12-14-17 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE /COMMIS SION
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
Community Preservation Committee
December 14, 2017
Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chair, Marilyn McCrory — Vice - Chair,
Thomas Bussone 11, John Hall, Nancy Marino, James Matz,
Heather Richter, Christy Edwards, Robert Buchsbaum
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner — Environmental Planner, Courtney Melei —
Pete's Park Committee; Suzie LaMont — GAR Hall; Emily
Hutchings — Associate Planner; Bruce Doig — Recreation
Director; Aaron Clausen — Planning Director
RECORDER:
Travis Lovett
Pearl calls the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
Emily Hutchings explains the Historic District Commission looked at the pre - application for
GAR Hall and they know the project will cost a significant amount of money and the city
reduced the scope of the 5 Round application by just focusing on the east and west facades.
They are looking at a reduced budget of approximately $350,000, Hutchings said. They expect
to have the front facade work done by summer 2018. LaMont notes nothing new was taken on
and that they knew the pre - application was a placeholder. Marino asked about the working
collaboration with the Ward 2 Civic Association. Clausen said the two groups are collaborating.
Administrative Business
Extension Request — Hale House Exterior Restoration
Hutchings states the Historical Society and City Council have approved the preservation
restriction for Hale House exterior and comments from the Massachusetts Historic Society are
expected within a couple months. Based on MHC review, they may revise the PR further by
adding some baseline documentation and photos. Hutchings said they are asking for an
extension to March 2018. McCrory suggests extending the grant agreement until June 30,
members agree.
McCrory motions to approve the request for extension to June 30, 2017. Bussone seconds the
motion. The motion carries 8 -0.
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Maxner notes that the GA conditions final disbursement of CPA funds upon PR execution, and
she thinks the Historical Society may have had outstanding invoices waiting for payment for
some time now. Bussone moves to disburse funds to Historic Beverly for work that has been
completed if they ask. Hall seconds the motion. The motion carries 8 -0.
MOU Modification Pete's Park
Bruce Doig said Courtney Melei has been the chair for the Pete's Park Committee project for the
last three years. Doig said state officials loved the idea of the project even though the PARC
grant was not awarded, and so the Land and Water Conservation Fund was applied for. Melei
notes the Pete's Park Committee held three road races as fundraisers and are planning to
contribute $120,000 to the project. Doig submitted a pre - application for Round 5 CPA funding
in hopes of finishing the project by June 2018 but based on CPC feedback is here now for a
modification to the previous Round 3 award. He explains that $150,000 will get the project
where they want to be. Doig said they are hoping the Department of Public Services will be able
to help out with undertaking construction. Pearl asked if there are any soft costs in the project.
Melei said the project costs all came from a designer's estimates. Doig said the goal is to break
ground by March and to be finished with the project by the middle of June. Melei said the park
isn't hilly, so they don't have to change the grade too much. Matz asked if there was any work
that could be done in the winter. Doig said the ground is frozen already and the work is all
weather dependent.
Marino said this would be the only park on the North Shore that is 100% compliant with ADA.
Melei said it is a good story for Beverly. They are looking at a playground structure that will
cost $85,000.
Buchsbaum arrives at 6:45pm.
Maxner said if additional funding is awarded, this would go before the full City Council on
January 4t' with the public hearing to be set at the January 16t'' meeting.
Bussone motions to amend the agreement to increase funding by $150,000. Marino seconds the
motion. The vote carries 9 -0.
Updates from Staff /Chair
McCrory states that Mayor Cahill held a second meeting to discuss priorities dealing with
historic buildings in the City. Richter said the application process should be completely open.
Pearl said she also attended that meeting and her impression is the Mayor's intent is to look at
the collection of historic properties and figure out how projects don't compete against one
another for the same funds. Clausen said the reason the Mayor called the meeting was that the
City at large has a number of preservation needs. Mayor Cahill's thoughts were to discuss and
coordinate, not to control the application process, Clausen said. Pearl notes Sue Goganian was
there to represent Historic Beverly and Goganian expressed her support for preserving municipal
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historic assets and her organization would not try to make that process difficult. Pearl notes the
concern with the Golf and Tennis Club being in really rough shape with a high risk of fire.
There's discussion at a very minimum about how to manage the historic assets, Clausen said.
Applications might include bonding in order to make projects work. The GAR Hall project will
cost at least $2.5 million and the Beverly Golf and Tennis project will cost at least $5 million,
Clausen said. He added that Carriage House renovations at Lynch Park will cost somewhere
between $4 million and $5 million. He notes the City is working to list the GAR Hall on the
national historic register. Pearl would like to see a district amendment that includes Cabot
Theater. Clausen said extending the district would not be feasible for securing grant funding for
the 2018 round. Pearl said the sense of emergency regarding Beverly Golf and Tennis Clubhouse
hasn't been presented to CPC members in the materials they have received so far. She notes
Mike Collins said the electrical system could shut down the Golf and Tennis Club at any minute.
Clausen said there is conversation internally about what the needs really are.
General discussion ensues as to the application process and competition for funding across all
CPA project categories. Clausen chairs the Beverly Housing Trust and he said the housing trust
was intended to be established several years ago via the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance. Clausen
said at the state level, trusts were intended to assist community preservation committees with
using housing funds. The trust provides a mechanism to be responsive to the development cycle
of affordable housing, Clausen said. He notes that the Beverly Housing Trust has released its
notice of funding availability and will hold an open house on January l V to which all are
invited.
Approval of Minutes
Members review and offer revisions to the minutes from July 13, 2017. Buchsbaum motions to
approve the July 13, 2017 minutes as amended. Matz seconds the motion. The motion carries 9-
0.
Other Business
Maxner said that CPA signage should be added to a future agenda as noted in recent meetings.
General discussion ensues as to signage types and requirements on a project specific basis. Hall
offers to research signage styles and bring examples to the next meeting. Maxner will research
various signage language. Members agree to research signage in general.
Upcoming CPC Meeting Schedule
• Full application deadline: January 11, 2018
• Meeting every 3 d Thursday; meet on Thursday, January 18, 2018
Members discuss inviting applicants to come in for discussions, but the January 18, 2018 CPC
meeting will not include discussion with applicants. At the January 18, 2018 meeting, committee
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members will talk about applications and signage. Maxner notes as a reminder, Community
Preservation Committee officers are elected in July.
Adjournment
Bussone motions to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm. McCrory seconds the motion. The motion
carries 9 -0. From here, the Committee will be meeting at SOMA at 256 Cabot Street for its
holiday gathering.
The next CPC meeting will be held at Beverly City Hall on January 18, 2018 at 7:00pm.
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