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Minutes
Lincoln Community Preservation Committee
Mar. 04, 2008
Present: Susie Collins, Craig Donaldson, John Koenig, Jim Meadors, Bill Stason, John Valpey
Absent: Rayna Caplan, Colin Smith, Bryce Wolf
The committee first reviewed the most recent funding proposals, being Conservation - Management of Invasives (2009-6), Library - Fire Suppression Systems (2009-10) and Administrative Expenses (2009-11).
The committee then discussed what time limits are to be placed on any grant approvals. The committee voted unanimously that a three year time limit should be placed on the funding for the Library/Town Clerk - Archival Survival (2009-04), that a two year time limit should be placed on the funding for Library - Fire Suppression Systems (2009-10), to match the three-year funding approved at Town Meeting in 2007, that the January 1, 2009 time limit proposed for the Affordable Housing Trust funding (2009-09) should be approved, and that no time limit should be placed on the remaining proposals. Funds not used for a project within the time limit would no longer be available for the project.
The Committee then discussed the opinion of the town Finance Director that payments on the bond anticipation note and the bond for CPA projects approved at Town Meeting in 2005 are also subject to approval at Town Meeting, and should be added to the motion.
The Committee then discussed all funding requests received for fiscal year 2009, and voted unanimously to approve the following funding requests for recommendation to Town Meeting in March 2008:
2009-04 |
Library/Town Clerk - Archival Survival |
$465,097 |
2009-05 |
Conservation - Conservation Fund |
$25,585 |
2009-06a |
Conservation - Management of Invasives |
$31,000 |
2009-08 |
Housing - Update Consolidated Housing Plan |
$12,000 |
2009-09 |
Affordable Housing Trust |
$900,000 |
2009-10 |
Library - Fire Suppression System |
$63,288 |
2009-11 |
Administrative Expenses |
$6,000 |
|
Debt service on temporary borrowing |
$58,976 |
|
Debt service on permanent borrowing |
$136,567 |
|
TOTAL |
$1,698,513 |
|
|
|
The Committee then voted and unanimously approved the motion for Town Meeting in the form attached to these minutes, with such changes as the Chairman shall make in consultation with the town Finance Director, and town counsel, particularly with respect to the sources of the appropriations and the required reserves.
The committee unanimously approving the minutes from its January 8, 2008 and February 12, 2008 meetings.
The committee received liaison updates from Bill and Craig with respect to the Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee.
Submitted By: John L. Koenig
Approved: 9/23/2008
Motion under Article __ Community Preservation Committee
Moved: That the town hear a report from the Community Preservation Committee and that the following amounts (items A – M) be appropriated or reserved from Fiscal Year 2009 Community Preservation Fund Revenues, or transferred from prior year’s revenues for Community Preservation purposes:
|
Project |
Total Appropriation |
Source of Appropriation |
|
Appropriations: |
|
|
A |
To fund for historic resources purposes the construction of an archival-caliber vault in the Library, such expenditures to be made within three years of Town Meeting in order to eligible for this funding.. |
$465,097 |
|
B |
To appropriate funds, for open space purposes, to the town’s Conservation Fund through which the Conservation Commission is permitted to acquire land for conservation purposes. |
$25,585 |
|
C |
To fund for open space purposes a pilot program of the Conservation Commission to manage invasive plants and species on town conservation land. |
$31,000 |
|
D |
To fund for community housing purposes the expenses of a consultant to assist in updating the town’s Consolidated Housing Plan. |
$12,000 |
|
E |
To appropriate funds, for community housing purposes, to the town’s Affordable Housing Trust fund to be used for affordable housing pursuant to a grant agreement between the Community Preservation Committee and the trustees of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. |
$900,000 |
$900,000 General CPA Fund Balance |
F |
To fund for historic resources purposes various components of the Library Fire Suppression System installation, such expenditures to be made within two years of Town Meeting in order to eligible for this funding. |
$63,288 |
|
G |
To fund CPC Administrative Expenses. |
$6,000 |
$6,000 From General CPA Fund Balance |
H |
To fund debt service payments due on temporary borrowing, payable in June FY08 from previously voted CPA projects. |
$58,976 |
$58,976 From General CPA Fund Balance |
I |
To fund FY09 debt service payments due on first year permanent borrowing for previously voted CPA projects. |
$136,567 |
$136,567 From General CPA Fund Balance |
|
Project Appropriation Subtotal |
$1,698,513 |
|
J |
Housing Reserve |
|
|
K |
Open Space/Land Acquisition Reserve |
|
|
L |
Historic Preservation Reserve |
|
|
M |
Recreation Reserve |
$0 |
|
|
Reserves Subtotal |
$ |
|
|
Total |
$ |
|
Article __
Explanation:
____________________________________________________________________________________
This article proposes projects recommended by the Community Preservation Committee under Lincoln’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) passed at the March, 2002 Annual Town Meeting and the November, 2002 Election. The descriptions of the proposed projects/actions are contained below:
A. Town Archives Stabilization and Expansion Project - The Library and the Town Clerk have requested funds to renovate the library vault so that it meets the State’s standards for safes and vaults so as to minimize deterioration of materials in the Town Archives. The project is intended to address the lack of capacity and lack of climate control in the current library vault, which is the primary repository for historical and other materials documenting Lincoln’s heritage, and will also reconfigure the four rooms adjacent to the vault.
B. Conservation Land Acquisition Fund – The Conservation Commission has requested transfer of $25,585 to the town’s Conservation Fund for expenditures consistent with the Community Preservation Act, the Conservation Fund and the town’s Open Space Plan. This will bring up the balance of the Conservation Fund to $100,000. Monies in the Conservation Fund allow the Conservation Commission to respond quickly when lands of conservation interest become available for purchase, to provide a purchase option deposit, or to fund expenses such as surveyors or for soil testing. CPA funds previously transferred to the town’s Conservation Fund have been used to purchase the Heck property, the Booth property and the Flint property (north of Route 2).
C. Management of Invasives - The Conservation Commission has requested funds to conduct a pilot project to remove non-native invasive plant species from town-owned conservation land, primarily Mount Misery, Flint’s Pond and Tanner’s Brook, and to treat the Codman Hemlock Grove against infestation by the woolly adelgid.
D. Updated Consolidated Housing Plan - The Housing Commission has requested funds to engage a consultant to assist in updating the town’s Consolidated Housing Plan, which was last updated in 2003. In addition to identifying short and long range goals, the consultant would also help evaluate the feasibility of projects and determine appropriate action plans to help the town meet its affordable housing needs through 2011. With the commencement of construction on the Deaconess project, the town currently meets the 10% affordable housing goal. However, this 10% figure is calculated based on Lincoln’s housing stock as of 2000. When the 2010 census is completed, reflecting the town’s increased housing stock, it is anticipated that Lincoln will fall about 15 units
short of the 10% goal. It is the intent that this updated plan will help the town meet that shortfall in advance.
E. Affordable Housing Trust Fund – The town authorized the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust at Town Meeting in 2006, and also authorized the appropriation of $900,000 in seed money to enable that Trust to create and preserve affordable housing for the benefit of low and moderate income households. Those funds were subject to a “claw back” right, whereby any funds not expended prior to January 1, 2008 were to be returned to the Community Preservation Fund. The authorization requested under this item will reauthorize the $900,000 funding until January 1, 2009. The CPC will enter into a new grant agreement with the Trust to establish conditions for the use of this appropriation, which agreement shall provide, among other things, that none of those funds
shall be expended without the approval of the Community Preservation Committee, and that the unexpended balance of the appropriation authorized hereunder as of January 1, 2009, shall be returned to the Community Preservation Fund, and to authorize the appropriate town Officials to take such action as is necessary to carry out this vote.
F. Library Suppression System - Pursuant to the January 2004 Condition Survey Report, and the September 2006 Library Sprinkler System Upgrade Report (the latter of which was funded by CPA funds at TM 2006), the Lincoln Library seeks funds to upgrade its fire protection system in phases. At Town Meeting in 2007, the town authorized an appropriation of $33,424 from the Community Preservation Fund to fund the first phase of that project, namely: (i) enhance sub-basement sprinkler coverage and attic detection system coverage, (ii) upgrade the Library fire-control panel and masterbox, and (iii) install sprinklers in the basement level stacks and reading room. That amount was based on the figures provided in the prior reports. In response to the Library’s RFP, it received bids
well in excess of that amount. The Library hired a cost estimator to provide a better estimate of the true cost of this project, resulting in the appropriation in this item. In order to make sure CPA funds are not tied up indefinitely, the CPC recommends that funding under this Article be made available for only two years from the date of Town Meeting.
G. Administrative Expenses - These funds will be used primarily to pay membership dues in the Community Preservation Coalition, a statewide organization that represents the interests of CPA communities. In addition, these funds will be available for costs associated with public information, mailings, hearings, and legal support.
H. FY08 Debt Service payments - Debt payment costs associated with the third year temporary borrowing (Bond Anticipation Note) for previously voted CPA projects, pursuant to Article 8 of the April 2, 2005 Town Meeting; Harrington Row Land Acquisition, Affordable Housing-Sunnyside Lane Construction and Rehabilitation, and Library Gund Roof Replacement. Includes a statutory principal payment and interest expense.
I. FY09 Debt Service payments - Debt payment costs associated with first year permanent financing for previously voted CPA projects pursuant to Article 8 of the April 2, 2005 Town Meeting; Harrington Row Land Acquisition, Affordable Housing-Sunnyside Lane Construction and Rehabilitation, and Library Gund Roof Replacement.
J. Housing Reserve Fund - The CPA requires that a minimum of 10% of annual revenues be spent or set aside for affordable housing.
K. Open Space/Land Acquisition Reserve Fund – The CPA requires that a minimum of 10% of annual revenues be spent or set aside for Open Space/Land Conservation.
L. Historic Preservation – The CPA requires that a minimum of 10% of annual revenues be spent or set aside for historic preservation.
M. Recreation – The CPA permits, but does not require, the town to spend or set aside funds for recreational purposes. No funds are reserved for recreational purposes at this time.
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