Agenda and Minutes 2012-08-15
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, August 15, 2012
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Downey Meyer, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
downeymeyer@gmail.com
Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov
(413) 587-1263
Agenda
7:00 - General Public Comment
7:05 - Minutes - June 6, 2012
7:05 – Chair’s Report
7:10 – Q&A for Applicants (if needed)
7:20 – Sign previously approved contracts and MOU
7:25 – Welcome New Member
7:30 - Elect Chair and Vice-Chair
7:35 – CPA Legislation Amendment Overview
7:45 – Round 2 Eligibility Forms Submitted
7:55 – CPC Plan Update Working Session
8:45 - Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: September 5
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
August 15, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Brian Adams, Downey Meyer, David Drake, Dave Rothstein, Joe
DeFazio, Jim Durfer, Bill Breitbart, Debin Bruce
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Downey called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Public Comment
None
Minutes - June 6, 2012
Postponed until September meeting.
Chair’s Report
Downey stated that the ‘Act to Sustain Community Preservation’ was passed.
Downey provided an overview of the eligibility forms received. None were immediately ineligible,
though details will be needed during the review process.
The Academy of Music’s Cultural Facilities grant was not received, but the rest of the funds
required to complete the project must still be obtained. Jim noted that a $61,000 Green
Communities grant was received for roof work, but that may not cover all associated costs.
Jim moved to communicate to the Academy that a new application will be needed due to
confusion with budgets and other funding sources. Seconded by Debin.
The Committee discussed project phasing as proposed in the application and required in the
contract.
Bill suggested that the language in the contract be reinforced, that a budget and sources of
matching funds must be provided.
Dave added that requiring a new submittal does not seem necessary, if contract conditions are not
met, the funds will not be released.
The motion failed, 1-7.
Brian moved that staff/Chair notify the Academy that the CPC expects to see a financial match for
50% of the roof cost secured before CPA funds are made available. Seconded by Jim.
The Committee discussed the $25,000 Expedited award for design work that was made available
from the roof and auditorium project.
Dave added that the construction budget developed from the expedited award will be the basis for
determining what the 50% matching requirement will be.
The motion carried unanimously.
Q&A for Applicants
Jackie Duda, Northampton State Hospital Fountain Memorialization Committee provided an
overview of the project and the reasons it was not submitted in 2009 as originally intended.
Now that the road layout has been identified, the fountain is planned to be placed in a park
location very close to where it was formerly located.
Jackie asked about adding recreation/open space to the application. The Committee agreed this
is also eligible, and noted that Historical Commission support is needed since the fountain is
not listed in the State Register of Historic Places.
Sign previously approved contracts and MOU
The Committee agreed that a quorum of the CPC would stay after the meeting to sign. Marlene
pointed out that the MOU stated ‘owner’ instead of ‘grantor.’ Sarah will fix this error before
providing to grantees.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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August 15, 2012
Welcome New Member
The Committee welcomed Debin Bruce, the representative from the planning board, and
introduced themselves.
Elect Chair and Vice-Chair
Jim moved to nominate Downey as Chair. Seconded by Dave, the motion carried unanimously.
Brian moved to nominate David as Vice Chair, seconded by Joe. As David was not present, the
Committee agreed to table a vote until the next meeting and the motion was withdrawn.
Review and Approve Round 1 2012 Contracts
Sarah noted that contracts must be approved by the Committee, then sent to grantees for review
and signatures, then returned the CPC and City for signatures.
CPA Legislation Amendment Overview
Sarah provided an overview of changes to the CPA Enabling legislation made by ‘An Act to
Sustain Community Preservation.’ These included an added definition of ‘support of
community housing,’ allowing CPA funds to be spent on rehabilitation of existing recreational
facilities, clarification of ‘maintenance,’ and allowing appropriations for recreation projects to
be made from the 10% annual set-aside for open space.
Round 2 Eligibility Forms Submitted
No discussion.
CPC Plan Update Working Session
Downey suggested that there are three categories of changes: minor updates and administrative
changes, updates for legislative amendments, and substantial changes about needs and
priorities and changes to process.
The Committee discussed Dave’s suggestion to add a mini-round to encourage submittal of small
projects. Dave will outline a potential process.
Staff will compile a ‘track changes’ version of the plan incorporating suggested changes for
consideration at the next meeting.
Downey asked that all members consider the process sections of the Plan for re-evaluation and to
see if procedures outlined there still make sense.
Joe stated that he appreciates flexibility in reviewing applications; each round presents different
challenges and funding decisions have been good.
Dave suggested that evaluation criteria should also be re-visited, in Round 1 2012 funding
decisions, the Committee did not establish which criteria were addressed.
The working session will continue at the next meeting.
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
None
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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August 15, 2012