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Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Chairman Dan Coughlin, Bill Reardon, Bob Curley, Sally Weston,
Bruce Rabuffo, Gary Tondorf-Dick
Absent: Jim Watson
Vacant Positions: 2
Chairman Dan Coughlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Mr. Coughlin welcomed new member Bruce Rabuffo, who is replacing John Riley as the Selectmen Representative on the committee, and announced the resignation of Chris Burns.
The minutes from 10/20/11 and 11/15/11 were approved as written.
Administrator's Report
Andrea Young reported that the Fire Museum project is progressing with the recent installation of the new roof panels to replace the former asbestos roof. Ms. Young then discussed the requirement in the CPA that all Historic Preservation projects must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for work on historic properties. CPC Project Managers assigned to HP projects and Roger Fernandes are key to ensuring that the Standards are communicated and met.
Project Management
Bill Reardon discussed the Project Manager's responsibility to act as facilitator to guide project proponents through the review process, assure that proper due diligence is done, and to follow a project through to its conclusion.
Chairman Coughlin stated that $7M-$8M would be required to fully fund each project; however, the amount available is $2.3M. He reinforced the importance of thoroughly vetting each project.
Mr. Rabuffo stated that Selectman Laura Burns may still submit applications for Affordable Housing projects.
Open Space Conservation Restrictions
Mr. Reardon reminded the committee of the CPA requirement for the Town to grant an easement to a third party to monitor restrictions on properties acquired with CP funds, and the need to prepare an article for that purpose for Town Meeting. Mr. Reardon said the warrant article does not need to specify the restriction holder.
Project Updates
Current Projects: Fire Museum – see Administrator's report; 80 Beal Street – There have been changes to the project, but the project is finally underway. Mr. Reardon said that he will contact Jim O'Brien to find out how the project has changed. Veterans' House – Mr. Coughlin reported that the house is now under construction using bridge financing and that it should be ready for occupancy in the spring.
New Proposed Projects – Bob Curley will take over the Historical Society's project as Project Manager.
New Project Proposals
Bill Reardon identified the parameters for discussion of each project: Project Managers will discuss what they know about the project and identify issues. This is not a deliberative stage.
Whitney Wharf
• Mr. Reardon suggested moving this project from the Open Space category to Historic Preservation, the category in which the project was originally funded.
• The project is a lynch pin to have the harbor walk extend farther, and to seek additional funding
• Andrea Young reminded the project proponents that if funded, the project would require Historic Districts Commission review.
¬Bel Air Road Property
• Committee members asked numerous questions:
• Is the price firm? Would the owners consider donating the property to the Town? Have all 15 owners agreed to sell? What is the form of ownership, a Trust? Are there deeded beach rights to other homeowners in the neighborhood? Josh Gregory, non-shareholder project advocate, said that an appraisal was in the works, that the waters are non-navigable so one could not gain access to the property by boat. He said that the abutting lot is conservation land and is used as a park and that a title search will be done on the property.
Scotland Street Meadow
• 8 acre parcel, a clear open space acquisition opportunity
• ConCom and Charlie Berry are taking the lead in negotiation
• CPC will conduct an appraisal prior to Town Meeting. The type of appraisal will be determined.
• This property is the keystone in the arch of the conservation land in South Hingham
Accord Brook Property
• The property is 70% wet, so there is the potential of only 2 or 3 lots.
• Parcel abuts Middle School, which affords educational opportunities, important habitats, and the public water supply
• An installment sale is possible
• Parcel is part of the Town's Open Space Plan
• Property is a great buffer to development along Whiting Street
Ames Chapel
• Memorial chapel on the perimeter of the Hingham Cemetery
• The goal is to create contemporary uses for the building
• Building is in good shape structurally
• Will also apply for Greenbush Trust funds for the project when they are available
Heritage Museum
• Tentative total project estimate is $3.2M; amount of request is not yet determined.
• Ideally, it is not a multi-year project
Head House
• Rec Commission might be willing to phase the project over a period of years
• Roger Fernandes thinks the amount estimated to do the project is conservative.
• The Rec Commission should explore other sources of funding
Liberty Plain Cemetery
• Cemetery established in 1739 by the founding families
• The project is to conserve marble and slate veteran's stones
• The markers reveal a pressing need for conservation
• Project request is $50,000
¬Preservation Projects Fund Grant
• Last block grant of $62,500 to the Preservation Projects fund was in 2009.
• Important to have funds available for preservation of the town's assets
• Historical Commission must account for uses of previous block grant. Mr. Coughlin commented that a current proposal gains credibility on the success of the prior proposal.
Historical Collections Project
• Project is currently being overseen by the Historic Archives Task Force.
• Is this a Selectmen's project? Laura Burns had the idea for the project originally and is a member of the task Force.
• Mr. Reardon commented that it is important to be aware of the other entities in Town that maintain records and other historical information, such as the churches.
¬Hingham Centre Cemetery Fence
• Project is to continue fence in most visible areas first. Contract with fence manufacturer allows the cemetery to purchase fence in sections as it can afford to do so.
• Mr. Reardon commented that there is synergy between the fence proposal and the Tree and Park Barn project.
¬Tree and Park Barn
• Good example of how CPC can be used to maintain the Town's assets
• Will this be a repetitive cost? Is there an implicit obligation to future funding?
Mr. Reardon said that it is important for the committee to look at the repetitive nature of some projects, to encourage leveraging other resources, to determine which projects are more mature or better thought out.
The next CPC meeting is on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Mr. Coughlin said that the purpose of the meeting will be to determine how to prioritize this year's projects, fine tune the project proposals and get a better understanding of the costs.
Chairman Coughlin adjourned the meeting at 9:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator