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Wednesday December 3, 2008
Hingham Town Hall
7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Phil Edmundson, John Riley, Judy Sneath, Sally Weston, Gene Babin, John Kelleher, Bill Reardon, Sarah Dewey
Chairman Phil Edmundson called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The minutes from the October 29, 2008 meeting were approved as written.
Administrator Update
Andrea Young briefly discussed the applications submitted by the Housing Authority for work to be done at Thaxter Park. The Committee will have to determine if the requests for funds to paint interior common areas and to install “gutter helmets” meet the criteria for funding under the CP Act. To qualify for Community Housing funds, a project must either “preserve” or “create” community housing.
Late Applications
Two applications for funding were recently submitted to the CPC. Hingham Boy Scout Troop One submitted an application for Historic Preservation funds, which would enable restoration of the Boy Scout House located on Leavitt Street. The application also includes a request for that rts at the Park and reviewed expenditures to date. The balance in the Bare Cove Park Account is $708,242. Bids were recently submitted for the foundation demolition and capping project. Betty Foley and Brooks Robbins recommended entering into a base contract with Moran Environmental Recovery. The base bid to do the work is $497,212 with an add alternate of $150,487. The add alternate will be deferred to a later date. Attendee Jim Clark raised the issue of the recent SJC ruling on the appropriateness of Newton’s use of CP funds for recreation projects. Mr. Clark expressed concern that based on that ruling, CP funds should not have been used for the Bare Cove Park clean-up project. Chairman Edmundson asked Andrea Young to get an opinion on the matter from Town Counsel.
Glastonbury Abbey
Bill Reardon updated the committee on the Abbey’s desire to sell acreage behind the monastery. He said that the Abbey’s focus has been on the sale of the Lincoln School Apartments. The concern with the property to the rear is whether or not it will perc. There has been some testing done, but no site has perced. There has been some thought about tying into the sewer system. Hull seems willing to explore that possibility.
New Applications for Funding
With respect to reviewing the new applications, Chairman Edmundson asked the project proponents to briefly describe their respective proposals to ensure understanding, but that there should be no discussion of the merits of the projects at this time.
Jim Watson asked to submit five additional proposals from the Housing Authority. The Chairman said that the Committee would have to vote to accept the applications, since they were received after the deadline of October 15th. He commented that CPC has accepted late applications in the past. Bill Reardon pointed out that, while he will vote to accept the HA’s applications, the Committee needs to exercise some discipline surrounding deadlines. He said that others such as Harbor Development submitted a place holder, which other groups can do as well.
Open Space – Members of the Open Space Acquisition Committee described three parcels that they recommend for purchase with CP funds this year: the Cushing, Bennett and Noonan properties. The Chairman asked Andrea Young to schedule site visits to each property. Suky Berry, OSAC Chair, requested CP Administrative Funds to obtain appraisals on the three properties. The Committee voted unanimously to authorize the Chairman and the Administrator to approve and pay up to $10,000 total for the three appraisals.
Historical Commission – Alec Macmillan discussed the Commission’s request for a block grant, the potential uses for the grant and the fact the precedent has set with last year’s block grant to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust.
Historical Society – Suzanne Buchanan, Society Executive Director, talked about proposed historic structures reports for Old Derby and fro the Old Ordinary. The reports will be used as a planning tool for the 21st century.
Harbor Development – Nick Amdur, Harbor Development Committee Chair, gave a brief history of the proposed bridge. Recent engineering and construction estimates for bridge options came in higher than expected and indicated that the culvert headwall is not suitable to support a pedestrian bridge. The new owner of 3 Otis Street is receptive to one end of the bridge being on his property. Harbor Development’s new proposal is to abandon the cantilevered bridge and build a standalone bridge. Dave Beal (Harbor Development Committee) explained that the $200,000 request for CP funds is a place holder. Total cost could be less. Judy Sneath suggested including safety measures for the intersection in the proposal as well. Jim Clark commented that Chapter 91 dictates that pedestrians can walk behind the (3 Otis street) building.
Project Manager Assignments
Chairman Edmundson asked committee members to volunteer for their preferred assignments.
Sally Weston – Thaxter Park housing and Veteran’s home
Gene Babin – 100 Beal Street wetlands delineation
John Kelleher – Historic Structure reports
Bill Reardon – Harbor Development project
Sarah Dewey – Cushing property
Judy Sneath – Bennet property
Jim Watson – Noonan property
Bill Reardon reminded the committee that there will have to be a financial review on non-profit organizations
The Chairman asked Andrea Young to determine the appropriateness of the Thaxter Park projects, respond to Jim Clark’s concern about Bare Cove Park, schedule site visits and provide OSAC with a list of appraisers.
Phil Edmundson adjourned the meeting at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator