HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-12 Community Preservation Committee Minutes
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of January 12, 2023
Present: Chairman Brian Roache, John Simons, Terrance Holland, Rick Green Tim Tschirhart, Ron Rudis,
William Callahan.
Absent: John Mabon, Tracy Watson
Call to Order 7:05
Immediately prior to calling the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, Brian Roache read aloud a statement
regarding the conduct of virtual meetings and public access.
B. Roache recognized Jean Enright as 2022 Employee of the year. He also clarified that no vote on any
applicants and provide guidance. Public comment emails were received and are in the meeting packet
that anyone can access. Opened the floor for public comment, no public comments.
CPC Financials The Town received a State match in excess of $600,000. The current free balance is
approximately 5.4 million.
Project 1394 Old North Pump Station boat launch improvement conceptual plan. Bob Rafferty of
Environmental Partners, engineering consultants for the boat launch. He gave a general overview of the
plans shown on the screen and in the packet. They are not creating a boat ramp, using the same location
of the old ramp to create a boat launch. They are ready to launch the 75% design effort included in the
current contract. They are ready to get the permitting done which will take months to do because of the
work on the lake itself with the Watershed Special Permit, the Conservation Commission, the Army Corps
and the State. They will then come back for additional funding to do the permitting, final design and
bidding. W. Callahan questioned the timeline for drawings and go to bid then come back next year. Mr.
Rafferty stated that they are trying to time is so they get 100% design done with sure pricing or go to bid
for an actual number. R. Green asked about the construction of the block retaining wall. Mr. Rafferty
stated that they would use a plastic Porter Dam. T. Holland asked if they can work with the Town road
construction project on permitting? It will be all new permitting for this project. B. Roache questioned
how far down would you design the ramp now to accommodate rising and falling of the water. Using past
data, they are going to make it to the low point so people can walk down the water. It will get worked out
once the survey gets incorporated. Based on the rendering shown, is there any thought of a picnic area?
Yes, at the low point they are hoping to make a seating area so people can enjoy the lake.
Jon Straus, Chairman of the Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC) explained that the
committee serves as an advisory role to keep check to see how the progress is going, if projects are
meeting those goals, sort of the measuring stick. The Master Plan has 103 different outline strategies and
goals. The MPIC maintains a webpage on the Town website which provides a breakdown in analysis of
each goal. Some of these goals are relative to the CPC, like maintaining of open space, development of
recreational facilities and other amenities for town residents. B. Roache encouraged the open dialogue as
they look at open space and the seven- point checklist which is part of the Master Plan. B. Roache asked
if the MPIC has any other guidance for any of the other categories? Some are vey clear-cut, some are
contingent on other developments. When projects of significance come before the Town, the MPIC will sit
down with our evaluation Matrix and create an objective analysis as we did with the Royal Crest
redevelopment project.
Notice of Intent applications-This is the new process we added this year, a pre-application process to
give people the opportunity to bring in projects before the actual application.
J. Enright presented Zero Bradford Street. This is a 6.8 acre parcel between Carter Hill fields and
Mazurenko Farm, privately owned today and is on the market for just under $1 million. The listing states
that it could be divided into two lots. The Town has contracted with Landvest to have an appraisal done.
septic restrictions and the wetlands. We have made an offer of $510,000 which is being worked through
Town Council. J. Simons stated that the Town purchased Mazurenko property approximately 25 or 30
years ago. Then Carter Hill in the first year of CPA. We always knew we wanted to get this parcel because
as all of the characteristics
we are looking for. He is very glad we are perusing it. B. Roache asked if we expect to hear back from the
seller prior to the application deadline, J. Enright believes we will. W. Callahan asked who would hold the
property and conservation restriction? The Town would own it under care custody and control of the
Conservation Commission and Greenbelt will hold the Conservation Restriction. J. Simon gave a brief
overview of properties procured by CPA in the past. B. Roach asked if there are any existing trails on
these properties. There are no existing trails, there is very steep topography, but there could be.
Stan Limpert spoke on behalf of the Historical Society about two letters of intent that have been
submitted. One for artifacts restoration and the second for interior restorations in The Parson Barnard
House. Mr. Limpert reviewed some history of the storage of artifacts in the past, including the basement
of The Grange. It had not been taken care of, so they have a lot of materials that need to be restored.
This grant would provide some materials to help with the restoration and provide some expert assistance.
The Parson Barnard House application is to restore the interior of the historic part of the building. The
new caretaker provides a much more detailed view of what is needed to stop some of the deterioration
that is taking place. This grant is to provide funding to go through room by room and start some
restoration of the interior of the building. J. Simon asked how this fits into the Master Plan. Mr. Limpert
believes the Master Plan addressed mostly the exterior of the building and did not include the interior. R.
Green asked what kind of artifacts need to be restored. A lot of textiles, clothing, objects and tools. T.
Tschirhart inquired about painting of the Parson Barnard house and if it would involve lead paint. This
Center. W. Callahan asked about the assessment before the work starts. S. Limpert stated that they
would need to find experts to help determine how best to deal with the paint in an historical way. They
would also get help with assessments of the artifacts, primarily the textiles and clothing to determine
what is worth restoring. S. Limpert reviewed the hours that the Parson Barnard House is open to the
public.
Tom Perrone of 65 Meadowood Road spoke on the Meadowood Tot Lot The Tot-Lot is a small green
space between 64 and 66 Meadowood Road which would serve about 90 homes in the Meadowood area.
He provided an overview and history of the Tot-Lot. Mr. Perrone is seeking guidance from the CPC on
putting together a proposal. He reviewed the high-level request of $35,000 for purchase and installation
of play structures and benches. B. Roache questioned the ownership of the lot. The Town has not
maintained the lot, other than delivering woodchips once. He is not aware of any homeowner
association. J. Simons reviewed some history about this lot from the original subdivision. It is probably
still owned by the original developer. J. Enright brought up the Master Declaration which was in the
meeting packet. It states the envision of someday potentially conveying it to the town, but the street has
never been accepted. The declaration states that upon street acceptance including potentially the Tot-
still a
bond out for approximately $15,000. J. Enright stated that only two of the four streets are accepted and
clarified the difference between an accepted street and unaccepted street. Mr. Perrone asked if the
ownership issue needs to be determined before the committee can make a decision on funding the
project? B. Roache said technically no, but given the circumstances here, yes. J. Simons agrees. J. Simon
pointed out that for this project, the question that would be asked is who would benefit from this
project? He does not see this going forward unless a good chunk of the money gets paid for by the
people that live there. There is no direct public benefit. B. Roache would like to get a few questions
answered in addition to sorting out ownership
investment of the taxpayers? Mr. Perrone would like to get this into the Playground Master Plan so it can
ultimately be treated as any other playground in town. We will look into this further and see if there is a
path forward.
Gene Willis regarding Zero Boston Hill Road - Mr. Willis gave a brief history about the 38 acre parcel and
pointed it out on the map shown on the screen and in the meeting packet. It can be developed but would
like to offer it to the Town first. It abuts Trustees property. He feels it would be an enhancement to the
trail network. Mr. Willis has met with the Town Manager and negotiating an agreement with the Trustees
of the Reservation. He would like to apply to the CPC to acquire this property under open space. The
organization applying will be determined prior to the application deadline. An appraisal done last year is
in the possession of the planning department as part of my application last year. Mr. Willis has hired a
nd
second appraisal firm and that appraisal should be available prior to the February 2 application
deadline. Mr. Willis reviewed the proposed terms of the sale of the property. W. Callahan asked if the
property has been on the market? No. Some developers have approached Mr. Willis about this parcel but
he is not interested at this point. W Callahan has spoken with members of the Trustees and although
ion
price. He has walked the property and is not sure how much of it is buildable, it is a nice piece of
property, it would serve the conservation interests, but he does not see the value of the land in that way.
He sees no obvious path to development. J. Simon asked if the application will be coming from Mr. Willis
the Town or Trustees then there will not be an application. T. Holland questioned why water & sewer
was brought to the property if he intended to keep it as open space? Mr. Willis explained the history of
the sewer extension from Boston Street. The water main was mandated by the Town for another parcel.
W. Callahan spoke about a court filing stating that the water and sewer was meant for a subdivision to
make the parcel worth more. Mr. Willis stated his understanding of the court filing and easements. B.
Roache questioned how Mr. Willis reconciles the value and the appraisal versus your current assessment
as undevelopable land under $100,000 value. Mr. Willis cannot speak to the tax
the property. He is receiving appraisals. Although the Trustees are interested in this parcel, if they are
not prepared to proceed for this funding cycle, would you hold out until next year? Mr. Willis would
prefer not to, but yes. Can I submit an application and tweak it as appraisals come in? J. Simons stated
that if there is not a land protection partner then there is no project application. W. Callahan spoke about
a possible Right of First Refusal could be placed on the property, so if a potential buyer is sought, the
Town has the right to purchase the parcel first at the given price.
New business Ridgewood Cemetery Association approached B. Roache regarding their wish to apply for
a Grant of $15,000 for the Second Burial Ground through the Mass Historic Preservation Grant. They had
th
a January 6 deadline to apply and asked for a letter of support from this committee which I provided to
them. A copy is in the meeting packet.
MOTION - Approval of Minutes for November 10, 2022 Motion made by R. Green, seconded by T.
Tschirhart. W. Callahan abstain, J. Simons- yes, T. Holland-yes, R. Green -yes, T. Tschirhart-yes, R.
Rudis-yes, B. Roache yes. Minutes approved.
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