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Oct 7 2015 Community Preservation Committee Minutes.pdfNorthampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 October 7, 2015 Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes October 7, 2015 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Brian Adams. Toni Hochstadt, Debin Bruce, Dave Rothstein, Linda Morley, David Drake, Jack Finn, Marlene Morin (7:10) Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Brian called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. General Public Comment None Welcome New Members Brian stated that Jack has been sworn in, and is now an official voting member of the CPC. Approval of Minutes David moved to approve the July 15 meeting minutes. Seconded by Debin, the motion carried unanimously. David moved to approve the September 16 meeting minutes. Seconded by Jack, the motion carried unanimously. Approve FY 16 Financial Transfers Sarah provided an overview of a financial order to be presented to City Council that will deposit ten percent of projected revenue into the open space, historic preservation and community housing accounts. It will also set-aside funds for debt service and administrative costs. Debin moved to approve the Order as presented. Seconded by Linda, the motion carried unanimously. Approve Council Order for Lathrop Communities Small Grant Brian recalled that the Committee voted to allocate $3,000 to the project, and that this was contingent upon public access being guaranteed for the term of the project. Sarah stated that this is reflected in the order, and Lathrop did not have concerns. Dave suggested providing a link to the small grants procedure to the City Council . Sarah will add the procedure as an attachment. There was consensus that the order and cover letter should be submitted to council as presented, with the discussed changes. Meetings With Round 2 2015 Applicants for CPA Funds Fitzgerald Lake Bridge, Boardwalk and Dock Rehabilitation - Broad Brook Coalition Bob Zimmermann, BBC President, provided an overview of the project. The bridge from the parking lot provides access to all trails at Fitzgerald Lake, and the boardwalk provides access to the lake and for boats. It has held up well with need for some repairs, but is now in need of major work. Issues include channeled water under the boardwalk, flooding, slumping, and 90 degree angles that make handicapped access difficult. The project proposes installation of diamond and helical piers to minimize wetlands impacts, a new bridge span, and removal of 90 degree angles. Conservation works has estimated the total cost to be $80,000, and $40,000 has already been received from a recreational trails grant. This award is to be used primarily for bridge repairs, and there is a possibility of additional funds; BBC is working with the RTP program to address some questions about the dock. The Recreational Trails Grant Committee will be meeting this evening, and an answer regarding those funds should follow soon. Beaver issues are hopefully resolved, and the lake level is hoped to remain stable. Dave asked about materials to be used on the boardwalk extension into Fitzgeral Lake and whether BBC whether a floating dock was considered given past flooding of infrastucture. Bob replied that decking will be wood, and piers will be steel. BBC decided against a floating dock, as they are expensive and difficult to make accessible. David suggested additional features to improve accessibility for boaters. Bob stated that the easiest access for boat accessibility is a sloping shoreline, but that some additional features would be worthwhile to consider for the future. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 October 7, 2015 Linda asked how long the dock will last. Bob replied that it’s expected to be 20-25 years, adding that design changes will help to keep it stable and prolong its life. David noted that wood preservatives that are the most effective are often the most harmful. Bob stated that only methods approved for aquatic use will be employed. David stated that FLCA is a natural environment, and asked how removal of plants as part of the project is balanced. Bob replied that it is a small scale removal that will not have a big ecological impact. Damon, Shepherd, Parsons House Repairs - Historic Northampton Kiki Smith, Board President, and Kris Thompson, carpenter, provided an overview. A great deal of work was able to be accomplished with the previous CPA award, and recapped the items requested for funding this round, along with their priorities. Kris stated that the barn on the property is very unique and is in need of repairs. However, it is a big ticket item and it is difficult to separate repairs into smaller pieces. David noted that conducting work while the buildings are occupied presents an added challenge, and asked if it were possible to move the collections temporarily. Kiki replied that Historic Northampton has been searching for a large, secure, heated space, but have not been able to find anything appropriate. Debin added that work funded with the previous award has also created additional dry and usable spaces. Linda asked if the current request will address all of the Museum’s major issues. Kiki stated that ongoing maintenance will be needed, but that this would address the backlog of major needed work. Kris expressed concern about the knob and tube wiring. Toni asked if there is potentially any rot present that has yet to be discovered. Kris replied that he does not anticipate any surprises. Marlene asked if phasing is possible. Kris replied that it is difficult to separate the work, and stop-gap measures would be needed. Dave asked if Historic Northampton agrees with Kris that partial funding should be spent on the main buildings instead of the barn. Kiki replied that this had not been a specific discussion but would suspect that the Board would agree that the main buildings need to be secured. Jack asked about strategies for increasing public support. Kiki replied that Historic Northampton has received a grant for a citywide web history project, and more programs and lectures are being offered. Membership has tripled since the last CPA award, and balanced books and completed repairs will allow for other types of fund to be sought. Dave noted that one of the Committee’s criteria is to ensure the longevity of projects funded and that grantees have the financial wherewithal to ensure future maintenance will be undertaken. . He asked about the status of the Historic Norhtampton’s reserve funds. Kiki replied that the new furnace and storm windows will help to reduce these. A maintenance fund has not yet been established, but is in planning stages. Mineral Hills Habitat - Northampton Conservation Commission Wayne Feiden provided an overview of the project. Mineral Hills is one of the City’s three largest conservation areas. The area included in the application was a pasture until about 2000, and has since been taken over by both invasives and native plants. Debin asked if goats were considered. Wayne replied that they are, but would not be practical at initial stages. Wayne provided a recap of the work resulting from the Rediscovering Northampton plan – recommendations will soon be prioritized. Dave asked about incongruity between habitat creation and possible grazing. Wayne replied that it’s not yet known whether an appropriate farmer can be found. If not farmland, the area will be only grassland habitat. Management is often governed by conservation restrictions, and this one specifies that up to five acres of farming is permitted. Dave asked if Planning and the Conservation Commission will return to CPA to request a fund for priority invasive species management projects, either individually or lump sum. Wayne replied that such a discussion has not yet been had, but would take the CPA’s lead on that. Funds remaining in the Rediscovering Northampton Plan account are being used to hire Laurie Sanders for specific projects. Seth Warner Clock Restoration, Northampton Office of Planning & Sustainability Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 October 7, 2015 Wayne Feiden stated that the Clock has been acquired, using CPA funds, and has been moved to the former leachate plant building at the landfill. A historic decorative piece for the top has also been purchased to use in place of the former advertising. Debin asked if any historic information will be provided. Wayne replied that this hadn’t been considered but certainly could be. Rocky Hill Connector - Northampton Conservation Commission Wayne Feiden stated that the Commission conducts several acquisitions per year, including one big one, and this is the big project for this year. It abuts the Rocky Hill Greenway which was acquired in 2014 for both ecological and bike path connections. This one will serve only an ecological purpose. A limited development project is possible if the LAND grant is not received. Dave asked about the end-all vision for the corridor, and the purpose this acquisition will serve. He asked whether the previous year’s acquaisiton of the adjecant property using CPA funds would serve the same purpose. Wayne stated that if developed, a great deal of access to the area for both people and animals would be blocked, and it would also make the adjoining parcel less ecologically valuable. Dave asked which wildlife species would benefit from the migratory corridor for which protection of the parcel is sought. Wayne deferred and stated that he would ask Massachusetts Audubon to respond. Review CPA Plan Discussion will continue through the fall. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:51 PM