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Members Present: Bill Reardon, Gary Tondorf-Dick, Sarah Dewey, Jim Watson, John Kelleher, Dan Coughlin, Sally Weston
Absent: John Riley
Chairman Bill Reardon called the meeting to order when a quorum was reached at 7:10 P.M.
The minutes from the October 21, 2009 meeting were approved as written.
Administrator’s Report
Members of Town Committees and Boards are designated as “Special Municipal Employees”, and as such are required to pass an online test administered by the State Ethics Commission. The certificate awarded upon completion of the test, must be filed with the Town Clerk. The test must be completed by April 1, 2010.
Preliminary Review of Applications
Bill Reardon gave an overview of the site visits made by CPC members to the three properties proposed for acquisition, the Memorial Bell Tower and Foundry Pond. The visits were helpful in getting a better understanding of each project. Project Managers were then asked to provide a brief overview of their respective projects.
A. Restoration of Bells – Memorial Bell Tower
Gary Tondorf-Dick provided details of “Option 3”, the preferred restoration described in the project estimate prepared by Whitechapel Foundry, England. The cost of the restoration project is $265,000 plus the cost of additional work required to prepare the tower for project. Chairman Reardon said that the various aspects of the project are not clear and that the grant request would benefit from some fine-tuning.
B. Building Envelope Restoration – Bare Cove Fire Museum
The building is leaking through the roof and through the brick. The project involves repointing the brick and replacing the roof. The existing roof is corrugated asbestos. The remainder of the building is sound. John Kelleher reported that the Fire Museum has a $50,000 endowment. They operated at a $5,000 loss last year.
C. Samuel Litchfield House Restoration – Country Club
The Country Club Management Committee wants to stabilize the house on the premises. A future use for the house is uncertain. Recently, the Housing Authority Trust indicated an interest in moving the house to 80 Beal Street to add 4 units to the affordable housing already proposed for that property. Jay McGrail stated that whether or not the house is moved, the CCMC has an interest in keeping the property from deteriorating further.
D. 375th Anniversary Time Capsule
The 375th Committee is requesting $1,216 to purchase a container in which to bury artifacts from the Town’s year-long celebration. The capsule used to store the memorabilia from the 350th anniversary was donated. CPC Liaison John Riley will ask the 375th Committee to investigate a similar donation.
E. Foundry Pond Restoration
The $2.4M Hingham Harbor dredging project is nearly finished and there may be money left over. The State may consider Foundry Pond as part of the harbor and thus, using the remainder to pay for dredging Foundry Pond. The State pays 75% of the dredging and the Town pays 25%; therefore, the Town’s cost to dredge the pond in conjunction with the State may be as little as $162,500. Flooding and damage to the fish habitat are the two biggest issues driving the dredging of the pond.
F. Noonan Property Acquisition
Mike Pollard described the advantages of the site, originally considered for purchase last year. The pond on the property drains into the Weir River and is a traditional skating pond. The State recognizes it as an ACEC. The current owners would either sell the house with the property or carve off a lot and remain. Developers have made offers on the property.
G. Nosiglia Property Acquisition
The property is located off Tower Brook Road and is connected to the Weir River Water Basin via the Crooked Meadow River at the rear of the property. The property is currently 2 lots with a house located on one of the lots. There are a minimum of 3 buildable 1 acre house lots on the 2 lots combined. Meeting attendee Tom Patch, who is assisting Mr. Nosiglia, said that if developed, the developer would have to put in a cul-de-sac. He described the property as being the “keystone parcel” among the surrounding properties; by acquiring it the Town would effectively be purchasing the development rights of abutting properties. Chairman Reardon suggested that Gary Tondorf-Dick discuss the merits of this property with the Planning Board.
H. Sawmill Pond (Chase) Property Acquisition
The proposal is to purchase the property for $100,000 (valued at $48,000) and owner David Chase would create a science center on the site for the schools to use as a wetlands teaching facility.
I. Fort Hill Veteran’s House
The existing house is to be demolished and a new 6 bedroom residence will be built to house veterans. The Historical Commission is currently reviewing the demo request under the Demolition Delay By-Law. John Yazwinski, Father Bill’s/Mainspring briefly discussed the business plan emphasizing that the house would be self-sustaining. Gary Tondorf-Dick stated that he takes issue with CPC funds being used to raze an historic home, and expressed concern that the new residence may not be in character with the streetscape. Jim O’Brien suggested including design review of the new structure in the warrant article.
J. 80 Beal Street Affordable Housing
Jim O’Brien reported that the HAHT has a signed purchase and sale agreement on the property, which the Selectmen voted to purchase. CPC funds would be returned after the sale is complete.
K. Thaxter Park Boiler Replacement
At this point, the committee was uncertain what had been accomplished with the help of Senator Hedlund and Selectman Rabuffo, which would affect the amount of funding needed for boiler replacement. Sally Weston will obtain further information.
Chairman Reardon reported that the Selectmen voted to allow the Hingham Land Trust to hold the conservation restrictions on all properties purchased with CP funds to date. The CPA requires that all CP acquisitions be held by a third party.
The CPC will report on proposed projects and finances at the Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 15th.
The next CPC meeting is on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
The Public Hearing for all projects except property acquisitions is on January 27, 2010 at
7:00 P.M.
Chairman Reardon adjourned the meeting at 9:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator