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Home My WebLink About2008-11-24-CPC-min.exe Executive Session Community Preservation Committee Monday, November 24, 2008 Legion Room, Cary Memorial Building 1605 Massachusetts Avenue 2:00 pm Present: Committee Members: Betsey Weiss, Chair; Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Wendy Manz, Sandy Shaw and Dick Wolk. Administrative Asst: Nathalie Rice Also Present : David Kanter, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison. At 2:00 pm, upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by a roll call to enter into Executive Session under Exemption 6 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and to reconvene in Open Session; the Chair declaring that an Open Meeting might have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town. 1. Leary Property - Mr. Wolk asked the Committee to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Leary property, presently under consideration for acquisition by the Conservation Commission. He described the property and updated the Committee on the negotiations for this parcel. The parcel is approximately 14.5 acres and is located on Vine Street, where it has its only legal frontage. It contains an existing house, which is in disrepair, two wetland areas, woods and brushy fields. It abuts Vine Brook Conservation Area and is considered of high conservation value. Mr. Wolk said the property is now being surveyed, after which a wetland delineation will be completed. With this information, a land planner will do a highest and best use development plan, which will then be sent to an appraiser. He said the Town’s appraisal would be completed by mid-December. He added that the estate of Mr. Leary is currently paying for the survey work, but noted that this cost would likely be added to the purchase price. Mr. Wolk said that Mr. Leary, a retired Town DPW employee and friend of George Woodbury, the former Director of DPW, had long intended for his land to go to the Town. He lived simply and in his last days, willed his property to the Catholic Church. It is believed that the Church does not want the property, only the proceeds from the sale. There was a general discussion of the parcel’s present status and eventual use. Questions arose regarding the Conservation Commission’s receptivity to a mixed use 1 plan, such as using the existing house for low and moderate income housing. Mr. Wolk said he would not be averse to such a plan, but noted that the house might not be worth renovating, noting that the foundation was in very poor condition. Mr. Cohen asked if borrowing would be anticipated for the acquisition. Details on financing were premature, however, until the appraisal is conducted. At 2:50 pm, after a duly conducted roll call vote, the Committee voted to close the Executive Session and return to Open Session. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 2