Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Committee Monday, December 12, 2023 5:00 PM REMOTE VIA ZOOM Present: Dr. Peter Kurzberg, Chair Mark Preziosi, Vice Chair Ron Frazier Marta Googins Darryl Mikami Diane Francis Absent: Maria Bonfiglioli APPROVED: January 22, 2024 Also Present: 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 December 12, 2023, meeting via roll call: – Chairman Kurzberg – present; Vice Chair Preziosi -here, Ron Frazier – here; Darryl Mikami - here. Four members are in attendance. Members Francis and Googins join the meeting at approximately 5:15 PM. New Business Independence Manor Window Replacement Chairman Kurzberg notes that there are two guests in the audience and introduces Katie Barker, Executive Director for the Applicant St. Francis of Assisi Residences at Braintree, Inc. (Independence Manor) and her architect Scott Bancroft from Habeeb Associates. He then asks Ms. Manning to introduce the project. Ms. Manning notes that she and Director SantucciRozzi have met several times with the applicant, both on site and in person. She feels that the project has been well designed and carefully vetted. She then asks Ms. Barker if she would like to pick up the presentation. Ms. Barker states that her organization was incorporated in 1972 to construct own and operate housing for low and moderate income elderly residents. The mission is to provide safe sanitary housing for seniors with options for social interactions. The mission has remained the same, to develop nutritional and recreation programs to ensure that residents can stay independent as long as possible. They are owner-managed and have a reputation for having close relationships with the residents. The application includes many support letters from the community for a 2009 project that added 16 units of affordable housing to the site. The funding application is to replace all the existing windows and doors in all the units and common areas at 41 Independence Ave. There are 92 units with 79 1Bedroom and 13 2Bedroom. All units are 50+ years old. The panels are fogged and are leaking during rainstorms. A recent storm resulted in multiple complaints for leaking windows. She asks Ms. Manning to start the Powerpoint. Ms. Barker notes that Window type A will be in the living room. The mock-up is also shown. Ms. Barker details the mock-up process noting that it was important to make sure the product was going to work well for installation and operation. Window type B will be one casement and one fixed panel. These will be in all the bedrooms. Window type C will be a second smaller bedroom unit and window wells in the front of the building. Window type D-F are 1|Page shown and will replace the existing units shown from stairwells and corridors. The kitchen window for the 2BR will be type D. E and F types are all fixed windows that will be in corridors. The remainder of the items are storefront windows will be the front and rear main entrances as well as the emergency exit in the rear. Ms. Barker continues to note that the project meets several of the program’s Community Housing goals by preserving the Town’s inventory of affordable housing, preserving housing and maintaining affordability into the future. The project will also prolong the life of the building and enhance the quality of life for the residents. A local preference could be added to the entrance process. A little over 50% of people on the waiting list are Braintree residents. The organization will continue to participate in the Mass Rental Voucher Program with the Braintree Housing Authority. Dr. Kurzberg notes that the project has been on the docket for a while and is glad that is moving forward. Member Mikami asks how this project qualifies for CPC funding since we do not own the property? Director SantucciRozzi notes that the project is eligible because it will be preserving the building by tightening the envelope. Because there with be CPA in the project, there will be additional restrictions recorded against the project. Member Mikami asks if there has ever been a preference for Braintree residents at Independence Manor? Ms. Barker notes that this will be new but they are willing to add this. Some waiting list members have a family member that still lives in Braintree. She notes that it will need to get permission from MA EOHCD for the local preference. The maximum on local preference is 70%. Staff will work with the applicant to get all the paperwork together. Manor 2 and 3 and completely affordable as these are under the HUD subsidies. Dr. Kurzberg asks Scott Bancroft about the cost estimate. He asks about the exceptions such as land acquisition. Mr. Bancroft notes that these things would not apply as this is windows only on an existing building. Mr. Bancroft further notes that he has met with Russ Forberg to review building code. The windows will be aluminum and will change from sliding to casement. This is best for the elderly population and has been tested through the mock-up. Ms. Barker notes that the mock-up was in a former apartment that was converted into an accessible laundry room a few years back, allowing the residents to come through and test it out. Member Googins notes that she is a strong advocate for housing for Braintree residents. All the letters in the application were from the building expansion but they do not mention the window project. Ms. Barker notes that she included these to demonstrate both historical and current support. Member Preziosi MOTIONS that the Community Preservation Committee in accordance with the provisions of MGL Ch. 44B recommend the Town Council appropriate CPA funding in the amount of $550,000.00 from the Community Housing Fund and $890,000.00 from the Undesignated Fund for the Independence Manor Window Replacement (Assessors Map 2068 -0 - 3); said funding to be supervised and expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee/Director of Planning and Community Development seconded by Marta Goggins; voted by roll call (6:0:0 votes: Dr. Kurzberg: AYE; Member Preziosi: YES; Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Frazier: YES; Member Googins: YES. Member Preziosi excuses himself at approximately 5:40 PM as he needs to attend another meeting. New Business Daughraty Pickleball Courts Acoustic Sound Panels 2|Page Chairman Kurzberg recognizes Jan Barris from the Braintree Pickleball Association (BPA) and asks Ms. Manning to introduce the application. Ms. Manning notes that her main job tonight will be to display the materials for the sound panels and will hand it over the details to Ms. Barris. Ms. Barris notes that there have been complaints about noise from the Pickleball Courts, specifically a resident on Wynot Street. The Mayor’s Office and Chris Griffin have both met with this individual. The BPA wants to be proactive because there have been complaints in other Towns about noise. They conducted research and obtained three prices for similar products and even had sound readings completed. The chosen product is made by “Vibrascience” because “Acoustiblock” is a sound barrier only. The Vibrascience product is a blocker with a quilted portion – the Acoustiblock product just bounces the noise back. The Vibrascience product is filled with fiberglass and will absorb the sound going back out. It should drop the sound level by 10 decibels. The only sound readings that registered above the Town ordinance were taken at center court (these were all averages). Other readings were outside the court at the gate; back corner; fourth was residence side of Wynot Road. A couple of individual spikes were from the whistles from the football practice at the adjacent field. The Association is not aware of complaints from the Landmark Apartments. Chris Griffin has provided a support letter for the application. Dr. Kurzberg notes that he needs to recuse himself from the vote as a member of the BPA. Director SantucciRozzi notes that he may not participate in the discussion or the vote and further notes that the Vice Chair is absent so Dr. Kurzberg designates Member Mikami as Chair for this item. Member Mikami asks if anyone has any questions? Member Googins notes that she is also a BPA member. Director SantucciRozzi notes that there will only be three voting members without Member Googins. She invites Dr. Kurzberg to participate for discussion only about the voting requirement and confirms that neither Dr. Kurzberg or Member Googins were members when the prior application (TCO 21_055) was approved? Both confirm they were not members of the BPA at that time. Dr. Kurzberg asks about the timeline for installation and Ms. Barris says April 2024 is the target. Member Francis asks if the panels will fully encircle the courts and Ms. Barris notes that the panels will be 125 feet along the court edge that borders Wynot Street. The panels will wrap the edges facing the apartments and Hollis Field for about 25 feet on those sides. Member Francis notes that she has seen solid panels wrecked by high winds and Ms. Barris notes that the product is rated up to 150 MPH. There will be airspace between the panels which are Velcro-d. Member Frazier asks how secure from vandalism? Ms. Barris notes that this a good question. She is hopeful that people are respectful and that there has been no vandalism at the adjacent courts. Ms. Barris offers information that Marta Googins membership in the BPA has lapsed. It is decided that she can vote on the application. Member Frazier is still concerned about the vandalism of courts. Ms. Barris explains that the blocker is ½ inch solid with fiberglass making it challenging to cut through. They have not had any vandalism at the courts, the nets have not been touched or the basketball courts. The Police drive through during the night. She also notes that the panels will be installed on the interior of the fence. Someone would have to enter the courts to access 3|Page and so damage. The courts are locked during the off-season. The nets come down and the BPA clears the courts of leaves and debris. Street hockey would really do a number on the finish on the courts if allowed she notes. Member Googins MOTIONS that the Community Preservation Committee in accordance with the provisions of MGL Ch. 44B recommend the Town Council appropriate CPA funding in the amount of $22,063.20 from the Open Space and Recreation Fund for the Daughraty Pickleball Courts Acoustic Sound Panels (Assessor Map 2022 Lot 01, 2A); 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 (4:0:1 votes: Member Mikami: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Frazier: YES; Member Googins: YES. Chairman Kurzberg recused himself from this vote. Potential New Projects Ms. Manning notes that there has been no update for the Town Hall Message Board but she is following up on Member Googins’ question about the donation from BELD. Ms. Manning reports that the Newspaper Digitizing should come before the Historic Commission shortly and then can move on to the CPC for application. Adams Park design is at a standstill until decisions are made regarding project budget and the related street and sidewalk improvements at Commercial and Adams Streets. Braintree American lights are still being evaluated. Staff are waiting to hear back after sending construction plans and documents to the League for their review. The tomb at the Plain Street Cemetery needs repair. Ms. Manning is still looking for guidance on who might spearhead this effort. The CPC will likely see the Historic Society soon for upgrades to the French House. This also needs Historic Commission review before it comes forward. The Charlotte Rose playground re-construction may be in front of the Committee soon. Dr. Kurzberg asks if this was paid for with Town funds. Staff is still investigating the eligibility as maintenance or rehabilitation. Dr. Kurzberg recognizes Ben Hulke, Assistant DPW Director. He notes that the original playground was completed with privately raised funds. He recalls that the original costs were around $35,000 and they now have an estimate of $50,000. The project will need review by the Historic Commission as this location is in the Historic District. Director SantucciRozzi notes that the review should be simple in scope as a replacement. Old Business No new updates on Nathan Buliga Park. Ms. Manning shares the update from Kelly Phelan for Armstrong Dam. The dam removals and channel work are complete. Work on the fishway resumes in February and boardwalk construction commences in March. She will have an updated schedule soon. 4|Page There are no new updates on Daughraty Gym, Liberty and Grove, Historic Inventory and the Conservation Restrictions but all remain on the list for resolution or additional action. The Elm Street Cemetery file is being finished up with closeout forms and final payment. Smelt brook feasibility analysis 30-day Public notification process is about to close. Staff will have an update at the January meeting. Town Hall HC ramp is still being looked at for re-bidding. Delorey Field is moving along. The DPW has awarded the contract to the Fleming Bros. Notice to proceed will happen in the Spring. Staff has recommended that Weston and Sampson be retained to keep track of the project design and in the field. The Fire Station project is on the Ways and Means agenda for 12/12/23. Staff reached out for an updated bidding schedule but did not get a clear answer from the Owners Project Manager. Director SantucciRozzi will try and get an updated timeline at the W&M meeting. Administrative Business The Committee discusses the minutes for the November 13, 2023 meeting. Member Frazier asks that staff fix the grammar “absolutely be lower” on the final page. The item is tabled as only three members are present that were in attendance at the November meeting. Dr. Kurzberg notes that the State Trust Fund distribution report was provided in the packet. FY24 total was lower than projected at ~ $195,000. Director SantucciRozzi notes that the projection will be amended for the record and the undesignated fund account will be lowered to reflect the actual amount of match received. Ms. Manning notes that the report shows the past four years of match and FY22 was the highest amount of $371,000. The Committee discussed the 2024 calendar at length. Member Frazier will need to miss three meetings in the Fall due to another commitment. The discussion is whether to set the calendar now or wait until the January meeting. Director SantucciRozzi suggests setting the first six months but the consensus is to set January, February and March only and revisit in the new Year. Member Frazier MOTION to adjourn meeting; seconded by Member Francis; voted by roll call (5:0:0) votes: Chairman Kurzberg: AYE; Member Frazier: YES; Member Googins: YES; Member Francis: YES; Member Mikami: YES. Respectfully submitted, Liz Manning, Planning and Community Development 5|Page