HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-12 Community Preservation Committee Minutes f i) jF
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COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 12,2015,7 pm
Town Hail, 12 Main Street
Present: J.Simons, D. Feltovic,C.Gangl, B.Gordon,T. Holland, B.Wakeman
Absent:A.Angles Jr.
Meeting started at 7:02
General questions from committee members:
A lin Playground was thought to be a part of the Playgroun ed he gunnand hre will get back to John
p
Message from Town Manager was that they may have Jump
not hav fitheir numberonn was part of the5
lmons.somehow this was taken out of queue;they may n he Parity list,will
town-wide study,The question was raised if they become aware
they
withdraw this submission request? Hopefully,the plan will continue as prior
ltiaed by the study.
Rid ewaad Cemeter Presentation
B,Wakeman,to sit out of conversation, and will
Note:Treasurer of Ridgewood Cemetery Association—
abstain from vote.
John
Smolak,Joseph Pellch and Jim Lafond gave a presentation lof u Ridgewood North AndaverAs private,private
nonsectarian cemetery formed in the 1850's,and termed:Buryingbe used
the RC board members do not have the luxury of obtainingtown
frim funds through operations
cemetery, Is d r
operations like other cities and towns. Most of their funding law to
is
and minor interest on trust funds and gratuities.The other thing vsr that every
have that set iaside except
set aside an area for burial for residents of the town. North Andover
ery so that they can
for the fact that they have acquired certain g folks toebe buried That has been om Ridgewood ttheir long standing
malntaln that compliance to have a place for
history of their refatlonship between the town
R4n on as prag am of dentifyingidgewood Cemetery.That is pertain areas that
background.About 5-5 yrs, ago, RC trustees started
cts of the cemetery,RC is In
they thought would be helpful to restore some d the
tris spstary are busied there.There`is as Medal
history as a lot of folks who lived In this town anseveral
of Honor recipient In the cemetery.The ting ands he CPld C,they have takene to preserve lonidiff rent projects.Some
years,through the support of town meeting an
estor
are more visible—the restoration of the main gat where thethe rMemor�lal Day Ceremony akesoplace,A lot
gatehouse,and some planting in the veterans to
of good things have come through CPC funding. In additioia to those projects,the trustees have been
develop a master plan (2010)-a game plan for restoring some of torlcl Commission recommended to
oric landscapes,One
able to p
the Mass hl s
and a half years ago,with the assistance of CPA funding, RC is 2-0 months
the Dept,of the interior that RC be nominated for Natio{amRegister
ngi ents and that thie master plan has
away from that.Additional work includes conservation oments in need of
been developed,with the assistance of CPA funding to identify
that would notical monu
have been possible without the
restoration.Those are the planning and real-life projects
cooperation and funding of CPA.RC trustees are verPA,They have been able to secure
y ef'Is through CPA, t this time,the trustees have
funding from other sources as well.The primary so
done a lot of planning for the cemetery and are loci<ing,through this application, to develop a
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fat'additional landscape restoration and conservation for the cemetery. A question
comprehensive pian It has been discovered that the plan that was
was raised;Through the landscape that has been done,
developed by Harlan Kelsey,a famous landscape a lad cact mbridge Parkway and others to develop
nursery out there)also worked with Frederick Calm L
epared I
national parks).A landscape plan was found in the
h Ft!mansion,lves rand many other n 1903 bprojec s as well.This is a
architect who worked on The Breakers Newport,
co
really good plan.Question was raised:Did this evrenre are now wooded paths The plans were notme to fruition? Parts Of It—some of the
s are
still there:the plans were not exactly stuck to,sowhen the RCAlso of
necessarily stuck to 100%. In x.903,the reason might have only have en ough span cost.
ce for bout 2 years,
trustees started this project,it was thought that they w found that they
and as a result of the master plan with the help of an architslannict ng forathe primayy function of the
might have the capacity for another 150 years with carefrp in terms of the project being proposed Chis
cemetery.The trustees would like to preserve its history.
-f ceted project,with components Chat build upon each other.The
hefVeterans Lot
year,as It is a multi a p sued pathways that meanders in
be to remove some of the pavement from the pe 18501s,These are
where the V , like in theterans Day ceremony is held and replace with cobbled and Involves
the older parts of the cemetery.The se
restoring some of the
cond part is more ambitions an
monuments that have been identified In the master plan.in the historic portion
hey are looking have
repair, restore and conserve some of those monuments, eroded am .y Plots
in the area of Highland and 1+Voodbine,there is a lot of erosion of the topsoil on the
fallen off.Thirdly,
being leaty of
ked out to the wetlands area.
More significantly, I wouldn'ttbe helpful the sunless
side of the hill b R
the foundation of the monuments along that hill. Restoring the monuments
wall area that
they were able Co control the erosion,To do that they must create a retaining topsoil,
grass areas,}and
ang
that avenue.This will alio n stabllioe he morthe
�ments Also,eon SalemtSt,iagsmaller project component
Irrigation,which will+n u tree
down,the
Involves an older tree that is undermining the stonewall Rothe thehtree.Alsaan cut �many of the mature trees
would like to repair the wall and bow the wail out a selective tree laming program with the
are dying off so the trustees would like to develop
p
of the arborlsts to Instait new trees In strategic areas to replace hethedtown of N Aer trees, �has set
consultation program, Lastly,
cemetery does not have the funding for a regular tree planting p g the In that
e raves for Individuals that cannot afford burial an their ow Amonulot fi ►ents to rept cesthem.
aside rhes g
area are deteriorating and the trustees would Uke to acquire new granite
ed out with inscription,those folks deserve to have xheir me rs certain areastfor the
When pric r
in the cemetery.Much of this work that needs to be done depends a stabilizing
and
vate
ons and are
plan to go
forward.RC will be putting In their funds through fundraising to CPA lfor much olf the funding.
grateful far the support of the Historical Society as well,but ars looking
was It just
was first
Question
was raised: Have we looked under the pavement.When it obbiestonestp probably cinder or
r or
cobblestone? IC hasn't been snaked into,but It is not believed to e
certainly not pavement In 18SSwhen this original section was laidout,
pfory2 reasons:
gravel,cert y p
Question raised:Could we go back to gravel?The trusCees do not believe f It being a family
Mt,Auburn Cemetery was designed around the same time with the philosophy appropriate
as
vel wgarden for picnicking,-a planned outdoor resource for the community.the surface back to whiat was
because people walked a lot.Today the trustees would like to g
architect,Blair Bines,who has suggested
appropriate at the time, but has to be usable.There are stillotsa�hat people can be buried,same are
pp
active;some are contemporaries,They have hired a landscape
that will open u
in-fill burial,done very sensitively,and to Instail a retaining the will Zook like 1n other hi historic
cremation or full burial but must hll
ave standards far what th eo le In that area,actively
(crowding,height aspect).A cobblestone surface will allow there to bury p p
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plow that area,that cannot be plowed now, and aiiow people to have access to that area as well.
avel or cinder will not compact Into a hard enough surface to be
Pavement is not historic in nature and gr
able to use year round, The road today Is ire very tough shape—road gulley5 and a lot of dirt.The bases
through
and foundations of many monuments are exposed,The soil of the steep hillside Is being erodenh
ed over
the turf and the ground is sinking around the foundations,exposing them, and it's been happened
the course of 150 years. By Installing a retaining wall,they will be able to decrease the grade above the
wall, not below, and Irrigation and drainage will help solve those issues and hopefully give them another
zoo years to mitigate erosion and ensure longer lasting effects.The bases under the monuments are
starting to shift, making some monuments break In half,some older slats and marble stones are starting
to lean where a strong wind can cause slate stones to break leading to a much bigger problem,once
stabilized, monument conservation Is more secure. Much research has been done on types of materials
—pavement being impervious you get water running alongside It. By using cobble, all of the area around
each Gobble is pervious, capturing a lot of the water and not letting it run down the hillside.They will
also build drainage along that area and swales to avoid this problem In the future.They also plan to
bring back in the topsoil,straighten out the stones, Irrigate to secure topsoil and stabilize the whole
area,do the plantings at the same time and get rid of the trees that are dying,particularly those close to
the edge of the road.Question raised: In time,will this happen again? No,with proper planning.The
cemetery has been In more of a maintenance mode and is now a planned area working for a future
vision.Question raised:$200.00 for pavers,what were other options and costs Involved In other
options?A spread of about$17,000.00 for pre-cast concrete, and all the problems associated with
pavement discouraged this from being an option. Question raised?The total Is $654k,the RC trustees
and where isstep In the
are requesting$594,400,making$60k from private deonaltGture?he trustees sire always seekinge
project?Is there more, Is this a small part of the b gg p
lly discussed future plans for requests for next year or the year
Improvements,but the board hasn't rea
5. In the first 4 phases was the master plan which is where
after.It will be discussed as this Is phase
these needs come from.There was a Monument Inventory done in historic areas only that triaged
restoration of historic stones, in phase 3,a comprehensive study was done on garage doors,and has
been completely restored. Phase 4 was to distinguish the gateway to the veteran's area,leading from
culminating that phase of the master plan,Atkins
aforementioned paved roadway to veteran's area,
Gate was restored as well but was not part of this project,and are currently working on Marbleridge
Gardens for cremated funding,the trustees plan on approximately rrronths. Capable masons come
seasonally who will hand-cut the rocks for approximately$500/day.Using economy to scale saves a lot
of money.Question: Funding For the year starts July I",where this Is a reimbursement, can work start
before,These circumstances have been presented in the past,and you can Jump the gun before the
ration being that the Attorney General's approval comes Into
beginning of the year,the other conside
play,Question:Do the funds have to be secured before the contract is signed?if approved at Town
Meeting in May,the time difference between mld-May and July 1"Is important when dealing with
the possibility of extending Into a second season.Question:in
seasonal workers and the weather,and
subsequent years, do you foresee another$60ok?Not 1n the foreseeable future, in regard to historical
preservation,Smaller projects are planned involving the staging area in the veteran's area,the Hearse
House,and the Grove,where CPC funds would be helpful in the future. Question: Can this be done In
phases?To avoid backtracking,this is not recommended.Much dovetailing Is required In this protect
m,this project is multi-millions,similar concern to
with contingencies upon each previous step. Long ter
Is a
Stevens Estate,where CPC ends up financing the ch a and
sharing.The concern is that CPC becomes a cru thatris not what CPA wasintended to doe
eand is
not sustainable, It worries CPC that If the RC board cannot do anything without CPC money,how is that
along term strategy?The RC board feels that this money will kick start their efforts and will begin a
fundraising process and to create an endowment so as not to keep coming back to CPC for funding.
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Unlike building a school,this cemetery Is there in perpetuity, and their policy is rooted instate law,
They put away 45%of every grave lot sale for perpetual care.Their endowment Is earmarked for life.
CPC agrees that this should be a one-time deal, and it is probably not a good Idea to carve It up Into
pieces because you wili end up paying much more to get the scale economy that you've done with it and
It was put together with that In mind.It seems like a high number, and might be brought up at town
meeting because it's more that GPC has evin r done f Ont of ha baar any other �dect oF selectman submission.
Ithe members of the
recommended that when this project Is brought
RC trustees be present to bring perspective and depth.When the committee meets,John may defer to
RC board members.
Cochichewick Lodge,Protect Presentation
Dick Shubert gave a brief presentation on the history of Cochichewlck Lodge,The original lodge building
was a fire station,located on the Common, across from the Grange. Question raised; is the Masonic
Lodge open to the public? Once a month,the lodge members meet—from September to June and then
twice a year the lodge is open to the public where people can go in and hear about the Cochichewick
Lodge and volunteer to help families In need from any of Its 128 members,once 500 members.Also,
once a month the Cochichewick Lodge hosts a very reasonably priced breakfast feeding hundreds of
historic? It Is not on the register, no, but goes back to 1851 or
people. Question raised; Is the building
1852.At the turn of the century it was moved to the Common spot. Question raised:Are the windows
historic?No, but they were replaced in 1962-1965 by the owner of{Rays Skls}. Fire escape recently
replaced by two N.A. firefighters. CPC states that,though the cost of this project Is relatively low,the
Cpc Is only allowed to fund certain types of projects. Historically, almost every project has been done on
public buildings,owned by a non-profit that stands in direct benefit to the public.Though a non-proflt,
Cochichewick Lodge is a private entity making it harder to fund.Also,the work that needs to be done
must have a historical preservation element.Where Is the benefit to the town compared to the benefit
of the private organization?Though some casual public use exists,the same argument can be made to
any old building In town where windows need to be replaced. Question raised: Would Cochichewlck
Lodge be open to the idea of opening its doors for functions?The hall is rented on a monthly basis{for
yoga}and is available for weddings and showers given enough notice,
Bradstreet School Memorial
Note: B.Wakeman disclosed that he was on the Board of the Historical Society and would abstain from
the vats.His term on the Historical Soclety Board will end before the Annual Town Meeting.
Stan Limpert gave a presentation for the proposal of saving some part of Bradstreet School as a
monument to represent the town.The stones were put up on the last addition In 1848,which also
includes the dates of the 2 previous versions of the Bradstreet School,the first train building In 1885,
and the front building In 1912.This application Is to remove those stones from the building,build an
appropriate support structure and attach them to the support structure and then add some external
that used to exist In North Andover,the union School,the
plaques to describe some other schools
Merrimack School.This monument would represent a sort of history of schools In North Andover.The
proposed location for this monument will potentially be In the site of the new school administration
building on the corner of Osgood and Main Streets,The support structure would be slmllar to a little
piece of foundation with a footing. Included on the monument would be etched plaques with
information In regard to the different schools. Stan's only concern Is he wants to be ready to remove
these stones when the workers with the wrecking ball arrive, His first concern Is to get them off the
building and then worry about the details afterward. Question raised: Somewhere in the Bradstreet
School Is a plaque of a boy who died In the 1940's In the oil pit during recess.Stan agreed to look Into
finding that plaque,Also, when putting In the playground at the old Center,there are two granite slabs
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that they say are the front stairs of the old Center School.They have never been fully identified. Ideally,
Stan would like to have a duplicate of whatever Is placed on this monument placed at Drummond
Playground when they redo It saying"on this site was the Center School"and have a picture and a little
blurb on it that these stones were... .And with St. Michael's School, put one there too saying "on this
site was the Merrimack School",Question:What Is the bell memorial to Johnson High School in the
paper?The town plans to keep the bell from Johnson High School on the property of the Administration
Building, but a plaque will used to commemorate the original location. Also mentioned was additional
guidance from T.zahoralko and S. Foster for construction details, and J. I.abreck's help In removing the
stones off of the school.
Review of project submissions to see who the CPC needs to come in to present.
Question:When Is deadline for decisions?According to the town manager, "several weeks,but,the
end of the month would be good."
Affordable Housing Trustees presented here last meeting so they do not need to come back.
Aplin Playground submission:questionable how they got In,as it was already agreed on in the priority
report. if they still want to go forward,we will offer them the courtesy of talking to CPC.
Becky's Pond submission is a surprise.The question was raised as to if there would be a parking lot/park,
and how It falls under CPC.Someone would need to come In.
Athletic Complex Project:Town manager to come In,
Playground Project:Town manager to come In.
E=ire Station renovation: Town manager to come in.
The two Open Space projects were put in as a placeholder.
Ridgewood Cemetery: presented here last meeting so they don't need to come back.
Stevens Estate Projects:Town manager and SE trustees to come in.
To recap:Aplin Playground submitter, Becky's Pond submitter,Stevens Estate and town manager will be
asked to present their respective project submissions to CPC board at the next meeting.
Concern from chair Is that CPA money is becoming part of the town budget, over half of the projects are
now coming from the town.Comments from the CPC board: Fire station's request is for historical
preservation.Their plan is to build offices,is that the role of CPC? Also, Becky's Pond is a drainage Issue
because the road overflows, how is that considered recreation? At the Stevens Estate,a marble tub
cannot be Installed; It has to be what was there originally.To keep walls or windows historically sound
does not present a problem.
The committee agreed to meet again next Thursday, March 39 at 7 pm,and again In April.
Meeting ended at 8:50 pm
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