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Home My Public Portal AboutCommunity Preservation Committee -- 2005-06-15 Minutes \,\`��\\\\11111111111V1111!(fllgll/l/////j/ \�O� *YE4DEgQ@ �%I F� vi Town of Brewster MiCommunity Preservation � O V �, y Committee BREWSTER BICENTENNIAL 2198 Main Street Brewster,Massachusetts 02631-1898 NO eo' (Fax)(508)896-80893 /!/1/p�l1I1111111111111111111\\\\ W COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES: ]une 15, 2005 Present: Elliot Carr, Citizen Representative; Paul Ruchinskas, Citizen Representative; Stephen McKenna, Conservation Commission; Roland Bassett,7r. Recreation Commission; Michael Lach, Citizen Representative; Elizabeth Taylor, Planning Board; Roy Robinson, Historic District Committee; Paul Hush, Citizen Representative; William Reyburn, Housing Authority. Guests: 7illian Douglass,Staff Liaison; Keith Arnold, Recreation Director;lames Foley,Selectman The meeting was called to order at 4PM. Ms-Douglass passed out folders and several handouts as reference materials to members. She called the meeting to order and asked members to introduce themselves. She briefly explained the open meeting law and offered to be available by phone and e-mail if members had specific questions or requests. She explained that some one from among them would need to be responsible for posting meetings and recording minutes. Mr. Hush asked how projects would come before the Committee. Ms. Douglass explained that there are various standing Committees in Town with responsibilities related to Open Space, Housing & Historic Preservation. She said that she would expect those committees would be presenting their ideas to the CPC. Mr. Reyburn asked if individuals would be coming before the CPC with ideas. Ms. Douglass said that there is nothing in the legislation which prohibits citizens from approaching the CPC individually. She added that because groups of citizens have the ability to petition Town meeting there may be petitioning groups that would approach the CPC, but that it would probably be in the Committee's interest to establish some sorts of standing procedures for soliciting the Committee's agenda time and attention. She added that because there are already standing committees with overlapping charges it would be in the Committee's interest to involve them and ensure that projects were coordinated with those that may already be under way. She added that monies from the Community Preservation Act would become available in October of 2006; one year after the Town adopted the legislation. Mr. Lach suggested that the CPC could hold a"summit"meeting with the existing entities to have them explain their current roles, plans and projects. Mr. Carr noted that since there are members on the Committee representing various interests, it could be incumbent on those members to convey the roles and activities of the various existing entities and to act as liaisons to the interest groups that they are assumed to represent. Mr. Ruchinskas suggested that it could benefit Brewster to have members of the Chatham CPC come in to discuss what they have been doing and some of the ground rules they have lain down. He added that he would like members of the Committee to see copies of any existing town plans or programs related to the realms of opens space preservation, historic preservation, recreation and/or housing Ms. Douglass moved to the organization of the Committee. She called for nominations for Chairman. Mr. Hush nominated Mr. Carr as Chairman. Mr. Robinson seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, Ms. Douglass called for the vote: 8 yes, 0 no. Minutes: Community Preservation Committee—June 15,2005 Page 1 of 2 Ms Douglass called for nominations for Vice Chairman. Mr. Lach nominated Mr. Hush as Vice Chairman. Mr. Reyburn seconded the nomination. Ms Douglass called for the vote: 8 yes, 0 no. Ms Douglass called for nominations for Secretary/Clerk to the Committee. Mr. Hush nominated Ms.Taylor as Secretary. Mr. Reyburn seconded the nomination. Ms Douglass called for the vote: 8 yes, 0 no. Ms. Douglass noted that if CPA funds were to be appropriated to hire a secretary/clerk, the Town would be obligated to advertise the position. Mr. Carr asked members if they could meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. There was general agreement. The next 3 meetings of the CPC were scheduled for Wednesday July 20th, August 171h, and September 215t. Mr. Hush noted that he would not be present for the 7/20/05 and the 8/17/05 meetings. Mr. Lach said he would contact someone from the Chatham CPC to come to one of the next meetings.The Committee members requested that future meetings be held in a room at the Town Office Building where all members could sit around a table and address each other directly. Ms. Douglass suggested Room B. Mr. Lach asked if members would bring a 1-page summary of the various activities and endeavors that they were involved in related to open space, historic preservation and/or housing. Mr. Ruchinskas clarified that he would be interested in the overall goals and objectives of any standing committees. Mr. Lach agreed that he would like the 1 page outlines to include the general goals for each interest group. Mr. Carr asked how much money the CPC would be dealing with. Ms. Douglass stated that the 3% surcharge amounts to about $500,000 and the State is expected to match that amount 1005, for a total of about$1 million. 50% of that, or $500,000, is automatically allocated to Open Space& Recreation, 10% goes to Housing and 10% goes to Historic Preservation. Mr. Lach referred to Section 17-4 of the Town's bylaw and asked if Recreation interests were not allotted a portion of the remaining 30% after Open Space, Housing and Historic Preservation were awarded their automatic percentages. Ms. Douglass said that she believed the legislation groups Open Space and Recreation together, as a single interest, (because often open space land remains usable for passive recreation), and that the 50% set-aside voted by Brewster for Open Space was also intended to address Recreation interests. She recalled the discussions leading up to Section 17-4 as a compromise, addressing the concerns that, since Open Space had already been awarded a larger percentage, the remaining 30% of discretionary funds would be available only to the interests of active recreation, housing and historic preservation. Others expressed that they believed Recreation interests could only apply for a portion of the funds that had not already been allocated by the 50-10-10 formula. Ms. Douglass stated that she did not believe that was what had been discussed, but that if the bylaw is unclear it should be made clear by the voters. Mr. Lach said the Committee would need to know definitively where the voters intended Recreation to fit in the funding mix. Ms.Taylor expressed reservations about holding open discussions regarding land acquisition. Mr. Lach said that the 1-page summaries did not need to be specific. They could just explain general overall goals and objectives. Mr. Foley stated that he felt that the CPC had a wonderful opportunity to find mutual projects that would further common goals such as land acquisition tat could accommodate housing and open space or active recreation and preservation of historic properties and buildings that could be used for other community purposes. Members agreed to meet in one month and to bring written summaries describing the activities of committees and other groups. The Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jillian Douglass Approved: o�� . Signed: 'ALA Date Clerk of the C m ittee Minutes: Community Preservation Committee—June 15,2005 Page 2 of 2