Loading...
Oct 21 2015 Community Preservation Committee Minutes.pdfNorthampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 October 21, 2015 Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes October 21, 2015 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Brian Adams. Toni Hochstadt, Debin Bruce, Dave Rothstein, Linda Morley, Jack Finn, Marlene Morin Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Brian called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. General Public Comment None Approval of Minutes None Public Comment Session on CPA Applications Historic Northampton Residents of Bedford Terrace expressed support, recalling a recent visit to a peanut roaster, and stating that it is important resource for the community. A mother and daughter stated that the museum allows people to feel connected with the community, and recalled participating in an archaeological dig. Mark Carmien stated that great strides have been made to address issues at Historic Northampton over the past year, and that more work is needed to secure the buildings. Jennifer Normanly, Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, stated that she has never before encountered a historical society that is so involved and welcoming, and expressed support. Amy Halladay stated that she is new to Northampton, and stated that Historic Northampton provides an excellent sense of community. Finishing structural repairs will allow the Museum to focus on other parts of its mission. Craig Della Penna expressed support, and thanked the Committee for funding of many excellent historic projects over the years. Hope Gardiner, elementary schools gardening program coordinator, stated that the Bridge Street Schools collaborate with Historic Northampton on a heritage crops garden. Janet Gross stated that this project is an opportunity to protect vital historic buildings and the artifacts they contain. Jane Slattery, DAR Betty Allen Chapter, noted the challenges that DAR has with just one historic house, and expressed support for funding of Historic Northampton, which has four. If the buildings and the artifacts they contain are lost, countless stories will also be lost forever. Carol Bilgart stated that she is a 4th generation resident, and told about an opportunity she had to take a cousin from California to visit a trunk their family had donated. Peter DiRose, retired Daily Hampshire Gazette publisher, stated that the lessons of the past inform decisions and actions about the future, and expressed support. Laurie Sanders stated that she is conducting a series of talks with the support of Historic Northampton, and the high attendance at these indicates how historical topics resonate with the community. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 October 21, 2015 Kiki Smith, Chair of Historic Northampton board, recapped efforts made to reach out to the community over the past few years. She expressed support, noting that completing needed repairs will allow the museum to continue its mission. Barbara Blumenthal stated that she began volunteering at Historic Northampton while a Smith College student in the 1970s, and it is good to see that people are excited and engaged. She read comments from 18 other supporters who could not attend, including the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, a family who donated a peanut roaster, Ellen Augarten, Fred Zimnoch, Alice Shearer, Edward McColgan, and Mike Kirby, all of which noted the benefit to the community of having such a resource. Kim Graham, a descendant of the Parsons family, noted that bookkeeping has improved greatly over the past year, and she is very optimistic about the vision for the future. Martha Hoppen, Historic Northampton volunteer, noted the importance of historic collections and their importance to the community and beyond. Sarah Lenox stated that she first visited Historic Northampton in 1974, noted that the buildings contain history up to the present, and that a local historian group will be working on additional research and making knowledge more available to the public. Fitzgerald Lake Dock Bob Bissell, former BBC board member, stated that the North Farms Road entrance is heavily used, and that the dock and bridge have deteriorated over the years. This will make the area more accessible for all, and half of the funding has already been secured. Dave Reuterman expressed support, noting that BBC is entirely volunteer-run and is supported by the community. Laurie Sanders noted that a new “Rediscovering Northampton” was completed this year, and the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area was not contiguous when she completed the first report in the 1990s. Since then it has become the City’s signature conservation area. BBC’s plan demonstrates commitment and sensitivity to the area. Connecticut River Greenway Erin Anderson, head rowing coach, stated that a new gate will create visibility for the park, and that finishing the paving will make the parking lot last a lot longer and increase accessibility. Gloria Depulvio, NYCR board, stated that NYCR and the City are in the process of opening up the area to more people and groups, and that this project will help them to do that. Academy of Music Curtains Debra J’Anthony, Executive Director, stated that the Tuttle Curtain; the largest on the east coast and possibly the country; is rare and unique. The Academy will continue to provide its popular free history tours to showcase the curtain once restored, and the fire curtain restoration will bring that up to code. Tom Douglas stated that he designed the last three renovations to the theater, and that the historic curtain is really unusual, adding that very little remains from past performances at the Theater. The fire curtain, required to separate the more fire-prone stage from the audience seating, also serves to protect the Theater. Mineral Hills Habitat Laurie Sanders stated that the proposal was developed as a result of Rediscovering Northampton. The area was a pasture until fairly recently. It will address emerging invasive species issues, as well as increase wood turtle habitat, which will also provide expanded recreational opportunities. Rocky Hill Acquisition Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 October 21, 2015 Tom Lautzenhaiser, MassAudubon, stated that the acquisition will create an opportunity to preserve wildlife movement. While it may seem small, it is part of a larger connection from Arcadia to Mount Tom and beyond. Ann Lombard read a statement from Arcadia director Jonah Keane, who expressed support. Gary Warner stated that the acquisition will help to preserve Northampton for future generations. Elizabeth Wroblicka stated that this parcel is an important piece that allows for wildlife movement and climate change resiliency. Bob Bissell expressed support, noting that he can’t underscore the corridor concept enough. Laurie Sanders noted that the parcel was identified in the 1993 Rediscovering Northampton for acquisition. It has unique history and geology, and is one of two undeveloped drumlins in the City. Financial Overview Sarah stated that $1,150,000 is requested. The final state match is not known, but between $1,013,000 and $1,163,000 will be available for FY16. Begin Funding Recommendations Sarah will send a ranking sheet. Linda suggesting holding off discussions, hoping that the final state match will be known by the next meeting. Toni suggested that the Committee should establish whether a second funding round will be held. Dave expressed support for at least initially planning to reserve half of the funds for a second round, and also suggested that CPC members review the Plan criteria for projects. Debin noted the quality of the applications and projects in this round. Marlene suggested that cancelling a second round would be unfair to those planning to apply. Jack suggested deliberating to see if amounts can be adjusted, but not strictly adhering to a split. Funding discussion to resume at next meeting. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM