HomeMy Public PortalAbout20191121 - Community Preservation Committee - Meeting MinutesTown Of Hopkinton
Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2019
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
Chairman Henry Kunicki calls the public hearings to order at 7pm
Restoration of World War 2 Monument – Bill Hamilton presented information about the
monument and explained the dire need for the restoration project. He explained that the
original wood monument only lasted 20 years, however, he and the late Tommy McIntyre had
been gathering names to present during the 300th Town of Hopkinton Anniversary. Mr. Kunicki
noted that unfortunately CPA funds could not be used in the creation of a building, structure,
document or artifact. Mr. Kunicki and many of the board members noted that while CPA funds
couldn’t be used there should be an article added to Town Meeting for the much needed
monument.
HCA Farmhouse – Mr. Doherty announced to the board that he needed to recuse himself from
the meeting at this time, as he sits on the board at the HCA. Janet Ceddia, chair of the HCA
and Kris Waldman, director of the HCA presented updated handouts to the board. Ms. Ceddia
gave an update on progress made since the last meeting, noting that they have met with
Jeanette Thomson (architect). The board spoke about additional funding sources, and
questioned Ms. Soares to look into prevailing wage. Ms. Ceddia explained that feedback from
Ms. Thomson was that where the building was not in the historic district vinyl windows for could
be used. She continued to add that there was additional features that would be used to keep
the historic look of the building. The board questioned if the HCA has received historical
support, to which Mr. Roughan, chairman of Hopkinton Historical Commission has noted that
while the board had yet to review new plans he believed it would receive support. There was a
discussion of an addition the HCA was hoping to do, however the pair noted that CPA funds
would not be expected from CPA funds. Mr. Rogers noted there may be a requirement for
payment and performance bonding, and the board requested to look into that as well. Mr.
Weismantel suggested reaching out to the building department to see if permitting fees would
be waved. Construction costs as explained by Ms. Ceddia do include the cost of asbestos and
led removal. Mr. Weismantel suggested CPA funds be used specifically to a particular project,
and gave the exterior as an example, vs navigating what is and what is not an allowable
expense between both inside and outside of the building. The board questioned where an
additional $500,000 would be used, to which Ms. Ceddia explained it would be used to create a
small addition for class space. Mr. Trendel questioned if the building was ADA compliant, to
which they responded there was a ramp at the back of the house. It was noted that the entire
first floor was ADA accessible however the second floor was not. The board and applicant
discussed additional grants they would be applying for; those applications would be submitted
mid-January.
Historical Property Survey – Mr. Sonnett requested Ms. Soares reaches out to Ms.
Ritterbusch to ensure that this Historical Commission has deemed all addresses historically
significant
Stone Bridge – Mr. Roughan spoke to the recent application, noting that Beals and Thomas
has been charged with doing a study to improve trail conditions to get to the stone bridge. He is
still trying to get Southborough on board with CPA improvements. Mr. Roughan explained that
the trail would not be ADA compliant so would need to get waivers prior to construction. He
spoke of wanting to remove the granite out of the river, and questioned reallocating funds from
the restoration project to do so. Mr. Terry suggested submitting a second application to cover
the project. Mr. Roughan will get an estimate on the cost of the job.
Land Acquisition for 3 Parcels –Upper Charles Trail –Mr.Sonnett noted that Town
Manager Norman Khumalo was responsible for negotiating for these parcels.The appraisal
has been done for the properties,however discussing the appraisal would interfere with
negotiations.
Campus Trail Connector – No additional updates
Hughes Trail Phase 2 – No additional
updates
Chamberlain to Center Trail – Mr. LaGoy noted that he had met with the school with
success and is going to be meeting with HALT. No additional updates
Skate Park at EMC Park – Mr. Guelfi and Jennifer Hart both gave updates on progress made
from the last meeting. The department has meet with both the DPW and Don MacAdam,
Conservation Agent. The result from the meetings was that drainage was not functioning. Mr.
Guelfi noted that an engineering study would need to be conducted to fix the drainage issues,
before a skate park could be placed. Mr. Guelfi stated that because of the water, a wetland
may have been created, the hope of the project would be to restore what was planned with a
retention pond. Mr. Guelfi explained that at their last meeting the Parks and Recreation
Committee did vote to postpone the skate park until the drainage was under control. Mr.
Weismantel stated that he was very impressed with the presentation about the Skate Park, but
fears that the Parks and Recreation department won’t be able to complete the project. He
suggested breaking the project into the engineering and bidding of the skate park, and having
the Permanent building committee get involved with the project. Mr. Kunicki asked what Parks
and Recreation wants to do, to which Mr. Guelfi explained that they would like to do phase 1
dealing with water treatment (engineering, permitting and bidding), with the idea to come back
for additional funding for the completion of the project next year. The applicants were told to
get estimates on the engineering for the drainage/conservation survey. Mr. Trendel would like
to see projections of how many residents/users would be at the park.
EMC Playground – Mr. Guelfi and Ms. Hart presented estimates for a poured in place surface
for the entire playground. The estimated cost to do the entire playground would be $200,000-
250,000. The project they have submitted would be to add the ADA pathways which would be
roughly $75,000-80,000. With that being said the department reached out to local
playgrounds asking for additional recommendations and found that the town of Newton was
using these rubber pads that were working well in the 60 playgrounds offered in Newton. The
rubber mats the explained would be easy to replace and would fit within their current budget.
Mr. Guelfi suggested they try the rubber mats and see how well they are received.
Land Purchase – Open Space Commission – the board questioned if the properties in
question were under negotiations, and at what stage in the project should funding be applied
for as it appears negotiations were not underway. There was a question if the Open Space
Committee could negotiate on their own behalf or if they also went through the Town
Manager’s office.
Project Extension – The board requested that Ms. Soares send applicants a letter asking
for additional updates.
October 29, 2019 Meeting Minutes – Mr. Weismantel stated that there was an error in the
minutes, on page 3 where the overall school budget was discussed it was the site prep
work that was over budget due to drainage, the overall budget however was under.
Motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Mr. Terry, seconded by Mr.
Sonnett. The vote was unanimously approved.
Motion to continue the public hearing to December 19, 2019 at 7pm was made by
Mr. Weismantel, seconded by Mr. Sonnett. The vote was unanimously approved.
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Weismantel, it was seconded by Mr. Doherty. The
vote was unanimously approved.
Approved by the board December 19, 2019