Agenda and Minutes 2011-09-07
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Katharine Baker, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
bakerkg@comcast.net
Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov
(413) 587-1263
Agenda
7:00 - Public Comment
7:05 - Chair’s Report
7:10 - Minutes
August 17 , 2011
o
7:15 – Distribute Round 2 applications
7:25 – CPA Signage
7:35 – 5-year report to Council
7:50 – Reports from staff
Project Updates
o
7:55 - Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
8:00 – Adjourn
Next meeting: September 21
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
September 7, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main St.
Members Present: Downey Meyer, Brian Adams, Joe DeFazio, Fran Volkmann, Bill
Breitbart, David Drake, Jim Durfer
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Downey, as Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Chair’s Report
There were no items for discussion
Minutes – August 17, 2011
David moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Fran. The motion carried
unanimously.
Distribute Round 2 applications
Sarah handed out the applications. There were six in total:
CT River Greenway – Northampton OPD, Recreation/Open Space
Conservation Fund – Northampton Conservation Commission, Open Space
Beaver Brook Bridge – Northampton OPD, Historic Preservation
Academy of Music Renovations – Academy of Music, Historic Preservation
Mineral Hills Bookends – Northampton Conservation Commission, Open Space/Recreation
Florence Fields – Northampton Recreation Commission, Recreation
Three applications were not submitted.
The Committee reviewed the Round 2 schedule, and discussed site visits. Sarah will contact the
Academy of Music for a site visit in the evening, and visits to the Beaver Brook Bridge and the
Mineral Hills Bookends will be scheduled for Saturday, September 24.
CPA Signage
Downey recapped that the Committee always felt it important to recognize CPA contributions to
projects with signage. The CPC had concluded that a standard sign for every project would
not be appropriate, and signs for some projects would not make sense. Sign decisions were
delegated to staff and a Committee representative.
Jim suggested that each grantee should produce their own sign.
The Committee agreed that the Vice-Chair should work with staff on signage for past projects, and
that going forward, sign requirements specific to each project will be addressed in contract
conditions.
5-year report to Council
Sarah presented a draft of a Powerpoint slideshow that Katharine will give to the City Council at
their September 15 meeting. It provides an overview of the CPA funding process, revenue
stream, and projects funded over the past five years.
The Committee provided feedback about style, and suggested additional material to add to make
the presentation more comprehensive.
The final presentation will be sent to the CPC when complete.
Reports from staff
Sarah noted that very few invoices or updates were received since the August 17 meeting.
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September 7, 2011
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
The Committee noted that signatures needed to place repeal of the CPA on the ballot have not yet
been turned in.
Fran suggested that the CPC sponsor a candidates forum, to allow people to meet the four
candidates seeking at-large seats.
Downey stated some concerns about the CPC hosting such an event. Public funds can’t be spent
on election work, which would present challenges, and it would be difficult to moderate to
ensure all candidates are presented equal opportunities. Additionally, one of the candidates
is a CPC member.
The Committee agreed that a candidates forum is needed, but that the CPC should not be
involved. Fran will contact the League of Women Voters to see if they may be willing to host.
The Committee reviewed the schedule, noting that the small number of applicants make it
possible to remove one of the applicant meeting dates and ensure that the recommendations
can have two council readings before the end of 2011. David moved to revise the schedule,
moving the public comment session to October 19, and the recommendation completion to
November 2. The motion was seconded by Bill, and carried unanimously.
The meeting schedule for Spring 2012 will be discussed on September 21, and Sarah will contact
Peg Keller to see if she could present the Housing Plan recommendations.
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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September 7, 2011