2009-04-27-CPC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Preservation Committee Monday, April 27, 2009 G-15 4:00 pm Present: Betsey Weiss, Chair; Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Wendy Manz, Leo McSweeney, Nathalie Rice, Admin. Asst.; and Sandra Shaw. Dick Kanter of the CEC, Carl Valente, Rob Addelson, Maryann McCall-Taylor, Charley Wyman, Peter Kelley, Karen Simmons and Karen Mullins were also present. Absent: Dick Wolk The meeting was called to order at 4:04 pm. The purpose of the meeting was to update the CPC on the progress of the negotiations for the Busa property and to discuss possible funding options. 1.Update on possible acquisition of the Busa Property – Mr. Valente explained that there had been progress in the negotiations for the acquisition of the Busa property on Lowell Street. He recognized the other two members of the negotiating team, (who were present at the meeting); Selectmen, Peter Kelley, and former Conservation Commission member, Charlie Wyman. Mr. Valente explained that the Busas are interested in selling, and he described the land that was under negotiation. The property is primarily farmland, slightly less than eight acres, and comprises three lots. There would be three primary purposes for the land; recreation, affordable housing, and open space. The recreation needs that could possibly be met with the purchase of the land included a soccer field, a little league field, a tot lot, community gardens, and their combined parking. The housing portion of the land may include two lots with frontage on Lowell Street. The open space portion of the land might include trail connections to other conservation or recreation parcels, and buffers to the Arlington Reservoir and/or Munroe Brook. Mr. Valente also explained that there is a second parcel of interest, which lies adjacent to the Busa land now under negotiation with the Town. He said this parcel is under an agreement for sale to an abutter, and that the Town has approached the abutter to inform him/her of the Town’s interest. The acquisition of this parcel would give greater flexibility in meeting the Town’s needs for the property. Mr. Valente also explained that one of the stipulations of the sale is that the site is clean. There is presently a large amount of farm equipment and refuse on the site, and the Town has made it clear that it will only purchase a “clean” site. He added 1