Community Preservation Committee

‭Beverly Community Preservation Committee‬ ‭September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes‬ ‭Page‬‭1‬‭of‬‭6‬ ‭CITY OF BEVERLY‬ ‭PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES‬ ‭BOARD:‬ ‭Community Preservation Committee: Public Hearing‬ ‭LOCATION:‬ ‭Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3‬‭rd‬ ‭Floor Council‬ ‭Chambers‬ ‭DATE:‬ ‭September 14, 2023‬ ‭BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:‬ ‭Chair Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum,‬ ‭Suzanne LaMont, Danielle Spang, Nancy Marino,‬ ‭Christy Edwards‬ ‭BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:‬ ‭Heather Richter‬ ‭OTHERS PRESENT:‬ ‭Director of Planning and Development Darlene Wynne‬ ‭RECORDER:‬ ‭Naomi Moca‬ ‭1.‬ ‭Call to order‬ ‭Chair Beckwith opens the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and takes a roll call of the Committee members.‬ ‭Beckwith reads the public meeting notice.‬ ‭Beckwith summarizes the history of the Community Preservation Act and the purpose and‬ ‭format of today’s meeting. Beckwith expresses gratitude to Director Wynne and BevCam.‬ ‭LaMont‬ ‭Motion to open the public hearing. Edwards seconds. The motion carries (6-0).‬ ‭2.‬ ‭Welcome and History of Community Preservation Act (CPA)‬ ‭●‬ ‭Massachusetts general law/Beverly local ordinance‬ ‭●‬ ‭General purpose of CPA/Local community preservation plan‬ ‭●‬ ‭Brief overview of the range of projects previously funded‬ ‭●‬ ‭CPA budget‬ ‭Beckwith summarizes the history of the CPA and states that there have been 10 rounds of‬ ‭funding since the Committee’s inception in 2012. The Committee provides funding for four‬ ‭purposes: open space, historic preservation, community housing, and recreation. The funds come‬ ‭from the City’s real estate tax surcharge of 1% combined with matching funds awarded by the‬ ‭State. A portion of the total funds collected are dedicated to open space, historic preservation,‬ ‭and community housing, and the remaining 70% remains in the General Reserve fund. The‬ ‭Committee currently has seven members with two vacancies.‬ ‭Beckwith states that the Committee oversees the CPA activities, reviews eligibility criteria for‬ ‭projects, evaluates proposed projects, and recommends funding for projects, while the deciding‬ ‭body is the City Council. This annual meeting with the public is to encourage input, get ideas for‬ ‭proposed projects, and familiarize the public with the process.‬ ‭1‬  ‭Beverly Community Preservation Committee‬ ‭September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes‬ ‭Page‬‭2‬‭of‬‭6‬ ‭Spang summarizes the budget and states that 90 applications have been evaluated by the‬ ‭Committee and 75 projects have been approved and funded in the course of the history of the‬ ‭Committee. Spang states that the 2023-24 budget will go before the City Council at its next‬ ‭meeting. With the State’s partial match, the total budgeted reserves come to $1,218,375. Spang‬ ‭states that the unused balances are added to the reserve each year. The total reserve is just under‬ ‭$2.3 million for this round of funding.‬ ‭3.‬ ‭Public hearing to discuss needs, possibilities and resources in Beverly‬ ‭●‬ ‭Invite public input‬ ‭Beckwith states that funds for recreation come out of the general reserve, but clarifies the general‬ ‭reserve is not limited to recreation as it can be used for other purposes within the scope of the‬ ‭funds. Beckwith invites input from the members of the public who are present. Beckwith‬ ‭clarifies the difference between preservation and maintenance.‬ ‭Mark Holland of 34 Washington Street states that the First Parish Church is a historic building‬ ‭from the 1800s and needs repair work. Holland states that there are also other members of the‬ ‭church’s building committee present as well as himself tonight.‬ ‭Cheri Guerin of 59 Corning Street states that the dearth of affordable housing in Beverly is a‬ ‭serious problem that needs to be addressed with radical measures. Guerin states that she speaks‬ ‭on behalf of the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) and she attended the Accessory‬ ‭Dwelling Unit (ADU) meeting with the Mayor, who stated clearly that it does not include an‬ ‭affordable housing piece.‬ ‭Nancy Dillon of 4 Middle Street states that Central Cemetery needs work in various areas that‬ ‭may fall within the category of historic preservation. While the cemetery fence does not fall‬ ‭under the category of a historical house, there is a dead house [receiving tomb] on the site that‬ ‭was built in 1891 that has a roof in danger of collapse. On October 11, 2015, the wooden‬ ‭structure that held materials burned and was replaced by two unsightly metal containers that are‬ ‭still there to this day. Dillon suggests that CPA funds may be used to restore the dead house‬ ‭[receiving tomb] and potentially use it to store those materials.‬ ‭Beckwith states that in the guidelines for historic preservation, the statutes for the property‬ ‭include that the use of the property must be maintained, so the structure could possibly not serve‬ ‭as storage going forward. Beckwith encourages Dillon to meet with City employees to get‬ ‭assistance with an application. Dillon states that she has been in conversations with her Ward 4‬ ‭Councilor on the matter as well.‬ ‭Ellie Filyaw of 14 Morningside Drive states that she is on the volunteer Board of Directors of the‬ ‭Girdler House, which was founded in 1885 for low-income women in Beverly who fall just‬ ‭2‬  ‭Beverly Community Preservation Committee‬ ‭September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes‬ ‭Page‬‭3‬‭of‬‭6‬ ‭above the poverty line and thus are not eligible for Medicaid. The program provides each‬ ‭resident with a room, bathroom, transportation, activities, and television, among other things.‬ ‭During COVID, the costs for PPE came out of the operating budget. The 40-year-old stove is too‬ ‭small and the refrigerators need replacing. To remain compliant with the Board of Health, under‬ ‭community housing guidelines, the Girdler House needs a partial generator. When the Girdler‬ ‭House was first established it was a private charity, but now is a public 501c3 organization.‬ ‭Filyaw asks whether this item would qualify for CPA funds and how to go about applying.‬ ‭Beckwith replies that there is a pre-application that encourages conversation with City‬ ‭employees who are knowledgeable to help answer her questions, such as whether a historic‬ ‭building certification is needed, for example. Filyaw states that there is a three-part sink that‬ ‭needs replacing. Beckwith suggests doing more research into whether it qualifies and consulting‬ ‭with the City Solicitor. LaMont states that it may qualify for more than one category. Filyaw‬ ‭states that she spoke to the Historic Beverly and that Girdler House used to be named the Home‬ ‭for Old Ladies and was changed to Girdler in the 1960’s. Beckwith expresses willingness to help‬ ‭and support the research.‬ ‭Dan Richards of 29 Linden Avenue expresses gratitude to the Committee and states that Gillis‬ ‭Park is one of the largest open spaces in Ward Two. The population around the park has‬ ‭increased in the last few years, and while the park has been maintained, it has not been enhanced‬ ‭or brought into ADA compliance. There are issues such as deep mulch and broken equipment.‬ ‭Richards states that making the park handicapped accessible, repairing the entrance, creating a‬ ‭path around the park, and restoring the World War II monument may be eligible for CPA funds.‬ ‭Beckwith clarifies that comments regarding general issues, such as last year’s conversation‬ ‭regarding access to the waterfront and open space throughout the City, are welcome, not just‬ ‭specific projects.‬ ‭Paul Drake of 8 Bartlett Street expresses gratitude to the Committee and states that affordable‬ ‭housing is a need in the congregation of the First Parish Church and in the population that the‬ ‭church serves. Drake gives his own rental housing as an example and states that the average rent‬ ‭in Beverly is $2,500 per month. Housing seems out of reach for many, and Drake gives the‬ ‭example of putting down first, last, and deposit for a rental being an obstacle. Drake states that‬ ‭the Committee could help meet the needs of people in this housing market.‬ ‭Carol Gerard of 87 Odell Avenue asks for clarification on whether home repair assistance‬ ‭qualifies for CPA funds, such as helping a resident who is unable to stay safely in their home or‬ ‭stairs that need repair.‬ ‭Beckwith states that it is not a question of the size of the repair, but whether it is going toward a‬ ‭qualified purpose, such as affordable housing. Beckwith gives the example of the rental‬ ‭3‬  ‭Beverly Community Preservation Committee‬ ‭September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes‬ ‭Page‬‭4‬‭of‬‭6‬ ‭assistance program the Committee supported during the COVID pandemic. Edwards states that‬ ‭Vice Chair Buchsbaum will discuss the matrix of categories and definitions and how a project‬ ‭may fit in the matrix, which will help clarify whether projects qualify.‬ ‭Donald Preston of 3 Pickett Street states that he is also a member of ECCO but is speaking on‬ ‭behalf of Essex County Habitat for Humanity tonight and would like to apply for critical home‬ ‭repair funding. This program’s projects, such as ramps and accessible bathrooms, in other cities‬ ‭typically are under $15,000 and serve people in the 40-60% range of the area median income.‬ ‭Beckwith states that he moved out of Beverly due to affordability reasons himself, and has since‬ ‭moved back.‬ ‭4.‬ ‭How to apply for CPA funds‬ ‭●‬ ‭Three examples of successful applications described by the applicants‬ ‭Marino states that she will be representing the Beverly Housing Authority on the Committee and‬ ‭summarizes three examples of successful projects.‬ ‭Marino gives the example of the Beverly Farms Cemetery Fence Restoration, which includes‬ ‭removal and reinstallation. The cost thus far has been $210,000 funded from various sources as‬ ‭well as CPA funds.‬ ‭Director of Beverly Parks and Recreation Bruce Doig gives the example of the Wentworth Tot‬ ‭Lot. The project was initiated by a small group of families and the Committee awarded $20,000.‬ ‭The neighborhood families conducted a grassroots fundraising effort for a year. Doig states that‬ ‭the Committee has been generous with projects for the Recreation Department over the years.‬ ‭Doig states that the families wanted to replace an outdated, worn-out tot lot, and the CPA‬ ‭funding went toward the playground equipment specifically. Doig observes that in his experience‬ ‭the application process is straightforward and expresses willingness to partner with‬ ‭neighborhoods and other groups to move projects forward.‬ ‭Marino gives the final example of Anchor Point Phase I Harborlight Homes, whose mission is to‬ ‭break the cycle of poverty by managing affordable housing. Director of Harborlight Homes‬ ‭Andrew DeFranza states that 38 two- and three-bedroom apartments for families with‬ ‭below-median income, were constructed in Phase I. Phase II will have 39 units and DeFranza‬ ‭states that there has been some construction cost escalation due to industry fluctuations.‬ ‭Harborlight Homes is working on raising private philanthropy for an area within the site to host‬ ‭services for residents of apartments such as daycare, adult education, and outdoor play spaces.‬ ‭DeFranza states that Phase II will hopefully close in December 2023. Phase I is fully occupied‬ ‭and there were 600 applications for Phase I for 38 units. There are 800 applications already for‬ ‭the 39 units in Phase II. DeFranza expresses gratitude for the Committee’s help in accomplishing‬ ‭these projects.‬ ‭4‬  ‭Beverly Community Preservation Committee‬ ‭September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes‬ ‭Page‬‭5‬‭of‬‭6‬ ‭Beckwith states that the Committee provided $250,000 for Phase I. DeFranza highlights that this‬ ‭and other investments in the community generate jobs and affordable housing, and have a ripple‬ ‭effect in the community. For example, these projects pay real estate taxes. Marino states that the‬ ‭Housing Authority made clear to the State that Beverly is moving forward with helping‬ ‭affordable housing.‬ ‭Dan Wuenschel of 5 Rowell Avenue asks DeFranza if the Committee provided any funding for‬ ‭the Briscoe project and DeFranza states yes.‬ ‭LaMont shares a map and states that the purpose of the map’s different colored dots is to‬ ‭demonstrate the wide distribution throughout the city of CPA funds across all types of projects.‬ ‭LaMont observes that the open space category has the fewest dots and invites those present to‬ ‭consider what projects are in the areas where they work and travel that could use a bolster of‬ ‭support from CPA funding.‬ ‭●‬ ‭CPA eligibility requirements‬ ‭Buchsbaum presents a matrix chart for CPA eligibility to illustrate how the Committee evaluates‬ ‭applications. The columns list the categories of projects (open space, historic, recreation,‬ ‭housing) and the rows list the purposes the projects may serve (acquire, create, preserve, support,‬ ‭rehabilitate). Buchsbaum states that often a topic of lively discussion among the Committee‬ ‭members is how a project fits into the matrix. Buchsbaum states that there is a statewide‬ ‭Community Preservation Coalition that the Committee consults, and the topic of privately owned‬ ‭projects has been discussed. They can qualify for CPA funds in specific situations, such as‬ ‭whether they provide a public service. Buchsbaum explains the concept of a clawback.‬ ‭●‬ ‭Important dates and deadlines‬ ‭Edwards expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be on the Committee and states that she is‬ ‭honored to help the community. Edwards states that all the information that is being explained‬ ‭today is also available on the City website. The regular Committee meeting is scheduled for‬ ‭Thursday, September 21, 2023 and the Committee will field questions at that time. September‬ ‭21, 2023 is the deadline for the submission of historical projects to the Historic Districts‬ ‭Commission in time for the Thursday, September 28, 2023 meeting. Pre-applications for CPA‬ ‭funds are due Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 12 noon. The pre-application allows the Committee‬ ‭to determine if a project is eligible for funding, at which point the Committee invites the‬ ‭applicant to apply for funding.‬ ‭Edwards explains the important dates and deadlines in the 2023-24 funding round and explains‬ ‭that the determination of eligibility for funding is not a guarantee of funding.‬ ‭●‬ ‭Application forms and instructive/informational materials‬ ‭Edwards presents the pre-application form and explains that it is due Thursday, October 12,‬ ‭2023. If a project is found to be eligible and is invited by the Committee to submit a full‬ ‭5‬  ‭Beverly Community Preservation Committee‬ ‭September 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes‬ ‭Page‬‭6‬‭of‬‭6‬ ‭application, there will be more guidance provided at the December meeting. The full application‬ ‭has eight sections to draw out the information the Committee is looking for, using prompts and‬ ‭narratives. Edwards points out Section Five, which is for listing the project’s budget, including‬ ‭other sources of funding, professionally prepared quotes, and supporting documentation. Section‬ ‭Six is for the project timeline with milestones and markers of success. Edwards recommends‬ ‭waiting to start projects until funding is awarded. CPA application guidance and instructions with‬ ‭helpful links are on the City website.‬ ‭5.‬ ‭Questions and answers‬ ‭Daniel Wuenschel of 5 Rowell Avenue asks what percentage of Committee-recommended‬ ‭projects the City Council has not approved. Buchsbaum states that the City Council has funded‬ ‭100% of projects recommended by the Committee and never reduced funding, though there has‬ ‭been lively discussion. The City Council has the discretion to reduce funding for projects but not‬ ‭to increase it.‬ ‭Ned Carpenter asks whether the categories of rehabilitation or restoration, referring to the‬ ‭eligibility matrix, can be found to be creative or restrictive. Buchsbaum answers that the‬ ‭categories can be both creative or restrictive at times. Edwards explains that the slide is a‬ ‭simplified visual of the matrix, and directs those present to look at the chart on the Massachusetts‬ ‭Department of Revenue website, which is more detailed.‬ ‭Mark Holland of 34 Washington Street asks how the definitions of preserve, rehabilitate, and‬ ‭restore are distinguished from each other. Spang reads definitions provided by the State.‬ ‭Beckwith comments that the definitions are specific while allowing room for creativity.‬ ‭Babette Loring of 569 Hale Street expresses gratitude to the Committee.‬ ‭LaMont‬ ‭Motion to close the hearing. Buchsbaum seconds. The motion carries (6-0).‬ ‭6.‬ ‭Adjourn‬ ‭Marino‬ ‭Motion to adjourn. The motion carries unopposed.‬ ‭Meeting adjourns at 8:43 p.m.‬ ‭Next regular CPC meeting: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 7 p.m.‬ ‭6‬