Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Approved Minutes 11.19.15
HARWICH Community Preservation Committee Regular Meeting
November 12, 2015, at the Harwich Town Hall, Griffin Meeting Room
Present: Chairman Bob MacCready, Vice Chair Kathy Green, Cindi Maule, David Nixon, Daniel Tworek, Robert Bradley, and Jim Atkinson
Absent: Walter Diggs and Selectmen’s Liaison Peter Hughes
Vacant: Housing Committee representative
Called to order at 7:04 PM by Chair Bob MacCready. Guests welcomed.
Old Business:
Harwich Town Accountant, Andy Gould had proposed accounting process changes for the CPC fund. Currently the
debt service for the land bank is in the general fund. Mr. Gould has received the go ahead to transfer everything into the CPC account, where it belongs, in one fund.
The processing of invoices: Every warrant article is coded. Project monies can be followed via that coding. As the project invoices come in, Mr. Gould verifies if there are funds available. He does not investigate if the invoice follows the approved project article. The CPC Chair sees some bills, but not all. Some project funds are distributed out all together, for example with the Housing Rental articles, invoices were being presented to and being paid for by that body.
Going forward, Mr. Gould will include the CPC on his distribution list for the monthly reports of individual accounts. Mr. Gould and Chair MacCready are still updating all CPC records.
Meeting open for public comments:
Mr. Brook Williams spoke concerning the 2009 Housing Plan – the priorities of the comprehensive plan. The production plan has expired. He questioned why Harwich hasn’t updated their plan? Chair MacCready reported that Town Planner Mr. Spitz has taken that up with the Selectmen.
New Business:
- 2015 CPC Project Funding Request Applications for the 2016 Annual Town Meeting
– Continue discussions with the following submitters:
HP4 – Preserving the Harwich Story, submitted by the Harwich Historical Society, presented by project manager HHS Executive Director, Desiree Mobed. Requesting $14,000 to preserve and install three symbols of historic Harwich in a park area on the grounds of Brooks Academy Museum for public to enjoy.
1) The American Revolutionary War era cannon came to Harwich in the mid 1800’s. It was displayed at Brooks Park but is currently being stored with the Highway Department. Volunteers will clean it up and repaint it. A proper carriage is needed. They are researching its history.
2) Representing the economic history of Harwich, a grinding wheel of the 19th century. It was one of two millstones that the Brooks Family owned in Harwich Center, at Oak and Main Street. The second millstone is now installed at the Brooks Park entrance.
3) The 1998 Harwich High School Entrance Sign, presenting the story of Harwich schools.
All three artifacts will be marked with bronze plaques. Though expensive, the bronze material was recommended, providing a nice permanence for the installation.
HP8 – Preserve Two Burial Crypts and Two Holding Tombs/Crypts, submitted by Harwich Cemetery Department, presented by project manager Cemetery Administrator, Robbin Kelley. Requesting $25,000 to repair and restore four burial crypts. Harwich had five crypts, but one was lost in South Harwich last winter. Ms. Kelley has researched the work that needs to be done with the State’s Department of Conservation and Recreation, Wendy Pearl. She advises addressing the arches and removing the invasive vegetation, roots, that is causing damage. They invade the crypt and can cause a cave-in as seen in South Harwich last winter. Vegetation on top of the crypt is normal, so they will be restored with the proper type of material. They will be maintained, but not with heavy mowers. The crypts are different from one another, but the restoration will use historical appropriate materials. Only one of the estimates came in with the full job. Ms. Kelley has requested the other outfits resubmit their estimates with the full scope of the project. People visit and tour the town’s cemeteries, walking across plots, the crypts, etc. treating the cemetery as a park. The crypts are in poor condition. They are not roped off. Public safety is a concern and the town’s responsibility.
Approved Minutes 11.19.15
CPC 11.12.15 Meeting, Page 2
R14 - Brooks Park Expansion/Improvement Phase 3, submitted by Harwich Recreation Department, presented by project manager, HRD Director, Eric Beebe, Recreation and Youth Commission Chair John Mahan, and Vice Chair Frank Crowley. The CPC has funded the Brooks Park Expansion phases thus far. Phase 1 covered the cost for the design company to research park enhancements. Phase 2 created new courts used for pickle ball and tennis, and a basket ball court. They were completed this spring and have all seen good use. Now Phase 3 would create: a covered pavilion with tables for picnickers and could provide revenue from event users; an additional 20 – 25 T-based parking spaces; a half basketball court; a new tennis wall practice area after removing the old tennis practice wall; and resurface the 4 tennis courts.
The Rec. Department created a survey for public input. To date they have received over 100 responses. The highest requests were for a picnic pavilion area, basketball courts, and additional parking. Channel 18 has interviewed Director Beebe on the plans. The Cape Cod Chronicle published an article. A public hearing was held with advance advertisement on the town website, Channel 18, and the Harwich newspaper, but only one person attended. One abutter has shown interest in the project. He seemed content with the responses to his questions regarding the expansion plans.
The normal lifespan of a tennis court surface is 6-7 years; it’s been nine years for these courts. Court surfaces breakdown due to temperature changes, water, and age. The dark surface absorbs the heat, the white lines reflect it. Water freezing undermines the surface. It is more cost effective to address the surface now with two sealer coats and two coats of acrylic paint than spending $25,000 to $30,000 on a major re-do. Resurfacing will extend the life of the courts. Resurfacing won’t affect the current drainage improvements. The new half court will be pitched for drainage.
It was questioned if the resurfacing of the courts was a maintenance expense? CPA funds shouldn’t be spent on what it clarifies as incidental repairs. Director Beebe reported CPA funds are allowable for rehabilitation projects that make it more functional/useable, in this case allowing the courts to be useable. CPC has funded resurfacing before.
R11 - Whitehouse Field Fencing Replacement, submitted by Harwich Recreation Department, presented by project manager HRD Director, Eric Beebe. A rehabilitation project, requesting $57,128 to replace all fencing at Whitehouse Field. The project requested amount is 15% above the estimate included in the application. This is for contingency, allowing them to cover expenses, unspent funds will be returned. The Harwich Mariners, the high school, town residents, and visitors all use the field. It’s a top field of amateur fields, and attracts the AC Tournament every year.
The fence goes around the whole field and is to maintain people’s safety. The Recreational 7-year Plan presented to the Capital Outlay Committee did request funding for the fence. The Harwich Mariners do a lot for the field. Mr. Beebe will have to look into who paid for the current fence.
The twenty-year old fence is in such poor condition it needs a full replacement. They have been maintaining it; it has received new sections, new caps, patching, etc., but it can no longer be patched. This type of fence was chosen for
safety. A few years ago, Potter’s Field received a CPC funded $45,000 fence replacement.
HP7 – West Harwich Schoolhouse Preservation and Rehabilitation Phase 1 (of 3), submitted by Captains' Row with the Town of Harwich, presented by Volunteer Organizer Mr. Lou Urbano and resident Duncan Berry. Note: project manager is listed as Town Engineer, Robert Cafarelli and Oversight by Town Planner, David Spitz. The community group Captains’ Row has been working on this plan for about 1 ½ years. They plan to be a formal 501c3 non-profit. This project would restore the historic 1871 schoolhouse and create an active enterprise in the community. With a tie to Harwich’s past, the building will house a boat building operation for the public to become a part of and learn from. The project’s timetable estimates the job to take about three years. More information on the project is available on their Facebook pages that include the schoolhouse and the broader subject of Historic West Harwich.
They have reached out to town officials, the community, and businesses. Town officials are involved. The Tech is very keen on the project. Private businesses have shown support. About 50 residents attended their public hearing. They have about 10,000 residents following them online. 4,600 viewed a recent posting. Town Engineer Mr. Cafarelli will be in charge of the project, reporting the finances, etc. Volunteer Organizer Mr. Urbano and Mr. Cafarelli will work together on the day to day management of the project. The group will provide work progress updates online along the way. The town will retain ownership of the building but not be involved in the operational phase of the project once the building is finished. The group plans to lease the building and the boat building operation will be under their leadership.
Approved Minutes 11.19.15
CPC 11.12.15 Meeting, Page 3
They feel this project will become a model for other projects to follow. They will be requesting the Selectmen’s approval. A town RFP is in the works.
The schoolhouse is the geographical center of Captain’s Row Historic District in West Harwich. Investing in the preserving the historic nature of the area will attract residents and visitors, improving the area and property taxes. They will be following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation as they want it to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The second generation Greek Revival schoolhouse is a beautiful building with great architectural details just waiting to be restored. The aluminum siding is hiding its great bones; they plan to replace the sliding with brick. The schoolhouse will invite the community and visitors in. The ground floor will house a visitor center, public bathrooms, and a working maritime wooden boat building operation. Currently a museum dedicated to Captains’ Row is planned for the second floor. The group has contingencies for this area if a change is needed. They feel they have contingency plans for multiple points of the project. Boat building classes could be offered to students of the Tech, Monomoy High School, Harwich Rec. Department, and the community at large. Hyannis Marine has volunteered an expert to teach and offered to raise donations.
The group is requesting $203,950 in CPC funding. The Fogerty Report estimated the work to cost about $1.1 million. After review, Town Engineer Bob Cafarelli has reduced the figures/work where he could. They would like to reduce the estimated labor costs by recruiting volunteer professional local tradesmen. They didn’t ask yet for letters of intent, but confidence is high. The mason who has volunteered his help was present in tonight’s audience to show his support. The organizers have spoken with the Superintendent of the Cape Cod Tech High School, in addition to having the students work on the period building, the school could act as the contractor. (No contract yet.) The group will continue to work on finding discounts and professional volunteers. They have applied for a matching grant from the Mass Cultural Council. Habitat for Humanity has been successful in raising funds by raffling off wooden kayaks. Captains’ Row can partner with them to raise their own funds. A row boat to be built at the Tech has been offered to start off the raffle program. Going forward the group plans to generate enough funds through the boat building operation to cover the maintenance costs. The revenue is estimated to be approximately $19,000. Operational costs may be about $8,000. Revenue and operational costs will change year by year.
R13 – Cape Cod Rail Trail Queen Anne Road Crossing Lights, submitted by Harwich Bikeways Committee, presented by HBC Chair Fran Saldewski, HBC member Len Sarver, and Shanna Nealy. Note: project manager is listed as Town Engineer, Robert Cafarelli. Requesting $29,700 for a motion sensor, solar powered system which will alert motor traffic that a bicyclist or pedestrian is approaching the intersection of Queen Anne Road and the Cape Cod Rail Trail. 4 beacons (one for each direction and two early warning beacons) are needed due to restricted sight line and the curve in the road. These lights would be of the same design/function as those installed at the Great Western Road and Route 39 crossing sites. The CPC has funded the town’s two other bike crossing lights. The Bikeways Committee, the Traffic Safety Committee, and the Police Chief have identified three areas that need warning lights: 1) Queen Anne Road; 2) Route 124 @ the General Store; 3) Rail Trail in North Harwich. Town Engineer Robert Cafarelli surveyed the site and provided the estimate.
It was question how this project meets the state statue for CPA funding for recreational projects that requires uses to be in land acquisition, rehabilitation, creation, or preservation. The lights help traffic flow, providing safety of the bicyclists and motorists. The Department of Public Works would install the purchased light system. They have not spoken to the abutting property owners for input.
Other:
October 29, 2015 CPC meeting minutes will be available at the Nov.19th meeting.
Board Secretary Payroll. A motion was made by Kathy Green and seconded to support the bill of six hours worked as submitted. Vote: 7 Yes. 0 No. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment 8:47 PM.