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Minutes
Lincoln Community Preservation Committee
Jan 13, 2009
Present: Susie Collins, Craig Donaldson, Pam Gallup, John Koenig, Colin Smith, Bill Stason, John Valpey, Peter von Mertens, Bryce Wolf
Absent: None
This was the public hearing of the Community Preservation Committee pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44B §5. The meeting began with a welcome to the five members of the public in attendance and a representative from the Lincoln Journal, introductions by the members of the Committee, and a brief overview of the Community Preservation Act, its adoption in Lincoln, and its activities to date.
The Committee then moved on to discussions of the proposals received as part of this funding cycle, as follows:
2010-01 Library - Fire Suppression System |
$607,067 |
2010-02 Conservation - Pierce Park |
$50,000 |
2010-03 Cemetery Commission - WITHDRAWN |
$0 |
2010-04 Codman Farm |
$42,600 |
2010-05 Historical Commission |
$11,250 |
2010-06 Library - Eleazer Brooks Scrapbook |
$8,575 |
2010-07 Housing - Policy & Procedure Manual - WITHDRAWN |
0 |
2010-08 Housing - Minuteman Tech Consultant - WITHDRAWN |
0 |
2010-09 Housing - Lincoln Woods Report - WITHDRAWN |
0 |
2010-10 Housing - Affordable Housing Trust |
$500,000 |
2010-11 Bemis Hall Roof (Slate) |
$221,000 |
2010-12 Pierce House Basement Walls |
$30,000 |
2010-13 Conservation - Invasives Management |
$32,000 |
2010-14 Town Hall |
$1,300,000 |
TOTAL |
$2,802,492.00 |
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With respect to the Library fire suppression system, a question was raised as to the estimated cost of the project in relation to the cost of building a new structure. Peter Sugar, on behalf of the Library trustees, answered that a retrofit of the fire suppression system into an existing structure, and a historic structure, will be more expensive than installing a similar system in new construction.
With respect to flooding over the driveway from the Pierce Park pond, Peter Von Mertens explained that the lower cost from the original proposal was based on the DPW’s conclusion that it could dig up the culvert and replace it, instead of having that work performed by an outside contractor. DPW still would not be able to do the finish work. In addition, the Pierce House Committee will fund an additional $5,000, so the total project cost for the project as proposed by the Pierce House is estimated to be $55,000.
Bill Stason explained the proposal from Codman Community Farms for the proposed work on Barn A, built circa 1780. To date, the CCF has not heard from the NTHP with regard to its proposal to repair the foundation of the barn. The Codman Farm’s funding request to the CPC presupposes the success of NTHP proposal and would involve repairs to the supporting members and walls of the barn.
With respect to the inventory of 1900-1930 era houses, Colin Smith explained that creating documentation on the historic significance of a house increases the chances of being able to work out an alternative to demolition. The Committee questioned how the particular list of houses was arrived at. Colin noted that houses older than the target period are less likely to be torn down because their historic significance is more readily acknowledged. The Committee suggested that Lucretia Giese from the Historic Commission be invited to the next meeting for further discussion.
With respect to the Eleazer Brooks scrapbook, the Committee requested additional information on the cost of the proposed scanning, but recognized that preservation of the scrapbook without making it available to the public would not be very productive.
With respect to the Bemis Hall roof, the Committee feels it needs more information on how investment in replacing the roof dovetails with plans for enhancing use of the Bemis Hall. The Committee requested information from the building inspector as to the condition of the roof and the necessity for the work to be done this year.
With respect to the restoration to the Pierce House basement walls, the Committee questioned the amount of funds needed. Peter von Mertens volunteered to look at the walls to determine the square footage and to talk with the building inspector.
With respect to the invasives management proposal, Peter von Mertens explained that of the $32,000 requested, $12,000 is intended for the second stage of the hemlock treatment, and $20,000 is for the summer invasives program, which was a 100% success last summer. The Conservation Commission has also requested funding from the Codman Trust for the hemlock treatment, and if that funding comes in, will be looking to the CPC for only $20,000.
With respect to the Town Hall project, Colin Smith again noted that the 20% for fees was very high compared to his experience working on public projects, where the sliding scale ranges from 8 to 6%. The Committee also expressed continuing concern about the lack of public process around decisions for the renovations.
The Committee then opened up the meeting for questions from the public. Questions and discussion focused on the Committee’s procedures for calculating the time value of money in evaluating project alternatives, and also on the process surrounding the approvals for the town’s $500,000 financial contribution to the CMARC group home on Concord Road.
Following these discussions, John Koenig declared the end of the official Public Hearing section of the meeting.
The Committee approved the minutes from its December 9, 2008 meeting.
The Committee then discussed the expenditures by the Historic Commission from the funds allocated to the historic homes survey (2005-01). The Committee unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Historic Commission regarding the Committee’s interpretation of the proposed uses for those funds.
Submitted By: John L. Koenig
Approved: 2/10/2009
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