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Tuesday February 3, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Phil Edmundson, John Riley, Judy Sneath, 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 January 7, 2009 were approved as amended.
Administrator Update
Andrea Young handed out a “Summary of an Act to Sustain Community Preservation” for which the CP Coalition is lobbying for support on Beacon Hill. Other acts have been filed, among them one by Senator Hedlund seeking to broaden the definition of “rehabilitation” in section 7 of chapter 44B. Two other handouts provided information on the balance in the CP general reserve, and on the unspent sums from completed projects that did not take the entire appropriation.
The CPC will hold the public meeting to discuss the open space and housing authority proposals on Thursday, February 12, 2009.
Executive Session
Polled individually, each committee member voted to go into executive session to discuss the purchase of real property and not to return to open session.
The Open Session adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Executive Session
Tuesday February 3, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:25 P.M.
Members Present: Phil Edmundson, John Riley, Judy Sneath, Gene Babin, Bill Reardon, Sarah Dewey, Jim Watson, AdCom Liaison Lizzie Eldredge
Other Present: Susan Berry, Peter Rosen (Open Space Acquisition Committee members), Cliff Prentiss (Conservation Officer), Michael Cushing (for Cushing discussion only), Mr. and Mrs. Bennett (for Bennett Property discussion only)
Chairman Phil Edmundson called the executive session to order at 7:25 P.M.
Suky Berry, Open Space Acquisition Committee Chair and Peter Rosen from the OSAC distributed an information sheet summarizing the information received from Prospectus, the appraiser for all three properties. The fact sheet contained the appraised value for each property.
Actual selling prices have not been negotiated for any of the properties.
Cushing Property
Suky Berry highlighted the following:
• A 4.1 acre field is being offered for sale to the Town and was appraised at $1,000,000 - $1,275,000.
• The value of the land that Mr. Cushing is giving to the Town was appraised at $40,000-$50,000. No maintenance is required on the field because John Hornstra will continue to farm it and take the hay. It will not produce revenue.
• It is planned that a preservation restriction will be placed on the house and the land. Mr. Cushing has agreed to such a plan. He is ultimately interested in maintaining the property as is for future generations.
• Mr. Cushing is willing to be paid in installments over 4-5 years.
• Cliff Prentiss confirmed that all acquired land is rezoned “official and open space”.
• Bill Reardon commented that the property with preservation restrictions makes a very appealing package. He thanked Mr. Cushing for his generous offer.
• Chairman Edmundson said that the CPC can meet again in executive session if progress is made with negotiations.
Bennett Property
Peter Rosen introduced Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. Mr. Bennett explained to the committee that his father wanted to keep the property the way it is.
• The appraised value of the 9 plus acres is between $1,150,000 and $1,175,000. The addition of a conservation restriction would reduce the value to $1,000,000.
• The rear of the property nearly abuts the State Park. There is a small strip of land between the two properties that is owned by someone else.
• Peter Rosen emphasized the special value of the property because it contains an esker and a spring.
• Appraisers determined that there is a possibility of dividing the property into seven 50,000 sq. ft. lots, which could support 4-bedroom homes.
• Selectman Riley commented that the property is only worth what you can get for it today.
• Chairman Edmundson emphasized the importance of getting all details in order before town meeting.
• Questions: Does Mr. Bennett own the land outright? Are installments a possibility?
Noonan Property
Suky Berry and Peter Rosen commented a follows:
• The Noonan property is almost 8 acres with an appraised value of $875,000 including the house, and $610,000 without the house.
• There is room for 2 additional lots on the property.
• Mr. Noonan originally asked for $1M; however, he is interested in a quick sale and may consider less.
• Question: What does the inside of the house look like? How much would they be willing to sell the house for?
• The owner may want to keep the house for his sister to live in.
• Sewer is not available, but 2 additional septics could be placed.
Additional discussion:
• The Open Space Acquisition Committee considers the Cushing property #1 of the three.
• The Bennett property is #2. It has historical value, and contributes to a large portion of the streetscape. It offers and esker and a spring.
• Judy Sneath asked if it would be possible to buy a smaller section of the property. Peter Rosen said that he would discuss with Mr. Bennett.
Chairman Edmundson adjourned the executive session at 8:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Adminstrator