Real Estate and Open Space Committee Meeting

Meeting date: 
Friday, December 16, 2016

Harwich Real Estate and Open Space (REOS) Committee

Town Hall

December 16, 2016

  Amended

 

Members Present: Kathy Green (chair), Bob Thomas, David Callaghan, John Preston, Elaine

Shovlin and Marcia Thorngate–Smith.

Guests: Chris Clark, Michael Lach, Art Bodin (HHC Chair), Bill Galvin (Cape Cod Chronicle)

 

Approval of Minutes: The Committee voted to approve the minutes of October 21,

2016 meeting.

Marini Property

Mike Lach reported that the Marini closing is scheduled for January 20th.  The Cape Cod Compact will hold the property temporarily and will be placed under a Conservation Restriction.

Town Bank Street Property

Chris Clark discussed the Town Owned Bank Street property (aka the Fire Station) and its possible future disposition.  It cannot be disposed of until the Harbor Master no longer needs it and that requires plans for the Downey property to be ready for approval and implementation.  His goal is to bring the Downey property plans and disposition of the Bank Street property to the same Town meeting.  The funds generated will help pay for part of the Downey work estimated currently at $3.5 million.

He has had the Town engineering department develop plans for the Bank Street property with the eye toward maximizing its sale value.  There is also a desire to preserve access and parking for the Robert F. Smith Coldbrook Preserve as a part of the plan.  Improving water quality in the area is important because it will save a significant amount in the Wastewater Development Plan.  We discussed possible next steps:

Upon motion made and duly seconded:  REOS authorizes Chris Clark (the Town Administrator) to proceed to obtain approval from the Board of Selectman to have the Bank Street property appraised and investigate its disposal that is consistent with his November 7, 2016 memorandum.

19 School House Road

It was requested that we look at acquisition of the property which adjoins the Town Owned parking lot in Harwichport.  The property contains one single family dwelling on a ½ acre lot assessed for $423,900.  We discussed the need for more information regarding possible sale price, the zoning of the property and more.  Is it needed for municipal parking or use by the Town?  It seems to be too small for HHC needs at the possible sale price.  We decided to revisit it at another meeting when more information is available. 

Old Road off Oliver Snow Rd

We were asked if we are interested in getting the unofficial right of first refusal to the property by J. Thaddeus Eldredge.  Amy Usowski is interested because it might give access to an old cranberry bog for town use.   We said we need more information to discuss it further and that we will review it when it is available.

Harwich Housing Committee Needs

Previously Kathy and Art Bodin had discussed properties that might fit the HHC needs including the ones that we had discussed previously.  He said that he is going to the Town Planning department to learn more about the Lynn Way property.  He said that the greatest need is for additional affordable rental housing in town.  His committee thinks that the Middle School has great potential but must overcome objections by abutters.  He has learned that they might be less opposition if housing stays with the confines of the existing building.  We told him that we strongly support that effort and urged him to return if it seems viable.

Next Meeting: January 20, 2017 at 8:30am.

 

Respectfully submitted

John Preston, REOS Clerk