Agenda and Minutes 2013-01-16
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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
General Public Comment
Minutes
January 2, 2013
Chair’s Report
Eligibility Forms Submitted This Round
Approve Draft MOU for State Hospital Fountain Project
Complete 2012-2014 CPA Plan Update
Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: February 6, 2013
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
January 16 , 201 3
Time: 7:0 0 pm
Place: Cit y Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Memb ers Present: Downey Meyer, Brian Adams, Dave Rothstein , Debin Bruce , Jim Durfer,
David Drake
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Downe y ca lled th e meeting to order at 7 : 0 0 PM.
General Public Comment
None
Chair’s Report
Downey stated that he spoke with Stuart Saginor, Executive Director of the Community
Preservation Coalition, who would like to provide a presentation to the Committee o n
February 6.
Downey read a request from Wayne Feiden regarding the Broad Brook Gap project, to see
whether payment of the Commissions stewardship costs for the project are allowable as a soft
costs. Sarah noted that the Conservation Commission has its own stewardship costs, which
are separate from the cost to obtain a permanent conservation restriction holder.
Brian moved to accept the applicant’s request, seconded by Debin.
Dave suggested that the Committee specify that allowing this as a soft cost is for the Broad Brook
Gap project only, and that the applicant will need to be more specific in future applications.
This may be a better fit as a reprogramming request.
Jim stated that he has concerns about expending CPA funds on conservation restrictions; the land
is already protected and placement of CR’s does not seem necessary.
Downey noted that permanent restrictions for properties acquired with CPA funds are required
by the enabling legislation.
Dave moved to table the request until the next meeting , and ask the applicant for additional
information. Seconded by Brian, the motion carried 5 - 1.
Minutes - December 19 , 201 2
Jim moved to approve the minutes as presented . Seconded by Debin, the motion carried
unanimously.
Complete 2012 - 2014 CPA Plan Up date
Downey recapped the Plan update process to - date, noting that the required public hearing was
held, and that the Committee reviewed and approved several different iterations.
Downey noted that the Mayoral recommendation process should be changed to r eflect changes to
the City Charter; the Council agenda is now set by the City Council President, and
recommendations do not need to be presented first to the Mayor.
David asked if the Committee has the authority to change that section. Downey replied that the
only limitation is what is required by the enabling legislation and City Ordinance.
Jim moved to retain the existing language requiring presentation to the Mayor. Seconded by
Dave. Dave suggested that the Committee continue discussions with the Mayo r as a courtesy.
David suggested that action be tabled until Downey speaks with the Mayor.
Brian stated his preference that a change in process be initiated by the CPC, but that a discussion
with the Mayor to receive his input makes sense.
Jim stated that he prefers that the process remain the same. The Mayor has the ultimate
authority over the City, and should be the gatekeeper with an opportunity to say no to a
recommendation.
The motion failed, 1 - 4, with one abstention.
Dave moved to amend the recommen dation language to read that the Committee presents
recommendations to both the Mayor and City Council, and change the section title to
‘Recommendations to City Council and Mayor, and City Council vote.’
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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January 16 , 2013
Seconded by Brian, the motion carried 5 - 1.
Dave mov ed to include the following changes:
2) Application Process, P. 10. Step 3 CPC Review and Public Comment. Under step 1, add the
following sentence at the end of the first paragraph, before the bullet:
In deciding how to allocate funds in any given fundin g round, the Committee may also account for
other relevant factors at the time the applications are being considered. These may include, but
are not limited, to the following: the amount of funding available; anticipated future balances; the
distribution of past funds among the four eligible categories of projects; bonding obligations and
debt service; the diversity of applicants; the applicants' history before the CPC and their past
performance and compliance; and, the ability for fully or partially fund projects.
3) Appendix C, Glossary, P. 22. To be consistent with the CPA Amendments, eliminate the phrase
"or eligible for listing" under the definition of "Historic Resources."
4) Appendix E, Expedited Review, P. 29. Number 2 now reads "High priority g oals of community
preservation..." As we have discussed, the CPC has not priori tized the many goals listed in t he
plan. Change to read "Community Preservation Goals for Northampton..."
Seconded by David, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee wi ll discuss the housing section at a future meeting.
Approve Draft MOU for State Hospital Fountain Project
Dave moved to approve the MOU as presented, with an additional condition that the park must
be permanently protected. Seconded by Debin, the motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote , the meetin g was adjourned at 8 : 40 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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January 16 , 2013