor
MASTER PLAN
Master Plan needs to be approved at Town Meeting Floor.
Andrea is interested in seeing that a Master Plan is completed by March Meeting.
It covers and oversees Affordable Housing, Recreation, Open Space and Conservation issues.
Jay Talerman suggests that goals and objectives need to be well defined and implementation strategies should be listed.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND
Sarah Del Mastro from the Affordable Housing Committee came to discuss with the Community Preservation Committee the possibility of obtaining funds from the CPF.
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Community Preservation Funds can be used for this purpose.
The Trust Fund was originally set up during Spring Town Meeting 2006
There is currently a balance of $30,000.00 in the fund.
They have received three - $10,000.00 deposits from the sale of units on Town Hill
It has been determined that an Affordable Housing Trust Fund is more flexible than the use of Community Preservation Funds.
The Affordable Housing Committee is in the process of locating Trustees to oversee the funds.
(currently there is no one managing the account at this time)
NEW PROJECTS
Tom Terpstra from the Recreation Committee is interested in introducing a new project for the purpose of constructing a Recreation Building at the Pond Street Recreation Facility. The Committee suggested that this new proposal be discussed at the next meeting.
Home Rule Petition will be discussed.
APPRAISAL ROCKWOOD RD. PROPERTY
Kevin makes a motion that the Property on Rockwood Road be appraised.
Seconded by Scott
All in Favor
VOUCHERS
Committee signed and approved payment of the following:
Payroll Acct # 2150 578000
F.W. Bucklin Acct # 2150 578000 $2,500.00
Next Meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m. Room 124
Posted with Town Clerk, scheduled through BOS will appear on Town Website Calendar
Richard Connors moves to adjourn
Seconded by Cyndi Andrade
All In Favor
PERSONNEL
Committee Secretary approached Paul Terrio, Chairman regarding an increase in hourly wage. Michele has been the CPC Secretary for one year and four months.
It was determined that the Community Preservation Committee Members need to make the decision. Marie Chiofolo suggested that the committee evaluate employees on a yearly basis.
Meeting adjourns @ 10:40 p.m.
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X________________
Cyndi Andrade, Clerk
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