Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Committee Monday, September 18, 2023 5:00 PM REMOTE VIA ZOOM Present: Dr. Peter Kurzberg, Chair Mark Preziosi, Vice Chair APPROVED: 10/16/23 Diane Francis Darryl Mikami Maria Bonfiglioli Absent: Ron Frazier, Marta Googins Also Present: Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning and Community Development Elizabeth Manning, Community Preservation Manager Chairman Kurzberg calls the meeting to order at 5:10 PM and requests that Ms. Manning take attendance for the September 18, 2023, meeting via roll call: – Chairman Kurzberg – present; Vice Chair Preziosi -here, Maria Bonfiglioli – here Diane Francis – here, Darryl Mikami – here. Five members are in attendance. New Business: Annual Public Hearing and Report Dr. Kurzberg asks for a MOTION to open the Annual Public Hearing. Member Preziosi MOTIONS to open the Annul Public Hearing seconded by Diane Francis; voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Bonfiglioli: YES. Dr. Kurzberg introduces the Annual Public Meeting and wants to entertain any comments from the public. He thanks Ms. Manning for preparing a slide presentation about the four projects that were approved by the Committee this past fiscal year. Ms. Manning reviews the historic funding for the program since 2003 and the fluctuations in the State Trust Fund allocation. She then reviews slides for each of the FY23 projects funded: Town Hall handicap ramp; Middle Street Trail, Historic Inventory and Delorey Field rehabilitation. Specific milestones for prior projects – Windjammer Cove, Nathan Buliga Street Hockey Courts, Smelt Brook, and Elm Street Cemetery – were also reviewed. Ms. Manning included contact information on the final slide and can make any of this information available to the public. Chairman Kurzberg thanked Ms. Manning and asked if Councilor Boericke had any questions for the Committee. She directed a question about the percentage of funding to the various categories and whether having a higher percentage of funding for housing, for example, was something to think about? Ms. Manning responded that the percentage for Open Space and Recreation might be higher because it combines two activities and communities tend to have a lot of active recreation needs. However, some communities very deliberately set a higher minimum than required (10%) by law for housing and historic preservation. 1|Page Director SantucciRozzi talks about how the statutory minimums are established into the various funds during the budget process, but she also notes that during the Master Plan process there was much discussion about priorities for CPC funding such as senior housing, veterans housing and open space acquisition. She agrees that there can be more discussion around soliciting and vetting different types of projects. Vice Chair Preziosi notes as well that the Open Space and Recreation projects tend to have a higher price tag, so the number of projects in each category might be more equal than it appears. Councilor Boericke notes that it looks like the Town received about $1,300,000 this past year and it funded around $1,100,000. Is this a best practice to try and allocate all the funding each year, she asks. Ms. Manning notes that she has seen the Town be aggressive about utilizing the money and this is good because the funding loses value over time, especially in an inflationary environment. Member Preziosi MOTIONS to close the Annual Public Hearing seconded by Diane Francis; voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Bonfiglioli: YES. Potential New Projects Ms. Manning states that she and Director SantucciRozzi met with Katie Barker and her design team in late August for Independence Manor. There has been movement with the installation of a mock-up window. It was impressive and is easier to operate and more energy efficient. Staff are expecting pricing to come forward soon. No new updates on The Town Hall Message Board and Archiving Newspapers for the Library. The Fire Station project is moving along and the design group for the Town has met with the Historic Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Staff will meet with the design team later in the week and will review with them the items that are CPC eligible. Dr. Kurzberg asks what scope the CPC funding might cover. Director SantucciRozzi responds that this will likely be the exterior elements, handicap ramp. Staff will carefully review the elements that will be appropriate to preserve and lengthen the use of the building. Ms. Manning reports that the Adams Park project is in flux and staff are looking for direction on scope and budget from the Mayor’s Office. Dr. Kurzberg asks about the archiving for the library and Ms. Manning notes that she needs to connect with Terri Stano to understand better the digital archiving that is in place and the nature of the materials. Director SantucciRozzi addresses the status of the lighting request for Braintree American. She notes that the pricing from the League contains the language “subject to” for the status of the poles and the wiring. This can be problematic, and she has discussed with Mayor Kokoros that it is a better investment if the poles, electric and lights are all upgraded together. She recommends that we circle back with the League and get some pricing for a comprehensive package. 2|Page Logan Park is awaiting some direction from the Mayor’s Office and/or the facility. It is for accessibility and is eligible. Staff will be meeting with community members on restoring Tomb Doors at the Plain Street Cemetery. Old Business Ms. Manning gives an update on the Armstrong Dam project. The project broke ground at a ceremony on 8/28. Dr. Kurzberg asks when the walkway will be constructed, and Director SantucciRozzi responds that she can get a detailed construction schedule from Kelly Phelan who is managing the project. There are no new updates on Daughraty Gym, Liberty and Grove and the Conservation Restrictions but all remain on the list for resolution or additional action. The remainder of the project updates were covered during the Annual Meeting report earlier. Director SantucciRozzi reiterates that the pricing for the Town Hall ramp came in high and reflects the inflationary environment. Administrative Business Member Francis MOTION to approve the minutes of meeting held 6/12/23 seconded by Member Preziosi voted by roll call (5:0:0) votes: Chairman Kurzberg: Yes; Vice Chair Preziosi: AYE; Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Bonfiglioli: Yes. Chairman Kurzberg asks if there are any updated financial statements. Ms. Manning notes that Municipal Finance is obligated to report to the State DOR during the month of October. This report is comprehensive and contains most of the information needed. She will work to get this updated at the October meeting. Member Francis MOTION to approve the CPA Coalition Dues for FY24 for $3,500 seconded by Member Preziosi voted by roll call (5:0:0) votes: Chairman Kurzberg: Yes; Vice Chair Preziosi: AYE; Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Bonfiglioli: Yes. Director SantucciRozzi notes that the next meeting will likely have the Fire Station and could be longer than typical. Member Preziosi MOTION to adjourn meeting; seconded by Member Francis; voted by roll call (5:0:0 votes: Chairman Kurzberg: AYE; Vice Chair Preziosi: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; and Member Bonfiglioli: YES. Respectfully submitted, Liz Manning, Planning and Community Development 3|Page