Community Preservation Committee
Monday, July 11, 2011 - 4:00 pm
Chatham Community Center
Chatham, Massachusetts
Present: John Kaar, Chair, Victor DiCristina, Ira Seldin, Jane Moffett and Joanne Taylor
Absent: Carol Scott, Cynthia Small
Others Present: Alix Heilala, Director of Finance, Town of Chatham
Item 1: Additions to the Agenda
- Victor DiCristina – Edson Property
- Victor DiCristina – CPC Update handouts
- John Kaar – Publicity re. Fratus Property
- Jane Moffett – Update on Marconi affordable houses
Item 2: Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the June 6, 2011 meeting were approved with the following correction:
- Page 2 – add “of” in first sentence regarding the Public Hearing: “John Kaar distributed copies of an advertisement . . . .”
Item 3: Reorganization of the Committee
Committee vacancies were discussed briefly. Members were encouraged to recruit new members. John Kaar stressed that, ideally, new “at large” members should be involved in many aspects of the community.
Joanne Taylor nominated John Kaar as Chair
Victor DiCristina seconded the nomination
John Kaar indicated that he is willing to serve for one additional year.
Vote: John Kaar was elected Chair by a vote of 5 – 0 – 0.
Ira Seldin nominated Victor DiCristina as Vice Chair
Jane Moffett seconded the nomination.
Victor DiCristina indicated that he is willing to serve again as Vice Chair.
Vote: Victor DiCristina was elected Vice Chair by a vote of 5 – 0 – 0.
Victor DiCristina nominated Carol Scott as Clerk
Ira Seldin seconded the nomination.
Vote: Carol Scott was elected Clerk by a vote of 5 – 0 – 0.
There was brief discussion about the re-appointment of several members by the Board of Selectmen. Alix Heilala will check on the status of the re-appointments.
Item 4: Financial Information – Project Update
Alix Heilala distributed a draft report of all open CPC projects. There was discussion about which projects should remain open and which could be closed out with funds returned to the CPC general fund.
Project Notes
06-05- Affordable Housing This is an earlier version of the rental voucher program from 2005. Alix Heilala indicated that the Falmouth Housing Authority, which had been consulting on this program, can no longer do so, so it is advisable to close the program. Other assistance is available through the Technical Assistants program.
18-05 – Marconi RFP A new RFP is being issued. $25,386.22 remains and can be returned to the CPC fund.
19-05 – Housing Voucher John Kaar indicated that Valerie Foster may have already sent a note to the Town to request that this program be closed. A second program has been initiated to replace this one.
Alix Heilala will check with Valerie Foster about this program.
17-06 – Housing voucher Alix Heilala will check with Valerie Foster about the status of this program.
30-07 – Open Space Acquisition This project will remain open/active
35-07 – Architectural Survey This project will remain open
35-07 – Marconi Site Preservation This project will remain open
20-08 – Conservation Land Mgmt This project will remain open.
21-09 – Training Field Sign Only $38 remains. The project will be closed and if additional funding is needed, it can be obtained from other sources.
22-09 – Historic Property Survey All funds have been expended.
16-10 – Nickerson Papers This project will remain open.
17-10 – Eldredge Library Stairs This project has been completed and is closed.
19-11 – Administrative Expenses $14,121.00 has been expended. There was brief discussion regarding the use of these funds. Alix Heilala will provide details at the next meeting.
26-11 – Edson Property These funds have been expended ($500,000).
21-11 – Godfrey Grist Mill This project is beginning and will remain open.
28-11 – Affordable Housing voucher Alix Heilala will discuss this project with Valerie Foster.
29-11 – Watershed Land (Fratus) These funds have been expended ($500,000).
The report also indicated that the final debt service payment ($304,875) for the historic preservation of the Chatham Community Center has been made. John Kaar indicated that the bond payments have been added to “historic preservation” over the years that they have been made.
Alix Heilala distributed the Community Preservation Fund Report, indicating a total estimated fund balance of $805,180.03. She stated that these figures will likely change a little once the final tax rate has been set in October.
A table of estimated revenues was all distributed to all present.
Discussion turned to the Edson Property and the need for the Landbank to borrow to meet its obligations. Alix Heilala and Victor DiCristina explained that because of timing issues, the Landbank could not meet its obligations timely, thus requiring that they borrow money. Rather than pay interest on borrowed funds, the CPC will be asked to make up the difference from its Open Space reserves . $250,000 will be needed to bridge the gap. These funds would be returned to the CPC when the Landbank finally meets its obligations, but this will not occur until near 2020. It is possible that there will be a Special Town Meeting this Fall at which time this request can be made to the voters.
Alix Heilala will prepare an application to the CPC requesting these funds and explaining the reason for the additional request.
John Kaar said that this item will need to be on a posted agenda for the next meeting.
Item 5: CPC Update
Victor DiCristina distributed an updated list of CPC members and projects. This is an update of a prior report which includes the most recent project.
Item 6: Marconi Homes
Jane Moffett asked about the vacancies remaining in the Marconi affordable homes. Joanne Taylor said that they have been advertised but not yet occupied. Renovations have been completed. Joanne Taylor will check with Valerie Foster about the rental status. There was brief discussion about one family that had been unable to purchase a home and had requested to remain. This was not allowed as the program is intended to prepare residents for homeownership and avoid long-term rental situations.
Item 7: Public Hearing
There was discussion about the results of the June 20, 2011 Public Hearing. Several ideas generated at the hearing (dog park and skating rink) were mentioned Ira Seldin will bring these ideas before the Parks and Recreation Commission to determine if there is interest in pursing their development.
John Kaar suggested that other organizations/groups could be identified to serve as “champions” of these and other ideas.
Assistance for the creation of private historic preservation deed restrictions was also discussed. Jane Moffett will investigate the cost is of developing a deed restriction for an historic property. There was concern about Town Meeting being willing to fund these private deed restrictions. The Chatham Historical Society could identify potential properties and develop an application to CPC for this type of funding.
There was brief discussion regarding the role of the CPC – whether to be pro-active or re-active. This will be discussed again at future meetings.
Item 8: Next Meeting/Adjournment
The next meeting will be August 1, 2011 at 4 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm
Marie Williams
Notes by Marie Williams
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