Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20191029 - Community Preservation Committee - Meeting MinutesTown Of Hopkinton Community Preservation Committee October 29, 2019 18 Main Street, Hopkinton MA RM 215 Meeting Minutes Present: Henry Kunicki, Eric Sonnett, Al Rogers, Rebeka Hoffman, Jeff Doherty, Jim Ciriello, Dan Terry, Gary Trendel, Ken Weismantel, Shannon Soares - Administrative Assistant Henry Kunicki calls the meeting and public hearing to order at 7pm Preservation of Town Records- ​Connor Degan addressed the board and explained the funding request, noting that this would cover phase 3 of the basement vault project. The chair questioned if anyone had any questions noting that this is a continuation of projects that the board has seen in the past. Historical Property Survey -​ Amy Ritterbusch and Beth Watson (Chair and Vice Chair Historic District Commission) explained how at last years Town Meeting a special permit was approved for 76 Main Street. The Historic District Commission was approached by neighbors that were also interested in being in the newly created Historic district. This Property Survey would provide information on all properties involved. The Historic District Commission uses this information for the preservation of the older buildings. White House on school campus-​ Carol Cavanavgh (Superintendent) and Susan Rothman from the school explained the project to the board. They spoke about the classes that took place in the building; while an application has been sent to the Historical Commission they have not met with the board. Mr. Weismantel looked for clarification on the preservation of the project; noting that repairs could be made to the building using different funds that wouldn’t be under such strict preservation guidelines. Several board members agreed that something needed to be done to fix the building, however agreed that maintenance long term for historical buildings was far more costly than repairs done without the aid of the Historical Preservation funds from the Community Preservation Committee. Representatives from the school noted that aside from CPA Funds the school had the repairs on the Capital Plan as well. Mr. Doherty noted that the school representatives should talk to a Historical Preservation Architect to help determine the logistics. Mr. Kunicki agreed adding that Historical Preservation on this building may prove more costly than expected, and asked for the representatives to follow up with the board. HCA Farmhouse ​- Mr. Doherty announced that he needed to recuse himself as he sits on the board for the HCA. Representatives from the HCA Farmhouse informed the board that they had reached out to local historic architects. They have also been reaching out in search of additional funding options, the MCC offers a grant that HCA may be eligible for. Historical Commission’s recommendations is to figure out what the cost for the restoration project. Mr. Weistmantel noted that there is a difference between preserving something historically and making a structure look good. Stone Bridge​ - Mr. Sonnet explained that the project was a continuation of previously awarded funds, the funds are used to get a trail to the stone bridge. There was some discussion as to if the funds would include the design and construction of the trail, as well as potential for adding guardrails. Land Acquisition - 3 Parcels (Kelleigh “Railbed”, Mezitt and Mezitt ​- The board questioned if there was an appraised price for the properties, and while Ms. Moran did agree she and Town Manager Norman Khumalo noted that discussion would interfere with negotiations. Mr. Moran noted that one of the property owners didn’t want to sell an easement, rather the entire property and the second was willing to sell the town an easement. Campus Trail Connector ​- Ms. Moran explained that in order to apply for the engineering grant 20 percent of the project total would need to be raised. Ms. Moran believes that $29,000 had already been spent and could be subtracted from the total needed to be raised by the town. The project she explained would provide a connection from Marathon school through EMC onto town owner property that would connect to Center Trail and down to the DownTown corridor, it would continue to town common to the property at East Main Street at the back of the Center Trail. Ms. Moran explained that the funding request for the project is $30,000, once the Upper Charles Trail is awarded the engineering grant they would apply for the construction grant (Mass TIP). Many of the members agreed that it would be a unique way to tie into almost all of the schools (Elmwood being the only exception). Hughes Trail Phase 2 ​ - Representative from Hopkinton Trail Coordination and Management Committee was not available at this time Land Purchase - 0 Hayden Rowe ​- Application for funding has been withdrawn at this time Chamberlain to Center Trail ​- Representative from Hopkinton Trail Coordination and Management Committee was not available at this time Skate Park ​- Mr. Gulfi and Ms. Hart from the Parks and Recreation Department gave a quick background on the existing skate park located at EMC Park. They explained that kids between the ages of 10-16 would benefit from the project. Mr. Gulfi spoke about a skate park in Framingham and how programming was created around the park, and how it would be beneficial to the town. There were several members of the audience that spoke of the importance of the skate park; Alexander Clements (12 Eastview Road), Tom Nation (17 College Street), and Tyler Richards (39 Parker Point Road) spoke about the importance the skate park has had on them growing up, and how they are advocating for the project to be supported. David Auslander (16 Hearthstone Road) was also showing his support, noting that Officer Powers and a group of parents helped construct the first one. The board questioned Officer Powers whom gave a brief background on the original project. Ms. Hoffman questioned Mr. Gulfi about the longevity of the skate park; to which he replied that it would need to be inspected yearly for cracks. Mr. Rogers questioned where drainage would go, noting that all drainage needs to stay off abutting properties. Mr Threlkeld (87 Front Street) explained that he had been skating for 26 years and was a huge supporter for the project, noting that other kids as well as his own would benefit from the project. Mr. Trendel questioned if their had been any survey taken of town residents, while Mr. Gulfi noted there had not been a study done but anyone could drive by Framingham skate park to see the type of popularity, the same could be expected in Hopkinton. Mr. Sonnet noted he believed if we build it they will come. Mr. Weismantel recommended taking a second look at the drainage, noting that Marathon School’s site prep work was over budget due to drainage issues (the overall budget he added was under budget). Mr. Ciriello noted that if there was any wetlands Parks and Recreation would need to submit plans to the Conservation Commission. EMC Playground ​- Mr Gulfi explained that the old structures had been removed with new being assembled; unfortunately there was a change in pricing and the cost of poured flooring had gone up substantially rendering it outside of budget. Mr. Gulfi explained that while not ideal rubber chips were used instead of the poured surface. Mr. Kunicki noted that the project had been presented with the poured surface and had been agreed upon because of that feature. The additional funding that the Parks and Recreation department is looking for is to place poured paths that would create pathways making them ADA compliant. The board questioned how much of an additional cost would increase to have the entire playground done, and asked for Mr. Gulfi to look into it and update the board. Land Purchase 0 Spring Street and 0 Saddle Hill Road -​ Ed Harrow Chairman of Open Space Commission and Steve Levandosky Representative from HALT presented applications for land purchases on both 0 Spring and 0 Saddle Hill Road. Mr. Harrow explained that the property at 0 Spring Street was looked at years prior by the town. The 35 acre parcel contains at least one vernal pool, as well as many 30-40 foot boulders. The property itself connects to both a HALT owned property as well as a landlocked parcel. The board questioned what the property would be used for if purchased, to which Mr. Harrow explained that there were existing trails that highlighted the historic boulders. While many of the members agreed that the parcel would be a great addition to the town owned parcels, there was not yet an appraisal or negotiations underway. Restoration of World War 1 Monument/ World War 2 Monument ​- Applicant was not present at this time - the board reviewed application however needed additional information. It was unclear to the board what the restoration project would consist of, and how many monuments this was covering. Motion​ was made to research outstanding projects to vote and approve was made by Mr. Sonnett, seconded by Ms. Hoffman. The vote was unanimously approved. The board requested that Ms. Soares send a letter to the finance committee asking them to keep outstanding projects open, until a discussion can be held. Motion​ to approve the September 26, 2019 minutes as presented was made by Mr. Terry, seconded by Mr. Sonnett. The vote was unanimously approved. Motion​ to continue the public hearing was made by Mr. Weismantel, seconded by Ms. Hoffman. The vote was unanimously approved. Motion​ to adjourn was made by Mr. Trendel, seconded by Mr. Weismantel. The vote was unanimously approved. Minutes approved November 21, 2019