Community Preservation Committee

January 12, 2006 - Meeting Minutes

Committee members present: George Bailey (Selectmen), Arnold Kublin (Housing Authority), Janet Sargent-Tracy (Selectmen), Corey Snow (Moderator), Robert Young (Historical Commission). Committee members absent: Peg Arguimbau (Conservation), Arnold Cohen (Planning Board). Guests: Irene Nasuti, Dr. Fred Martin, Katherine Roth, Ben Puritz (part of the time).

Katherine Roth, Assistant Director of the Community Preservation Coalition, gave a PowerPoint presentation about the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which Sharon voted to accept at the May 2004 town meeting and the November 2004 election, as a 1% property surcharge. An amount of about $240,000 is expected to be collected locally this year, with a 100% match expected from the state in October 2006 (G. Bailey, per his latest discussions with the Assessor). Sharon is one of 103 towns that share in the match at present.

CPA funds are dedicated to open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing purposes. A minimum of 10% of the annual revenues must be set aside for each of these three purposes, and the remaining 70% can be allocated to any of the allowed uses, or for recreational use. Up to 5% may be used for administrative and operating expenses. Ms. Roth summarized examples of uses for the three main purposes, which can also be found on the Web site www.communitypreservation.org. CPA housing is different from 40B housing in that the occupants can earn 100% of the median income in the Sharon region, but CPA units count toward the town’s state-mandated affordable housing percentage if the occupants’ income is 80% of (a different) median income calculation. The Committee might decide to give a higher ranking to a project if it combines uses, like historical and open space values. Mr. Young mentioned the King Philip’s land (part of which Dr. Martin advocates purchasing) as an example. He also suggested that CPA funds might be permitted to pay for part of a town planner’s salary. There was discussion about how and when funds may be appropriated, and about permissible borrowing and repaying of bonds. Mr. Bailey suggested that funds are applicable only for capital expenditures and that “projects already in the works” be given priority.

Ms. Roth said that the CP Committee should assess CPA needs in the town, solicit and screen projects, recommend expenditures at Town Meeting, initiate CPA warrant articles, have a minimum of one public hearing, and do project budgeting and record keeping. Also, make a mission statement, establish procedures and a form for applying, advertise the application process and the application packet, and establish criteria for selecting projects. Some CP committees are proactive on searching out projects; others “wait for applicants to come to them.” She will ask for a placeholder on the warrant in case the Committee comes up with a recommendation it wants to make at May Town Meeting. Some members, including Mr. Young, expressed doubt that there would be time to do so for May 2006. It is permissible to present recommendations at either May or November Town Meeting. Voters can accept, reject, or reduce (but not increase) the appropriations recommended by the Committee. Mr. Bailey said that the CP Committee is one of the most powerful committees in town because it is independent, that it should review projects carefully without “jumping too fast,” and that it should formulate strict rules of procedure. 

Mr. Kublin moved, and the Committee approved, that Alice Cheyer act as temporary secretary, reserve a room for the next meeting, and send out draft minutes of this evening’s meeting. The Committee must have a quorum to act officially and a majority to approve, but Mr. Bailey said he hoped consensus would be the basis for actions. There was discussion about meeting on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, and about whether the Committee would seek a secretary or just appoint a Clerk, or both. Corey Snow offered to set up a Committee Web site for scheduling and e-mails at yahoogroups.com.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 7 p.m. The agenda will include election of officers, mission statement, bylaws of the Committee, protocol for submission of projects, and setting up a page on the Town Web site. Mr. Bailey suggested the Committee establish a rule that any member be able to call meetings. The meeting ended at 9:15 p.m.

Submitted by Alice Cheyer,          

 Acting Temporary Secretary