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Wednesday January 7, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Phil Edmundson, John Riley, Judy Sneath, Sally Weston, Gene Babin, Bill Reardon, Sarah Dewey, Jim Watson, AdCom Liaison Lizzie Eldredge
Chairman Phil Edmundson called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
The minutes from the December 3, 2008 meeting were approved as written.
Administrator Update
Andrea Young informed the committee that the appraisals for the three properties proposed for acquisition are being completed by Prospectus, Inc., the firm that did the appraisal on the Mobil Station. The appraisals will be substantially complete by the end of January. Also, the projects submitted by the Housing Authority will not be a part of tonight’s discussion. The applicant requested additional time to prepare. Finally, the Open Space Acquisition Committee asked if they could meet with the CPC earlier in February, before February 11. The Chairman asked to discuss the schedule at the end of the meeting.
2009 Requests for Funding – Project Presentations
Historic Structures Report – Suzanne Buchanan, Executive Director of the Hingham Historical Society explained that the amount of funding requested, $60,000, will be used to pay for two reports, one on Old Derby Academy and one on the Old Ordinary. She stated that the reports will be an excellent planning tool for the Society; in addition, the reports can be used to obtain future funding from private resources, and to enable application for National Register status. The Old Ordinary may also qualify for listing as a National Historic Landmark. National status is required to qualify for certain Federal Preservation funds. The Society submitted financial statements to the CPC for review, as is required of all non-profit applicants. Ms. Buchanan added that the Historical Society is planning various fund raising efforts, and is establishing an Old Derby Advisory Committee.
Historical Commission Preservation Projects Fund Request – Alec Macmillan, Chairman of the Historical Commission discussed the Commission’s request for a sum of $62,000 to be deposited in the HC’s Preservation Projects Fund. He submitted a list of possible projects to the Committee and explained that obtaining the lump sum would allow the HC to provide funds for worthy preservation-related projects in a timely manner, and to respond to unforeseen needs. Mr. Macmillan cited the lump sum already awarded to the Housing Authority Trust at last year’s TM as precedent. He said that the annual process to obtain CP funding for small projects is long, and adds to the articles that have to be voted at town meeting. Gene Babin said that he is concerned about giving out a sum of money that is not planned for anything specific. Lizzie Eldredge suggested that there should be some kind of checks and balances so that the CPC can see how the money is being used. Chairman Edmundson said that the Housing Trust was told that they would have to report to the CPC on the use of the CP funds received. If the Committee isn’t comfortable with the report, then the HHAT will not receive funds in the future. Mr. Macmillan submitted additional documents to the Committee that dealt with future applications for CP Historic Preservation funds. Chairman Edmundson asked to discuss the contents of the documents at a separate meeting.
Troop One Boy Scout House – Sue Sullivan, member of the Troop One Parents Committee, described the project proposed for the Scout house, which includes repairing the sills, and the large stone chimney. She said that the Scouts are asking for between $60,000 and $90,000 to complete the necessary work and that they are also requesting administrative funds get obtain a better estimate of the cost of the project. Sarah Dewey expressed her concern that the application to restore the Scout house is really a maintenance and repair project and does not qualify for CP funds. The Committee agreed that administrative funds should not be given to a project until the committee determines that the project qualifies and has merit. Additional discussion among Sue Sullivan, attendee Scott Ford and the Committee indicated that the matter of the Scout House and its status with respect to inclusion in the historic district is still in question.
Conservation Fund – Conservation Officer Cliff Prentiss said that the Conservation Commission is asking for $50,000 to be placed in the Conservation Fund. The fund is used to pay for appraisals, various fees, and other expenses related to maintaining or acquiring conservation land in the town. CP funds were placed in the Conservation Fund after ATM 2006 approval. The balance is in the Conservation Fund to date is $38,000. Mr. Prentiss explained that almost all is earmarked for work on Foundry Pond Dam, clean up remaining on the Amonte property, and closing costs associated with land recently donated to the town. There was additional discussion on the use of CP funds for the dam. Andrea Young read from a portion of the CP Act that indicated that CP funds may be used for the purpose of cleaning up the dam. Selectman Riley said that he supports the work on the dam, and that we will only harm ourselves by delaying.
Other Business
Gene Babin said that the amount requested for the Beal Street wetlands delineation project is too low. The amount currently requested is $7,100. Mr. Babin estimates that the actual cost is more like $13,200. The work is to be done on the parcel of land behind Beal Street, site of a proposed affordable housing project.
Jim Clark asked if there was a written legal opinion on the use of CPC funds in Bare Cove Park. He referenced the “Newton Decision”. Chairman Edmundson said that Town Counsel provided a verbal opinion on the matter. Mr. Toomey said that the use was appropriate because the area where the work is being done is a “blighted” area. Mr. Edmundson added that he thought the Newton case was different from Bare Cove Park because Newton was refurbishing existing playgrounds and baseball fields.
The Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. and will go into Executive Session to discuss the open space proposals.
Phil Edmundson adjourned the meeting at 9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator