Community Preservation Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2003
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Attendees:
Committee Members: Sarah Cannon-Holden, John Robinson, Peter Conrad, Ken Hurd, Susie Collins, John Koenig, and John Petty
Tim Higgins, Town Administrator
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Pierce House
The Committee heard from the Pierce House Manager, Mr. Silver, and the Building Inspector, Mr. Midgley, about the need to replace the Pierce House roof. The existing roof has been patched frequently and is leaking in several areas. Replacing the roof is the most sensible option at this time. Mr. Midgley reviewed what would be entailed in the project and provided a written cost estimate. The contractor estimates the full cost of the project at approximately $70,000. Mr. Higgins explained that the bid laws require three quotes that could be obtained after the Town Meeting vote. Mr. Higgins urged Mr. Silver and Mr. Midgley to include a 10% contingency. The Pierce House is a registered historical property and is therefore eligible for CPA funding. The
Committee thanked Mr. Silver and Mr. Midgley for their presentation. No formal vote on the request was taken at this time.
Housing Task Force
The Committee met with Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Scheff of the Housing Task Force. Mr. Taylor reviewed the methodology, findings and overall objectives of the Task Force. Mr. Taylor provided the rationale for recommending that 1) the Town look to buy down existing market rate properties to make them affordable, and 2) the Town pursue the acquisition of state-owned properties on Sunnyside Lane. Mr. Taylor explained that these two approaches were consistent with the goal of increasing affordable housing and would also help the Town demonstrate progress toward its housing plan – an important component of a potential defense against a hostile 40B application. The Committee reviewed the potential costs of these two options. Mr. Taylor estimated the cost of buying down units at Battle Road Farm, for
example, at approximately $100,000 per unit. With regard to the Sunnyside Lane properties, the price is determined through a negotiating process with the State, which hasn’t yet commenced. The Committee thanked Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Scheff for their presentation. No formal vote on the request was taken at this time.
Mr. Higgins was asked to seek clarification as to how the Committee might present its recommendations to Town Meeting in a way that would provide some measure of flexibility to use funds for related housing purposes, in the event that a specific property could not be acquired.
The Committee heard from residents of the Sunnyside Lane neighborhood regarding their perspective on the potential of the Town acquiring the Sunnyside property/ies. The residents stated that additional discussions were required before they could say for certain that the neighborhood would support the Town’s plan; however, they indicated that there was general support for the concept so long as the development is consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
Chair Elected
The Committee voted to appoint Ms. Sarah Cannon-Holden to serve a one-year term as Chair. In her acceptance speech, Chairman Cannon-Holden pledged to adhere to a participatory management style – a polite way of encouraging class participation. The class agreed to participate.
Meeting Schedule
The Committee set its meeting schedule for February and March:
February 25th 7:30 p.m.
March 13th 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing
March 29th Town Meeting
The Committee requested that a notice of the public meeting be mailed to the Battle Road Farm, Sunnyside Lane, and Pierce House neighborhoods.
Committee Procedure
The Committee discussed the need to create a process going forward that allows for meaningful public participation and input. Mr. Higgins referenced some of the good work that the Town of Bedford’s CPC had done in this regard, that might be worth imitating. Mr. Conrad envisioned a process that would be akin to a grant proposal. The group agreed that it needed to design a process that would be easy to understand and inviting to the public.
The Committee voted to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:30 p.m.
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