Link back to Community Preservation Committee Meeting Minutes page
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Chairman Bill Reardon, John Riley, Dan Coughlin, Jim Watson, John Kelleher, Gary Tondorf-Dick, Phil Edmundson
Absent: Sarah Dewey, Sally Weston
Chairman Bill Reardon called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
The minutes from the December 16, 2009 meeting were approved as amended. Mr. Edmundson asked that in the future, amendments be identified in the subsequent minutes.
Administrator’s Report
Andrea Young briefly described the proposed Barnes Area/Old Colony Hill Local Historic District. A map of the proposed district was included in members’ folders.
Chairman Reardon introduced Ferd Lucas. Mr. Lucas represents the Gratta family, whose property is on the market for $3.5M, payable over 6 years. The 25 acre property abuts Triphammer Pond and is the only side of the pond not protected by conservation land. Mr. Lucas reported that successful perc tests were conducted via a 100 ft. long, 15 ft. deep trench. He believes that the property has frontage sufficient to create a subdivision with approximately 23 houses. Mr. Reardon commented that, although the property
is suitable to consider for acquisition, the CP funding cycle is so far along this year that it would be difficult to do all that has to be done before the Town Meeting warrant closes. Mr. Reardon also said that the first step in the process is to contact the Open Space Acquisition Committee, which is the group that reviews potential acquisitions and recommends selected properties to CPC for possible purchase. Mr. Lucas said that he understood that it was too late for OSAC to consider the property for this year, and thanked the CPC for its time and attention.
2011 Project Proposals – Public Hearing
Foundry Pond Dam – Dredging Project
Conservation Officer Cliff Prentiss explained that the pond is the largest single watershed in Hingham, and that half of the pond is full of sediment, which will eventually fill in and be reduced to a stream over the dam. Representatives of GZA were available to answer questions. They also provided maps and photographs of the area showing the increase in sediment over time.
The plan is to put a dredge in the pond, grind up the sediment and pump it to a nearby working gravel pit. The water will flow back into the pond, and the sediment will be transported to Bare Cove Park for use in landscaping. The Town rebuilt the dam in 1998, and fish ladders were installed thereafter. The fish population has declined as the sediment has increased. Flooding above the dam has occurred in recent years due to the increase in sediment. Dredging will reduce flooding above the dam and will increase flow to the fish ladder. Removal of the dam was discussed as an alternative to dredging; GZA consultants explained that the pond would have to be dredged first in order to remove the dam. If dredging takes place this year, it would not have to be done again for 25-30 years. The Conservation Commission is in favor of dredging the pond.
Memorial Bell Tower – Restoration of Bells
Tom Willson and Gary Tondorf-Dick said that the amount of funding requested for the project this year is reduced to $57,500, an amount that will allow the project proponents to obtain a thorough estimate of the work required and to put a bid package together. They explained that the project needs to be defined in a specific way in order to get an appropriate estimate. Visual inspection and cost projections have not been able to yield what they would consider an appropriate estimate.
Chairman Reardon said that the hope is that a good estimate would allow the Bell Tower to seek funding from other sources, as was the case with the Old Ship Church. Phil Edmundson said that typically, the CPC has funded engineering and feasibility studies, but not bid documents. The Committee asked Gary Tondorf-Dick to break down the costs of the revised proposal. Andrea Young was asked to get information on the bidding process, specifically using the bidding process to obtain cost estimates.
Bare Cove Fire Museum Restoration
Project proponent Lisa Andre explained that the project is to restore the building by putting on a new roof, repointing the brick walls, and removing asbestos. In response to the committee’s request to reduce the cost of the project, Ms. Andre said that the museum committee is now looking to replace the roof and repoint the north wall, with some abatement on the east wall. She stated that there is no question that moisture is coming in through the north wall. Further discussion included a comparison of roofing costs, depending on the type and style of material used. Non-combustible material adds to the cost. Ms. Andre said that she would continue to reduce the amount of funding requested.
Samuel Litchfield House - Restoration
Jay McGrail reported that the inside of the house has been cleaned out, the grounds have been cleared, branches have been cut back and the house has been secured. A structural engineer declared that the house is sound. The original amount requested for funding was intended to restore the historic house located on the country club grounds. The 1850 house contains a beehive oven and much of the original molding. The current request is for funds to strip and reroof the house, and to make necessary repairs. Mr. McGrail said that the CCMC has plans for an income stream for maintenance. There was some discussion that the Historical Commission could provide money to place a temporary roof on the house. . He said that if the Historical Commission provided funding, it would have to have assurance that the house would not be torn down in the future.
Future use for the house is still in question. The Selectmen will set up an ad hoc committee to find an appropriate use for the house. Gretchen Condon said that the Housing Trust is still interested in moving the house to 80 Beal Street and to create units to sell as affordable housing. Phil Edmundson asked that if the CPC invested in a new roof for the house, what if none of the ideas for future use work out? Kerry Ryan, CCMC member replied that even though a use has not been determined, the reason they are asking for funds this year is because the CCMC was concerned that the house would deteriorate further.
Gray Tondorf-Dick said that he would support future use of the house for affordable housing. Dan Coughlin said that he would support investing in the house now to preserve an opportunity, and recommended the less costly alternative discussed earlier – putting on a temporary roof until a use could be determined.
Alec Macmillan remarked that the Town has not had a history of properly maintaining its historic properties, citing this house and the Hersey House as examples. He went on to say that the Town has an obligation to these properties and should be setting an example, rather than continue as the worst offender.
375th Anniversary Time Capsule
Justine Thurston from the 375th committee provided a history of the Town’s time capsules and the container created as the previous time capsule. She remarked that so far the committee has not used any Town money for the 375th celebration, and explained that while the last capsule was donated, there is no such benefactor on the horizon for this anniversary capsule.
Fort Hill Veterans’ House
John Yazwinski, CEO of Father Bill’s/Mainspring, told the committee that the request from CPC has not changed but the request from HAHT was lowered from $250,000 to $50,000 to fund 6 units of permanent housing for Veterans. He said that a purchase and sale agreement was signed and the sale was extended into spring, 2010. Mr. Yazwinski described the project designed to house stable tenants who need low-income housing. Gary Tondorf-Dick expressed concerned that the house at 11-113 Fort Hill Street has to be demolished in order to build a house that would meet program needs, which might have a significant effect on the streetscape. Rob Corley of Neighborhood Housing Services, who will oversee construction, said that the plan is to build on the same footprint, but that the house would have to be taller. The objective is to build a house that residents feel does not stand out as being institutional. The goal is to become part of the community. Selectman John Riley supported the new construction in order to meet the building code. He suggested that the committee think about increasing the amount of funding requested by $25,000 - $30,000 to obtain consulting from local craftsmen.
Abutters Virgis Morse, 107 Ft. Hill, and Diane Sanchez, 103 Fort Hill said that they had not been contacted by FBMS to discuss the project. Mark Ryan, 4 Charles Everett said that for him the program lacks specificity and that he has not been contacted either. John Yazwinski apologized for the lack of outreach, saying that he thought the abutters were aware of the project because it had been proposed last year by another proponent. He said he would make arrangements to meet with the neighbors. Abutters asked what type of people would be housed in the units, whether there would be loitering, and how would the project affect the neighborhood? Phil Edmundson raised questions that he knew would be of concern to the abutters regarding background checks, mental health or addiction issues, levels of oversight and support. Mr. Yazwinski explained the FBMS program, citing specific support personnel assigned to the residents. Project manager Dan Coughlin said that there are still more questions to be asked by all parties involved and suggested additional meetings with the Veterans’ Council. Scott Bosworth, 129 Fort Hill St. and Rich Harbert, Del Prete Dr. were also in attendance.
80 Beal Street Affordable Housing
Gretchen Condon, Chairman of HAHT said that the closing has taken place and they now own the property. She said that the amount HAHT is requesting has not changed and that the project is moving forward as planned. HAHT will meet with the neighbors and the ZBA.
Thaxter Park Boiler Replacement
Bob Keyes from the Housing Authority reported that they have not yet received the money promised by the State to replace 2 remaining boilers. He said that one of the boilers has a hole in it, and the other is in dangerous condition and that the HA applied to DHCD for emergency funds. Mr. Keyes said that they will continue to ask for CP funding because they can’t count on the State. CPC is the back-up.
The next meeting is on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. The committee will vote on the projects to recommend for funding. Mr. Reardon reminded everyone that there are no open space acquisitions proposed for this year.
Chairman Reardon adjourned the meeting at 11:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator