Agenda and Minutes 2012-05-02
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, May 2, 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 - General Public Comment
7:05 - Minutes - April 18, 2012
7:05 – Chair’s Report
7:10 – Complete Council Resolutions for Round 1 2012 Recommended Projects
7:45 – CPC Plan Update Process and Schedule
Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: May 16, 2012
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
May 2, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Katharine Baker, Brian Adams, Marlene Morin, Downey Meyer, David
Drake, Dave Rothstein
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Minutes – April 18, 2012
Brian moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Katharine. The motion carried unanimously.
Chair’s Report
Katharine informed the CPC that the Act to Sustain Community Preservation passed in the
House, and will be going to the Senate in May. This could affect the second round of funding.
Complete Council Resolutions for Round 1 2012 Recommended Projects
The Committee reviewed draft Council resolutions that staff prepared for the recommendations
decided at the April 18 meeting. Sarah noted that resolutions should include major elements
of projects, and contracts can also include specific conditions for monitoring, reporting, and
disbursement of funds.
Beaver Brook Bridge
Dave suggested that the resolution include a condition for ongoing maintenance. The CPC added
a whereas statement indicating that the City has committed to maintaining the bridge, to
reflect the statements and match shown in the application.
The Committee discussed whether a historic preservation restriction should be required.
Sarah suggested that finding a holder for the restriction could be difficult. The CPC agreed on
language to require OPD to investigate whether an HPR would be possible.
David moved to approve the resolution, seconded by Downey. The motion carried unanimously.
Broad Brook Gap
The CPC discussed the level of access that should be required. Committee members discussed
whether requiring certain levels of access would be micromanaging, what types of access
would be appropriate, the reasons for placing land in conservation, and who has
decisionmaking responsibility for creating new trails.
Downey noted that the Conservation Commission feels that public access is very important.
Dave noted that BBC had mentioned their lack of plans for trails, and suggested that the
resolution clarify that the Commission is responsible for deciding access issues.
There was consensus about wording a ‘whereas’ statement that access from Coles Meadow Road
will be provided.
Downey moved to approve the Council resolution, excepting the access statement. The motion
carried unanimously.
Downey moved to approve the inclusion of a statement that public access from Coles Meadow
Road will be provided. The motion carried, 4-2.
Conservation Fund
The CPC agreed that the past performance of the fund should be highlighted, to include a
‘whereas’ statement indicating acres protected.
Downey moved to approve the amended resolution, seconded by Brian. The motion carried
unanimously.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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May 2, 2012
Hampshire County Courthouse
The Committee agreed that the resolution should be clear that CPA funds are contributing to the
first phase of the project. The CPC agreed that contract conditions clarifying how
Northampton’s CPA funds will be spent is needed
The Committee agreed that a requirement Conservation Restriction on the courthouse lawn
should be included in the resolution.
David moved to approve the amended resolution, seconded by Downey. The motion carried
unanimously
CPC Plan Update Process and Schedule
The Committee agreed that the Plan update should be postponed until the CPA legislation vote
occurs in the Senate, since this could change priorities for recreation and community housing by
adding additional allowable uses.
The next meeting will be June 6.
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
Brian moved to thank Katharine Baker for her leadership, seconded by David. The Committee
said good-bye to Katharine and the motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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May 2, 2012