Agenda and Minutes 2010-05-05
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Fran Volkmann, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
Franv@comcast.net
Tom Parent, Vice Chair, Community Preservation Committee
ParentBridge@hotmail.com
Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov
(413) 587-1263
Agenda
Public Comment
Chair’s Report
Minutes
April 21, 2010
o
Form of Minutes
Discussion of Conditions for:
Land Protection Grants
o
Public Access to Information related to CPA Grants
o
CPC Summer Schedule
Other Business
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee
website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
May 5, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main St.
Members Present: Fran Volkmann, Tom Parent, Brian Adams, Lilly Lombard, George
Kohout, Don Bianchi
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Chair Fran Volkmann called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Public Comment
Dave Herships, Friends of Upper Roberts Meadow, thanked Committee members for voting in
support of the Upper Roberts Dam project, as well as for their honesty and questions on the
application.
Chair’s Report
Fran informed the Committee that she, Tom and Sarah met with the Mayor regarding the
recommendations. Mayor Higgins will be bringing forward all recommendations to council
except Upper Roberts Meadow. The Mayor questioned whether it was proper to accept an
application from a group that was not the property owner, as the property owner was not
necessarily on board with the project.
Fran noted that other applications have been received where applicants have not been the
property owner.
The Committee discussed other applications accepted from groups not in control of properties.
Sarah stated that in the future, a property owner signature line could be added to applications to
show support.
Fran added that the Mayor will hold the recommendation until the CPC’s suggested conditions
are met. Tom added that the BPW will this way be making their decision before the City Council
debates the Dam.
Don suggested that the ownership issue be addressed in the Plan update.
Tom suggested that applications be discussed with the Mayor prior to creating recommendations.
Fran noted that this might create a perception that the Committee is not independent.
Minutes
Tom noted that the vote on the Dam should read 4-3.
The minutes were approved as corrected.
Form of Minutes
George suggested that the detail be limited from present form, as extensive detail limits staff
participation.
Councilor Tacy stated that several committees are having the same discussion.
Lilly suggested that they be scaled back, but not to the point where they list only motions made
and attendance.
George noted that the Committee could hire a clerk if needed.
Sarah stated that staff feels John’s time would be better utilized pursuing special projects, such as
website updating and financial reports.
Fran noted that the CPC is more independent than other boards in the City, and is not run by staff
like those boards.
George suggested that the Committee look at examples of other minutes to use as a template.
Sarah suggested that John take minutes at difficult or complicated meetings, and that she can
plan to take a scaled back version of minutes for most meetings. The Committee agreed to use
this approach.
Discussion of Conditions for Land Protection Grants
Fran reminded the Committee that the issue initially arose because a CR on a property funded
with CPA funds allowed for logging. This brought to the Committee’s attention that there are
many different types of CR’s that protect many types of interests.
CPC Minutes 1
May 5, 2010
It might be helpful to hear from someone that has a lot of experience with CRs.
The Committee discussed possible speakers.
Don suggested that Sarah put together an overview of CR’s.
Lilly suggested that the overview include examples of city CR’s and forest stewardship plans.
The Committee will decide what area to focus on following the overview.
Public Access to Information related to CPA Grants
Fran reminded the Committee of past discussions had regarding public access to CPA funded
activities.
Public access came up with regards to private grantees, such as the Academy of Music and Look
Park, holding meetings not open to the public.
The Committee discussed the types of conditions that could be imposed on grantees to increase
public accessibility.
Don suggested that conditions be set to require grantees to hold a public meeting; it’s difficult to
determine what level of information is appropriate to be required of a private group to be made
public.
Lilly suggested that the Committee have available a list of conditions that were imposed on prior
projects. Sarah will prepare this for the next grant round.
CPC Summer Schedule
The Committee reviewed a draft schedule with suggested agenda items and cancellation dates.
The Committee agreed that a press release should be issued prior to eligibility sheets being due to
increase public awareness.
George suggested a financial review as a summer agenda item. He will take the lead with John on
this.
Tom suggested that meetings be changed for vacation schedules as needed.
Committee members will send Sarah vacation schedules, and the schedule will be finalized at the
next meeting.
Other Business
The Committee signed the grant agreement for the DPW Open Space signage project.
Sarah pointed out that George and Tom’s appointments to the CPC expired in January.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:30.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2
April 21, 2010