Town of Sharon

Community Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes of 3/14/11

Amended and Approved on 3/21/11

Sharon Town Hall

Filmed by SCTV

 

Committee Attendees

Corey Snow, Chair 

Jane Desberg, Treasurer

Meredith de Carbonnel

Susan Rich

Allen Garf - absent

Amanda Sloan - absent

Marc Bluestein

 

 

Others

Greg Meister Conservation  Commission

Barbara Nadler Library

 

Meeting Initiation

Chair Snow called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

Conservation Commission Proposed Project #27

Greg Meister of the Conservation Commission presented a project for Conservation Fund replenishment.  The request is for $25,000 for inclusion in the Conservation Commission’s Conservation Fund. The monies will allow the Commission to act independently and immediately to accomplish open space protection and management activities associated with current and future land holdings. Currently there is $7,000 in the fund which is not adequate for the Commission to act when opportunities arise. Mr. Meister explained that the money is being requested to replenish allowable uses such as purchasing land, make capitol improvements to the land and pay for expenses directly related to the purchase of land such as surveying, title searches, legal expenses for deed preparation and title passing. As per Ms. de Carbonnel it excludes wetland protection and is a vehicle for open space protection only.

 

Ms. Desberg asked how the Committee can be informed as to how the money is expended. Mr. Meister said the Conservation Commission Treasurer can provide this information via a separate ledger.

 

Mr. Bluestein asked if this is a common practice based on the March 3, 2003 letter from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to the Town of Duxbury that Mr. Meister provided within his submission packet as an example. Mr. Meister said it is very common to request such monies. The advantages to this request are that monies are available when needed for small unanticipated occurrences/expenses that would come up and could put another project in jeopardy. It is for deed restrictions not for land purchasing.

 

Mr. Bluestein asked if the monies could be used to clean up the land around the lake and Mr. Meister said it could be used for that purpose.

 

Library Project

Barbara Nadler of the Library provided the Committee with a partial project submission form to fix the windows on the front and side of the Carnegie section of the library because they are original, circa 1914. They lack the energy efficiency of modern windows and some are fused shut. Replacement would make them more energy efficient and returning the fused windows back to their original design as casements will allow then to open. Ms. Nadler said she is present on behalf of the Chair and the estimate provided was only from one vendor. Ms. Nadler said that there are many projects going on at the library right now but would like to wait until the fall to obtain additional estimates and allow the Historical Commission to provide their opinion.

 

Ms. Desberg expressed her concern that the submission was too vague and that 3 quotes are required. She would like to see a picture of what the replacement windows would look like as well and wants the Historical Commission on board. She also suggested there may be remedies to keep the original windows.

 

Ms. Rich said that the Massachusetts Historical Commission list serv provides information on windows and suggested Ms. Nadler reference this information.

 

Minutes

Ms. Desberg moved to approve the meeting minutes of 2/28/11 as written. Mr. Bluestein seconded the motion and the Committee voted 3-0-1 in favor (Ms. Rich abstained because she was not in attendance.)

 

Chair Report/ FY2011 Budget

Chair Snow provided the Committee with CPA Potential Appropriations FY 2010

 

1. Library Restoration – Windows, Amount: $12,000 – 15,000, Category: Historic CPC

 

Chair Snow said that the library window project is missing facts. There is already a library project funded by the CPC but not started. As per Bob Levin, there was flooding in the library basement which delayed the entry way project. As it does not seem to be a pressing matter, it needs to go through proper channels like the Historic Commission. The Committee needs assurance that the amount being approved is realistic. The design and construction needs to be approved by the Historic Commission for outside of buildings.

 

The Committee decided there would be no motion on the library project. There is no action taken.

 

2. Conservation Fund – $25,000, Category: Open Space

Ms. de Carbonnel supports the project. She said a lot of projects would benefit from this funding as timing is often tricky and there are time sensitive issues.

 

 Ms. Desberg said she supports the concept but wants to however ensure proper reporting back to the Committee. She suggested that perhaps Kathy Roth can provide the correct language for the article that Attorney Gelerman could use, based on her experience with other towns.

 

Ms. De Carbonnel confirmed that the $25,000 is a one time request for appropriation.

 

Ms. Desberg moved to approve the Project Submission Form from the Sharon Conservation Commission for the request of $25,000 from the CPC for inclusion in the Conservation Fund to be used for open space protection and management activities associated with current and future land holdings and that the Conservation Commission will be required to update the CPC on its activities and use of funds. Ms. Rich seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor of the motion.

 

3. Conservation Restriction – Glenview Billings land - $15,000, Category: Open Space, first vote passed.

 

At the last meeting one vote was received. This is similar to the Horizons for Youth Conservation restriction. The Town needs to be in legal compliance with this restriction.

 

Ms. de Carbonnel moved to approve the project submitted by the Sharon Conservation Commission project #26 in the amount of $15,000 for the project at 154A Billings Street for Conservation Restriction Stewardship. Ms. Desberg seconded the motion and Ms. de Carbonnel seconded the motion. The Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor of the motion.

 

4. HFY Debt Payment - $208,406, Category – Open Space

 

Chair Snow said the Town needs to vote for debt payment each year even though they voted to use CPA Funds. It will make accounting a little clearer.

 

Ms. de Carbonnel moved to authorize Horizons for Youth debt payment for $208,406. Ms. Desberg seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor.

 

5. FY12 CPC Administration Budget $25,000 Category: Administrative

 

Chair Snow said that since the beginning of CPA monies have been appropriated and unused funds are rolled back at the end of the fiscal year. Historically $20,000 has been appropriated. In the beginning a lot was spent on consultants and legal fees. Recurring costs are $2,000 for salaries, $2,000 for legal fees, and $1,500 for CP membership fees. Chair Snow said he proposes to confirm the $20,000.

 

Ms. Desberg moved to appropriate $20,000 to FY12 CPC administrative Budget. Ms. Rich seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor.

 

Other Business

1. Mr. Bluestein would like a financial page in the Town Report in the future.

2. Chair Snow said there are draft articles for the debt payment, conservation restriction and administrative budget.

 

Next Meeting Dates

3/24/11

 

Meeting Adjournment

Mr. Bluestein moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 pm and Ms. de Carbonnel seconded the motion. The Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor.

 

Attachments

1. Project Submission Form dated March 14, 2011 from the Sharon Conservation Commission for Conservation Fund Replenishment.

2. March 3, 2003 letter from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to the Town of Duxbury.

3. CPA Potential Appropriations FY 2010