Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-19 Community Preservation Committee Minutes F COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITI F l Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015, 7 pm Town Hall, 120 Main Street Present: J.Simons, D, l eltovic,C.Gangi, B.Gordon,T. Holland, B. Wakeman Absent:A.Angles Jr. Meeting started at 7:02 Aplin Pia round Project Submission Review b Town Mana er • Andrew Maylor:This protect submisslon was a by-product of last year's discussion between 2 primary elected boards—board of Selectman and School Committee—had concerns about a comprehensive look of the playgrounds. • A request from last year was an opportunity to possibly amend what we historically do when we fix as we go,A landscape architect who specializes in playground architecture was brought on to take a completely objective look at North Andover playgrounds(school and town). Using the space plan that the town has,the evaluation team analyzed and ranked each playground using criteria such as of play structure,supporting Infrastructure,surface material,repair, perimeter lity, Involved were: L. Burzlaff, R. Santllll and A. Maylor.Some of framing, and handicap accessibi the 13 criteria categories were combined to create a priority list using a point system. It was agreed to use this plan to develop both capital and budgetary maintenance plans.This ultimately resulted in a plan that has 3 funding sources, play structure replacement on the GPC, the request to happen every year for$look(with exception of Drummond),the town would commit by placing $50k/yr,for additional capital and an additional$25k/yr. (operating budget) for DPW for annual maintenance, ti from the objective study,all stake-holders Involved:all PTO's from Early Childhood through all elementary schools,school Committee and DPW) met to subject devise a plan in a legitimate way. Using the very relevant feedback from this group meeting,a consensus view agreed upon this comprehensive plan. • Also agreed upon, by all school PTO's was that If they feel more money is needed for their particular playground,they need to raise this money, Question: Regarding surface material,wood chips versus turf.Turf is allowable with CPC money, and Is neater and cleaner. A. Maylor will look Into. Question:WIII a committee report on the status be the epee and eacrsbof their playg aundack to CPC? Not a c and report se, most likely a representative of each PTO w Y once or twice a year, Question:Who does the design, and drives the construction part of each project?The town will provide the resources,typically the play structures.The companies(on state bid list) have their own people,and will design and supervise a community build.A. Maylor does not want a uniform design It will be 7 Individual requests. Question:Will each individual PTO submit their own Individual (budget) request to A. Maylor? No, he will annually submit a request for$look funding to CPC. question: Regarding a non-school playground,what Is the process?From Drummond,community feedback; also, robo-call to neighborhood playgrounds had good feedback in the past. 1 'f I Comment from CPC made,that this plan does not mandate that people contribute; does town manager think that people will?Yes, but In wide variations.The PTO's have been given seed money, and can add additional fundraising money.There Is a minimum community obligation. Comment made in regard to CPA recognition in all these town projects for funding.Town manager agreed with signage on project, but more as joint CPC and PTO project, Question:Where do we stand with Aplin? The Rotary Club had met with town manager on several occasions,but most recently before the comprehensive plan. He did not knew they were submitting a an for the play structures; but further down the line. If a project request.Aplin is in the comprehensive pi that Is taken from relatively low position on the list, It will create Issues. if the committee has an interest In funding it,than this Is an amended request—it is a request for those things that don't relate to play structures. it is a broad request-fence replacements,etc.—making It more of a historical preservation project than an open space project.Town manager cannot support play structure piece. Athletic Com lex Project by Town Mana er This space represents the most significant open space that Is under-utilized In terms of the condition in what it could be, and is partly controlled by schools and town. it has potential to be a huge community asset,a multi-generational and multl-use opportunity In a really Interesting part of town. A. Maylor met with Fields Committee and they consider It to be a phased large scale project. initial phase Is to have a working group with seed money evaluate and report back with 3 to 7 possibilities.Then have the community evaluate and decide on which of those options make sense.Then the budget associated with what decision Is made is requested,A'building committee' will be assigned to oversee the project(period lighting, a walking path, etc.).This will probably be the biggest open space/recreation project planning we've seen -community wide. Question:Town-owned property Includes 3 house lots and a paper street, Can this space be utilized? Correct boundaries must be established,and,creating a plan to use as little or as much space is still In the dialogue phase of what exactly the community wants here: Question: do you think that next year you will have a better Idea of what exactly we could do there and what will the next.step be? The town has to pick something using the community's Input.The next phase would be the request for funding after the Full i7esign Development Drawings may take up to 2 years. From there,devise funding for the approved plan. Renovation of former Fire station Pro ect b Town Mana er The Town Manager announced that they are very close to final design plans with what will be a unified town hall. He will be revealing to selectman the final interior layout, making the building a single unified town hall office building.The center entrance will be the true center of the building (presently fire station administration office entrance). It will contain courtyard space to congregate. Sometimes the question comes up as where Is the right balance In regard to funding sources, Both requests(14-12 yrs,ago)and this request are far less than allowed for CPC money.The town manager is staying simply to the exterior for this request—to make the outside brickwork match the other side and replace with new wlndows.This is very similar to the request made years ago. It was noted that a lot of projects, statewide, start with preservation(), is a general term,so there are many projects, dozens throughout the state In which if we were doing what we are doing in the fire station, "soup-to-nuts" all of it would be included,short of buying desks, conference tables and AV equipment but we could replace the boiler,all interior fittings,all Interior walls,would be eligible u nd er'historical preservation'.We have avoided that.We're 2 f spending$4,5 million as part of the master plan to do what Is, in essence,a historical preservation project. What we are asking for the CPC Is really exterior windows.The request is for matching window replacement.They are close and will be revealing to the selectman the Interior layout and will make the building a single town hall. Re-alignment of office space will be required. The 2 year plan will be that all town office business needed by residents will be housed in one unified town building. CPC feels good with this model because of the very strong visible historical components of the project and the fact that It represents 1215%of the total. In the end,the building will be recognized with historical significance as well as being a unified town hall. Question; Does CPC still have an open project at the Fire Station In regard to electricity in basement,re- doing the wiring?GPC reacted In a timely manner(not sure when the dept, fix was going to be) In order to not jeopardize the future of the building. Fire Station planned to move in November. Question, Is there a building committee involving public input on the design? on the Interior,there Is no annex exterior change.There Is a building committee, a working committee,involving primarily employees Impacted by the space change Inside,The exterior doors and curb stop concerns will be done by public meeting.The selectman will have the first pass on what the exterior doors should look]Ike and layout of the bay doors, and then public meetings. Comment from CPG regarding historical artifacts;historic brass lettering that says Town Hall could be utilized or preserved. Question about fire truck driveway usage and streetscape options will be explored and open for selectman's view and then community decisions. Beck 's Pond Green Space by Town Mana er This is a neat project,the question being do we want to Invest that level of money In that area, and whether It's square with the primary mandate, Decision to be made by committee. Stevens Estate Bathroom Renovation Pro act by Town Mana er • Town manager made clear that the Stevens Estate Board reports directly to him and are in essence his requests, but are generated by SE. X Mayfor requested that SE establish certain reserves and then partner(financially)in more areas than just the operational facility.The baseline being 4 months'worth of operating reserves,and they've done that.SE would like to participate in historical preservation as well as something that supports and enhances this business, A Maylor solemnly supports this request,while understanding both sides of that dialogue.The interpretation of historical preservation improvements across CPC comfortably fits the project. Analogy was made to replacement of windows with historically appropriate windows--the same as bathroom project. Bathrooms had been retrofitted In past, but(1) they do not reflect Its historical significance, and(2)they need to be repaired. His suggestion was to replace bathrooms with historically appropriate ones that the mandate approves. one more reason to support this project is that the town has chosen to partner(in terms of providing support) with SE, making It a worthwhile project. Question from CPC: How do you create a decent contemporary bathroom, but still maintain the historical Integrity of what Is there?This is a design element performed by people who specialize in historical preservation that need to be hired, rather than a general contractor.The historical significance of the bathrooms is now lost, but can be restored.A. Maylor shared his knowledge of the twin to SE,the town hall in Swampscott,which was totally rehabbed and kept period-appropriate. 3 Question: How do you obtain quotes for such work,a historical contractor? A full assessment was done. Reviewing said document,this project may come in less than projected, CPC Question: is this number for 3 all 5 bathrooms? CPC: Reference made to S.Salginor's(12/11/2014) presentation Involving the renovation of historical buildings, Preserving historical structures needs to be done here, The suggestion was made by the Town Manager to have SF show the outcome:design development drawings, and show what the project will look like to the funding source (CPC).This project combines the benefit of Improving the operation of the business with preserving the historical significance. He also suggested that CPC meet with the historical preservation architect at SE,as certain features need historical protection. Question:Should permanent conservation restrictions be made to ensure preservation for the future of the land/buildings (which buildings), as well as certain elements of the house.The town manager would have voted (if he were in North Andover at the time)to support preserving the estate itself and the land, The other buildings are up for debate. A historical building must be occupied in order to not carry a deficit. We need to find a way to make profits continue because it represents a very Important part of our historical heritage. Question: In regard to conservation restrictions, Is there a town meeting process or does it go In front of the Board of Selectman? It would be regarded as a transfer,needing the approval of town meeting, Funding Request for Carriage House Different spins from different individuals.The estimate of full rehab Is$1,5 million and again, rehabbing a building that does not have any use does not seem to resonate as passionately as does a historical significance. If$80k Is not put Into it,the choice may be made In lieu of,Without a long term use, it becomes a maintenance Item for a non-public building. There does not appear to be a private use.The town will use Gate House In the near future for non- public use,The long term liability of Carriage House Is questionable. More discussion took place for future plans versus other options.The motion was made to approve the project In order to get more visibfllty of the request for a large amount of money- promoting further discussion for options,Also, total dollar amount may coma in lower, ` Affordable Housing _Lroject by Town Manager o Osgood landing 4013 district contained a component for a 530 unit residential development, utilizing the 10%(possibly 12%) affordable housing portion. The residential component is being nationally marketed.The 408 process works when occupied, not permitted. o North Andover will become, rather quickly,a community that views affordable housing as single family homes within small developments. Larger projects are not likely. Smaller projects are really where the town is heading. For different reasons,smaller homes are needed.This request Is an important one, albeit Involving CPC contingencies,The Bread and Roses partnership with Affordable Housing Is a phenomenal example of helping people in need.This project Is an opportunity to combine two important organizations,AH and CPC to support what each does, particularly between cycles,Someone can come In and request funding and it Is available because you've given It to AHTrust to be able to take action between town meetings.This Is the direction AH Is heading:single family and 2-family projects,versus throwing money Into Housing Authority for Improvements. Contingencies should include requiring them to come back and explain the specific project, make money available through appropriation but require that they Identify the project. Comment from CPC: f=rustration exists with Housing Authority regarding elderly and veterans needs not being met in a timely manner, A. Maylor stated that:The more multi-faceted we become, the more dynamic about the choice in spending the dollars,and the better off we are—not just about one population. The possibility was mentioned of holding back until existing money Is used to improve housing conditions.A, Maylor indicated that he would meet with AH, He suggested Inviting them to come in to explain their projects. 4 Comment from CPC; AH only has one project, and the advantage Is that they do not have to go to town meeting only makes sense If you were going to flake that$100k and opportunistically do a project, So they have 7-8 years'worth of projects to go before they need the$100k.Should they be fully exhausted before being replenished? Discussion followed with the possibly of withdrawing money that is not spent, Town manager wants AH to present project to CPC so that CPC knows what project looks like,as the funding source and as a strategic partnership In the project, If the funds are not used,they will be rescinded.A. Maylor plans on working with AH to pick up the pace and to find a standardized model. Question; What makes this$100k different than the rest?it is symbolic to the relationship that exists In other places. It's no different than the money they have. It Is just a method of funding and more about establishing a relationship,where In the long term if It works right, provides a regular funding mechanism to perpetuate AH Trust. The suggestion was made that funding agreements should stipulate that said funding is available for a certain number of years and Is subject to the discretion of the contract. If requirements become undeliverable,funds are withdrawn,A. Maylor stressed the fact that Passion In the project Is Important concerning AH, Stevens Memorial Library Project by Town Manager The problem exists In finding someone to complete the two main doors.Some aspects of capital projects become frustrating when Involving work to be done.Suggestions were made from CPC. S. Foster will be consulted. Meeting ended at 9.12 Next Meeting contingent upon committee availability between March 25,and April 6, 2015, and will be forthcoming. I l E 5