Agenda and Minutes 2011-09-21
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 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
September 7 , 2011
o
7:15 – Site Visit Schedule
7:20 – Develop Schedule for Round 1, 2012
7:35 – 5-year report to Council Recap
7:45 – Reports from staff
Project Updates
o
7:55 - Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
8:00 – Adjourn
Next meeting: October 5
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
September 21, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main St.
Members Present: Katharine Baker, Brian Adams, Fran Volkmann, David Drake, Jim
Durfer
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Chair’s Report
Katharine informed the Committee that an event celebrating ten years of the CPA will be held
September 27 at the statehouse.
Minutes – September 7, 2011
Fran moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Jim. The motion carried
unanimously.
Katharine asked for follow-up on some of the agenda items, since she was not able to attend the
meeting.
Signage: project-specific requirements for signs will be placed into contracts going forward, and
the Vice-Chair will work with staff on signs for past projects.
Candidates forum: Fran noted that she has not heard back from the League of Women Voters as
to whether they would be willing to sponsor a CPC candidates forum. The Committee
discussed the possibility of the CPC hosting a forum. Fran noted that holding a forum
wouldn’t be taking a position, so that could be an activity within its purvue. Katharine will
contact the Community Preservation Coalition to see if they have any information for CPC’s
regarding candidates forums and involvement with ballot questions.
Site Visit Schedule
Several CPC members indicated that they would not be able to attend site visits on Saturday,
September 24. Sarah will poll the CPC to determine whether that date, or Monday, October 3
would be better.
David provided a recap of the site visit to the Academy of Music.
Develop Schedule for Round 1, 2012
Sarah presented a draft schedule for Round 1, 2012. The CPC discussed timing for council votes
and meetings.
Jim moved to approve the schedule, seconded by Brian. The motion carried unanimously, with
an abstention by Fran, since she will no longer be on the CPC during the round.
5-year report to Council Recap
Fran stated the she thought the presentation went very well.
Katharine recapped the presentation, noting that it covered many issues. It generated some good
discussion and questions from Councilors about the Act and its possible repeal in
Northampton, as well as some items that the CPC should consider as it moves forward.
Sarah asked whether the CPC would like staff to take any additional action to provide information
about exemptions for seniors – the application form and income limits are available online.
The Committee agreed that this was a good way to get the word out. Jim suggested that the
Council on Aging could take the lead to help seniors fill out the application.
Katharine stated that the CPC can work to clear up existing misconceptions about exemptions,
bonding, and project leveraging.
The CPC agreed that the presentation should be made available on the Committee’s website.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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September 21, 2011
Reports from staff
Project Updates
Sarah stated that the CPC-funded portion of the Community Music Center has been completed,
and a final report will be submitted soon. The Committee will be invited to a grand opening
soon.
The Florence Organic Gardens has begun submitting invoices, Sarah has requested that the
invoices indicate what budget item they pertain to, so that she can keep track of spending
more easily.
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
None
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 21, 2011