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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-14 Community Preservation Committee Minutes Minutes approved 11/4/21 Community Preservation Committee Minutes of October 14, 2021 Present: Chairman Brian Roache, Vice Chair John Simons, Terrance Holland, Rick Green, John Mabon, Tracy Watson, William Callahan, Daniel Beckley (Staff Planner) Absent: CJ Gangi Chairman Brian Roache called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. The meeting was televised. Mr. Roache read a statement before the meeting started (referencing the opening statement off rovisions strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Community Preservation Committee will conducted via remote participation to the Approval of September 16, 2021 Minutes ahLhbʹ aƩ͵ DƩĻĻƓ ƒƚƷźƚƓĻķ Ʒƚ ğƦƦƩƚǝĻ ƒźƓǒƷĻƭ ŅƩƚƒ {ĻƦƷĻƒĬĻƩ ЊЏͲ ЋЉЋЊͲ ƭĻĭƚƓķĻķ ĬǤ aƩ͵ƭĭŷźƩŷğƩƷ͵ wƚƌƌ ĭğƌƌʹ IƚƌƌğƓķΏǤĻƭͲ DƩĻĻƓΏǤĻƭͲ wƚğĭŷĻΏ ǤĻƭ Ͳ /ğƌƌğŷğƓΏǤĻƭͲ ‘ğƷƭƚƓΏǤĻƭͲ {źƒƚƓƭΏğĬƭƷğźƓͲ ağĬƚƓΏğĬƭƷğźƓ͵ aƚƷźƚƓ ƦğƭƭĻķ ЎΏЉΏЋ͵ Discussion with Gene Willis regarding potential sale of his land to the Town. Mr. Willis showed the property map and discussed the history of the property. 20+ Acres. Mr. Willis has hired Lillian Montalto of Signature Properties to sell the property. Ms. Montalto introduced herself and discussed their intentions to obtain an updated appraisal. Mr. Willis discussed his vision of how the property can be used by the Town. There is no application before the committee, this is simply an informational meeting tonight. Discussion with Mr. Andrew Shapiro regarding use of funds for Rail Trail project. Mr. Shapiro discussed the unsuccessful Mass Trails Grant proposal. Mr. Shapiro is seeking input from Stantech, who has experience building out rail trail project in several local communities. Stantech has already advised Mr. Shapiro that this project would most likely have to be funded through MASS DOT. The Project Initiation Process is three-part. The first part of the process is Transportation Improvement Program Funding. A Project Need form must be submitted to MASS DOT District 4 Office through the Massachusetts Project Intake Tool from Stantech for $17,690.00 to assist through the initial phase. Mr. Callahan questioned the process with MASS DOT. Mr. Shapiro explained that is the same TIP program as the Route 114 Corridor Improvement and would be funded in the same way. Mr. Mabon asked about the outreach to private owners. Mr. Shapiro stated that both National Grid and Trustees of Reservation own property along the proposed trail and deferred to Mr. Buckley for further explanation. Mr. Buckley stated that National Grid would not approve a project until there are full engineering designs to review but would not work with you upfront. Trustees of Reservation are very supportive of the project. Other property owners are supportive as well. We have received letters of support from many property owners. In the next phase property owners will be contacted directly. Mr. Tschirhart asked for clarification on the overall budget. Mr. Shapiro explained that the intitial budget was $113,900 and after review with DPW it was determined that that estimate was low. More money would be needed for the design & plan. Stantech estimated more like $1million per mile for construction. The first phase of this project is 1.3 miles = $1.3 million. Andrew stated he would come back to the committee for additional funding as the project proceeds. MASS DOT is generally very supportive of rail trail projects and will most likely fund much of the project. Mr. Simons asked about overall funding of TIP Program to include major roadway & rail trail projects. Mr. Shapiro explained that roadway projects include integrating complete streets design standards and solutions. With the Rte. 114 project, wide shared use path along the roadway. They are trying to fund projects to include all users. Ms. Watson questioned the MASS DOT Rte. 114 project compared to this rail trail. Is support for the Route 114 project due to the possible private development along that roadway? Mr. Shapiro emphasized that the Route 114 MASS DOT project and the private development are mutually exclusive. The project to build Route 114 is going forward regardless of the development. The projects are not dependent on one another. Mr. Simons questioned why the Town did not get the initial grant. Mr. Beckley stated engineering design was not a priority, and that MASS DOT was funding shovel ready projects. Mr. Green asked where this project might be it the que for MASS DOT. Mr. Shapiro does not have a sense, but he would not wait for MASS DOT to fund the project. They would like to move forward for the rail trail regardless. Mr. Green asked if Stantech would proceed with intent that the construction would be up to MASS DOT standards. Mr. Shapiro Yes. Mr. Green questioned how much MASS DOT would be involved during the design? Mr. Shapiro explained they would be involved. The first phase is providing information to MASS DOT and working to get the project in the que. Mr. Holland asked how other communities have funded their trails? Stantech has worked with numerous local communities and are familiar with the Merrimack Valley. Mr. Roache asked about the original approval. Was it dependent on the approval of the MASS Trails grant? Mr. Beckley has not checked with Town Council but Mr. Shapiro will check. Mr. Simons would like to go back and review the original application. It was originally presented as a matching grant. Mr. Shapiro explained that this request for funding is for the initial phase to get started on the process. Mr. Beckley will get an opinion from Town Council. Project Quarterly Report Mr. Beckley gave an update of the following projects - Mills to Hills trail project Applicant - Previous Town Planner who no longer works for the Town. The Planning Director, Jean Enright took on this project and completed it. She recommends releasing the remaining $54,500 funds and closing out the account. Stevens Estate Trails (FY 2018)- $7,684.51 remaining of original $12,500 Applicant- Friends of North Andover Trails The boardwalks on these trails have been complete for a while now. The lumber cost significantly less than expected, resulting in the relatively large budget surplus. Additional signage may be beneficial, but could be built with other funds. Cyr Boardwalk (FY 2020)- Full $14,720 appropriation remains Applicant- Friends of North Andover Trails The boardwalk is nearly complete and the applicant was unsure why no funds had been requested for disbursement. More information is being sought. Restoration of Historical Records Phase V (FY 2013)- $3,351.90 of original $40,000 remains Applicant- Town Clerk This project is considered complete and was previously requested to be closed out. Mr. Holland reiterated that Jean Enright did a great job pickup up and finishing the project. The trail looks great and it is used alot. ahLhbʹ aƩ͵ IƚƌƌğƓķ ƒƚƷźƚƓĻķ Ʒƚ ĭƌƚƭĻ ƚǒƷ ЊЌЌЌ ε ЊЌЊЍ {ĻĭƚƓķĻķ ĬǤ aƩ͵ {źƒƚƓ͵ wƚƌƌ ĭğƌƌʹ IƚƌƌğƓķΏǤĻƭͲ DƩĻĻƓΏǤĻƭͲ wƚğĭŷĻΏ ǤĻƭͲ /ğƌƌğŷğƓΏǤĻƭͲ {źƒƚƓƭΏǤĻƭͲ ağĬƚƓΏǤĻƭͲ ‘ğƷƭƚƓΏǤĻƭ͵ aƚƷźƚƓ ƦğƭƭĻķ АΏЉ͵ Quarterly report Mr. Beckley stated that Ridgewood is pulling together information and will send reports and the new Fire Chief is getting together information and will send photos for the restoration of the fire steamer. Finalize Application including Sign Exhibits Mr. Green Discussed sign templates with Dawn form Dawns Sign Tech for pricing. Should have prices by next week. Mr. Roache asked Mr. Beckley about the online application process. Not live yet, was waiting for confirmation from this meeting and additional information from Dawns Sign Tech. Leadership discussion and vote Mr. Roache Discussion to adopt a process as part of the committee goals. Mr. Callahan discussed the committee leadership roles, regular rotation, more process driven, more collaborative. He reviewed the draft Community Preservation Community (CPC) Policy on Chair as included in the packet. Ms. Watson questioned the wording for term limits of chair and vice chair. Mr. Callahan would like a regular rotation of Chairs., and would be happy to revise the document wording. Mr. Tschirhart his experience is with being on the Fin Com. and agrees with the roles of the Char. and vice Chair. Mr. Mabon agrees but believes additional wording for Chair and Vice Chair succession feel it should be in writing and more left to writing but should be a natural succession. Mr. Holland believes elections might be best just after town meeting, more of the beginning of the new year. Mr. Green agrees that there is no need for it to be in writing. Mr. Simons feels that passing along the knowledge to new members is most important. Mr. Roache questions the legality of #7 - After bring any legal instruments to the CPC for approval, signing legal instruments as a representative of the CPC. He will discuss with Town Council for further clarification. Ms. Watson feels that before the Chair signs the final agreement, the entire committee should be allowed to review it. Previously the final legal documents never came back to the committee for review. She feels #7 is most important. Mr. Callahan questions weather a bylaw should be produced? Many committees have bylaws. Should we have guidelines instead, less formal and easier to change and develop. Or simply have an understanding of what we want. He feels the guideline approach would be best, but would feel good with any approach. Mr. Tschirhart likes all but the last section. Terms With the annual elections, just let the process work, no need to put it in writing. Mr. Simons agree with a formal rule to have the Vice Chair automatically take over as Chair. Guiding and mentoring new members is most important. Mr. Holland would like to allow all members to learn the process. Ms. Watson feels the Chair should make sure all members are aware of important issues and leadership will follow. No motion was taken to adopt the policy. Going forward regular elections should take place. ahLhbʹ aƭ͵ ‘ğƷƭƚƓ ƒğķĻ ğ ƒƚƷźƚƓ Ʒƚ ƓƚƒźƓğƷĻ aƩ͵ wƚğĭŷĻ ğƭ /ŷğźƩƒğƓͲ ƭĻĭƚƓķĻķ ĬǤ aƩ͵ IƚƌƌğƓķ ͵ wƚƌƌ ĭğƌƌʹ IƚƌƌğƓķΏǤĻƭͲ DƩĻĻƓΏǤĻƭͲ wƚğĭŷĻΏ ǤĻƭͲ /ğƌƌğŷğƓΏǤĻƭͲ {źƒƚƓƭΏǤĻƭͲ ağĬƚƓΏ ǤĻƭͲ ‘ğƷƭƚƓΏǤĻƭ͵ aƚƷźƚƓ ƦğƭƭĻķ АΏЉ͵ ahLhbʹ aƩ͵ IƚƌƌğƓķ ƒğķĻ ğ ƒƚƷźƚƓ Ʒƚ ƓƚƒźƓğƷĻ aƩ͵{źƒƚƓƭ ğƭ źĭĻ /ŷğźƩƒğƓͲ ƭĻĭƚƓķĻķ ĬǤ aƩ͵ DƩĻĻƓ͵ wƚƌƌ ĭğƌƌʹ IƚƌƌğƓķΏǤĻƭͲ DƩĻĻƓΏǤĻƭͲ wƚğĭŷĻΏ ǤĻƭͲ /ğƌƌğŷğƓΏǤĻƭͲ {źƒƚƓƭΏǤĻƭͲ ağĬƚƓΏ ǤĻƭͲ ‘ğƷƭƚƓΏǤĻƭ͵ aƚƷźƚƓ ƦğƭƭĻķ АΏЉ͵ Mr. Holland suggested determining when the next election would take place. He suggested the first meeting after Town meeting or September. All agreed that the first meeting in September would be best. Plans for November open meeting Mr. Roache discussed the November meeting being open to the public to generate some project ntil January so would be too late for the application deadline. Maybe an article in the newsletter reminding the public what the CPC is and the projects that were funded through the CPC. Mr. Roache mentioned that Mr. Brad Wakeman of the NA Improvement Society will attend the next meeting in November to discuss what they have planned in the Old Center. Mr. Green asked Mr. Beckley for suggestions of how to get word out for the upcoming open meeting to discuss potential projects. Mr. Beckley will contact recurring applicants to come in to the next meeting for information purposes to hear what the plans are for the future. Will work to get meeting notice out on social media. Adjournment ahLhbʹ aƩ͵ IƚƌƌğƓķ ƒğķĻ ğ ƒƚƷźƚƓ Ʒƚ ğķƆƚǒƩƓͲ ƭĻĭƚƓķĻķ ĬǤ aƩ͵ DƩĻĻƓ͵ wƚƌƌ ĭğƌƌʹ IƚƌƌğƓķΏǤĻƭͲ DƩĻĻƓΏǤĻƭͲ wƚğĭŷĻΏ ǤĻƭͲ /ğƌƌğŷğƓΏǤĻƭͲ {źƒƚƓƭΏǤĻƭͲ ağĬƚƓΏǤĻƭͲ ‘ğƷƭƚƓΏǤĻƭ͵ aƚƷźƚƓ ƦğƭƭĻķ АΏ Љ͵ Respectfully submitted, Bernadette Curran