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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20111110 - Community Preservation Committee - Meeting Minutes1 TOWN OF HOPKINTON Community Preservation Committee MINUTES OF MEETING November 10, 2011 A meeting of the Hopkinton Community Preservation Committee was held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Members present: Henry Kunicki, John Coolidge, Jeff Doherty, Al Rogers, Ken Weismantel, and Bill Shaw. Ken Driscoll and Chris Waldron were absent. The Affordable Housing Committee seat remains vacant. Also in attendance were Rownak Hussein, Hopkinton Public Library Director, Claire Wright of the Hopkinton Historical Commission, Selectman Ben Palleiko, Linda Connelly of the Hopkinton Public Library, Architectural Consultant Scott Richardson, Brian Eberlin of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Jeff Furber of the Hopkinton Area Land Trust. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM in Room 215. Chairman Kunicki reopened the public hearing to consider applications for CPA funding. PUBLIC HEARING FOR CPA FUNDING REQUESTS Hopkinton Public Library Renovation: In response to Chairman Kunicki, Mr. Richardson said the $750,000.00 in requested CPA funding would offset other funding sources, specifically a $4.5 Million state grant (award pending). Fundraising for private contributions (target - $2.5 Million) is ongoing. Mr. Richardson said construction could start in 2013. Mr. Coolidge suggested that it might make more sense to wait for the grant before seeking CPA money. Chairman Kunicki advised that the CPC can be helpful in a subsequent year if funding can’t be awarded in this cycle. Mr. Shaw confirmed that the Historical Commission voted to recognize the Library as a historic structure. Town Hall Renovation: Chairman Kunicki said he spoke with Town Engineer/Facilities Coordinator Dave Daltorio regarding the remaining work needed at Town Hall. He advised Mr. Daltorio to get bids on the work that CPA funds can be used for, which is confined to the building envelope and perhaps climate control for the vaults. Center School Window Project: Mr. Rogers said the School Department is engaging consultants to reevaluate the windows and that School Finance Director Ralph Dumas is working with the Historical Commission. Mr. Shaw confirmed that the windows in the original building meet the Historical Commission’s criteria, adding that this determination is not an endorsement. Mrs. Wright said Mr. Dumas is consulting with the architect hired to work on the Town Hall project and was advised that proper restoration would give the windows a lifespan of about 100 years, where replacement windows would last only 20 years. Replacement is not allowed under CPA guidelines. A public hearing on the Town Hall project will take place on December 8. Mrs. Wright encouraged the School Department to have a representative attend. 2 Town Records Restoration: The Committee decided to support this request. Mr. Coolidge said this installment will probably complete the project. Tax Records Restoration: Chairman Kunicki said $20,000.00 was a reasonable request and would probably be enough for the entire project. Land Acquisition – Hayden Rowe Street: [Placeholder] Mr. Doherty reported that negotiations continue on the price of the two parcels, which he expects will cost about $400,000.00. Mr. Weismantel noted that one of the parcels is very wet. Mr. Coolidge said CPA funds cannot be used to pay more than the appraised value of the land. Land Acquisition – East Main Street: [Placeholder] Mr. Doherty said this parcel contained roughly 20 acres with frontage on East Main Street. It connects to Weston Nurseries open space. Land Acquisition – Ash Street: Mr. Weismantel stepped off the Committee during this discussion and returned when the discussion ended. Mr. Coolidge reported that the owner of this parcel came before the Open Space Preservation Committee years ago and offered the property for $3.8 Million. Today, it could probably be acquired for less than $1.8 Million. There is a historically valuable house that can be restored on the property. Mr. Coolidge said Community Harvest is interested in using 20 acres, which would come off the price. The frontage along Ash Street is developable. There is an outstanding loan on the property of an undetermined amount. Open Space Purchase – Dan McIntyre: Mr. Coolidge said this purchase would provide parking and access to the existing trail system. Mr. Weismantel agreed to contact Mr. McIntyre to get the proposal brought before OSPC. Sandy Beach Enhancements: Mr. Eberlin said CPA funds are being sought to rebuild the bathhouse and make improvements to the entrance. The Lake Association will pay to fix the boat ramp and the DPW will pave the parking lot. Mr. Weismantel said he is generally in support of the project. Chairman Kunicki said he would look into the legality of funding this project through the CPA. Historic Headstone Restoration: Mrs. Wright said she has photographs of the work done to date and would like to continue the effort in other Town cemeteries. Many markers may lose their engraved fronts due to water seeping into the stones through cracks. She said ten stones need new bases or should be repositioned. Mrs. Wright reported that repairs to the Comey Chapel cost $25,500.00, $5,000.00 less than anticipated. She asked if the extra money could be used for additional work to make the structure functional. Chairman Kunicki advised her to get estimates and put the request in writing. HALT Trail Signs: Mr. Furber requested $14,000.00 to install composite signs at various HALT sites. The signs should last about 50 years. 3 HEARING CONTINUED: MOTION by Mr. Weismantel to continue the public hearing to December 15, 2011 at 7:00PM SECONDED by Mr. Shaw. VOTE to Approve: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. MOTION by Mr. Rogers to recommend that $8,400.00 in CPA funding be appropriated for the preservation of the Town Clerk’s historical records SECONDED by Mr. Doherty. VOTE to Approve: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. MOTION by Mr. Shaw to recommend that $20,000.00 in CPA funding be appropriated for the preservation of the Assessors’ historical records SECONDED by Mr. Weismantel. VOTE to Approve: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. MOTION by Mr. Rogers to recommend that $10,000.00 in CPA funding be appropriated for the continued restoration of historic grave markers by the Hopkinton Historical Commission and the Hopkinton Cemetery Commission SECONDED by Mr. Weismantel. VOTE to Approve: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. MOTION by Mr. Coolidge to recommend that $14,000.00 in CPA funding be appropriated for the installation of signage on land managed by the Hopkinton Area Land Trust SECONDED by Mr. Weismantel. VOTE to Approve: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Furber suggested moving forward on repairing the Claflin Fountain. Most estimates of the work fall between $78,000.00 and $80,000.00. Mrs. Wright will ask Historic District Commission Chair Mike Girardi to put it on the HDL December agenda. Chairman Kunicki said he’d discuss the project with the Town Engineer and the Town Manager. Parks and Recreation will also be notified. The Claflin Fountain will also be on the CPC December meeting agenda. Mr. Girardi has indicated that he will be the clerk of the works for the project. OTHER BUSINESS: Meeting Minutes from October 10, 2011. MOTION by Mr. Weismantel to approve the October 13, 2011 meeting minutes as written SECONDED by Chairman Kunicki. VOTE to Approve as amended: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. ADJOURN: MOTION by Mr. Weismantel to adjourn SECONDED by Mr. Doherty. VOTE to Approve: Yes-6, No-0, Absent-2. Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM. Respectfully Submitted, Elizabeth Aghababian CPC Administrative Assistant Documents Used: 1) CPC Meeting Agenda 2) 10/15/11 CPC Meeting Minutes 3) Completed CPA Funding Applications and Summary 4) Financial Spreadsheet for Fiscal Year 2013 4