Community Preservation Committee Meeting

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Meeting date: 
Thursday, March 12, 2015

Approved 5.14.15

HARWICH Community Preservation Committee Meeting Minutes 

March 12, 2015, at the Harwich Town Hall, Griffin Meeting Room

 

Present: Chairman Bob MacCready, Vice Chair Kathy Green, Dave Purdy, Peter de Bakker, Daniel Tworek, Robert Bradley, Cindi Maule, Walter Diggs, and Jan Bowers

 

Called to order at 7:00 PM by Chair Bob MacCready.  

 

Chair MacCready moved to go into Executive Session, to approve the 12.11.14 Executive Session minutes.   (Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch.30A, Sec.20 (a)(6), to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property with regards to the Hall property purchase, and declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the body, and to reconvene in Open Session.)   Roll call vote: All 9 committee members voted: Yes. Motion carried.  Executive Session Opened at 7:00 PM.

 

CPC Regular Meeting was reopened at 7:10 PM by Chair Bob MacCready. 

 

Guests: Robbin Kelley, Town of Harwich Cemetery Administrator, and Judy Ford, President of the Friends of the South Harwich Meetinghouse, Inc.

 

A motion was made by Kathy Green, and seconded to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2015 CPC meeting.  Vote: 6 Yes. 3 Abstained.  Motion carried.

 

New Business: 

Update Presentations on prior approved CPC funded projects:

 

Cemetery Commission – Robbin Kelley presenter.  The project required creating a map to mark the location of stones in the town owned cemetery, which is now some 800 stones.  Then a second map color-coding the stones was needed.  They are in the process of identifying all the stones, creating a detailed file, including photograph.  Once the winter snow melts they should be able to finish the final row of 50 markers.  When the maps are complete they will go out to bid.  Some seven companies have the expertise for the stone preservation work.  Estimated completion of the project is by the end of summer.   

    Through the process of the project – it was discovered that:

  • The maps were required prior to going out to bid on project.  The maps were not funded by CPC funds. 
  • They are in negotiations with the neighboring First Congregational Church.  In 1985 the town gave permission for a Memorial Garden, but the church went beyond what was allowed, with walkways and interments. The negotiations will not hold up the project.
  • Three stones were discovered in the church attic.
  • Three stones were uncovered in a recent survey.
  • The GPR (Ground-Penetrating Radar that can survey below the ground surface) has been used to locate unmarked graves.  It was able to identify the town’s first meeting house location.  The GPR has the potential of generating revenue for the Cemetery Commission; it can be used beyond cemetery surveys.
  • Recently the cemetery sustained damage from cars driving on the grass in two separate incidents.  New cement barriers will prevent future occurrences and protect the stones and plots.
  • The cemetery is meeting the requirements to be listed on the historic registries.

 

South Harwich Meetinghouse – Judy Ford presenter. Handouts: CPC funds accounting and Building Update.  A field trip to the meetinghouse was suggested.  The exterior and interior renovation work on this historic town owned building began ten years ago.  The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  In addition to their private fundraising they have received three separate CPC funded projects of $100,000, $200,000, and $144,000. Recently they were granted a building permit to continue the work.  The elevator flooring entrance needs to be adjusted, and the door opening may need to be adjusted for handicap access in the back of the building.  Elevator costs are at $23,596 with a

Approved 5.14.15

 

$200 change fee.  They estimate some eight weeks out until completion.  The fire sprinklers system is a work in progress with maybe eight weeks out until completion; the tree (part of the system) hasn’t been established yet.  They have spent $24,860, with a balance of approx. $10,000.   

    A building opening is projected for December 2015.  The CPC funds accounting show balances of $17,935 and $30,586.  Combine that with about $32,000 from private fundraising, approx. $80,000 is expected to complete everything on the renewed building permit, although not all the work estimates are in yet.  They may need to ask the town for help.

    Heating and cooling are in.  Windows are installed.  The electrician has donated a lot of his time and materials.  The 1886 restored chandelier is ready to be installed.  Other lamps are being worked on.   Volunteers will develop an 1800’s period landscape.  The 1836 original stencil work will be recreated in the finished building.

    Chair MacCready asked Judy Ford to keep the CPC in the loop with their presentations to the Selectmen.

 

Historic District and Historic Commission – Robert Bradley presenter. Handout: 2006 Article 50/$25,000/ Update Town Historic Property Inventory.  Of the original $25,000 project funds, some $20,400 is still available.  This week a new consultant, Mirande Dupuy DeWitt of Dupuy Preservation Consulting has been contracted to complete the unfinished project.  Next week the HDHC will meet to formulate the work items for the consultant.  The final project will provide documentation needed for historical registry and town preservation requirements.

 

A motion was made by Peter de Bakker, and seconded to pay the Community Preservation Coalition annual dues of $4,350.  Vote: 9 Yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Contrasted the CPC page on the old and new town website:

  • New site is missing links for agenda and minutes
  • Additional links are a desired option.  For example: a link to the Community Preservation Coalition
  • The old page was easier to read with the column approach
  • Along the right side of the new page, the news banner is distracting
  • A description of what the CPC does could be added to the new page.  Daniel Tworek volunteered to write it.

Chair MacCready will contact the website developer.

   

Old Business:

Rescinded Funds – the town accountant has not done the work necessary to restore these funds to the CPC accounts.  The housing authority article for the May Town Meeting depends of those rescinded funds being in place.

 

Other:

Chair MacCready represented the CPC before the Joint Selectmen and FinCom Budget Review meeting this week.  Voting will take place at a later time.  The Article Review Meeting is coming up.  

 

 

A motion was made by Daniel Tworek, and seconded to pay the committee clerk the submitted February 2½-hours. Vote: 9 Yes. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Committee members were reminded that the town clerk needs the completed paperwork, certificate and signed acceptance page, for the online Conflict of Interest Law course.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM by Chair MacCready.

 

Next Meeting: April 9th, 2015.