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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-13-CPC-minMinutes of the Community Preservation Committee Thursday, December 13, 2012, 2:00 pm Parker Room Town Offices Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Present: Committee Members: Wendy Manz, Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Jeanne Krieger, Leo McSweeney, Sandra Shaw and Dick Wolk. Administrative Assistant: Nathalie Rice Also in attendance were David Kanter of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) and Town resident, Robert Pressman. The meeting was called to order at 2:06 pm. by Ms. Manz. 1. Approval of the Minutes — Approval of the minutes of December 6 th was deferred to a subsequent meeting. 2. Needs Assessment Report — Ms. Manz asked members for comments on the 2013 Needs Assessment Report. Ms. Fenollosa noted that Section 2 under Community Housing Goals did not include renovation of historic houses. She made a motion to include the phrase, "especially historic houses" in Section 2(a) in reference to LexHAB's rehabilitation of existing modest homes. This motion was not seconded, and the phrase was therefore not added to the draft of the Community Housing section. Ms. Rice will post the Needs Assessment Report on the CPC website as a "Final Draft ". Ms. Manz will post the same on the TMMA website in hopes that the Report will generate Town interest and increased attendance at the December 19 Public Hearing. 3. Discussion of FY14 CPA Projects. Straw Votes. a.) Archives Records and Preservation /Conservation, $20,000 — In response to a question raised at the previous CPC meeting, Ms. Manz reported that Donna Hooper anticipated applying for CPA funds for this project for an additional five years. The CPC took a straw vote of 8 -0, approving the current project for the FY14 funding cycle. b.) 5 -Year Open Space Plan Update, $30,000 — This project had received a prior vote of support 8 -0, with agreement by the CPC that funds could be taken from the Community Preservation Committee's administrative budget. The Committee will seek guidance from the Town Manager or the Assistant Town Manager for Finance as to whether funds should come from FYI or FY14 Administrative funds. c.) Muzzey Senior Center Upgrades, $526,818 — Per prior discussions with Patrick Goddard, Director of Facilities, the CPC noted that this project is on hold, pending a decision on the acquisition of 33 Marrett Road. The Committee affirmed its support the project, however, in a straw vote of 7 -0 -1. d.) Visitor Center Design Phase, $68,950 — Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism Committee, was present for the discussion of this project. The CPC noted that the Board of Selectmen needed to approve the overall scope of the project, to which Ms. McKenna reported that public hearings were scheduled for January. The CPC voted 6 -2 in a straw vote to support the project. e.) Installed Wall Units - Air Conditioners, Central Administration Building, $56,000 - The CPC noted that CPA funds had been used previously for the renovation of the Harrington School (FY09). It is currently being used as the School Administration Building. Members expressed concern, however, that the three current applications from the school department for these amenities did not necessarily make the building "suitable for its intended use" as a historic resource. Ms. Fenollosa reported that the Historical Commission and the Historic Districts Commission strongly opposed the three applications for work at the School Administration Building. The Committee voted 1 -7 in a straw vote not to approve the first of the three applications - the installation of Air Conditioners. E) Human Resources Office Renovation, Central Administration Building, $29,500 — The CPC voted 1 -7 in a straw vote not to approve this project, per the discussion in Section e) above. g.) Print Shop Renovation, Central Administration Building, $430,835 — The Committee voted 2 -6 in a straw vote not to approve this project per the discussion in Section e) above. (The budget for this project was subsequently revised to $312,000 on December 21, 2012.) h.) Lincoln Park Field Improvements, $150,000 — Town Counsel, Kevin Batt has questioned whether the subsurface grading covered in this project would be necessary if the synthetic material above were not slated for replacement. This may be an issue because the CPA does not cover acquisition or replacement of synthetic turf. The CPC will seek further definition on this point from Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation. The CPC voted to support this project in a straw vote of 7 -0 -1 pending further information from Ms. Simmons. i.) Pocket Park Design, $20,000 — Ms. Manz updated the Committee on this application, noting that the "alleyways" are privately owned. She said she had consulted with the Community Preservation Coalition, and that in situations where parks are acquired for conservation /open space, Conservation Restrictions secure the long term status of the park. In this situation, however, where the parks would be "created" on private property, an easement or contract might be a more appropriate characterization than an acquisition. Ms. Fenollosa noted that the project was unlikely to fall within the "historic" category as indicated on the application. The CPC will consult further with counsel regarding this project, particularly regarding the ownership status of the alleyways. The project was supported in a straw vote of 6 -1 -1. j.) Merriam Hill Preservation Project, $3,000 —By request of the CPC, this project has been resubmitted by the Historical Commission. At the request of Town Manager, Carl Valente, the Commission will meet with the Board of Selectmen in the coming weeks for informational purposes only, not for approval. With regard to the issue of the addition of 2 more homes to the Inventory, Ms. Fenollosa stated that she did not believe there would be 15 new homes added as a result of the proposed project. (Funding covers the addition of up to 15 homes.) Rather, she noted that the recent discovery of two homes which were omitted in the 1975 review of the neighborhood had heightened concern and prompted an interest in a second historic evaluation. She stated that all the homeowners in the Merriam Hill neighborhood would be notified of the commencement of the project, and that there would be a public hearing for those homes added to the Inventory. Mr. Wolk stated his concern about the extensive geographical boundaries of the Merriam Hill neighborhood as they applied specifically to the potential imposition of the Demolition Delay By -law. The CPC voted 4 -3 -1 in a straw vote, which did not achieve a majority vote of the Committee. k.) Moon Hill National Register Nomination Project, $6,000 — After a brief discussion, the CPC voted 7 -1 in a straw vote to approve this project. 1.) Greeley Village Front Doors, $172,734 —The CPC voted in favor of this project in a straw vote of 8 -0. m.) LexHAB Set -Aside Funds for the Acquisition of Community Housing, $450,000 - The CPC approved this project in a straw vote of 7 -1. Ms. Fenollosa stated her objection to the acquisition of single family homes by LexHAB, noting that multi - family housing took greater advantage of CPA funding. Ms. Manz noted LexHAB's expressed willingness to spend the appropriation on creation of new housing units on either the Busa or the Leary land. n.) Buckman Tavern Restoration and Renovation, $650,000 — The Committee had previously voted support of this project with a 8 -0 straw vote. o.) 33 Marrett Road Acquisition - Update — Mr. Kanter gave a general update on the status of this property for use as a Community Center. He stated that the acquisition costs were in the range of 6 -7 million dollars with an additional 30% projected for "soft costs ". A small gym had been added to the project scope for a Community Center, raising the renovation costs to the $11 -12 million dollars. There was a brief discussion of the portions of the property /grounds that might be eligible for funding with CPA funds. Ms. Fenollosa informed the Committee that the entire Scottish Rite building was on the Inventory due to its historic, architectural and cultural significance. (This would include both the historic mansion and its more recent addition.) 4. Future Meetings — The next CPC meeting was set for December 19 at 6:30 pm prior to the Public Hearing for the Needs Assessment Report, scheduled for 7:00 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 5:03 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee