02-04-16 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: February 4, 2016
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, Third Floor City Hall Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chairperson, Marilyn McCrory — Vice
Chair, Heather Richter, James Matz, Jon Paddol
MEMBERS ABSENT
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
The meeting started at 7:02pm.
Public Hearing
Henry Pizzo, Robert Buchsbaum, Darrien Crimmin
(resigning), Thomas Bussone
Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, General Audience
Aileen O'Rourke
Committee members introduced themselves then everyone in the audience introduced
themselves. Present were: Councilor David Lang, Councilor Estelle Rand, Emily Flaherty,
Christie Edwards, Purchasing Agent David Gelineau, Lance Daly, Habitat for Humanity's Don
Preston, Jim Latter, City Clerk Wesley Slate, and Suzie LaMont.
Pearl begins with providing a snap shot of CPC funding to date. Since 2012, there have been 2
grant rounds completed, 29 applications submitted, over $2.5M requested, 25 projects funded,
over $1.6M CPA funding disbursed /committed, and $220,000 set aside for the open space
category.
Pearl provides a brief primer on how CPA works: every year the Committee makes decisions on
funding CPA projects based upon the CPA Act, the Department of Revenue criteria, and local
criteria. Within the Act, the Committee is required to set aside 10% in open space, preservation,
and community housing. There is now a decent reserve in the open space category for projects
that are time sensitive.
Pearl highlights several successful Historic Preservation programs funded by the CPC including:
Lynch park carriage house preservation assessment, GAR Hall preservation, and the
conservation of city records which have all received funding. City Clerk Slate reports that the
Smithsonian museum is using some of Beverly's historic documents to showcase early
democracy because the documents were so well preserved thanks to the funding they received
from the CPC.
Under the Community Housing category, Pearl highlights the Harborlight House which provides
housing for the disabled and elderly and how Harborlight was able to leverage the funds they
received from the CPC in order to obtain a substantial State grant. CPC also funded the City
wide housing plan to understand the housing needs and how CPA funds can help achieve the
goals that will be identified in the plan.
Paddol goes over the significance recreation has had on his life and childhood and then
summarizes some key Recreation projects: Dane Street Beach play structure and ADA
accessible chairs, Lynch park bathrooms and play structure.
McCrory highlights the acquisition of the Camp Paradise site for day camps and the Greens Hill
trail improvement as examples of Open space projects funded by the CPC.
Pearl notes that every year the CPC must hold a public hearing in order to discuss CPA needs,
possibilities, and resources for Beverly. Basically what are the opportunities for utilizing CPA
funding? She notes this is where the Committee asks the public for their ideas and the
Committee is generating its own ideas as well by creating a CPA Plan. McCrory goes over the
process of drafting a CPA plan. It will build on existing plans including the master plan, the
housing plan currently being written as well as a recreation and historic preservation section
informed by the Recreation Department and the HDC. This plan will be utilized to identify
potential projects and prioritize the projects and will allow for public input as well.
Paddol emphasizes the monthly CPC meetings are open to the public. The committee would
love to see projects from every neighborhood in Beverly.
The presentation has concluded and the meeting is opened up to the public for input:
Pearl goes over the DOR eligibility table and the two -step application process.
Lance Daly has a question on the pre - application process and how specific it needs to be. He will
be applying for the Powder House. A feasibility study has been donated but some details
especially cost will not be known by the pre - application deadline. Pearl answers that the pre -
application is just a determination of eligibility. In his pre - application he can estimate the costs
and state that the numbers will be more refined when the feasibility study is completed.
McCrory states he should focus his application as to why this project is eligible for funding
according to the eligibility table. Pearl asks if the feasibility study will be in accordance with the
Secretary of Interior standards for historic buildings. He replies yes. Maxner notes that when
he submits the full application it will require a letter from a City entity (since it is a city -owned
building) who will manage the grant.
Matz asks what MOU stands for: Memorandum of Understanding. This is the legal agreement
that is undertaken with the City.
Lang asks if there is a signed agreement for the Ryal Side Obear park pavilion improvements
project that was approved for funding. Maxner answers the MOU is currently with Bruce Doig.
Lang mentions that the Ryal Side Civic Association plans to submit an application for erosion
control measures at Obear park. Lang also notes that many people have commented that it will
be a great addition to have working bathrooms at the park.
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February 4, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Page 213
Suzie LaMont would like to see the Ventron property acquired for open space. There was a fire at
the property a week ago but the plans to build condos are still moving forward. The developer is
putting in a walkway around the perimeter per the Chapter 91 requirements.
LaMont would like to apply for some exterior work for GAR Hall for Round 3. It is still pending
the feasibility study. Pearl recommends focusing on the exterior envelope and historic features
for historic preservation, maybe an emergency stabilization project that could be considered out
of cycle or set aside a pot of money ahead of time. The city could fund maintenance projects like
fixing the roof. With some city departments located there, it could mean more investment from
the City to keep it maintained. An estimate of costs is all that is needed at the pre - application
level.
Matz asks about the Hale house and Hastings house. Maxner answers that drainage, mitigation
and masonry repairs have been done in the first round. The second round will focus on the
exterior including clapboard replacement and windows. Hastings house came in with an
architectural study in the first round, Maxner will check in with them, it's been at a standstill.
Rand would like to see central cemeteries restored. The engineering department may be
submitting a pre - application for this. The HDC is making a recommendation to preserve all
cemeteries in the CPA plan.
Flaherty asks about the Gruppe Mural. The HMA is looking at relocating it from the McDonalds
Building. Pearl states that if it is not already on the state registry or national registry of historic
places, it would have to go to the BHDC to make a determination of historic significance. For
property, it would need to be at least 50 years old to be considered historically significant.
LaMont spoke to the artist recently it was painted in the 60's. There is a discussion of where it
could be relocated. LaMont thinks it might work in the GAR hall as there is a large empty wall.
HMA could put in an application to relocate the Gruppe mural.
Preston asks about utilizing CPA funds to access money from the Community housing trust for
Habitat for Humanity. They are currently looking at bank -owned properties. CPC could vote to
move housing reserve funds to the Community Housing trust to be used immediately. Pearl
thinks that Habitat could apply directly for grants from the CPC without having a specific project
in mind. Preston will look into this. CPA funds can also be used to fund projects in other towns.
Pearl goes over important deadlines for Round 3 2016. She notes the CPC's FYI budget about
$800K available minus the 10% set aside in each category.
Adjournment
Matz makes a motion to adjourn the CPC meeting. McCrory seconds. Motion carries
unanimously (5 -0). The February 4, 2016 CPC meeting is adjourned at 8:24pm.
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February 4, 2016 Meeting Minutes
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