Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Committee Monday, October 3, 2022 5:00 PM APPROVED November 15, 2022 Present: Dr. Peter Kurzberg, Chair Mark Preziosi, Vice Chair Marta Googins Ron Frazier Darryl Mikami Also Present: Connor Murphy, Assistant Director Elizabeth Manning, Community Preservation Manager Absent: Maria Bonfiglioi Diane Francis Chairman Kurzberg calls the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and requests that Ms. Manning take attendance for the September 19, 2022 meeting via roll call: Chairman Kurzberg – present; Mark Preziosi – here, Marta Googins – here, Ron Frazier – here, Darryl Mikami- here. Five members are in attendance. Members Diane Francis and Maria Bonfiglioli are noted as absent. Chairman Kurzberg calls for a motion to take the new applications out of order. Member Frazier MOTION to take the applications out of order; seconded by Member Googins; voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Chairman Kurzberg: YES; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Frazier: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Members Francis and Bonfiglioli noted as absent. NEW BUSINESS – New Application: Town Hall Handicap Ramp, 773-793 Washington Street (AKA 1 JFK Memorial Drive), Town of Braintree, Applicant Russell Forsberg begins the presentation and thanks the Committee for their consideration of the project which is the removal and replacement of the Town hall ramp which accesses the Cahill Auditorium (the other means of handicap access is to the basement of the building.) The Cahill ramp has been patched over the years but has reached the point of total replacement. The plan in front of the Committee is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan that requires full accessibility for all public buildings. The Town’s ADA consultant - The Center for Human Design - has endorsed the proposal and the Historic Commission has also reviewed and approved the plan. The replacement ramp will be slightly larger as the existing ramp is steeper than current ADA requirements. Mr. Forsberg notes that the goal is to make the ramp more aesthetically pleasing as the poured concrete with pipe railing is not consistent with Town Hall façade and materials. Town Hall was built in 1912 and is in the Historic District therefore this needs to fit properly. The project will replace the ramp with another concrete ramp but it will be clad in brick that matches the Town Hall exterior with bluestone cap and details. There is one estimate and he is working to get additional estimates. As shown in the application Mr. Forsberg feels that Historic Preservation criteria have been met. 1|Page Chairman Kurzberg asks if any members have questions or comments. Member Frazier notes that the Historic Commission has already approved the project. Chairman Kurzberg asks where the balance of the funding is coming from? Mr. Forsberg responds that the balance of funding will come through appropriations through the Commission on Disabilities. There are also parking revenues and reserve funds from prior appropriations to offset the cost of the ramp. Marybeth McGrath notes that there is ADA capital funds for the demolition and replacement of the concrete ramp. Town public facilities will be doing the demolition to save on costs. They will deliver to the chosen contractor a clean and level site. Chairman Kurzberg asks about the ramp to the basement. Mr. Forsberg responds the ramp is in compliance and is not part of this scope. Mr. Forsberg also notes, it is particularly important to get this done now as this will ensure that there are not elevation problems with the replacement of paving in the larger parking lot. Puddles ice over in the lot during winter, creating a hazard that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Member Preziosi MOTIONS In accordance with the provisions of MGL Ch. 44B the Community Preservation Committee recommends the appropriation of $55,000.00 from the Historic Resources Fund for the Town Hall Handicap Ramp; said funding to be supervised and expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee/Director of Planning and Community Development seconded by Ronald Frazier; voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Googins: YES). Members Maria Bonfiglioli and Diane Francis are noted as absent. Please note that after the motion was made and seconded Member Mikami asked about the schedule for the project. Mr. Forsberg responded that the likely timeframe was Spring 2023. There could be a binder course this fall that would settle in over the cold months with a plan for early Spring to complete the project. Please notes that Member Francis joined the meeting at 5:20 PM. Middle Street Trail, Assessor Map 2006 0 1A and Map 2002 0 1 - Request for Additional Funding, Town of Braintree, Applicant Kelly Phelan Conservation Planner speaks on the project. She notes that she has been in front of the Committee before for this project and since approval in 2020 the project has been designed and bid. The bids came in higher than estimated so there is about a $260,000 shortfall in funds. She notes that the new chair of the Conservation Commission Chris Haywood is also here in attendance for the application. There were no easy changes that could be made to the project to save funds and other grant funding would be in jeopardy if they missed the Fall construction season. The Conservation Commission voted to allow up to $300,000 in their funds to be used to fund the contract and start the work now. This is a limited fund that does not get replenished. It has about $400,000 and it can be used for maintenance, so it is wise to carefully guard this funding. Member Mikami asks if the $300,000 is in addition to the original CPC allocation of $300,000. Ms. Phelan responds yes. He asks if prices have gone up that much? Ms. Phelan replies in the affirmative. 2|Page Ms. Manning asks if she may read a letter from Heather Charles Lis into the record. Chairman Kurzberg agrees and she reads the letter of endorsement. Chairman Kurzberg asks if this will complete the project? Ms. Phelan replies that barring any surprises, this request with contingency included will complete the project. Work will commence any day and the project will be finished in Spring 2023. Member Preziosi MOTIONS In accordance with the provisions of MGL Ch. 44B the Community Preservation Committee recommends the appropriation of $300,000.00 from the Unreserved Fund for the Middle Street Trail Additional Funds; said funding to be supervised and expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee/Director of Planning and Community Development seconded by Diane Francis; voted by roll call (6:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Francis: YES). Member Maria Bonfiglioli is noted as absent. Please note that after the motion was made and seconded Member Frazier asked about parking for the project. Ms.Phelan responded that the Town DPW had a plan to stripe parallel parking and though it does look tight, they feel that it will be sufficient. This will be put in place once the trail construction is complete. The town is looking at 6 parallel spaces. The Conservation Commission has 6 hours per week of ranger time. This is for the Town Forest and other conservation properties. They will monitor this property as well. 2022 Annual Community Preservation Public Hearing Member Frazier MOTIONS to open the Annual Community Preservation Public Hearing seconded by Member Googins voted by roll call (6:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Francis: YES). Member Maria Bonfiglioli is noted as absent. Chairman Kurzberg notes that this is the Annual public meeting to review the projects that have been Approved in the past fiscal year. He notes that Ms. Manning prepared a table of the seven projects and a slide show. Ms. Manning offers to advance the slides as Dr. Kurzberg summarizes each individually. He notes that historically 50% of CPC funds have gone to Open Space and Recreation, 30% has gone to Historic Preservation and 20% to Community Housing. The Patriot Ledger ran a great summary of the 2022 projects around September 29th. Ron Frazier asks if it is possible to get a copy of the article and post it to the Town website or similar. Assistant Director Murphy notes that he will look into that for the Committee. Windjammer Cove was a binding agreement to permanently deed restrict 19 affordable units. The CPC contribution is $1.147 million was matched by other Town funds of $1.103 million. Once the units are leased the entire development of 73 units will qualify for inclusion on the Town’s subsidized housing inventory. The Watson Park Shoreline Stabilization was $329,000 in CPC funds and state funding of $802,000 for a total of $1.31 million dollars. The project is complete with salt tolerant vegetation and earthen berm with walking path and rain garden installation. Conservation Planner Kelly Phelan headed that up with matching state funds. 3|Page The Daughraty Gym Courts are completed as well. The project constructed 8 pickleball courts and 2 basketball courts. The project totaled $443,000 in CPC funding. Ms. Manning plays a short clip from the BCAM coverage of the ribbon cutting event. She noted that this group did an excellent job of promoting their program. The Elm Street Cemetery Tomb and Headstone Restoration is underway with a $98,000 CPC allocation that includes a fence topper. Certain tombs doors have been sent out for restoration and things are moving along. The Nathan Buliga project is to convert original tennis courts to street hockey at the Highlands School. This project is waiting on design. Smelt Brook Restoration was funded for $15,000 that was matched by $15,000 from the Town of Weymouth and $30,000 in federal funds. The final project is the Hollis and Watson ball fields design for $90,000. Weston and Sampson has been hired for this work. Initial concepts and costs have come in high. Chairman Kurzberg recognizes Jean Giagrande of Wilkins Road a member of the public. She worked originally on adopting the CPA in Braintree. She is interested in applying for funds for Adams Park. Member Francis MOTIONS to close the Annual Community Preservation Public Hearing seconded by Member Mikami voted by roll call (6:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Francis: YES). Member Maria Bonfiglioli is noted as absent. Please note that Member Googins left the meeting at 5:45 PM. Potential New Projects Ms. Manning notes that she and Director SantucciRozzi along with Mayor Kokoros met with Katie Barker in July to review the Independence Manor window project. Ms. Barker has retained an architect to oversee a pilot window installation and prepare estimates with the goal of getting the job underway in the next calendar year. Once pricing is in hand, they will be back to the Committee with an application. Remaining potential projects – Town Hall Message Board, Fire Station, Daughraty Gym Exterior and Archiving Newspapers do not have any updates. Dr. Kurzberg thanks Ms. Manning for her work on the Annual meeting presentation. Old Business The Recreation Department has received 3 prices for design services for the Nathan Buliga street hockey project and will be making a selection soon. Member Preziosi asks about the timing of the Buliga project. Ms. Manning notes that the project needs to be designed first so she can not see it getting underway before Spring 2023. Some of the work might be able to take place in the colder weather (demolition and removal) but that is the best information she has available at this time. A surveyor has been contracted to place monuments at Liberty Grove unreserved purchase site. Ms. Manning notes that we may have the survey completed by the next meeting. 4|Page No new Updates on Armstrong Dam Trail, Daughraty Gym, Historic Inventory, Conservation Restrictions, Middle Street trail was previously discussed. Hollis Watson has concepts and preliminary pricing. One concept was included in the Annual Meeting slides. The Windjammer Cove lottery deadline was September 15th and the lottery itself will take place mid- October. 12 units were included in the lottery and all 19 are expected to be online by the end of 2022. The Elm Street Cemetery project is underway. A large tree was removed from the front of the Vinton Tomb removed in late August. Iron door and headstone restoration is underway. A contract amendment underway to feature the Vinton Tomb with cast iron gate and railing. Smelt Brook Restoration is moving toward construction funding. They will likely be back in the next few months. Administrative Business Member Preziosi MOTION to approve the minutes of meeting held 2/14/22, 3/14/22, 4/11/22, 5/9/22, 6/13/22, seconded by Member Mikami voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Francis: YES). Member Maria Bonfiglioli is noted as absent; Member Googins left the meeting early. Ms, Manning notes that the financial report has been slightly amended to include the FY 23 appropriation of approximately $1.1. million. This gives the CPC a fund balance of $5.7 million prior to tonight’s votes. Assistant Director Murphy notes that the Master Plan Steering Committee is meeting on 10/3 at 7 PM. There is a public meeting on 10/15/22 from 2:30 – 4:30 PM. A memo on unspent CPC funds is still under development. In person meetings are still a question. Chairman Kurzberg asks if now that the Public Hearing is over, does the Committee want to go back to virtual? Member Mikami feels that virtual is more efficient. Chairman Kurzberg feels that members of the public can join easily on Zoom and suggests month to month with Zoom. Ms. Manning notes that the next meeting is scheduled for 10/17 and there are members with a conflict. Member Mikami suggests that the next meeting be held November 14, 2022 The design and location for CPC signs is being developed too. Ms. Manning asks the members what they think of the new signs outside of Town Hall with the town seal and blue color? Member Frazier notes that these were not reviewed by the Historic Commission. Member Frazier MOTION to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Member Francis; voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Preziosi: 5|Page YES; Member Francis: YES). Member Maria Bonfiglioli is noted as absent; Member Googins left the meeting early. Meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Liz Manning, Planning and Community Development 6|Page