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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-14 Community Preservation Committee Minutes Community Preservation Committee Minutes of December 14, 2023 Present: Chairman William Callahan, John Simons, John Mabon, Terrance Holland, Rick Green. Tim Tschirhart, Adam Bagni, Ron Rudis (remote). Absent: Tracy Watson Staff: Zach Melcher William Callahan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and read procedures for conducting a virtual meeting. All meetings will be recorded and the public will have access. W. Callahan welcomed the newest member Adam Bagni. Notice of Intent Applications - J. Mabon spoke about a proposed project for Apple Brook Farm. Al Manzi of Foster Street is proposing to subdivide or sell 10 acres of property he owns. The property is contiguous with the Greenbelt property and trails could be connected to the Manzi property. The benefit would be that it be kept as open space. The alternative is that the property would be subdivided into housing lots. Mr. Manzi will present plans and additional information at the next meeting. Kathleen Keenan spoke about the Stevens Library North Lawn proposed project. Ron Rudis stepped away as he is a member of the Library Trustees. Kathleen thanked the committee for their past support on Library projects. The Trustees have met with the neighbors and reviewed the proposed plans. Neighbors seem very happy with the proposed project. The presentation and pricing from the landscape architect is in the meeting packet. J. Mabon suggested reviewing the plans with John Borgesi, Town Engineer at DPW, and that getting a letter of support from them would be helpful. Only library activities would take place in this area. The cost from the landscape architect is $883,000, This price includes grading, paving and materials. The walkway is part of this project. T. Holland asked if there has ever been a study done of the overall long term needs for the Library. The rooftop units, windows and roof have been replaced and there should be no major repairs needed in the immediate future. R. Rudis returned to the meeting. Jerome and Sybil Cooper King spoke about a proposed project for Page Fuller Farm located at 844 Salem Street. They distributed a handout to members which will be included in the meeting records. They gave a brief history of the property. The main building was originally a two-family house. The outbuilding was built as a summer meeting house in mid 1800s. They have worked to restore & preserve this outbuilding. B. Callahan explained the three elements the committee would look for in an historic preservation project; 1) must be of significant value, Historic Commission would designate this. 2) Would need to get an historic restriction on the structure, and 3) Public Access. Dealing with a project on private property is more complicated. Because the work is already done, funding is more difficult but not impossible. B. Callahan suggested speaking with the Historic Commission about the historic significance and come back with the application in February. Stan Limpert spoke about the proposed Hay Scales Building Project. He provided the historical use of the building. It is getting progressively more deteriorated and would like to be able to use it as part of their educational programming. Funds would be used for exterior maintenance, siding, trim work, and paint as well as some interior work. It is currently used for agricultural education purposes. Discussion took place regarding past CPC funding for rehab of the Hay Scale Building. T. Holland suggested that Stan find out what work was done there in the past, and look into the possibility of utilities to the building. Stan Limpert spoke about the Johnson Cottage Complex/Founders Hall restoration. This project is to restore Founders Hall to its original "as-built" red brick condition by testing existing paint and removing it and repointing brick work. Would need to be done by a chemical process to remove the paint. He still needs to get an estimate. Stephanie Harrington and Gary Martin are members of the North Parish Church and speaking on behalf of the Friends of the 1836 Meeting House. They spoke about needed renovations to the North Parish New England Meeting House. The project is for two things, making the building more energy efficient by adding insulation. It was then determined that because of leaks in the spire, water damage is causing significant damage. There is a lot of renovation that needs to be done and has become a much bigger project. They first need to get approval from the Old Center Historic District Commission and the North Andover Historical District Commission. If they can get approval from both commissions, they hope to start work in the summer. B. Callahan brought up the legal aspect. Due to the decisions that came down from the Supreme Judicial Court limiting the amount of public funds that can be used to support buildings where religious activities go on. He will forward the applicants and the committee members the opinion that our former Town Council wrote regarding funding religious organizations. He doesn't think it's impossible, but very difficult. He suggested having someone look at Town Council's report and address the three-part test. Have someone review the acting case and explain the aspects of this work and acceptable under the acting test. Is it legal under Massachusetts State Law? The budget is about $750,000, they have raised $300,000 and they would be happy to work with the CPC on the budget for what could be covered. The project includes replacing the spires, residing two sides of the building, painting the exterior, insulation and add storm shutters on the windows. J. Simons suggested they separate parts of the project from the worship activity. He also spoke bout getting a preservation restriction. Town Council's recommendation is that as the applicant, it is your affirmative obligation to prove that this is legal. Update on CPC Financials— Members reviewed the memo about closed projects. Nine projects that are finished and can be closed out. Each grant recipients have indicated that they would like to close the accounts associated with the projects. The nine projects are; Bradstreet School Memorial (#1384), N A Historical Society Building (#1326), Lake Cochichewick Boat Ramp (#1384), Weir Hill Trail Fencing (#1393), Playground Master Plan 2020 (#1372), Playground Master Plan 2021 (#1377), Senior Housing Refurbishment (#1347), Stevens Memorial Library Masonry Refurbishment (#1358), and McEvoy Field Phase II (#1333). MOTION -J. Simons made a motion to close the following nine projects - Bradstreet School Memorial (#1384), N A Historical Society Building (#1326), Lake Cochichewick Boat Ramp (#1384), Weir Hill Trail Fencing(#1393), Playground Master Plan 2020 (#1372), Playground Master Plan 2021 (#1377), Senior Housing Refurbishment (#1347), Stevens Memorial Library Masonry Refurbishment (#1358), and McEvoy Field Phase II (#1333), seconded by J. Mabon. All in favor,vote 7-0. MOTION -T Tschirhart made a motion to accept the October 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes. Seconded by R. Green.Adam Bagni will not vote as he was not a member at the time. All in favor, vote 6-0. MOTION - R. Green made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Adam Bagni. All in favor, vote 7-0.