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Agenda and Minutes 2012-05-02 City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Community Preservation Committee DATE: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 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 - General Public Comment  7:05 - Minutes - April 18, 2012  7:05 – Chair’s Report  7:10 – Complete Council Resolutions for Round 1 2012 Recommended Projects  7:45 – CPC Plan Update Process and Schedule  Adjourn For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/ Next Meeting: May 16, 2012 Community Preservation Committee Minutes May 2, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Katharine Baker, Brian Adams, Marlene Morin, Downey Meyer, David Drake, Dave Rothstein Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. Public Comment There was no public comment. Minutes – April 18, 2012 Brian moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Katharine. The motion carried unanimously. Chair’s Report Katharine informed the CPC that the Act to Sustain Community Preservation passed in the House, and will be going to the Senate in May. This could affect the second round of funding. Complete Council Resolutions for Round 1 2012 Recommended Projects The Committee reviewed draft Council resolutions that staff prepared for the recommendations decided at the April 18 meeting. Sarah noted that resolutions should include major elements of projects, and contracts can also include specific conditions for monitoring, reporting, and disbursement of funds. Beaver Brook Bridge Dave suggested that the resolution include a condition for ongoing maintenance. The CPC added a whereas statement indicating that the City has committed to maintaining the bridge, to reflect the statements and match shown in the application. The Committee discussed whether a historic preservation restriction should be required. Sarah suggested that finding a holder for the restriction could be difficult. The CPC agreed on language to require OPD to investigate whether an HPR would be possible. David moved to approve the resolution, seconded by Downey. The motion carried unanimously. Broad Brook Gap The CPC discussed the level of access that should be required. Committee members discussed whether requiring certain levels of access would be micromanaging, what types of access would be appropriate, the reasons for placing land in conservation, and who has decisionmaking responsibility for creating new trails. Downey noted that the Conservation Commission feels that public access is very important. Dave noted that BBC had mentioned their lack of plans for trails, and suggested that the resolution clarify that the Commission is responsible for deciding access issues. There was consensus about wording a ‘whereas’ statement that access from Coles Meadow Road will be provided. Downey moved to approve the Council resolution, excepting the access statement. The motion carried unanimously. Downey moved to approve the inclusion of a statement that public access from Coles Meadow Road will be provided. The motion carried, 4-2. Conservation Fund The CPC agreed that the past performance of the fund should be highlighted, to include a ‘whereas’ statement indicating acres protected. Downey moved to approve the amended resolution, seconded by Brian. The motion carried unanimously. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 May 2, 2012 Hampshire County Courthouse The Committee agreed that the resolution should be clear that CPA funds are contributing to the first phase of the project. The CPC agreed that contract conditions clarifying how Northampton’s CPA funds will be spent is needed The Committee agreed that a requirement Conservation Restriction on the courthouse lawn should be included in the resolution. David moved to approve the amended resolution, seconded by Downey. The motion carried unanimously CPC Plan Update Process and Schedule The Committee agreed that the Plan update should be postponed until the CPA legislation vote occurs in the Senate, since this could change priorities for recreation and community housing by adding additional allowable uses. The next meeting will be June 6. Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published Brian moved to thank Katharine Baker for her leadership, seconded by David. The Committee said good-bye to Katharine and the motion carried unanimously. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 May 2, 2012