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