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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-05 Community Preservation Committee Minutes Community Preservation Committee Minutes of February 5, 2026 Present: John Simons Chair, Jennifer Whitney, Marsha Finkelstein, Terrance Holland, Rick Green, Ron Rudis, John Mabon, Adam Bagni, Absent: William Callahan Staff: Jean Enright John Simons called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. J. Simon reviewed the fund balances and availability. The available current funding is approximately $13 M. The total for current projects is approximately $6 million. Formal Project Review- FY27 Applications Gallagher Field Renovations - Laurie Burzlaff, Assistant Town Manager presented the proposed project for the next phase of the Fields Master Plan done by Gale Associates. Last year both phases of the High School were done but no town fields. Current application is for renovations at Gallagher Field. Ms. Burzlaff reviewed the process of the Fields Master Plan study and explained the report and cost estimates. This information is online for all to review. Cost estimates are from January 2023 because that is when study was done. At the end of the study, it was agreed to concentrate on McEvoy, then high school, Sharpners and then school phase II. When they re-evaluated, they determined it was best to do the entire high school project rather than in phases. Sharpners plan calls for turf so it is not an eligible project for CPC funding. They would like to establish a long-term Fields Master Plan. The RecPlex will take most of the concentration for the next couple years, so they have some time to decide what happens after that. Gale Associates also provided a maintenance plan which gave the framework to go out to bid to get landscapers, field liners and whatever other work would be needed to be done to get all the fields in shape and maintain them. The request is currently for $500,000. Application has been revised to $550,000 which will include the parking lot but not storage garage. The design and cost could be closer to $575,000. R. Green suggested submitting the application for $575,000. The only thing not being done will be the storage garage. L. Burzlaff will revise the application to $575,000. Affordable Housing Trust - Richard Vaillancourt spoke on behalf of the Affordable Housing Trust. He gave a brief overview of the Affordable Housing Trust, current programs and future goals. He will be submitting an application for $200,000 to pursue affordable housing. A list of projects is attached to the application. Current available funds in the trust are $488,000. CPC is the key funding source for the Housing Trust. A. Bagni questioned if the AHT is in compliance with reporting requirements in accordance with the 2016 Housing Trust law. Yes. Old Center Historic District Signage - Jean Enright spoke about the Old Center Historic District signage application. She gave a history of the Machine Shop Village signage and explained that the proposed Old Center Historic District signage would could be similar to what was installed in 2016 for the Machine Shop Village District. This past year the Town received a grant and conducted a wayfinding plan. Part of the plan was Old Center Historic District gateway signs. She attended shared the application with the Historical Commission meeting and they are supportive of signage. She also attended an OCHDC meeting and they had questioned the material, size and location of signs. They did not vote on a letter of support, but acknowledged whatever got approved for funding would need to go back to them for approval prior to installation. The Commission added a meeting to their schedule in order to discuss the application again ahead of this meeting. She met with them again andThey submitted the email in your packet that expresses that they are in support, but still not clear on types, materials, and number of signs. J. Simons suggested waiting until next year, once the size and locations are established. A. Bagni questioned if it is eligible for CPC funding. Yes, this is eligible. Berry Street Field Access Road and Parking Area - Jean Enright spoke about the Berry Street Field Access Road and Parking Area application for $257,132. L. Burzlaf spoke about a proposal that will be brought forward at Town Meeting for a third fire station at the Berry Street parking lot. In order to do this project, they are looking to increase the driveway/road that leads to the field and clear an area of the current dump for the parking lot. There are many contingencies such as the fire station passing and wetland issues. The engineers are working on those issues. Access to the gravel parking lot would go through the Fi If the fire station does not pass, this application is no longer valid. L Burzlaff reviewed the anticipated timeline should the fire station pass at town meeting. The public may have to access the fields a different way once construction begins. J. Mabon would like to see handicap access included in the parking lot. getting the fire station project information on the Town website. This application can be contingent on approval of the fire station project. Zero Great Pond Road Land Acquisition J. Simons explained that this application is for the purchase the lake which is currently up for sale. More will be discussed at the next meeting, perhaps in Executive Session because it involves the purchase of land. The Town is working with Greenbelt on this and is in the process of getting an appraisal. 169 Chestnut Street Two half acre lots on Quail Run currently for sale. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. J. Mabon asked what the Town benefit would be in purchasing these lots. Melinda Perone of 65 Meadowood Road submitted this application. She gave a history of the Colonel James Fry Homestead. She would like to see this property kept as open space. P. Boynton J. Mabon suggested she better define what the end result goal is. Perhaps create a document based on environmental observations and analysis for an open space and recreation project and submit with the application. Ms. Perone is not looking to purchase or run the land, but an attempt to prevent single family homes from being built on this property. T. Holland explained that the CPC does not buy land. J. Simon explained that there would need to be a conservation restriction on the property and would need to pay someone to monitor it. NAHS Athletic Complex Lights and Other Improvements J. Enright explained that the ongoing construction is wrapping up which included adding turf to the baseball and softball field, the tennis courts are done, and lights have been put on the upper field. That project is coming to an end. This application is for phase two, which would include lights for the baseball and softball fields, and tennis courts and two additional lights at Walsh Stadium. This would also include a patio gathering area and dugouts in the application. Steve Nugent will be at theinvited to the next meeting to answer questions. Franklin School Fields/ Small Playground Upgrade J. Enright explained that Nicole Radulski, Principal of the Franklin School submitted the application and has indicated to Jean that she would like to revise the application, but not sure what the revision would be. Her understanding is that the application would be scaled back to include only relocation of certain playground equipment from the Kittredge School to the Franklin School and have the rest of the equipment go elsewhere. A Bagni questioned how much would be needed to fund the RecPlex project. R. Green gave an phase two and three yet. Phase one is going out to construction so we are not sure what is needed. Phase one is a small part of the complex, phase two is the large diamond and large multi-purpose field, so there will be a large amount of money needed for phase two. Sports groups will be privately raising money. We are trying to stick to the Master Plan. T. Holland explained that once the RecPlex begins, it is important to continue to move forward with it. We are still moving forward with the Master Plan. Morkeski Meadows J. Enright provided overview of the application. In 2013 DHCD provided guidance on CPC funds being used for regular maintenance and repair functions. They deemed that CPC funds are not allowed to be used for this use. If it was structural; a roof or foundation could be funded, but kitchen and bath upgrades are not fundable. Both town council and Stuart agree that those types of maintenance, repairs and rehabilitation is not considered eligible for CPC funding. J. Simons reiterated that they will bring Steve Nugent in to the next meeting to answer questions regarding the High School application. There will be an updated application for the Franklin School. The Gallagher Field Improvements will be bumped up to $575,000, and the Affordable Housing Trust will be $200,000, not $300,000. Financial Reports J. Enright explained that at the last meeting they closed out 9 or 10 accounts. She listed the projects to be closed at the next closeout including the repair program that was not eligible and should have been closed out. The Historical Society has a couple projects they will recommend be closed out. At the end of each quarter, Jean will prepare a memo with closeouts. J. Simons questioned when the church project will begin. J. Enright is more concerned about the Ousler and Rolling Ridge projects as no one is writing quarterly reports on those projects. Older projects that are completed and have funds still available should be closed out. thth CPC Calendar The meeting scheduled for February 19 will be moved to February 26 due to school vacation week. MOTION R. Green motioned to accept the Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2026, seconded by T. Holland. All in favor 8-0 vote. MOTION R. Green made a motion to adjourn, seconded by T. Holland. All in favor, vote 8-0.