Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Committee Monday, April 10, 2023 5:00 PM REMOTE VIA ZOOM Present: Mark Preziosi, Vice Chair Maria Bonfiglioli APPROVED: 6/12/23 Marta Googins Ron Frazier Darryl Mikami Diane Francis Absent: Dr. Peter Kurzberg, Chair (attending Master Plan workshop) Also Present: Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning and Community Development Elizabeth Manning, Community Preservation Manager Vice Chair Preziosi calls the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and requests that Ms. Manning take attendance for the April 10, 2023 meeting via roll call: – Vice Chair Preziosi present, Member Bonfiglioli -here, Marta Googins – here, Ron Frazier – here, Darryl Mikami- here, and Diane Francis – here. Six members are in attendance. Chairman Kurzberg is absent from the meeting. New Business: New Application: Historic Inventory 2020 – Request for Additional Funds – Braintree Historical Commission, Applicant Ms. Manning introduces the new application and reminds the members of the discussion at the March meeting regarding the single respondent to the RFQ that was issued in late January. She defers to Member Frazier as the Historical Commission is the applicant. Member Frasier also reminds the Committee that the single respondent to the RFQ for the Historic Inventory had not completed inventory work in Massachusetts to date. After conferring with the state Mass Historic Commission and with other communities, he is satisfied that the vendor will be able to complete the work to acceptable standards. He notes that the Commission is seeking an additional $15,750. Costs have escalated since the original appropriation and there is a scarcity of qualified consultants,. Vice Chair Preziosi asks what is the exact deliverable of the consultant? Member Frasier responds that they will provide a technical inventory form for multiple properties that were first identified decades ago but by amateur preservationists. These forms are required by the State and when we have to make a determination on the importance of the property for enforcing the demolition delay bylaw. The Commission has done this process extensively for other areas of the town. Director SantucciRozzi notes that when the project was first RFQ’d in 2020 there were not any qualified respondents for the $30,000. Ms. Manning notes that Easton Architects did come in right below $30,000 but they had not completed any work in Massachusetts to that date. She further notes 1|Page that she is confident that with the help from Mass Historical Commission, the work can be completed properly with this additional funding. She also asks if any member saw the story on the Campanelli “Flats” in the Globe? Member Preziosi notes that this was his first house in town. Ms. Manning replies that this is making Member Frazier’s point about buildings constantly aging where they are eligible for historic assessment. Member Googins notes that if the time period for assessment is 50 years old then there must be tons of structures to be inventoried and asks will they need to be added to this list? Member Frazier clarifies that this is done in segments and this project will only look at buildings that were identified in the 60’s and 70’s as historically significant. Subsequent projects will look at other/newer buildings. Member Bonfiglioli asks if these are the ones listed on the 140 properties included here? She asks if the State requires this inventory? Do they offer any funding for this? Member Frazier answers that yes it is like other programs that do not have any funding to implement them. Director Santucci interjects that there is some limited grant funding, up to $15,000, but it is not specific to this program. Ms. Manning further notes that staff discussed whether applying for this grant was time efficient as the funding source limits the amount to be spent on each inventory form. She heard directly from vendors that the funding was not sufficient. Community Preservation funding is one of the strongest funding supports of this work right now. Member Preziosi MOTIONS in accordance with the provisions of MGL Ch. 44B the Community Preservation Committee recommend the appropriation of $15,750.00 from the Historic Resources Fund for the Historic Resources Survey 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 Member Francis; voted by roll call (6:0:0) votes: Vice Chair Preziosi: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Bonfiglioli: YES; Member Frazier: YES; Member Francis: YES (Chairman Kurzberg noted as absent). Potential New Projects Ms. Manning states that the potential new projects –, Independence Manor, Town Hall Message Board, Daughraty Gym Windows and Archiving Newspapers - do not have any updates at this time. Director Santucci-Rozzi notes that she and Assistant Director Murphy met with the Fire Chief and his architect the prior week. She was pleased with progress. They have changed the entrance to a single handicap accessible entrance and will reset the granite steps. The inappropriate materials have been eliminated and the exterior now is a better fit for the historic district. The design team will be doing an informal presentation at the May 1st meeting of the BHC to discuss exterior elements. Once the team has feedback from the Commission, she and Ms. Manning will begin to help them create an application for CPC funding. They are working at cost estimates at this time as well. That application may be submitted for the May CPC meeting possibly June. It may need to come forward over the summer. Staff is working to put together the application in house to save the town some money. 2|Page Member Francis asks if this is for all the fire stations in town? Director SantucciRozzi responds that it is just the main headquarters in the Historic District. Member Googins notes that the interior of the headquarters needs help. Are we only focusing on the exterior? Director SantucciRozzi lists all of the interior work that will be paid for with the $11.5 million that the Town has already approved. Member Googins hopes that the work will move forward and Director SantucciRozzi notes that the Fire Chief has the budget and is working with the design team to move things along. She notes that she will ask the designers to review both the interior and the exterior elements the Historic Commission meeting on 5/1/23 and that all CPC members are encouraged to listen in if they are able. Vice Chair Preziosi asks what year the fire HQ was built. Member Frazier responds 1933. The members discuss the time period when the building was erected. Old Business Ms. Manning introduces Chris Collins from the Edge Sports Group to give a mid-design update to the Committee. Mr. Collins notes that getting the feedback of the members will benefit the project. Mr. Collins introduces his company- Edge Sports Group. They build and manage indoor sports centers. They begin with a market study and feasibility assessment. This project is a bit different as a publicly owned park so they are looking at the best solution for the rink dasher board system and other aspects for the players and families using the rink. The Project is in the design phase. ESG has completed the initial planning meeting, done a site walk and has delivered initial concept plans. They have met with abutters and have incorporated feedback from stakeholders that attended the site walk. He is confident about how the project will take shape and is focused on getting the players out there as soon as practical. When they completed the site walk, it was determined that all layers of the old playing surface will need to be replaced, including the fencing. The dirt will need to be graded out to make a level surface as well. Some trees will need to be pruned back but he does not for see any tree removal needed. Orientation of the courts will remain the same – north/south. There will be one rink, not two. The Concept Plan is shown and there are four (4) HC spaces at the entrance. The users will likely be from the immediate neighborhood. Additional parking is located behind the school and the walkway will be graded out to the playing area. The Rink will be 42’ by 100’ which is 50% of full size rink. All areas (blue line, centerline) will be proportionate to that. There will be player benches and spectator seating as well. Fencing will go along the abutters property line. Throughout the grassy area (between the rink and the HC spaces) there could be picnic tables and benches and a plaque area for dedication to Nathan Buliga. Mr. Collins asks the members if they have any thoughts about keeping fencing between the HC spaces area and the rink? It may not be needed as much and could instead be a lovely planted area. Member Googins notes that there is a lot of fencing currently. Can any of it be re-purposed? Councillor Mackin notes that all the fencing is being removed. Mr. Collins shows the image of the rink system that has its own fencing but this is not going around the entire park area. Member Googins 3|Page asks if this will be locked up at night. Mr. Collins replies that this was not included but they can add locks but the town will need to open and close, so further resources would be needed. Member Preziosi wants to clarify that if the park is an open concept then in theory someone could drive right up to the rink? He has seen times when people just drive right up and do donuts on the field. Director SantucciRozzi notes that perhaps a simple post and rail fence makes sense to delineate the sidewalk and parking area. The posts can double as bollards to discourage cars from driving into the area. Member Francis notes that this is not a full-size sheet so no official competitions? Mr. Collins responds that in his experience, players will use what they can. This design is more than adequate for a 4 v 4 type tournament. Member Preziosi asks about the timeline going forward. Mr. Collins notes that he hopes to proceed with site survey in the next week. Construction documents shortly thereafter with construction late summer and kids playing in the fall. Councilor Mackin asks about the timing for the construction documents with respect to the initial 10 week schedule. Surveyors are booking several months out. Once this is complete, the specifications are pretty standard and can move along quickly. He reviews the area that will be asphalt and the playing surface area as well as the paint choices for the court surface area. Braintree blue is discussed. Member Bonfiglioli notes that the tree work could perhaps be done by town employees. Director SantucciRozzi makes the point of information that the town typically does not do a lot of tree work and uses private contractors. Ms. Manning asks about ADA access to the seating and the playing area. Mr. Collins remarks that that there will be an area adjacent to the boards that will have a rise. The ADA seating will be on top of the rise. Member Googins asks about port a potties for tournaments? Mr. Collins responds that the tournament directors usually rent them. He also said that the material lead time for the dasher board system is about one month at this time. Member Mikami notes that this is a terrific new resource and the open area along Wildwood is the best approach. Member Francis asks if it will be cold enough for a frozen surface and Mr. Collins replies that this surface is intended only for roller hockey or sneakers, not ice skates. Vice Chair Preziosi thanks ESG for the update and Mr. Collins encourages the members to reach out with any questions. Ms. Manning gives an update on the Armstrong Dam project and shows a rendering of the project for the members. Ms. Phelan is attending the Master Plan meeting and would be happy to come to the next meeting to update once the bids are in for the project on 4/19/23. Director SantucciRozzi gives a brief update on the Middle Street trail. There was correspondence from Town Council about ADA access there. Staff is formulating a response to the letter. There is 4|Page an ADA certification from the design engineer on file. The Town DPW is responsible for the on-street parking and will be addressing that for access and safety. Ms. Manning notes that the Smelt Brook project may come back for additional design funding. The federal environmental review showed potential flooding with changes to the spillway for the proposed fish ladder. Director SantucciRozzi notes as well that this a federal cost sharing agreement and the potential ask of $10,000 is match for the federal funding along with the Town of Weymouth share. She asked the gentleman from the Army Corp – Jordan Macy – for a memo on this additional design funding needed. Staff is waiting on that. The update on Delorey field is that a neighborhood meeting needs to take place before proceeding. This is interconnected with the Hollis/Watson design services above in that the consultant needs to modify their scope before scheduling the remainder of the Delorey design work. Administrative Business Member Francis MOTION to approve the minutes of meeting held 3/14/23 with correction to spelling of Vice Chair Preziosi’s name on page 2 seconded by Member Googins voted by roll call (4:0:1) votes: Vice Chair Preziosi: AYE; Member Frazier: Present; Member Mikami: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Bonfiglioli: Abstain. Director SantucciRozzi reviews the FY 24 CPC budget attachment. She reviews how she estimated the state trust fund distribution with the average of the last 4 years allocations – bringing that number to a conservative $280,000. She then gets an estimate of the 1% surcharge from Municipal Finance and that figure is added to the trust fund distribution with some interest calculated as well from MuniFi. That brings the expected budget to just under $1.2 million in CPC funds. That is divvied between the buckets; admin comes off the top for staff/appraisals and etc. The 10% allocation for each bucket is rounded up to $125,000. The remainder of the funding is the undesignated bucket. The Unreserved bucket will not get any additional funding. This was intended for moving quickly on foreclosures but does not really serve a purpose any longer. There is about $400,000 in there now and staff will be investigating how to reallocate that money if appropriate. Vice Chair Preziosi notes that the interest is the same as prior year. Does this reflect today’s higher interest rates? Director SantucciRozzi notes that the estimated figure comes from MuniFi and that she will be looking closely at that in conversations with them. If the item does go up, she will likely be putting the difference in the Undesignated bucket. He asks if the Committee needs to present anything? The Director answers no, but notes that this is a part of communicating with the members and the public. Director SantucciRozzi notes that the state waiver for virtual meetings has been extended to March 31, 2025. Member Frazier notes that the meeting for the Fire Station should likely be in person. Member Francis MOTION to adjourn; seconded by Member Frazier; voted by roll call (6:0:0 votes: Vice Chair Preziosi: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Googins: YES, Member Bonfiglioli: YES; Member Francis: YES. Dr. Kurzberg noted as absent. 5|Page Respectfully submitted, Liz Manning, Planning and Community Development 6|Page