HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130130 - Appropriations Committee - Meeting MinutesTown of Hopkinton Appropriations Committee (AC)
Minutes of Meeting on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Room 211, Town Hall, Hopkinton, MA
In attendance:
Mike Manning
Wayne Pacheco
Pam Waxlax
Ron Eldridge (participating remotely)
Chris Ketchen
John Coolidge
John Keane
Aubrey Doyle
Andy Boyce
John Mosher
John Westerling
Chairman Manning called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM when a quorum was physically present. Mike
announced that Ron Eldridge would be participating remotely in the meeting due to significant
geographic distance. (No vote to allow remote participation of an individual by the physically present
members is needed to recognize a remote member under 940 CMR 29.10.)
John Coolidge from the Community Preservation Committee reviewed the CPA funding applications
which come before ATM (see attached.) The following was noted for each proposal:
1. This is a portion of the whole revitalization/renovation for Sandy Beach
2. The committee requested clarification on the roof issues and history of the roof to make sure
there are no warranties on the current roof. Chris will talk to Dave Daltorio to clarify
3. This property is between 7-12 acres (no larger than 15), appraisal should be available before
ATM
4. Involves open space in both Whitehall and Reed Park
5. The town owns all the land for Center Trail or has obtained easement where needed so that
construction of the trail may begin
6. This is upgrading one of the loops into the trail system
7. Some work was done on Comey Chapel last year and this will complete it
8. nothing noted
9. House on property was not salvageable and recently torn down. The family asked the town to
honor their parents who were long time residents of the house/property
10. This does the same thing for town properties that private residents do for their properties
All the funding is with CPA cash reserves, no borrowing will be needed. Items 6 through 10 are each less
than $10,000. Last year approximately $850k went into the fund and they expect the same amount this
year. The state share percentage has dropped over time. Last year the town portion was $710K and the
state portion was $140k. There is just over $2million in the fund, less these proposals. The goal is to
leave it level funded. The CPC has voted all of these already and the CIC has recommended everything
over $25k.
John Keane, Aubrey Doyle and Andy Boyce from the Sustainable Green Committee (SGC), along with
John Mosher, Board of Selectmen, returned to our committee after presenting to the Board of
Selectmen. The Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend funding the project to keep the process moving.
There is a $2500 filing fee with NStar for paperwork and then $8000 for an engineering study. The
additional money, up to $12500 would be for an impact study with NStar, which could be managed by
Dave Daltorio. NStar currently has a one year turnaround for these projects.
The plan would be site specific to Fruit St and the Selectmen were divided about approving the use of
the Fruit St property, due to the same concerns voiced by our committee last month. They want to hear
the opinion of Town Counsel first with regards to use of the land at Fruit Street, especially since CPC
funds were used for a portion of the purchase. The Planning Board is forming a Fruit St Subcommittee
and will bring any changes to use before ATM. Elaine Lazarus believes that the 2 parcels (#8 and 9)
under consideration for solar use are under the Selectmen's control, but would still need ATM approval
for the use. The current understanding is that parcels 8 and 9 didn't use CPC funds to purchase those
portions of Fruit St. The land would be leased, and therefore temporary in nature so it wouldn't fully
change the use of the land, but it would need to be approved at ATM.
It takes 3 to 4 weeks to submit an application. Currently 180 megawatts against a total of 400
megawatts statewide have been designated to other communities, with the feeling that the pool will be
used up by the middle of the year. The Board of Selectmen endorse the proposal and the Sustainable
Green Committee has done a lot of work on this project. There would be annual estimated relief of
$300-350k on the Town's electric bills if this project is successful, which would reduce the town's
obligations. The $25k start up costs would be rolled back into the eventual power purchase agreement.
Wayne moved and Pam seconded to transfer $25,000 from the Reserve Fund - 0115 to Sustainable
Green Committee Expenses - 1314, in accordance with MA General Laws. The motion passed 4-0.
John Westerling presented a request for the ability to make additional expenditures to the DPW Snow &
Ice Control account #423 of $300,000 to be prepared to remove snow and ice from future storms.
Approximately $11,000 remains of the original $200,000 appropriated at May ATM due to winter storms
so far this year.
Pam moved and Wayne seconded a motion to approve over expending the DPW Snow & Ice Control
account #423 by $300,000 in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 31D. The motion passed by a
vote of 4-0.
Mike reviewed what the School Committee has been considering as part of their budget presentations.
They have a final meeting tomorrow night where they will approve the budget sent to Town Manager
for inclusion in the town-wide budget. The Town Manager needs to have a formal proposal to the
Selectmen by March 1st. Chris Ketchen noted the following for the committee:
Base levy 47,400k
New growth 950k
2.5 % 1,185k
Exclusions 3,000k
Excess Levy 1,272k
Total 53,807k
Wayne moved and Pam seconded a motion to approve the minutes of our 12/12/2012 meeting as
written. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
At 7:45 PM Wayne moved and Pam seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously, 4-
0.
CPA Funding Applications for Fiscal Year 2014
SUMMARY
PROPOSAL 1:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 2:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 3:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 4:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 5
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 6:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
Sandy Beach Revitalization/Restoration
Parks and Recreation Department
Upgrades to walkways, beach sand, bath house, playground, pedestrian,
vehicular and boat access.
$260,000.00 from Passive/Active Recreation
Town Hall Envelope Repair -Phase II
Town Manager/Facilities Department
Continued preservation effort includes slate roof, mortar and brick preservation;
overall goal to preserve a historic structure, and the address need for proper
archival space.
$250,000.00 from Historic Preservation
Land Acquisition: East Main and Wilson Streets
Open Space Preservation Commission
To purchase land for inclusion in Upper Charles Trails system
Between $250,000.00 and $275,000.00 from Open Space, Historic Preservation
and Passive/Active Recreation
Reed Park Revitalization/Restoration
Parks and Recreation Department
Upgrades to athletic field, tennis courts, trails and picnic area and general access
$150,000.00 from Passive/Active Recreation
Center Trail; Section 2 Loop (to Chamberlain Road)
Downtown Revitalization Committee and Hopkinton Trails Club
Extension of mUlti-use trail from the School Loop Road to Chamberlain Street as
part of the larger Charles River Rail Trail project
$53,500.00 from Passive/Active Recreation
Andy We/zel Memorial Path
Downtown Revitalization Committee and Hopkinton Trails Club
Development of a side-loop off the Center Trail of about 440 yards to honor the
memory of Hopkinton resident and trail enthusiast Andy Welzel
$7,000.00 from Passive/Active Recreation
PROPOSAL 7:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 8:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 9:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
PROPOSAL 10:
SPONSOR:
DESCRIPTION:
AMOUNT:
Comey Chapel Window Preservation
Hopkinton Cemetery Commission and the Hopkinton Historical Commission
Installation of a permanent protective Lexan storm window to protect and
preserve the main Chapel window in the newly restored Comey Chapel at
Evergreen Cemetery.
$7,500.00 from Historical Preservation
Cameron Woods Signage
Hopkinton Trails Club
Installation of signage and a kiosk identifying open space off Whisper Way
$2,000.00 from Passive Recreation
Hughes House Signage
Opens Space Preservation Commission
Installation of signage identifying acquisition on Hayden Rowe Street
$2,000.00 from Passive Recreation
Boundary Markers/Medallions for Town-owned parcels
Conservation Commission
Installation of boundary-delineating markers on Town-owned properties to
prevent illegal dumping.
$1,123.90 from Passive Recreation
FUNDING REQUEST TOTAL: $ 983,123.90 to $1,009,123.90
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I I
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
RESERVE FUND TRANSFER MEMO
DATE ISSUED: 30-Jan-13
Period Covered: FY 13 TRANSMITTAL #:
*****Cbarge***** *****Credit*****
Accounts to Charge: Accounts to Credit:
0115 -Reserve Fund $ 25,000.00 1314 -Sustainable Green Comm $ 25,000.00
$ Ex~enses $
$ $
$ $
$ $
$ $
1$ 25,000.00 1$ 25,000.00 1
XPLANATION OF CHARGES:
Transfer request to fund engineering work for solar project at Town owned site on Fruit Street
SUBMITTED BY: Date: #
APPROVED BY: Date: / /3tJJI1{)1]
Appropriations Commi e ( Chair I
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Appropriations Committee
Appropriations Committee
Appropriations Committee