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Agenda and Minutes 2012-10-03 City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Community Preservation Committee DATE: Wednesday, October 3, 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  7:00 - Minutes September 5, 2012  September 19, 2012   7:05 - Meetings with Round 2 2012 Applicants for CPA Funds  7: 05 Local Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program – Agriculture and Conservation Commissions  7:15 - Conservation Fund - Northampton Conservation Commission  7:25 – CT River Greenway – Northampton Office of Planning & Development  7:50 – Invasives Plant Control – Broad Brook Coalition  8:00 – Municipal Buildings Preservation – Northampton Central Services  8:25 – State Hospital Fountain – Northampton Office of Planning & Development  8:50 – Foreclosure Prevention – Valley CDC  9:15 – Veterans Field Renovation – Northampton Recreation Department  Chair’s Report  Adjourn For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/ Next Meeting: October 17 Community Preservation Committee Minutes October 3, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Brian Adams, Bill Breitbart, David Drake, Dave Rothstein, Debin Bruce, Jim Durfer, Marlene Morin (7:10) Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Brian called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. General Public Comment None Minutes - September 5, 2012 Minutes –September 19, 2012 Jim moved to approve both sets of minutes to include minor corrections, seconded by Dave. The motion carried unanimously. 7:05 - Meetings with Round 2 2012 Applicants for CPA Funds Local Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program – Agriculture and Conservation Commissions Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Development, provided an overview of the project. The Agricultural Commission was also present. Wayne stated that an APR is a permanent restriction that also carries an affirmative obligation to keep the land in agricultural use. Some APR’s are eligible for state funds. These require a local match, for which these CPA funds could be used. The state will not fund APR’s on land considered not buildable. Due to floodplain zoning, which could change in the future, this makes all Meadows parcels ineligible. Bill Parsons, Agricultural Commission, stated that the first CPA award was used to fund an APR on land owned by Charles Jasinski, and this was a great match for the program. The Commission has realized that some types of development and conversion to other types of uses can happen in the Meadows. Bill noted that the focus of the program seems to be on the Meadows, and asked what development potential really exists. Wayne replied that securing any state funding for land protection there is very difficult, and a big risk is the conversion of land to forest or other non-agricultural uses. Dave asked if local APR are in perpetuity. Wayne replied that they are. Conservation Fund - Northampton Conservation Commission Wayne provided an overview of the project, including examples of past projects. The CPA-funded portion of acquisitions can sometimes include the entire purchase price and all soft costs, and is sometimes limited to just small expenses. Debin asked how much is remaining in prior funds. Wayne stated that the most recent award is about 1/3 legally committed, and the rest is potentially committed, with offers on the table. Downey asked for an accounting of previous fund expenditures. Wayne will provide this. CT River Greenway – Northampton Office of Planning & Development Wayne stated that a CPA application was filed in the past for a multi-use trail along the river. This application expands to include six acres for an active riverfront park and five for permanent protection to be owned by the Conservation Commission. Wayne noted that the site was previously used as a brickyard and asphalt batching plant. The project would further many goals of the Open Space Plan, and would also include interpretation of the Canal. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 October 3, 2012 Permitting is anticipated to be completed in fall, design in winter, and then site improvements in 2013. The boathouse, to be funded from other sources, will follow later. The City applied for PARC funds. If that grant is received, CPA funds will serve as a match, along with fundraising by Northampton Youth and Community Rowing. If the state grant is not received, CPA funds would be used for a more limited project. Brian asked what this more limited project would look like. Wayne replied that the land would still be protected, and a basic dock installed, but would not be pad-ready for a boathouse. Bill asked about opportunities for people without boats. Wayne stated that access to the water will be available, and when the boathouse is constructed, Northampton Youth and Community Rowing must meet programmatic needs of the Recreation Department. Swimming will not be prohibited, but may not be a very desirable area. Bill noted that the contractor overhead line-item does not appear to be included in the total budget. Wayne will look into this. Debin asked about wetlands permitting. Wayne replied that an application has not yet been filed with the Conservation Commission, but MassHistoric and Natural Heritage have both signed- off. Dave asked about the focus on competitive rowing. Wayne stated that a canoe and kayak program must also be developed in order to provide a lease. The model used in developing the Community Gardens, with a Committee and public input, could also be employed here. This could require that a masterplan be approved by the Recreation Commission, following a public hearing. Downey asked if there are hazards that would need to be secured in the more limited scenario if a PARC grant is not received. Wayne replied that these would be Lane’s responsibility. The PARC awards will likely be announced in October or November. Invasives Plant Control – Broad Brook Coalition Bob Zimmermann, BBC president provided an overview of the project and history of past efforts. With a prior CPA award, BBC was able to threat phragmities, and black swallowwort in the marsh to 70-80% removal. Cooke’s Pasture was also treated in 2010. Many areas now show native shrub growth, but additional follow-up is needed for long-term success. Herbicide treatment is very specific, and is limited to targeted plants. The Marian Street entrance to FLCA is an unwelcoming jungle of knotweed, which is also proposed to be treated. Jim asked if BBC has approached the Conservation Commission for funds. Downey replied that the Commission supports these types of projects, but does not have any funds available. Jim suggested that applying for CPA funds could be onerous, and a fund could be created for invasives removal. Downey asked whether hand-pulling will be adequate for removal following the treatments. Bob replied that it will. Downey asked if multiple bids were sought. Bob replied that this is a continuation of work already completed so it seemed to make sense to continue with the same contractor. Jim asked if the City has an invasives plan, or conducts any outreach to landowners. Downey replied that removal is often required as part of wetlands permits, but there is no comprehensive plan. Bob added that he would support this type of comprehensive effort. Municipal Buildings Preservation – Northampton Central Services David Pomerantz, Central Services Director, provided an overview of the project, to include carpentry and painting to the three-building Main Street Campus, as well as façade restoration to City Hall. David stated that the façade and trim were last dealt with in 2004, and the City has no records of work prior to that. Each building has a slightly different scope. City Hall is the highest estimated cost due to the façade work. Capital improvement funds for FY13 have been requested. These were also requested for FY12, but were denied. If funds are secured, the project will be bid in the winter, with work completed in spring and summer 2013. City staff is available for smaller projects, but not for a project of this scope. Brian asked for a priority ranking of the buildings. David replied that City Hall is first, followed by Puchalski and Memorial Hall. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 October 3, 2012 Bill asked when capital improvement funds might become available. David answered that a five- year prioritized list is developed by Central Services each year, but that these projects must compete against all other departments projects and priorities. State Hospital Fountain – Northampton Office of Planning & Development Joe Blumenthal, NSH Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) provided an overview of the project. The Hospital closed 30 years ago, and as part of the Village Hill redevelopment, MassDevelopment must facilitate a memorialization to those that lived and worked there. The plan is to restore the fountain and return it to the grounds, as well as create a memorial park. The park plans include interpretive signage similar in design to the Historic Northampton signs featuring information about and photos of the hospital, and landscaping. The content of the signs will be developed by Smith College students. Brian asked about estimates provided for the fountain restoration. Jackie Duda, NSH, replied that only one foundry responded, and there are very few who do this type of work. Downey asked about the base of the fountain. Jackie stated that the ceramic base was buried during construction, and can hopefully be re-used. The exact location is not known, but is likely within the park parcel. Debin noted that the park layout seems to box the fountain in by trees, while historically it was open. Joe noted that the plan was designed by MassDevelopment’s architect, but the design could potentially change. Foreclosure Prevention – Valley CDC Michele Morris, Valley CDC provided an overview of the agency’s existing foreclosure prevention program. There are 15 open cases in Northampton, including subprime mortgages, bankruptcy, and those investigating refinancing or other housing options. The service is word-of-mouth currently due to the limited budget, but 45 cases are estimated if the CPA award is made. Downey asked if there are any contingencies in place to prevent a homeowner from keeping the home and then selling to someone who does not meet income thresholds for affordable housing. Michele replied that there are not, since it is not practical to place a deed rider on a property for counseling. Bill asked about the service provided. Michele provided some examples, including budget counseling and referrals. Brian asked if a new employee will be hired. Joanne Campbell, Valley CDC, answered that Michele will be leaving, but a replacement with foreclosure experience will be sought. Veterans Field Renovation – Northampton Recreation Department AnnMarie Moggio, Recreation Director, provided an overview of the project, Vets Field has had many renovations over the last ten years, including a skate park. The addition of this skate park removed a 90’ baseball diamond which has not yet been able to be replaced. Some capital improvements for the field have been secured, and the CPA request will cover the remainder. Brian asked about the size of the fields to be created at Florence Fields. AnnMarie replied that there will be one 60’ and one 90’, but that there is a shortage of 90’ diamonds and several more are needed. There are three high school teams that must get first field priority on existing fields, limiting practice time for other teams. It would also create an opportunity for the field to rest. Dave asked whether mixed use of the field will still be possible. AnnMarie replied that it would, and the Rec Department will handle scheduling. Chair’s Report No discussion Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published None Adjourn Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 October 3, 2012 On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 4 October 3, 2012