April 29 2015 Community Preservation Committee Minutes.pdfNorthampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1
April 29, 2015
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
April 29, 2015
Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Downey Meyer, Glenn Connly, Brian Adams, Dave Rothstein, Linda
Morley, Toni Hochstadt, David Drake Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Downey called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. General Public Comment
None
Approval of Minutes
March 4, 2015, March 18, 2015, April 1 2015, February 11 2015, January 21 2015, May 21 2014, March 5 2014
Glenn moved to approve all sets of minutes. Seconded by David, the motion carried unanimously. Chair’s Report
Downey stated that the Academy of Music has received a Preservation Award from the
Massachusetts Historical Commission for restoration work that was funded in part through a
CPA award, and that HAP will soon be taking title to the Pleasant Street property that was
funded with CPA affordable housing funds.
Review and Approve Council Orders for Projects Recommended for Funding with Round 1 2015 CPA Funds
Broad Brook Greenway Acquisition
Linda moved to approve the Order as presented by staff. Seconded by Glenn. The CPC made clarifications to the language regarding recreation potential, and added language
regarding increased potential to effectively manage the roadway to the Dam.
The motion carried unanimously.
Seth Thomas Clock Dave moved to approve the Order as presented by staff. Seconded by David.
Dave asked if fundraising should be specifically called out in the Order. David stated that
fundraising is a great idea, although the constituency to complete a successful campaign may not exist. The Committee agreed to add the language regarding fundraising to the Order as stated in
the project application. The motion carried unanimously.
Conservation Fund
Linda moved to approve the Order as presented by staff, with a correction to reflect the recommendation amount of $20,000. Seconded by Glenn. The Committee agreed to clarify language to reflect that all purchases will still need to be
approved by the Conservation Commission and City Council. The motion carried unanimously.
Pulaski Park Redevelopment Brian moved to approve the Order as presented by staff. Seconded by Debin.
The Committee clarified language to reflect that the current recommendation is only for the
existing park footprint, and it will be matched by a PARC grant. The Committee also agreed to change the amount to be provided from the budgeted reserve to $120,000; reducing the amount
recommended for borrowing by $20,000.
David noted that there was a good deal of negative feedback received about the entranceway sign,
and suggested that it not be funded. The Committee agreed that decisions about specific design
elements should be left to DPW and other public processes; noting that even though the Order
does not allow the evergreen tree to be funded with CPA funds, it can still be included in the
project.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2
April 29, 2015
The motion carried, 6-1, with Glenn opposing because the Order calls out the evergreen tree as an
item that cannot be funded with the CPA. The motion carried unanimously.
Recommendation Cover Letter
The CPC approved the letter with minor corrections.
Dave moved to confirm and finalize all previous votes. Seconded by Linda, the motion carried
unanimously.
CPA Plan Update
Dave noted that the Plan references other plans that are in some cases outdated, and that relevant
boards and Committees should be consulted.
The Committee will meet on May 20 to discuss small projects and begin working on the Plan
update, and on June 17 to finalize the Small Projects procedures.
August 5th will be a meeting to finalize the Plan, with a placeholder July 15th if a meeting is
necessary.
Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM