HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-08
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Community
Preservation
Committee
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TnWN CLERK'S oFFICE
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16 Broad St
Nantucket, MA 02554
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MINU(Ji!~U(:OCTOBER 8. 2002
A meeting of the Community Preservation Committee, CPC, was held on Tuesday, October 8,2002 at 2:30 PM
in the Performance Center at the United Methodist Church, 2 Centre Street, Nantucket, MA.
Present were: Barry Rector, Chair, Pat Butler, Vice Chair, Virginia Andrews, Ken Beaugrand, Rich Brannigan,
Norman Chaleki, Polly Miller, Neville Richen, Frank. Spriggs, and Alice McWade, Administrative Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 2:35 PM, and a quorum was established. The agenda was approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment is expected to be ongoing throughout the meeting. No comments were raised at this time.
INTERVIEWS
COFFIN PARK - WALKING TRAILS
James P. Manchester, Director, presented this application, submitted by the Nantucket Parks & Recreational
Commission. The substance of this application, (2 pages), is attached hereto and incorporated herein was
reviewed by Mr. Manchester. Mr. Manchester indicated the locus on a mounted GIS map. Copies from the GIS
map showing the locus were previously distnouted to each Committee member.
The walking trails combine land at Lily Pond, the Oldest House, and other small parks to create a loop-like
walking path from Town to the Cliff area and back to Town. This project will produce several walking trails
and a boardwalk through the small wetland in Coffin Park and can be accessed from Cliff Road as well as the
adjacent Oldest House land.
Improvements need to be made at the entrance of Coffin Park on Cliff Road. These improvements are
necessary because of an existing problem created by vehicles parking on the grassy area abutting Cliff Road and
the subsequent effects to that area. Concerned neighbors have offered numerous suggestions. On behalf of
Something Natural, the abutter, Matt Fee has already moved Something Natural's driveway.
The property has about 350 feet of frontage on Cliff Road. The cost to place curbing along that distance will be
about $11,200 installed. An installed sidewalk for the same length has an estimated cost of$14,000. The
boardwalk will cost an additional $12,000, for a total request of $38,000.
It was stated that the requests for funding to the CPC totaled four times as many dollars as available for
allocation. Inquiry was made as to whether receipt of ~ of the requested amount would allow the project to
continue. Mr. Manchester stated that partial funding of at least $12,000 would allow them to install the
boardwalk.
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and dismantling. The increase in costs if the project is done in segments is as much as 10 % to 15%. When an
inquiry was made relative to the high administrative costs it was noted that the Project Manager's workload is
increased by approximately 1000/0 during the work. period and that some of the estimated costs will be more
than those sited in the application. One example is the cost of staging which is shown as $45,000 when it will
actually cost $54,000.
The CPC, through its Chair, will ask the Community Preservation Coalition for clarification about any time
constraints that exist relative to an entities debt, which was incurred in connection with a project approved at the
ATM for CPC funding, and the fiscal year in which the CPC monies are allocated.
It was stated that the requests for funding to the CPC totaled approximately four times as many dollars as
available for allocation. Inquiry was made as to whether receipt of ~ of the requested amount would allow the
project to continue. Mr. LaFrance agreed to prioritize the project components and amend the time frame of the
projected work. The committee requested that the prioritization be submitted by November 1, 2002.
CAMP RICHARDS CAMPER ASSOCIATION - $10,000
Charles Bartlett a member of the Camp Richards Camper Association presented the application. A copy of the
substance of the application, three pages, is attached hereto and incorporated herein. The project would provide
a picnic shelter that will be used by the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, local school children, and ancillary use by area
clubs. The estimated cost of the picnic shelter is $16,700.00. All the labor will be donated and $6,700.00 of the
total cost will come from private donations.
Mr. Bartlett indicated that the project met the goals and objectives of the CPA because it is used as a
recreational area. The application indicates that erection of the structure is anticipated between April 2003 and
June 2003. It was indicated that the time frame could be adjusted to coincide with the Town's Fiscal Year.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN - ONE BIG BEACH ONCE AND FOR ALL - $500,000
CPC member, Frank Spriggs disclosed that he would recluse himself from any decisions since he is a member
of the Board of Selectmen. Finn Murphy, a member of the Board of Selectmen, presented the application. A
copy of the substance of the application, seven pages, is attached hereto and incorporated herein. The project
intends to acquire municipal rights to beachfront property, island wide, within two years. Some incentives that
will be offered property owners, in exchange for such rights, are conselVation restrictions, easements, reduced
property taxes and outright acquisition.
A resulting issue that will need to be addressed is the increased municipal area and use of shoreline property.
This will no doubt require a plan that provides for maintenance of the beaches and enforcement of regulations
instituted to protect them. In anticipation of a need for continued monitoring an Article will be presented for
ATM Warrant to create a Beach Management Department. A subsequent inquiry regarding why this proposal
was made as a request to the CPC for funding instead of being coupled with the request for a Beach
Management Department as one Article was attributed to the present constraints on the already overburdened
Town Budget.
An inquiry was made as to whether there has been any research on the success or failure of this concept in other
shoreline areas. It was acknowledged that no projects of this magnitude are known. Inquiry regarding how
many shoreline properties will be affected and how they will be prioritized did not have a concrete answer. It
was estimated that 400 - 500 properties could be considered and that the larger tracts would most likely take
priority .
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OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Barry Rector spoke with Chris Saccardi, representing the Community Preservation Coalition, regarding use of
Community Preservation Act funds for educational components. It was the Coalition's opinion that funding of
educational programs falls out of the scope of the law for CPA funds. Barry also asked Chris about the time
constraints placed upon projects because of revenue restrictions attendant to fiscal year funds. This seems to be
a bit of gray area that may provide some latitude. After additional research on this question, by the Community
Preservation Coalition, a written statement of opinion will be requested.
The Town Charter gives the Finance Committee (FinCom) authority over the full warrant. The importance of
attendance at all FinCom meetings concerning the CPC was stressed. Attendance at these meetings from the
applicants will also be supportive.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was VOTED to adjourn this meeting for the day. The next meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, October 9,2002. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
110-, ryn~r~~
~ McWade
Administrative Assistant
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The issue of the already burdened Town Budget and the subsequent loss in tax revenue that would result to the
Town by this proposal were raised. Attention was directed to the perpetuity of restrictions created by a
Conservation Easement that would insure the area could never be developed. The restrictions already placed
upon development of wetland areas were also acknowledged.
Some questions raised, for which concrete answers were not available, were whether permits or stickers would
be required for beach use and provision of parking areas to accommodate patrons. It was requested that letters
in support of this project from entities including the Beach Management Advisory Committee, the Conservation
Commission and the Land Bank be obtained and submitted to the CPC office.
The time frames cited in the application as the anticipated project timeline and the Town's fiscal year are not
the same. It was agreed that the dates will be revised and the changes submitted to the CPC office.
It was stated that the requests for funding to the CPC totaled approximately four times as many dollars as
available for allocation. Inquiry was made as to whether receipt of 14 of the requested amount would allow the
project to continue. It was agreed that the minimum grant amount that would allow the project to begin
operations would be compiled and submitted to the CPC for consideration. (A copy of that submission, seven
pages, is attached hereto and incorporated herein - minimum amount = $194,000).
NANTUCKET mSTORICAL ASSOCIATION (NHA) - Quaker Meeting House $ 100,000
Niles Parker, Chief Curator ofNHA and Frank Milligan, Director ofNHA presented the application. The
substance of the application, three pages, is attached hereto and incorporated herein. It was acknowledged that
the project is essentially the same as the project endorsed by CPC and approved at the ATM for funding in
fiscal year 2003. An important difference between last year's project and this submittal is the substantial
increase in the scope of work involved.
Work, which has been completed in conjunction with the project submitted last year, has revealed that the
fungal decay is not limited to the front section of the building. The result is an urgency to restore the entire
building, not just the front section that was the focal point of last year's application.
It was stated that the requests for funding to the CPC totaled approximately four times as many dollars as
available for allocation. Inquiry was made as to whether receipt of 14 of the requested amount would allow the
project to continue. A prioritization of the components of the application was requested for submittal to the CPC
within the next few weeks. Mr. Milligan and Mr. Parker agreed that, as the last remaining physical remnant of
Quaker history, preservation of the Quaker Meeting House was essential and therefore restoration of the entire
building must somehow be completed. If clapboards are removed to allow restoration of one section, replacing
them without repairing the other defects will continue the resulting moisture damage.
A concern was expressed that the NHA has overseen the subject property for many years and wasn't aware of
the fungal damage eroding the structure until recently. Mr. Milligan informed the Committee that NHA has
annual assessments of their properties. Previously inspections have insured the integrity of the clapboards. The
structural damage caused by the fungal decay and the extent of the damage has been recently determined.
Another issue raised was the Historic Preservation Restriction required on the Quaker Meeting House to insure
the CPC interest. It was stated that the NHA holds Historic Preservation Restrictions on three of its properties.
It was agreed NHA should seek Legal Counsel regarding whether this was a conflict of interest.
A prioritized list of project components that could be realized if a lesser amount was awarded by the CPC is to
be submitted to the CPC's office on or before November 1, 2002. It was noted that the Historic Preservation
Restriction required for CPC funding last year would again be a requirement for any funding approved this year.
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WINTER PARK - $300,000
James P. Manchester, Director, presented this application, submitted by the Nantucket Parks & Recreational
Commission, (park & Rec.). Mr. Manthester reviewed the substance ofthe application, three pages, a copy of
which is attached hereto and incorponlted herein. In addition to this request the Park and Recreation
Commission intends to submit an article for the Annual Warrant requesting additional funding for the project in
the amount of$150,000, which reflects the total amount necessary to complete the project, $450,000. The park
is intended for use as a multi-use playing field and a skateboard park are. The multi-use playing field is
intended to be more of a practice field than a pristine field.
Inquiry was made about the skateboard park component of the application and the effect creation of a
skateboard park with this project will have on the present skateboard park at Jetties Beach. It is the intention of
the Park & Rec. for this skateboard park to replace the one at Jetties Beach. The central location of this area and
its proximity to school grounds makes it easily accessible for children. In response to an inquiry about the
sentiment of the neighbors in the Essex Road area it was acknowledged that communications regarding the park
have been received from the neighbors. Some have stated a preference that the area be left as it is. When the
development was approved it was with the understanding that the land was dedicated for park purposes to be
used for public outdoor active recreational use. A copy of the Town's acceptance is attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
The issue of outdoor lighting was raised. Mr. Manchester stated that it is intended the park be open only during
the daytime. In response to a question raised about parking, Mr. Manchester stated that the Park and Recreation
Commission intends to have a gate lock which will prevent vehicular access to the park area during evening
hours.
It was stated that the requests for funding to the CPC totaled approximately four times as many dollars as
available for allocation. Inquiry was made as to whether receipt of ~ of the requested amount would allow the
project to continue. Mr. Manchester stated that partial funding of at least $200,000 should allow for the
creation of the playing fields.
NANTUCKET ATHENEUM - $352,250
The following individuals presented the application on behalf of the Nantucket Atheneum; Lou Unarelli,
Atheneum Director, Elisabeth Winship, Allan Lafrance, Patrick Paradis, Tobey Leske, and Jim Kielawa,
Project Manager. CPC member, Frank: Spriggs disclosed that he would recluse himselffrom any decisions
since his wife is on the Atheneum Board of Trustees. A review of the application was commenced by Mr.
Lafrance. A copy of the substance of the application, nine pages, is attached hereto and incorporated herein.
The project is a continuation of the historic renovation of the 1847 structure previously supported by the CPC as
evidenced by the $144,000 awarded through the April 2002 ATM. The Atheneum has incurred expenses under
the previous award totaling $109,000. A deed restriction to insure the permanence of the CPC allocation under
Historic Preservation is being negotiated.
A discussion ensued relative to monies expended in conjunction with a project and the Town's fiscal year
calendar. The monies allocated by the April 2002 ATM are to be expended on or before June 30, 2003 for work
outlined in the previous year's application. Mr. Lafrance informed the Committee that the Town has
previously regulated and restricted the months that the work can be performed. Last year it was necessary to
have the staging dismantled by Memorial Day Weekend.
Jim Kielawa, Project Manager for the Atheneum, explained that it was cost effective to complete the restoration
in one time period as it lessened the costs of renting the staging and decreased the labor involved in setting it up
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