HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-01-22 CPC interview Mark KraczkiewiczWatertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
Ad Hoc Community Preservation Interview Committee
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Town Council Conference Room, 2nd Floor
Report Date: February 12, 2019
Present: President Mark Sideris, chair; Councillors Susan Falkoff, Tony Palomba, and Lisa Feltner
Also present: Councillor Caroline Bays
AGENDA: Interview resident Mark Kraczkiewicz, At Large Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Appointee
Discussion included questions such as: How does your background and life experience fit with the duties of the CPC? Why are
you primarily interested in serving this committee compared to other Town boards and commissions? How do you feel about
the time commitment this volunteer committee may require? Please share any ideas and concerns about how this committee
could best function, especially in times of conflict or competing priorities. What might the CPC initially need to get up and
running? What ideas do you have for the CPC to engage the public, to ensure a community driven process and generate
excitement about projects?
Chair Sideris convened the meeting at 6:33 with resident Mark Kraczkiewicz, who described some of his involvement with
Open Space issues as an Environmental Planner for Massachusetts starting in the 1960's. He also continues to work on
economic development overseas, and tends to think housing and economic development go together; it's hard work
developing affordable housing.
Mark is eager to learn more about building and updating our current Open Space Plan, discuss findings from recently
convened meetings about affordable house, study our Economic Development Plan and other documents, and reflect on what
has been accomplished so far in order to help decide where we go from there.
Mark looks forward to each CPC member gaining more exposure to different interests in all these areas (open space,
affordable housing, and historic preservation) to help cross fertilize everyone's ideas about these topics. His experience in
serving on larger committees is that a variety of personalities end up balancing each other out through the decision making
process. He feels it is also important to learn about points of view from the community, including about Historic Preservation,
through upcoming CPC public engagement work.
One idea he shared for stimulating conversation included producing brief summaries on each of the three areas, to be aware of
what Watertown has accomplished so far as a kind of base to start from. He expects the Department of Community
Development and Planning would also share ideas about public planning exercises. Mark agreed that there should be a
dedicated CPC web site, or page, and we should look at other more interactive ways to hear different viewpoints.
He has also begun some research, looking at how other communities have used a 2 -step process for project applications. Some
of the proposals may need to use funds to get reviewed by experts, who would help us determine not only their feasibility, but
also how the public interest would be served, preserved, and what that investment would look like.
Mark Kraczkiewicz expressed interest in working with Town staff and legal counsel, and wondered about workload and
access. He is generally available, as he is retired but hopes to know the schedule of meetings ahead of time, as he still travels.
Motion to appoint Mark Kraczkiewicz to the CPC for a one-year term to expire Feb 1, 2020 was made by Councillor
Falkoff, seconded by Councillor Palomba, and approved 4-0.
7:00 p.m. Motion to adjourn by Councillor Palomba, seconded by Councillor Feltner, approved 4-0.
Respectfully submitted, Councillor Lisa Feltner
Attached: Town Manager Driscoll Memo of December 7, 2018; and Administration's interview questions.
Michael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
TOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6465
www.watertown-ma. gov
townmgr@watertown-ma.gov
To: Honorable Town Council
From: Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager
Date: December 7, 2018
RE: Community Preservation Committee Appointments
As you are aware and as indicated in the attached excerpt from the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget
Message, the Community Preservation Act with a 2% surcharge was approved by the Watertown
voters on November 8, 2016.
Further, on June 26, 2018 the Honorable Town Council adopted the attached Ordinance 2018-59
Establishing a Community Preservation Committee.
On September 14, 2018, the attached cover memorandum was sent to the Chairpersons of the
Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission and the Housing Authority
respectfully requesting that a designated statutory member be forwarded by October 12, 2018. Four
(4) designated statutory members were provided to the Honorable Town Council in the attached
October 18, 2018 Miscellaneous Items.
On September 25, 2018, the attached Press Release seeking four (4) Watertown citizens interested
in serving on the Community Preservation Committee was announced at that evening's Town
Council Meeting. In accordance with the above mentioned Ordinance, the Press Release was
widely advertised including in the local news media, on the Town's website and various social
media sites as requested in the attached September 26th and October 5, 2018 emails.
Fourteen (14) citizens submitted a letter of interest accompanied by a resume. One candidate
subsequently withdrew from consideration. Interviews were held with each of the thirteen (13)
candidates and all were asked the same questions which are included in this correspondence.
Given all of the above and pursuant to the provisions of Town Council Ordinance 2018-59, An
Ordinance Establishing a Community Preservation Committee, I am transmitting herewith a request
for appointments to the Community Preservation Committee, which requires Council confirmation.
The appointments will be as follows:
Mark Kraczkiewicz
Dennis J. Duff
Elodia Thomas
Jonathan M. Bockian
77 Riverside Street
33 Spruce Street
67 Marion Road
165 Irving Street
1 year term - February 1, 2020
1 year term - February 1, 2020
2 year term - February 1, 2021
3 year term - February 1, 2022
Additionally, Section 36.02 (1) of Town Council Ordinance 2018-59 regarding statutory
membership states in part that one member will be appointed by the Town Manager who shall be a
resident or employee of the Town who acts in the capacity or performs like duties of a Board of
Park Commissioners. Please be advised that I have appointed Dennis J. Sheehan, Department of
Public Works Director of Administration and Finance as this statutory member.
The nine (9) members of the Community Preservation Committee would be as follows:
Jason D. Cohen
Mark Kraczkiewicz*
Dennis J. Duff*
Maria P. Rose
Susan T. Steele
Elodia Thomas*
Michael A. Lara
Dennis J. Sheehan
Jonathan M. Bockian*
One Year Term
Planning Board Designee
77 Riverside Street
33 Spruce Street
Two Year Term
Conservation Commission Designee
Historical Commission Designee
67 Marion Road
Three Year Term
Housing Authority Designee
Board of Park Commissioners
165 Irving Street
* Appointment requires Council confirmation
Thank you for your favorable consideration in this matter.
cc: Honorable School Committee
Honorable Library Board of Trustees
Jeffrey W, Brown, Chairperson, Planning Board
Leo Martin, Chairperson, Conservation Commission
Elisabeth Loukas, Chairperson, Historical Commission
Allen Gallagher, Chairperson, Watertown Housing Authority
Department Heads
February 1, 2020
February 1, 2020
February 1, 2020
February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021
February 1, 2022
February 1, 2022
February 1, 2022
Excerpt from Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Message
May 1, 2018
Page 5
Community Preservation Act (CPA)
The Community Preservation Act (Mass General Law Chapter 44B) was enacted by the
state legislature in 2000. The law allows municipalities within Massachusetts to raise
monies through a surcharge, of up to 3% of the real estate tax levy, on real property. The
state, through its CPA Trust Fund, augments local CPA revenues annually. CPA funds
may be used only to:
• Acquire, create and preserve open space
• Acquire, create, rehabilitate and preserve land for recreational use
• Acquire, rehabilitate and preserve historic resources, and
• Acquire, create, preserve and support community housing
The Community Preservation Act with a 2% surcharge was approved by Watertown
voters on November 8, 2016.
The CPA also requires that the Town Council establish a Community Preservation
Committee (CPC). The Honorable Town Council has referred the matter to the
Committee of Rules and Ordinances for their review and recommendation to the full
Town Council.
Once the Community Preservation Committee is established, the committee will begin a
process which includes a development of a budget in order to determine what
recommendations will be made to the Honorable Town Council regarding the utilization
of the Fiscal Years 2018 & 2019 CPA funds.
Budgeting and accounting for the CPA funds will be done within a Special Revolving
Fund and is not included in the Fiscal Year 2019 Submitted Budget.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Mark S. Sideris,
Council President
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Vice President &
District C Councilor
Caroline Bays
Councilor At Large
Anthony J. Donato,
Councilor At Large.
Susan G. Falkoff,
Councilor At Large
Anthony Paloniha,
Councilor At Large
Angeline B. Kounelis,
DistrictA Councilor .
Lisa J. Feltner,
District B Councilor
Kenneth M. Woodland,
District D Councilor
Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972.6470
ORDINANCE #59
0-2018-59
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, on November 8, 2016 the voters of the City known as the Town
of Watertown voted by ballot to accept the provisions of. G.L. c.44B, the
Community Preservation Act; and
WHEREAS; the provision of G.L. c.44B §5 require that the Town, having
accepted the statute, establish by ordinance, a community preservation
committee.
NOW THEREFOR BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Council of the City
known as the Town of Watertown that Title III of the Watertown Code of
Ordinances, Administration, is hereby amended by the insertion of a new
Chapter 36 as follows:.
Chapter 36: COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
§36.01 Establishment
There is hereby established a Community Preservation .Committee, consisting
of nine (9) voting members pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 44B.
§36.02 Membership and Term
The composition of the Committee and the appointment authority for the
Committee members shall be as follows:
(1) Statutory Membership: There shall be five Statutory Members of the
Committee designated as provided herein:
a. One member of the Planning Board as designated by the Board.
b. One member of the Conservation Commission as designated by the
Commission.
c. One member of the Historical Commission as designated by the
Commission.
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d. One member of the Housing Authority as designated by the Authority.
e. One member appointed by the Town Manager who shall be a resident
or employee of the Town who acts in the capacity or performs like
duties of a Board of Park Commissioners.
Any vacancy in the Statutory Membership shall be filled for the remainder
of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original designation.
Should any of the Statutory entities listed above no longer be in existence
for whatever reason, the Town Manager shall appoint a member who acts
in the capacity or performs like duties of such Statutory entity.
(2) Appointed Membership: There shall be four members appointed by the
Town Manager and confirmed by the Town Council.
a. The four appointed members shall be residents ofthe•Town and shall
not be employees or appointees under the authority of the Town
Manager or elected officials of the Town, at the time of appointment
or during the pendency of their terms. Acceptance of employment,
appointment or election, or removal of residence from the Town, shall
be deemed a vacating of office.
b. The Town Manager should seek to appoint members who are not just
advocates for open space and land for recreational use, historic
resources, and community housing, but also who:
1. have deep connections to different constituencies within
Watertown to make the Town more responsive to the needs of its
residents;
2. can bring specific skills to the execution of tasks required by the
Committee;
3. can bring specific outlooks that may not normally be heard
through the Town's routine procedures; and
4. value new approaches and ideas to identifying projects outside the
Town's routine budget priority process.
c. Publication and outreach for these positions must be widely advertised
using all available methods including, but not limited to, the current
methods but also using social media as an additional tool.
Any vacancy in the Appointed Membership shall be filled for the remainder
of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(3) Term: Statutory and Appointed Members shall serve for alternating three-
year terms, or for such shorter periods as they remain eligible for
designation or appointment. Initial terms shall be as follows: one year -
Planning Board designee and two resident members; two years -
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Conservation Commission and Historical Commission designees and one
resident member; three years - Housing Authority designee, appointed
Statutory Member, and one resident member.
(4) Removal: Any member of the Committee may be removed by their
respective designating or appointing authority for cause as determined by
each such respective designating or appointing authority.
(5) Annual Election of Chair and Other Officers: The Committee shall
annually elect one of its members to serve as chairperson and may elect
such other officers, adopt procedural rules and regulations, and establish
such subcommittees as it deems appropriate; provided, however, that
nothing herein shall prevent the Committee from reorganizing from time
to time.
§36.03 Operations
(1) The Committee shall not meet or conduct business without the presence of
a quorum and shall keep a written record of its proceedings. A majority of
the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(2) Each fiscal year, the Committee shall recommend to the Town Manager an
operational and administrative budget which cannot exceed five percent
(5%) of the Community Preservation Fund estimated annual revenues. The
Committee shall provide budget recommendation(s) as requested to the
Town Manager.
(3) Members of the Committee shall not be compensated by the Town in any
way for their service on said Committee, with the exception being a Member
whomay also be a Town employee as set forth in §36.02(1)(e).
(4) The Committee shall report to the Town Council twice during each fiscal
year and at other times as may be requested.
§36.04 Duties
(1) The Community Preservation Committee shall have all powers and duties
as set forth in G.L. c.44B, and in particular G.L. ,c.44B, §5, as may be
amended.
§36.05 Effective Date
Following Town Council approval of this ordinance, each appointing authority shall
have 60 days to make initial designations or appointments to the Community
Preservation Committee. Should any appointing authority fail to make their
appointment within that allotted time, the Town Manager shall make the
appointment for the membership of such appointing authority.
3 of
And be it Further Ordained that the position of Community Preservation Committee
member shall be classified as a special municipal employee position for the purposes
of G.L. c. 268A, the Conflict of Interest law.
Council mber
• I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was
present, the above Order was adopted by a vote of _6_ for, _3_ against and _0_ present
on June 26, 2018.
Wuri Marilyn ),�j� Pronovo , Council Clerk
4 of 4
2
Mark S. Sideris,,Council President
S;/i nd P
Michael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
TOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6465
www.watertown-ma.gov
towmngr@watertown-ma.gov
To: Jeffrey Brown, Chairperson, Planning Board
Leo Martin, Chairperson, Conservation Commission
Elisabeth Loukas, Chairperson, Historical Commission
Allen Gallagher, Chairperson, Watertown Housing Authority
From: Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager
Date: September 14, 2018
RE: Community Preservation Committee
The Honorable Town Council adopted the attached Ordinance 2018-59, An Ordinance
Establishing a Community Preservation Committee, at their June 26, 2018 meeting. For
background purposes, 1 have also enclosed a copy of G.L. c. 44B, §5.
As stated in part of Section 36.02 (1) of the attached Ordinance regarding Statutory Membership:
a. One member of the Planning Board as designated by the Board.
b. One member of the Conservation Commission as designated by the Commission.
c. One member of the Historical Commission as designated by the Conm ission.
d. One member of the Housing Authority as designated by the Authority.
Given all of the above, 1 respectfully request that you forward the designated statutory member
to me by Friday, October 12, 2018.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
cc: Honorable Town Council
Steven Magoon, Community Development & Planning Director/Assistant Town Manager
Brian Costello, Executive Director, Watertown Housing Authority
Department Heads
Candidate's Name
Community Preservation Committee Date
1. Please provide a brief description of your background and experience.
2. Why are you a good candidate for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)?
3. Why are you interested in serving on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)?
4. How have you demonstrated a commitment to at least one of the three programmatic
areas of the Community Preservation Act (open space and land for recreational use,
historic resources, and community housing)?
5. Do you have deep connections to different constituencies within Watertown to make the
Town more responsive to the needs of its residents?
6. What specific skills can you bring to the execution of tasks required by the Committee?
7. What specific outlooks can you bring that may not normally be heard through the Town's
routine procedures?
8. What are your thoughts on new approaches and ideas to identifying projects outside the
Town's routine budget priority process?
9. What are your initial thoughts on the best way to use the Town's Open Space and Land
for Recreational Use portion of the Community Preservation Fund? "Open space"
includes land that protects a scenic vista, forested land, land that protects wells, aquifers
and recharge areas, fields, as well as land used for recreational purposes, including
playgrounds and athletic fields (but not stadiums, gymnasiums or similar structures),
trails, non-commercial sports, parks, and community gardens.
10. What are your initial thoughts on the best way to use the Town's Historic Resources
portion of the Community Preservation Fund? This portion may be used to acquire,
restore and rehabilitate "historic structures and landscapes ", defined as any building,
structure, vessel or real property that the Watertown Historical Commission determines
to be significant in the history, archeology, architecture or culture of the Town, or that is
listed or eligible for listing on the state register of historic places.
11. What are your initial thoughts on the best way to use the Town's Community Housing
portion of the Community Preservation Fund? This portion may be used for the creation,
preservation and support of "community housing", defined as housing for both low and
moderate income families (including seniors). Eligible activities could include: rental
assistance; acquisition of land or buildings to create affordable housing; conversion of
existing buildings for community housing; home modifications (including accessibility) to
allow seniors to stay in their homes; and grants or loans to provide down payments, assist
with closing costs, or subsidize interest rates for qualified buyers.
12. Is there any item or matter that could come before the Committee that you would recuse
yourself?
13. Do you have any questions?