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CPC Meeting 2023-9-14 Minutes Beverly Community Preservation Committee September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Community Preservation Committee: Public Hearing LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3"Floor Council Chambers DATE: September 14, 2023 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum, Suzanne LaMont, Danielle Spang, Nancy Marino, Christy Edwards BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Heather Richter OTHERS PRESENT: Director of Planning and Development Darlene Wynne RECORDER: Naomi Moca 1. Call to order Chair Beckwith opens the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and takes a roll call of the Committee members. Beckwith reads the public meeting notice. Beckwith summarizes the history of the Community Preservation Act and the purpose and format of today's meeting. Beckwith expresses gratitude to Director Wynne and BevCam. LaMont Motion to open the public hearing. Edwards seconds. The motion carries (6-0). 2. Welcome and History of Community Preservation Act (CPA) • Massachusetts general law/Beverly local ordinance • General purpose of CPA/Local community preservation plan • Brief overview of the range of projects previously funded • CPA budget Beckwith summarizes the history of the CPA and states that there have been 10 rounds of funding since the Committee's inception in 2012. The Committee provides funding for four purposes: open space, historic preservation, community housing, and recreation. The funds come from the City's real estate tax surcharge of 1% combined with matching funds awarded by the State. A portion of the total funds collected are dedicated to open space, historic preservation, and community housing, and the remaining 70% remains in the General Reserve fund. The Committee currently has seven members with two vacancies. Beckwith states that the Committee oversees the CPA activities, reviews eligibility criteria for projects, evaluates proposed projects, and recommends funding for projects, while the deciding body is the City Council. This annual meeting with the public is to encourage input, get ideas for proposed projects, and familiarize the public with the process. 1 Beverly Community Preservation Committee September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6 Spang summarizes the budget and states that 90 applications have been evaluated by the Committee and 75 projects have been approved and funded in the course of the history of the Committee. Spang states that the 2023-24 budget will go before the City Council at its next meeting. With the State's partial match, the total budgeted reserves come to $1,218,375. Spang states that the unused balances are added to the reserve each year. The total reserve is just under $2.3 million for this round of funding. 3. Public hearing to discuss needs, possibilities and resources in Beverly • Invite public input Beckwith states that funds for recreation come out of the general reserve, but clarifies the general reserve is not limited to recreation as it can be used for other purposes within the scope of the funds. Beckwith invites input from the members of the public who are present. Beckwith clarifies the difference between preservation and maintenance. Mark Holland of 34 Washington Street states that the First Parish Church is a historic building from the 1800s and needs repair work. Holland states that there are also other members of the church's building committee present as well as himself tonight. Cheri Guerin of 59 Corning Street states that the dearth of affordable housing in Beverly is a serious problem that needs to be addressed with radical measures. Guerin states that she speaks on behalf of the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) and she attended the Accessory Dwelling Unit(ADU) meeting with the Mayor, who stated clearly that it does not include an affordable housing piece. Nancy Dillon of 4 Middle Street states that Central Cemetery needs work in various areas that may fall within the category of historic preservation. While the cemetery fence does not fall under the category of a historical house, there is a dead house [receiving tomb] on the site that was built in 1891 that has a roof in danger of collapse. On October 11, 2015, the wooden structure that held materials burned and was replaced by two unsightly metal containers that are still there to this day. Dillon suggests that CPA funds may be used to restore the dead house [receiving tomb] and potentially use it to store those materials. Beckwith states that in the guidelines for historic preservation, the statutes for the property include that the use of the property must be maintained, so the structure could possibly not serve as storage going forward. Beckwith encourages Dillon to meet with City employees to get assistance with an application. Dillon states that she has been in conversations with her Ward 4 Councilor on the matter as well. Ellie Filyaw of 14 Morningside Drive states that she is on the volunteer Board of Directors of the Girdler House, which was founded in 1885 for low-income women in Beverly who fall just 2 Beverly Community Preservation Committee September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6 above the poverty line and thus are not eligible for Medicaid. The program provides each resident with a room, bathroom, transportation, activities, and television, among other things. During COVID, the costs for PPE came out of the operating budget. The 40-year-old stove is too small and the refrigerators need replacing. To remain compliant with the Board of Health, under community housing guidelines, the Girdler House needs a partial generator. When the Girdler House was first established it was a private charity, but now is a public 5016 organization. Filyaw asks whether this item would qualify for CPA funds and how to go about applying. Beckwith replies that there is a pre-application that encourages conversation with City employees who are knowledgeable to help answer her questions, such as whether a historic building certification is needed, for example. Filyaw states that there is a three-part sink that needs replacing. Beckwith suggests doing more research into whether it qualifies and consulting with the City Solicitor. LaMont states that it may qualify for more than one category. Filyaw states that she spoke to the Historic Beverly and that Girdler House used to be named the Home for Old Ladies and was changed to Girdler in the 1960's. Beckwith expresses willingness to help and support the research. Dan Richards of 29 Linden Avenue expresses gratitude to the Committee and states that Gillis Park is one of the largest open spaces in Ward Two. The population around the park has increased in the last few years, and while the park has been maintained, it has not been enhanced or brought into ADA compliance. There are issues such as deep mulch and broken equipment. Richards states that making the park handicapped accessible, repairing the entrance, creating a path around the park, and restoring the World War 11 monument may be eligible for CPA funds. Beckwith clarifies that comments regarding general issues, such as last year's conversation regarding access to the waterfront and open space throughout the City, are welcome, not just specific projects. Paul Drake of 8 Bartlett Street expresses gratitude to the Committee and states that affordable housing is a need in the congregation of the First Parish Church and in the population that the church serves. Drake gives his own rental housing as an example and states that the average rent in Beverly is $2,500 per month. Housing seems out of reach for many, and Drake gives the example of putting down first, last, and deposit for a rental being an obstacle. Drake states that the Committee could help meet the needs of people in this housing market. Carol Gerard of 87 Odell Avenue asks for clarification on whether home repair assistance qualifies for CPA funds, such as helping a resident who is unable to stay safely in their home or stairs that need repair. Beckwith states that it is not a question of the size of the repair, but whether it is going toward a qualified purpose, such as affordable housing. Beckwith gives the example of the rental 3 Beverly Community Preservation Committee September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6 assistance program the Committee supported during the COVID pandemic. Edwards states that Vice Chair Buchsbaum will discuss the matrix of categories and definitions and how a project may fit in the matrix, which will help clarify whether projects qualify. Donald Preston of 3 Pickett Street states that he is also a member of ECCO but is speaking on behalf of Essex County Habitat for Humanity tonight and would like to apply for critical home repair funding. This program's projects, such as ramps and accessible bathrooms, in other cities typically are under $15,000 and serve people in the 40-60% range of the area median income. Beckwith states that he moved out of Beverly due to affordability reasons himself, and has since moved back. 4. How to apply for CPA funds • Three examples of successful applications described by the applicants Marino states that she will be representing the Beverly Housing Authority on the Committee and summarizes three examples of successful projects. Marino gives the example of the Beverly Farms Cemetery Fence Restoration, which includes removal and reinstallation. The cost thus far has been $210,000 funded from various sources as well as CPA funds. Director of Beverly Parks and Recreation Bruce Doig gives the example of the Wentworth Tot Lot. The project was initiated by a small group of families and the Committee awarded $20,000. The neighborhood families conducted a grassroots fundraising effort for a year. Doig states that the Committee has been generous with projects for the Recreation Department over the years. Doig states that the families wanted to replace an outdated, worn-out tot lot, and the CPA funding went toward the playground equipment specifically. Doig observes that in his experience the application process is straightforward and expresses willingness to partner with neighborhoods and other groups to move projects forward. Marino gives the final example of Anchor Point Phase I Harborlight Homes, whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty by managing affordable housing. Director of Harborlight Homes Andrew DeFranza states that 38 two- and three-bedroom apartments for families with below-median income, were constructed in Phase I. Phase II will have 39 units and DeFranza states that there has been some construction cost escalation due to industry fluctuations. Harborlight Homes is working on raising private philanthropy for an area within the site to host services for residents of apartments such as daycare, adult education, and outdoor play spaces. DeFranza states that Phase II will hopefully close in December 2023. Phase I is fully occupied and there were 600 applications for Phase I for 38 units. There are 800 applications already for the 39 units in Phase II. DeFranza expresses gratitude for the Committee's help in accomplishing these projects. 4 Beverly Community Preservation Committee September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6 Beckwith states that the Committee provided $250,000 for Phase I. DeFranza highlights that this and other investments in the community generate jobs and affordable housing, and have a ripple effect in the community. For example, these projects pay real estate taxes. Marino states that the Housing Authority made clear to the State that Beverly is moving forward with helping affordable housing. Dan Wuenschel of 5 Rowell Avenue asks DeFranza if the Committee provided any funding for the Briscoe project and DeFranza states yes. LaMont shares a map and states that the purpose of the map's different colored dots is to demonstrate the wide distribution throughout the city of CPA funds across all types of projects. LaMont observes that the open space category has the fewest dots and invites those present to consider what projects are in the areas where they work and travel that could use a bolster of support from CPA funding. • CPA eligibility requirements Buchsbaum presents a matrix chart for CPA eligibility to illustrate how the Committee evaluates applications. The columns list the categories of projects (open space, historic, recreation, housing) and the rows list the purposes the projects may serve (acquire, create, preserve, support, rehabilitate). Buchsbaum states that often a topic of lively discussion among the Committee members is how a project fits into the matrix. Buchsbaum states that there is a statewide Community Preservation Coalition that the Committee consults, and the topic of privately owned projects has been discussed. They can qualify for CPA funds in specific situations, such as whether they provide a public service. Buchsbaum explains the concept of a clawback. • Important dates and deadlines Edwards expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be on the Committee and states that she is honored to help the community. Edwards states that all the information that is being explained today is also available on the City website. The regular Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, 2023 and the Committee will field questions at that time. September 21, 2023 is the deadline for the submission of historical projects to the Historic Districts Commission in time for the Thursday, September 28, 2023 meeting. Pre-applications for CPA funds are due Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 12 noon. The pre-application allows the Committee to determine if a project is eligible for funding, at which point the Committee invites the applicant to apply for funding. Edwards explains the important dates and deadlines in the 2023-24 funding round and explains that the determination of eligibility for funding is not a guarantee of funding. • Application forms and instructive/informational materials Edwards presents the pre-application form and explains that it is due Thursday, October 12, 2023. If a project is found to be eligible and is invited by the Committee to submit a full 5 Beverly Community Preservation Committee September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6 application, there will be more guidance provided at the December meeting. The full application has eight sections to draw out the information the Committee is looking for, using prompts and narratives. Edwards points out Section Five, which is for listing the project's budget, including other sources of funding, professionally prepared quotes, and supporting documentation. Section Six is for the project timeline with milestones and markers of success. Edwards recommends waiting to start projects until funding is awarded. CPA application guidance and instructions with helpful links are on the City website. 5. Questions and answers Daniel Wuenschel of 5 Rowell Avenue asks what percentage of Committee-recommended projects the City Council has not approved. Buchsbaum states that the City Council has funded 100% of projects recommended by the Committee and never reduced funding, though there has been lively discussion. The City Council has the discretion to reduce funding for projects but not to increase it. Ned Carpenter asks whether the categories of rehabilitation or restoration, referring to the eligibility matrix, can be found to be creative or restrictive. Buchsbaum answers that the categories can be both creative or restrictive at times. Edwards explains that the slide is a simplified visual of the matrix, and directs those present to look at the chart on the Massachusetts Department of Revenue website, which is more detailed. Mark Holland of 34 Washington Street asks how the definitions of preserve, rehabilitate, and restore are distinguished from each other. Spang reads definitions provided by the State. Beckwith comments that the definitions are specific while allowing room for creativity. Babette Loring of 569 Hale Street expresses gratitude to the Committee. LaMont Motion to close the hearing. Buchsbaum seconds. The motion carries (6-0). 6. Adjourn Marino Motion to adjourn. The motion carries unopposed. Meeting adjourns at 8:43 p.m. Next regular CPC meeting: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 7 p.m. 6