Agenda and Minutes 2012-09-05
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, September 5, 2012
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Downey Meyer, 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 - August 15, 2012
7:05 – Chair’s Report
7:10 – Distribute Round 2 CPA applications
7:15 – Review Round 2 Schedule
7:20 – Financial Update
7:25 - Elect Vice-Chair
7:30 – CPC Plan Update Working Session
8:45 - Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: September 19
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
September 5, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Brian Adams, Downey Meyer, David Drake, Dave Rothstein, Joe
DeFazio, Bill Breitbart, Debin Bruce, Marlene Morin, Jim Durfer (7:30)
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Downey called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Public Comment
None
Minutes - June 6, 2012
Postponed until September 19 meeting.
Chair’s Report
No discussion
Distribute Round 2 CPA applications
CPC members received application packets from staff.
Review Round 2 Schedule
The Committee discussed the site visit schedule. It was agreed that the municipal buildings, CT
River Greenway, Veterans Field, and the State Hospital Fountain require site visits. Sarah
will contact applicants and set up a schedule for Saturday, September 22.
Financial Update
Sarah stated that there will be approximately $780,000 available for projects in fiscal year 2013,
after debt service is subtracted. This is a conservative estimate based on estimated revenues,
but state matching fund estimates have not yet been released so this figure may change.
Round 2 applications total $789,746.
Elect Chair and Vice-Chair
Joe moved to nominate Brian, seconded by David. The motion carried unanimously.
CPC Plan Update Working Session
Downey suggested that the Committee go through the Plan and changes made so far, and flag
only those items where additional changes should be made. Staff can then draft specific
language and the plan can be released for public comment, and can then continue to be
revised following the public hearing.
The Committee discussed the requirement for review of CPA ‘needs and priorities’ and the utility
of the document. Jim suggested that the plan should not establish an agenda, and should be
more open ended. Downey noted that the Plan helps to establish a universe of potential
activities, and also serves as a reference document for the public and voters,
The Committee discussed Dave’s suggestion to develop a procedure for small projects. Brian
moved to delegate Dave to create a bullet list highlighting this program. Seconded by
Marlene, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed the Plan in accordance with Downey’s procedure, beginning with the
application review and procedure section.
Jim moved to strike a notation that two projects recommended by the CPC were not put before
City Council by the Mayor. Seconded by Downey. Jim added that the note does not add
value. The Committee agreed noting that the Mayor must forward applications to Council
should be noted in the ‘process’ section of the Plan. The motion carried, 7-2.
Jim moved to accept all plan revisions through the ‘project review and submission’ section.
Seconded by David, the motion carried unanimously.
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September 5, 2012
Dave moved that a change made to reflect current practice, that eligibility forms may be referred
to the whole committee, be rejected in favor of the old language requiring the Chair to
determine eligibility. Seconded by Debin. Dave noted that the Chair being authorized to
determine eligibility makes more sense for applicants. The motion carried, 8-1.
The Committee discussed oversight and financial control. David moved to amend language to
make clear that the CPC and staff have no liability for CPA projects. Seconded by Debin, the
motion carried unanimously.
The Committee considered the ‘requests for reprogramming of CPA funds’ section. Marlene
moved that such requests be made in writing and referred to the entire Committee. Seconded
by Debin. Debin suggested an amended motion that all requests be made in writing, but
maintaining wording to allow staff discretion for small instances of reprogramming. The
motion carried unanimously.
Jim moved to accept all changes to the section through the application forms. Seconded by Joe,
the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee agreed that if the Community Preservation Coalition or Department of Revenue
do not create an updated eligibility matrix to reflect changes in the enabling legislation, staff
should create this for the Plan.
Staff suggested deleting Appendix C, Glossary, and refer readers to the CPA legislation. Dave
moved to retain, and update with new definitions. Seconded by Jim, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Committee discussed the Open Space section.
David moved to specifically note that open space can include both small and large parcels.
Seconded by Downey. The Committee agreed that urban greenspaces should be mentioned.
The motion carried unanimously.
Brian suggested that invasive species removal should also be addressed.
Jim moved to strike all language related to the local APR program. Seconded by Debin.
Jim stated that including the program in the plan implies CPC support of APR that do not meet
state criteria.
Downey noted that it is included to indicate that it has already been funded by the CPA, and is
listed as an example.
Dave presented an amended motion to remove the details about the APR program, but still list as
a possibility. Seconded by David, the motion carried 6-3.
Debin moved to add APR to the Glossary appendix. Seconded by Brian, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Committee discussed the Historic section. David stated that he had minor comments and
edits, and will provide these to staff. There were no other suggestions.
The Committee discussed the Housing section. Bill stated that he will be meeting with Housing
Planner Peg Keller to work on addressing updates necessitated by the legislation change. The
Committee agreed to consider this section again when these amendments are proposed.
The Committee discussed the Recreation section. Dave moved to change ‘equine facilities’ to
‘equine activities.’ Seconded by Brian, the motion carried unanimously.
Jim moved to accept changes to the recreation section, seconded by Dave. The motion carried
unanimously.
Downey summarized that the Plan fulfills the CPC’s responsibility to ‘study the needs, resources
and possibilities of the City’ with regard to Community Preservation, and also provides
applicants and the public with a report of its findings.
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
None
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM
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September 5, 2012