Link back to Community Preservation Committee Meeting Minutes page
Tuesday, February 17, 2010
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Chairman Bill Reardon, Dan Coughlin, Jim Watson, Gary Tondorf-Dick, Phil Edmundson, Sally Weston
Absent: Sarah Dewey, John Riley, John Kelleher
Chairman Bill Reardon called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M.
The minutes from the January 27, 2010 meeting were approved as amended. An amendment was made to Ferd Lucas’ discussion of the Gratta property noting that Mr. Reardon advised Mr. Lucas that if he wants to propose the property for possible CPC acquisition in the future, he should first contact the Open Space Acquisition Committee, the body that recommends properties for acquisition to CPC.
Administrator’s Report
Andrea Young asked that the committee vote on payment of annual dues to the Community Preservation Coalition. Dues are $2,500; the same as last year. Mr. Reardon reported that there are many benefits to membership in the Coalition, including access to information and rapid responses to questions as well as information on pending legislation. Committee members voted unanimously to pay the annual dues of $2,500 to maintain its membership in the Coalition.
Before opening discussion on the proposed projects, Chairman Reardon informed the committee that the Country Club Management Committee withdrew its application to restore the Litchfield House. At an earlier meeting, the CCMC reduced the amount of its original request to a sum that would pay for a new roof and repairs to the roof. In lieu of CPC funding, the CCMC decided to accept an offer from the Historical Commission to pay a portion of the cost of a new roof. Mr. Reardon listed the other proposals that had been withdrawn: the Nosiglia, Noonan and Chase properties.
General Discussion of CPA Grant Proposals for FY 2011
Chairman Reardon explained the process for determining which projects the committee will recommend to Town Meeting. There will be a thorough discussion of all the projects first, then a vote on each.
375th Anniversary Time Capsule
Justine Thurston from the 375th committee confirmed for CPC members that there is no other source of funding to purchase the time capsule.
Foundry Pond Dam – Dredging Project
Bill Reardon gave a brief history of the dam and the rationale for the proposed dredging. The Conservation Commission reduced its original funding request from $650,000 to $162,500, which is the Town’s portion of the project. The proposal is structured as being contingent upon the State paying the other 75%. The money left over from the Harbor dredging project was to be used for Foundry Pond; however, the State reallocated those funds to other communities. Rep. Bradley said that State money is not available now, but might be in the foreseeable future. The Town’s Waterway Fund could possibly be used to support the Foundry Pond project. In response to a question from the committee, Charlie Berry, representing the Conservation Commission, confirmed that dredging would have to occur in order to remove the dam. Dan Coughlin said that storm water management has improved, reducing the amount of sediment that enters the pond, thereby extending the amount of time before the pond has to be dredged again. Jim Watson recalled the damage that had been done when the DPW cleared out the stream years ago in order to improve flow. The disruption of the habitat resulted in a significant decrease in the fish population. Phil Edmundson said that his opinion is that the dam should be taken down, which is a more natural state. He added that it would be important to have real statistics on flooding issues before going forward.
Memorial Bell Tower – Restoration of Bells
Tom Willson and Gary Tondorf-Dick said that the amount of funding requested for the project this year has been reduced further from $57,500 to $38,000, an amount that will allow the project proponents to obtain a thorough estimate of the work required, prepare design and contract documents, which would then be used to get 3 actual estimates. Bill Reardon said that CPC would have to be clear that this is a project that may be funded in the future. Mr. Reardon also said that he discussed the project with the CP Coalition and determined that there are portions of the proposed project that would not qualify for CP funding because they are not restoration. A new carillon, for example, could not be purchased with CP funds. The Coalition recommended carving out the parts of the project that are new. Phil Edmundson and Dan Coughlin endorsed the project.
80 Beal Street Affordable Housing
Jim O’Brien from HAHT said that they purchased and acquired the property on January 13, 2010. The existing building, Building 1, will have 3-4 units of affordable housing, which will remain affordable in perpetuity. They plan to reuse the building and the site. Future plans call for another building, possibly the Litchfield House, or new construction.
Thaxter Park Boiler Replacement
Bob Keyes from the Housing Authority reported that to date no money has been received from the state, despite DHCD receiving the letter from Chief Duff declaring the boilers dangerous. Andrea Young spoke with Gail Neibaur from the HA, who explained that the 2 boilers in question serve 26 people, and if the boilers fail, residents will have to be placed in emergency housing at the HA’s expense. Andrea Young also reported that Ms. Neibaur said that the State (DHCD) no longer has an “emergency fund” and is going to a new program called “formula funding”. Ms. Neibaur said that the program has not yet been explained and therefore, has no idea how it will affect the ability to obtain new boilers. Phil Edmundson said that CPC should be a backstop for the project. Dan Coughlin commented that this has now become “a moral issue and not a legal issue” and agreed with Mr. Edmundson that CPC should provide the funds if needed. Jim O’Brien added that the Housing Trust will offer to help in an emergency.
Mr. Reardon reviewed the amounts requested:
• Bell Tower - $38,000
• Fire Museum - $250,000 - $300,000
• Time Capsule - $1,216
• Foundry Pond - $162,500
• Veterans’ House - $250,000
• 80 Beal Street - $150,000
• Boilers - $54,700
Total amount requested: $851,000 – $955,000
Total CPC funds available: $1,200,000
Dan Coughlin commented that the CPC had reduced the funds originally requested by 2/3. Phil Edmundson suggested that CPC look at the proposed Capital Outlay budget and determine if there are any items that might qualify for CPC funding in order to support the Town. Mr. Reardon agreed to find out what Capital Outlay is requesting.
Voting – Project Recommendations
Chairman Reardon said that he will not vote unless needed to break a tie.
Attendee Jim Clark asked if the Foundry Pond Dam would be strong enough to withstand the flow after all the sediment is removed? Mr. Berry responded that there are controls in the spillway that are routinely monitored. He went on to say that 22,000 cubic yards of sediment will be removed to return the pond to its original depth. Jim Watson said that the dam was rebuilt to the same standards as the original; so there is no reason to think that it wouldn’t hold back the same amount of water.
Bell Tower
A motion to recommend the request for $38,000 to prepare design and contract documents for the restoration of the bells was seconded.
Vote – Unanimous approval
Time Capsule
A motion to recommend the amount of $1,216 to purchase a time capsule was seconded.
Vote – Unanimous approval
80 Beal Street
A motion to recommend $150,000 to create 3-4 units of affordable housing at 80 Beal Street was seconded.
Vote – Unanimous approval
Thaxter Park Boilers
A motion to approve up to $54,700 to replace two boilers at the Thaxter Park Housing Project was seconded.
Vote – Unanimous approval
Foundry Pond
A motion to approve $162,500 to dredge Foundry Pond contingent upon receipt of State funds to cover the remaining cost of the project was seconded.
Vote: 4 approved - Dan Coughlin, Gary Tondorf-Dick, Jim Watson, Sally Weston
1 abstained – Phil Edmundson
Article to Reduce CP Surtax – Discussion
Chairman Reardon suggested that CPC should do what it has done in the past, i.e., look to the project proponents to support retaining the 1.5% surtax. Mr. Edmundson thought that the Chair should give a brief history of what CPC has accomplished since 2003. Dan Coughlin clarified CPC’s mission – to allocate funds. Chairman Reardon said that we believe CPC should continue and we’ll ask our proponents to speak. Mr. Reardon then commented that the Community Preservation Coalition asked the Chairs of the CPCs in Garret Bradley’s district to work with him to pass pending legislation.
The next meeting is on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Reardon adjourned the meeting at 9:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator