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November 4 2015 Community Preservation Committee Minutes.pdfNorthampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 November 4, 2015 Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes November 4, 2015 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Brian Adams, Jack Finn, Dave Rothstein, Toni Hochstadt, Debin Bruce, Linda Morley, Marlene Morin Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Brian called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. General Public Comment None Approval of Minutes October 7, 2015, October 14 2015 Debin moved to approve. Seconded by Linda, the motion carried unanimously Chair’s Report Brian informed the CPC that two new members were elected in the City’s November election. Bob Zimmermann has confirmed that Broad Brook Coalition received an additional $10,000 in Recreational Trails Program grant funds, so the CPA request will be reduced by $10,000. Sarah provided a financial overview. There is approximately $871,000 available in CPA funds for the entire fiscal year. This takes into account debt service and transfer to the administrative account; however $145,000 is set-aside in the affordable housing reserve and cannot be spent this round, as there are no affordable housing applications. Begin Funding Recommendations for Round 2 2015 CPA Funds The Committee began discussion with the top ranking project on the compiled ranking sheet, working to the lowest ranked. Initial discussions reflect a ‘shopping cart’ Fitzgerald Lake Dock Toni moved to place the project into the cart at the requested $30,000. Seconded by Dave. Toni noted that the project meets many evaluation criteria and seems to have a great deal of support. The motion carried unanimously. Pulaski Park Reconstruction Debin moved to place the project into the cart at $200,000. Seconded by Dave. Sarah read an email from Jim Laurila, City Engineer, requesting flexibility to be able to repay contingencies needed for burying utilities with any CPA funds awarded this round. Debin stated that she would want to ensure that CPA funds not be used to reimburse any separate contingencies for DPW work. Linda noted that the flexibility request seems like a timing issue. Debin added that the overlook work should not be started until work on the front of the Park is complete, and amended her motion to request clarification from DPW regarding the contingencies. The motion carried, 6-1. Historic Northampton Linda moved to place the project into the cart at $131,210. Seconded by Marlene. Linda added that would fund the Damon and Parsons houses work, but not work to the barn. Debin noted that the application indicated that there is a critical joint in the barn that should ideally be secured. Linda suggested approving the amount for work to the houses, and then requesting additional information from the applicant regarding securing the barn. Dave suggested awarding an additional $10,000 for the barn, and if nothing can be done those additional funds could be returned; as a condition that all funds be expended on the houses first. Linda expressed concern that so much work at Historic Northampton falls on volunteers, adding that she would be more comfortable knowing what the cost needs for securing the barn would be before deciding on an amount. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 November 4, 2015 Sarah will contact the applicant for additional information about the barn. Toni expressed concern about long-term maintenance. Jack noted that opportunities may expand as membership grows. The Committee agreed that a written response to questions about the barn stabilization would be helpful. The motion carried unanimously. Rocky Hill Acquisition Marlene moved to place the project into the cart at $90,000. Seconded by Jack. Jack noted that the acquisition is a high-priority for the Conservation Commission that could be lost if not acted upon. Brian noted that if the LAND grant is received, the CPA award will be reduced to $55,000. Dave stated that the application lacked details about ecological benefits, and that there is no immediate threat to development. Marlene noted that it is the only application related to open space preservation. The CPC discussed development potential, noting that it will increase if sewer becomes available along Route 10. Linda stated that she is not comfortable playing Russian roulette with land purchases, as opportunities can easily be lost in time. Brian added that the Conservation Commission ranked it as a top priority for the year. The motion carried, 5-2. Mineral Hills Habitat Linda moved to place the project into the cart at $3,000, seconded by Debin. The CPC discussed reasons for moving the project, which was applied for under the ‘Small Projects’ category, into the full round. Dave noted that there were questions about the Commissions approach to recommendations resulting from ‘Rediscovering Northampton 2015’ and other invasive plant management projects. Jack stated that it is a small project that would have a significant impact. Linda stated that this project can move forward regardless of priorities for other projects. Dave expressed agreement, but added that he would prefer a strict habitat improvement. The motion carried unanimously. Connecticut River Greenway Debin moved to place the project into the cart at $50,000. Seconded by Dave. Marlene noted that the area still has the feel of a private club. Debin stated that the Committee already made the decision to support through CPA funds, and the project should now be completed correctly. Dave stated that a few additional years without a top coat of pavement will likely not be a significant problem. The project should be completed, but not necessarily now. Jack suggested funding the gate. The Committee discussed signage, and management issues. Dave suggested that an agreement regarding opening and closing the gate be required as a condition of any award, and wondered why Northampton Youth and Community Rowing is now responsible for completion of the paving. The motion failed, 1-6. Debin moved to place the project into the cart at $5,000,for the gate only, with a condition requiring a written agreement for its opening and closing. Seconded by Jack, the motion carried 6-1. Academy of Music Curtains Linda moved to place the project into the cart at $46,657, for rehabilitation of the scenic curtain only. Seconded by Debin. Debin asked if replacement of the fire curtain would be allowed as a standalone project. Sarah read from the CPA Enabling Legislation, indicating that bringing the theater into compliance with codes is allowable. Linda stated that she is not satisfied that the fire curtain is in violation of any codes, and correspondence from the Fire Department only indicated support, not concern about code violation. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 November 4, 2015 The Committee discussed line item costs for lodging and meals in the application. Debin suggested that it be important to know what opportunities for the curtain have been explored. The motion failed, 1-5, with one abstenstion. The CPC agreed that the applicant should be provided feedback about the decision not to fund, including immediate needs for restoring the curtain, and clarification of any code issues. Seth Thomas Clock Debin moved to place the project into the cart at $30,000. Seconded by Dave. The Committee discussed timing of the clock installation with Pulaski Park redevelopments. Dave suggested possible fundraising, especially given the small amount of fundraising that was done for the Park. The motion failed, 2-5 The CPC will think about possible conditions in advance of the next meeting. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM