Agenda and Minutes 2012-06-06
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, June 6, 2012
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Downey Meyer, Acting Chair, Community Preservation Committee
downeymeyer@gmail.com
Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov
(413) 587-1263
Agenda
7:00 - General Public Comment
7:05 - Minutes - May 2, 2012
7:05 – Chair’s Report
7:10 – Welcome New Member
7:15 – CPA Legislation Amendment Update
7:20 – CPC Plan Update Process, Schedule, and Public Hearing
7:40 – Set Round 2 Review Schedule and Summer Schedule
7:50 – Review and Approve Round 1 2012 Contracts
8:20 - Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: TBD
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
June 6, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Brian Adams, Downey Meyer, David Drake, Dave Rothstein, Joe
DeFazio, Jim Durfer, Bill Breitbart
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Downey called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
Public Comment
Debra J’Anthony, Academy of Music, provided an update on plans to provide matching funds to
the CPA award.
Andrew Crystal, Academy Board of Directors, noted that the contract for roof and auditorium
work required that all matching funds be secured prior to CPA payments being made. The
Academy proposes to separate the roof into a different project and pay for it with state grants
in Summer 2012. A capital campaign has started, which will be used to cover any gaps in
funding. If the Cultural Facilities grant is not received, the funds will need to be made up by
utilizing outher sources,
Downey recalled that the Academy’s objection to the previously approved contract language was
that all of the matching funds would not be able to be received before the project would need
to utilize CPA funding.
Andrew stated that the Academy will have two years to spend the Cultural Facilities grant, not just
one as previously thought.
Downey suggested separating the project into phases, with the requirement that matching funds
for each phase be secured before CPA payments can be made on that phase.
The Committee discussed possible backup plans with the Academy, in the event that other funds
are not able to be secured.
David moved to amend the matching funds contract requirement to read “Prior to payments for
work on each phase of the project, the Grantee shall demonstrate that it has secured matching
funds from other sources necessary to complete that phase of the project. Phase 1 – Roof
repairs. Phase 2 – Auditorium Repairs” Seconded by Joe, the motion carried 6-1.
Minutes – May 2, 2012
Dave moved to approve the minutes, seconded by David. The motion carried unanimously.
Chair’s Report
No discussion
Welcome New Member
Downey stated that Debin Bruce, the new Planning Board representative, is away on business.
CPA Legislation Amendment Update
Sarah provided an overview of the major changes to the CPA resulting from the passage of ‘An Act
to Sustain Community Preservation,’ which was passed, but is in conference committee.
These include creation of an exemption, at local adoption, for the first $100,000 in assessed
value for commercial and industrial property, allowing CPA funds to be spent on
rehabilitation of recreational facilities not acquired by the CPA, and clarification of what
‘support’ of affordable housing can include.
The Committee asked staff to research how the changes would be enacted locally, and what the
fiscal impact of an exemption for the first $100,000 of commercial value would be.
CPC Plan Update Process, Schedule, and Public Hearing
The Committee discussed options for updating the Plan. Downey will provide section review
assignments to each CPC member once the legislative updates have been finalized. The
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June 6, 2012
public hearing will be held in the fall, and boards and committees that deal with elements of
the plan will be encouraged to review and provide comment.
Set Round 2 Review Schedule and Summer Schedule
Jim moved not to meet during the summer, and resume the regular meeting schedule August 15.
Seconded by Joe, the motion carried unanimously. Staff will provide updates if expedited
applications or other business will necessitate meetings.
The Committee reviewed the Round 2 application review schedule. Staff will place on the
website.
Review and Approve Round 1 2012 Contracts
Sarah noted that contracts must be approved by the Committee, then sent to grantees for review
and signatures, then returned the CPC and City for signatures.
Broad Brook Gap
Brian moved to approve the contract as presented, seconded by Joe. The Committee noted that
Downey, in conjunction with staff, is responsible for addressing questions about appropriate
signage for each project. The Committee agreed that a Northampton CPA logo would be
helpful for recognition and awareness. Sarah will investigate creating a logo.
Dave recalled that the resolution included recognition of the Conservation Commission’s
discretion about trail linkages, and moved to amend the motion to include an additional
sentence in the public access condition that ‘the Conservation Commission shall retain
discretion over access and trail use.’ Brian accepted the amendment. Seconded by David, the
motion to amend carried unanimously.
David noted that the contract provides six months to be able to obtain a CR, and asked why this is
not required prior to release of funding. Downey stated that a holder for the CR, and details
of the CR language, often do not allow placement of the restriction concurrent with
acquisition.
Jim moved to increase the amount of time by which access must be provided from six months to
twelve. Seconded by Brian, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee unanimously voted to approve the contract, including approved changes.
Conservation Fund
Brian moved to approve the contract as presented. Seconded by Joe, the motion carried
unanimously.
Beaver Brook Bridge
Bill moved to approve the contract as presented. Seconded by Joe, the motion carried
unanimously.
Hampshire County Courthouse
Joe moved to approve the contract as presented, seconded by Joe.
The Committee discussed the requirement for presentation of a budget. Dave asked whether the
condition should require CPA approval of the budget.
Jim noted that the award was for partial funding, so the Committee should be somewhat flexible
with allowable expenditures,
Joe stated that the CPA award represents a very small portion of the overall project, so approval
of the budget does not seem necessary. If additional CPA funds are requested in a later
round, additional information can be requested.
The motion carried unanimously.
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
None
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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June 6, 2012