Agenda and Minutes 2012-01-04
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, January 4, 2012
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
December 7, 2011
o
7:15 - New Member Introductions
7:20 – Review By-Laws and Rules of Procedure
7:35 – Review Member Appointment Terms
7:40 – Elect Chair and Vice-Chair
7:45 - Continue Debriefing – Round 2 2011
8:15 – Plan for Round 1 2012
8:25 – Contracts – Round 2 2011 Projects
8:45 - Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
8:50 – Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: January 18, 2012
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
January 4, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Katharine Baker, Brian Adams, David Drake, Bill Breitbart, Downey
Meyer, Marlene Morin, Dave Rothstein
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Chair’s Report
Katharine asked that Committee members be aware of tangential discussions, to keep meetings
on-track.
Minutes – December 7, 2011
David moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Brian. The motion carried unanimously.
As a follow-up to one of the items in the minutes, Sarah noted that there is no way to know how
the bond rating will reduce borrowing costs, but generally, interest rates will be lower.
New Member Introductions
Dave stated that he has been following the CPC since it was first adopted. An attorney with the
US Fish and Wildlife Service, he is very interested in process.
Marlene stayed in the area after graduating from UMass, and is happy that the CPC will be the
first municipal committee she will be a part of.
Committee members introduced themselves to Dave and Marlene.
Review Member Appointment Terms
The Committee reviewed appointment terms. All members with expiring terms are still
interested in serving, and will ask their boards and Committees to reappoint them.
Elect Chair and Vice-Chair
Brian nominated Katharine for Chair, seconded by David. With no discussion, the motion carried
unanimously.
Brian nominated Downey for Vice-Chair, seconded by David.
Downey stated that he would prefer not to be Vice-Chair, since there is a possibility he may no
longer serve on the Conservation Commission.
Downey nominated Dave for Vice-Chair. Dave stated that as a new member, he is not as familiar
with the rules and procedures of the Committee, and would not feel comfortable being Vice-
Chair at this point. Downey withdrew his motion, and stated that he could continue to be
Vice-Chair if the Committee prefers.
The motion carried unanimously.
Review By-Laws and Rules of Procedure
The Committee reviewed the CPC By-Laws and Rules of Procedure.
Changes discussed include d moving the election to the first meeting in January, noting that
review of the CPC Plan takes place biennially, and clarifying language regarding electronic
communication,
The Committee discussed the section requiring a majority of the quorum present at a meeting for
a passing vote. Downey suggested that this language is confusing, and adds an interpretation
of ‘majority’ that conflicts with the enabling legislation.
Sarah will look into the most appropriate language for quorum and voting requirements, and
distribute the changes discussed, for approval at the next meeting.
The Committee will review the CPC Ordinance at a future meeting.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
1
January 4, 2012
Continue Debriefing – Round 2 2011
The Committee reviewed the draft set of Assessment Steps for Funding Allocation. Noting that
there was some confusion about the ‘shopping cart’ and voting during the last round, the CPC
discussed a set of steps to make the process smoother in future rounds. Sarah will make the
changes discussed to the Steps, and send to the CPC for review in advance of the next
meeting.
Plan for Round 1 2012
The Committee considered the schedule for the next round. A January 18 meeting will be needed,
to host the Q&A for applicants. The Committee will also continue the process and bylaws
discussion begun at this meeting.
Contracts – Round 2 2011 Projects
These will be discussed at the January 18 meeting.
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
Sarah distributed two previously approved contracts received from grantees, for CPC signatures.
Six e-forms have been received so far, the deadline is January 6.
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
2
January 4, 2012