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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-24-CPC-min Community Preservation Committee Meeting Tuesday, July 24, 2012 4:30 pm Reed Room Town Offices Minutes Present: Members Wendy Manz, Norman Cohen, Marilyn Fenollosa, Joel Adler, Betsey Weiss, Sandra Shaw, Richard Wolk , Jeanne Krieger as well as David Kanter, liaison from the Capital Expenditures Committee, and observer Bob Pressman. The meeting was called to order by Chair Wendy Manz at 4:30 pm. Updates Passage of the CPA Legislation – Marilyn Fenollosa reported. To clarify the use of funds for historic preservation the distinction between maintenance ( i.e. painting) and capital improvements (i.e. new heating system) has been spelled out. Use of funds for capital improvements is now allowed. CPA funds can now be used to fund non-profit institutions to hold, monitor and enforce land restrictions. Enforcement of historic restrictions, for example, involves expenditures for such tasks as monitoring, enforcement and legal fees. These services can now be provided by a third party and funded using CPA funds. The reference to a structure being eligible rather than listed on the State’s Historic Inventory has been deleted to clarify the definition of qualification for historic preservation funds. Definitions have been loosened to permit broader use of CPA funds for recreation purposes. CPC funds can now be used to rehabilitate recreation structures, i.e. for replacement of equipment, even if the recreation land was not acquired with CPA funds. The open space allocation can now be used for active as well as passive recreation capital expenses. Housing funds may now be used to provide grants to individuals who qualify for community housing rather than just institutions. This change will enable CPC funds to be used to write down purchase costs. Cities can now access CPC funds if they vote to dedicate a minimum 1% of their tax levy and can use previously encumbered funds from certain fees and assessments to further increase their municipal contribution. Towns may choose to exempt the first $100,000 of commercial valuations from the CPC levy, as they have previously been able to do with residential valuations. The Community Preservation Coalition is presenting a webinar on the improved CPA legislation, Thursday, August 2 at noon. David Kanter explained the financial implications of the changes in the legislation. The new legislation includes a $25 million transfer to the state’s CPA trust fund available for distribution in Fall, 2013, approximately doubling the current trust fund. The precise amount available for allocation to the CPC trust fund depends on the collections of the Registry of Deeds. After a period of decline, the past three month’s collections are showing nearly a 20% rate of growth. Allocation of the trust fund will be though a 3-level distribution, two of which favor communities with small population and low average property values, i.e. unfavorable to Lexington. Mr. Kanter’s analysis suggests Lexington will fare slightly better than we have in prior years, bearing in mind that the actual outcome is largely dependent upon activity in the real estate market. Expenses f Ms. Manz reported thatiscal year end administrative expenses included payment for the Wright Farm appraisals and Community Preservation Coalition annual dues. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the November 21, 2011, December 5, 2011, December 19, 2011, January 9, 2012 and January 18, 2012 meetings, as well as the December 19, 2011 public hearing were approved with minor corrections by a unanimous vote of those present on a motion proposed by Mr. Cohen and seconded by Ms. Fenollosa. Policy Discussions Relating to Land Acquisitions Formal input from stakeholders prior to BOS designation of land use to be included in CPA funding application Ms. Manz discussed a proposal to require the Selectmen to include consideration of the four CPA purposes (i.e open space, recreation, housing and historic resources) for each land purchase request with CPA funds. She suggested that all interested parties have the opportunity to present their preferred use to the Selectmen and that these formal proposals be attached to the subsequent application for CPA funding to ensure documentation of the reasoning for the recommended land use. Reaction among the members was mixed, suggesting the need for further discussion. Designation of a portion of land acquisition for general municipal use. Ms. Weiss suggested that a portion of each municipal land purchase using CPA funds be designated for general municipal purposes. Such a set aside would effectively provide a safety valve to accommodate uses not initially considered at the time of purchase and Town Meeting approval. There was interest in investigating how such a proposal could be implemented. Year-end wrap-up and Member Concerns Mr. Adler requested that reports related to projects be made available promptly to CPC members. He also expressed concern about the adequacy of the cost analysis offered with the proposal to rehabilitate the Paint Mine Barn. Ms. Weiss would like us to adhere to our policy designating a schedule for submissions, particularly those related to land purchases. She also challenged the purchase price for the lot designated for housing on the Leary land and questioned the delays in housing construction. By a unanimous vote the Committee went into executive session under Exemption 6 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. The Committee returned to open meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.