Agenda and Minutes 2011-04-06
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, April 6, 2011
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Katharine Baker, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
bakerkg@comcast.net
Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov
(413) 587-1263
Agenda
7:00 - Public Comment
7:05 - Chair’s Report
7:10 - Minutes
March 16, 2011
o
7:15 – Public Comment Session on 2011 Round 1 CPA Applications
Hotel Bridge
o
Community Gardens
o
Florence Fields Recreation Park
o
Conservation Fund
o
CT River Greenway
o
Downtown Park
o
Financial Review/Update
Funding Recommendations for 2011 Round 1 CPA Applications
Project Updates
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
9:30 - Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
April 6, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main St.
Members Present: Katharine Baker, Brian Adams, Downey Meyer, Bill Breitbart, Jim
Durfer, David Drake, Fran Volkmann
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Public Comment
There was no public comment not relating to the project applications.
Chair’s Report
Katharine updated the Committee on the Sober Housing project, which was approved by City
Council, and “An Act to Sustain Community Preservation” which will be discussed at a joint
hearing on April 13.
Minutes of March 16, 2011
David moved to approve the minutes with the changes suggested by Fran, seconded by Bill. The
motion carried unanimously, with an abstention by Fran.
Public Comment Session on 2011 Round 1 CPA Applications
Leeds Civic Association & Northampton DPW – Hotel Bridge
Sue Carbin, Mulberry Street, stated that the bridge is a valuable resource – it is a historic
structure that also provides a bike/ped connection.
Gene Tacy, Ward 7 Councilor, expressed support, noting that the bridge connects the Main Street
and Water Street neighborhoods.
George Kohout, Evergreen Road, noted that the bridge is deteriorating and needs repairs to be
protected.
Grow Food Northampton – Community Gardens
Lilly Lombard, GFN, provided a list of additional people who have expressed support. Supporters
present stood up.
Rahahn Ellijosa, Florence, noted that 15% of the garden plots will be subsidized, and she supports
the project.
Joanna Campe, 152 South Street and Re-Mineralize the Earth, noted that the project is already
nationally recognized and could become a sustainability model.
Julie Kling, High Street, Florence, stated that the scope of the project left her initially skeptical,
but everything has come together and she supports the endeavor.
Donna Lilbourn, Federal Street, expressed support as a member of the Bean Farm Task Force.
Gene Tacy, Ward 7 Councilor, noted that he received 3000 emails about the Bean Farm project,
and only eight of them were not in support.
Joe Blotnik, Dewey Court, supported the project and noted that it will provide opportunities for
start-up agricultural businesses.
Tusie Gastonguay stated that the garden project is the type of activity she had in mind when she
voted for the CPA.
Eric Cole, Maple Street, Florence, stated that the project will benefit a wide cross-section of
people.
Sheri Cross, Columbus Avenue, noted that many CPA projects, like building restoration, are
static, but this one will be an active one in which people can participate.
Jeff Farnes, Columbus Avenue, noted that the project will provide people with opportunities to be
active, and will promote health and combat obesity.
Catherine Stout, Bridge Road, stated that she has been gardening at the Burts Pit Road garden
since 1984. That garden is now full and there is a long waiting list.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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April 6, 2011
Adele Franks, Florence, noted that she also has a Burts Pit Road plot, and that garden doesn’t
provide opportunities for organic gardening.
Art Larson, Fort Hill Terrace, expressed his excitement about the new community gardens.
Recreation Department – Florence Fields
Gene Tacy, Ward 7n Councilor, stated that kids learn people skills and other lessons on ballfields,
and also need opportunities to be outside.
Julie Kling, Florence, stated that she has two children that participate in baseball. Scheduling
games is difficult because there aren’t enough fields in the City. The Florence Fields location
would be perfect.
Jeff Farnes stated that his children grew up and played sports in Northampton, and he is in
support of anything that promotes activity in young people.
Conservation Commission – Conservation Fund
Conservation & Recreation Commission and Planning Department – CT
River Greenway
Northampton Planning Department – Downtown Park
Sarah distributed additional support letters for these projects provided by the applicant.
Funding Recommendations for 2011 Round 1 CPA Applications
The Committee discussed the recommendation procedure going forward.
Jim asked if there would be any additional opportunities to have more discussions with
applicants. Downey suggested that specific concerns about funded projects could be addressed
when drafting contract conditions.
The Committee discussed how funding is provided when projects are in progress. For property
acquisitions, money is held in escrow. With other projects, invoices are submitted and payments
issued according to contract.
The Committee reviewed budget reports, noting that the CPA accounts will contain approximately
$830,000 at the time of the City Council vote for 2011 Round 1.
The Committee discussed funding recommendations, noting strengths and concerns. These
included public support, budgets, permitting, and management. Committee members
individually completed recommendation sheets. Sarah will compile the results of these and
distribute prior to the next meeting, when recommendations will be discussed in detail and
completed at the May 4 CPC meeting.
Project Updates
None
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
None
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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April 6, 2011