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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-13-CPC-min (7PM) Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing Estabrook Hall Thursday, November 13, 2008 7:00 pm Present: Betsey Weiss, Chair; Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Wendy Manz, Leo McSweeney, Nathalie Rice, Admin. Asst.; Sandy Shaw, Dick Wolk. David Kanter, CEC Liaison was also present. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. Eight residents were in attendance. The purpose of the Public Hearing was to receive comments on two proposals under consideration for Special Town Meeting. These were the supplemental funding request for the Harrington Playground, and the acquisition of two properties by the Conservation Commission. 1.Harrington Playground Pat Goddard, Director of Facilities, introduced the project, and noted that Liz Billings-Fouhey, Director of Lexington’s Children’s Place, was in attendance to answer any questions. Mr. Goddard explained that the request before the Committee was for supplemental funding due to a number of changes in the project since it was approved at the Annual Town Meeting in March of 2008. Specifically these were, $13,000 in site services, $10,361 in the cost of the playground structure itself, and a $5,000 contingency. He explained that the site had been moved from its original location to an adjacent, more suitable area. The new location, however, did necessitate the installation of additional sidewalk, and would require additional permitting fees, since it was within 100’ of wetlands. There was a question as to whether going out to bid in the present economy might save additional monies, to which Mr. Goddard replied that he thought it would. There was also a question about the wetlands issue, and the need for permitting monies, to which Mr. Goddard said he was working with the Conservation Commission to reduce filing and permitting costs. The Committee voted 9-0 to approve $35,135 in CPC funds for supplemental funding for the Harrington Playground project. 2.Purchase of the Goodwin Parcels, 73-8 and 73-6A Mr. Dick Wolk, PCP member, and Chairman of the Conservation Commission’s Acquisition Committee, introduced this project. He described the two parcels that are being considered by the Committee; one on the west side of Rt. 128 (73-8) and the second on the east side of Rt. 128 (73-6A). 1 Parcel 73-8 is 10.7 acres and includes wetlands, woodlands and a limited open area on an NSTAR power easement. Kiln Brook crosses the southeastern corner of the parcel, and Dick noted that Kiln Brook is tributary to the Shawsheen River and Bedford’s water supply. The parcel abuts the Town’s Composting Facility and Katahdin Woods, and is situated between the Minuteman Bikeway and the Battle Road Trail. He added that it is a key parcel for the West Lexington Greenway. The second parcel, 73-6A, approximately 9.5 acres, is located on the eastern side of Rt. 128 and is primarily wetlands and woodland. It is situated between the Meagherville Conservation area and Pine Meadows golf course. The wetlands on this parcel, Mr. Wolk noted, serve as headwaters for Kiln Brook, and therefore are important to the Shawsheen River and Bedford’s water supply. The parcel has value for wildlife, and potentially for recreation. Mr. Wolk explained that the 2008 assessed value for the two parcels together is $130,000, and that the present appraisal is $140,000. He said this discrepancy in values is customary, and well within a 10% acceptable range. A year ago, he noted, the appraisal for the two properties came in at $165,000. He said comparables were hard to find for the appraisals, so they were considered as roughly 20 acres of undeveloped land. He said he felt the land was important for the Town to acquire for its conservation and recreation values, as well as its value in protecting the land adjacent to Rt. 128. He said the present appraisal put the cost per acre at $7,000, which he felt was very reasonable. Mr. Wolk explained that the survey costs for the parcels totaled $29, 583, which he admitted seemed high. He said the Conservation Commission had been advised by Town Counsel to conduct a survey, despite the fact that the lots are adjacent to extensive sections of Town-owned land. He explained that if adjacent private land, or Town-owned land (such as the golf course), was ultimately sold, the survey could be very important. With appraisal costs of $4,600 and legal fees of $11,891, the associated costs for the acquisition total $46,074. This brings the total cost of the request before the CPC to $186,100. Wendy Manz, CPC member and a representative of the Planning Board, reported that her Board had questioned whether a Conservation Restriction would be placed on the properties. Marilyn ( ?) responded that a CR is required by State statute for any land purchased with CPC funds. Wendy questioned whether the acquisition could be purchased for recreation, which might give more flexibility in the future. Frank Sandy ( yes) questioned the need for the survey work, given the fact that most of the adjacent land was Town-owned. Joyce Miller, Chairwoman of the Conservation Commission, questioned whether the Conservation Restriction would be acceptable to the state without a survey. Mr. McSweeney had to leave the Public Hearing to go to another meeting and the Committee decided to vote the project while he was still in attendance, since most 2 of the discussion had come to a close. The Committee voted 9-0 to approve $186,100 in CPC funds for the acquisition of parcels 73-8 and 73-6A and related appraisal, survey and legal costs. Discussion briefly returned to the Goodwin parcels and to Mr. Sandy’s concern regarding the need for a survey. At this point, Mr. Wolk informed the Committee and the attendees that the Conservation Commission was seeking a second bid on the survey work, which might result in a cost savings. Mr. Keith Ohmart noted that the costs only seemed high relative to the low cost of the parcels. He reminded the hearing that $7,000/acre is very inexpensive. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:30. Members had one housekeeping issue to discuss. The snow day for the Public th Hearing for FY 2010 projects, scheduled for December 11 at 6:30pm was set for th Thursday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Community 3