Community Preservation Committee

October 17, 2016, Page 1 of 3 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES October 17, 2016 A Public Hearing and regular meeting of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) was held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 6:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Chair Kevin Cornacchio, Vice Chair Leslie Tuttle, Ed Moriarty, Mickey Northcutt, Tim Shea, Bart Hoskins and John Boris. Also present was Jane Guy of the City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development and Deborah Jackson, City Assessor. Public Hearing & Public Comment Mr. Cornacchio stated that the purpose of this public hearing is to solicit input regarding the development of the FY17 Community Preservation Plan. He stated that the Plan will be used to guide the Community Preservation Committee’s decision-making when reviewing and recommending project applications for Community Preservation Act funding. He reminded audience members to take a handout and sign in. He stated there is also an English/Spanish survey and that participants may provide comment verbally or on the survey. Ms. Guy provided a PowerPoint presentation overview of the CPA. Mr. Cornacchio opened up the public hearing to questions and comments. Councillor Thomas Furey recognized the work of the Commission and stated that CPA has had an impact on almost every single ward in the City. He stated that it is manna from heaven. David Hart, 104 Federal Street, stated that he is an architect that has done a lot of historic preservation work. He added that he is a member of the Salem Historical Commission and a Trustee of the Salem Athenaeum, but is not representing either. He stated that his comments are related to historic preservation activities. He stated that the National Park Service has a Federal tax credit program which does awards tax credits to private non-profits. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also has a state tax credit program and a Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) program, which also awards to private, non-profits for historic preservation. He stated that the Salem Athenaeum received a $35,000 MPPF award last year, which they are struggling to match. He provided statistics for the number of awards to historic preservation projects in Quincy, Newburyport, Gloucester, Plymouth, Provincetown and Salem to private non-profits in 2014. He encourage the CPC to consider those statistics and that the laws were set up to assist private non-profits and the public. Mr. Moriarty stated that it is relevant to note that a majority of Salem’s awards were related to historic resources. He noted that the issue for the CPC is the preservation of the historic resource, not the identify of applicant. Chris Burke, 65 Broad Street, spoke on behalf of a piece of land behind Collins Middle School adjacent to the oldest park in the city – Broad Street playground – which he felt would be a great piece of open space. He stated that behind it is a rocky lookout over the city and further is a natural meadow with sparse, low trees that support grass. It has never been developed and was part of the Great Pasture, which was once commonly owned. He stated that it is the biggest, last  October 17, 2016, Page 2 of 3 meadow in the city and believed it is available for acquisition. He noted that he is on the Park & Recreation Commission and felt that they would accept it as part of the existing park. Susan Moulton, 98 Washington Square East, asked about the status of the Salem Common fence project. Mr. Cornacchio stated that it is being completed in phases due to the expense. Ms. Guy stated that the current phase should be completed in the spring. Christine Lutts, 11 Salt Wall Lane, thanked the CPC for its commitment to the City and its kindness to the Friend of Greenlawn, who advocate for the Dickson Memorial Chapel and Greenlawn Cemetery. She noted that since they brought the issue to light in 2012, the entire cemetery has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Friends received a preservation award from Historic Salem, Inc. in 2015. The Friends continue to advocate for funding and support for this project. She stated that they have held seven tours and one lecture and she provided copies of a tour book. Mr. Cornacchio noted that the Eligibility Applications are on the city website. Mr. Moriarty stated that, speaking as one member, in terms of funding, there is a limited number of funds. He stated that they look for applicants that meet or exceed requirements and have a plan to be inclusive for the community. He stated that it is not only historic preservation, but being more inclusive for the community, whether public or private entity. Pat Donahue, 12 Dearborn Lane, stated that she and Ms. Lutts are co-chairs of the Friends of Greenlawn. She wanted to emphasize that Salem has so many historic areas and it is really important to rehabilitation, restore and preserve them. She stated that they have worked hard since 2012 with research, tours, printing and paying for guides. She felt that this is becoming a nation-wide phenomenon where people are beginning to appreciate their cemeteries and the chapels built within them. She noted that Swampscott, Manchester by the Sea and Andover recently restored their chapels. She stated that cemeteries are like open museums. She stated that the tour booklet gives insight into the people and how the city developed from a puritan to a Yankee to an immigrant city. She stated that she appreciates what the CPC can help fund. There were no further comments and the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed. Mr. Cornacchio thanked the attendees. Ms. Guy stated that written comments may be submitted until October 27th. Other Business Member reports on solicitation of comments from city boards/commission Ms. Guy noted that Mr. Moriarty emailed a summary of the Bike Path Committee meeting he attended and that the Salem Historical Commission sent in a comment letter. Comment letters have also been received from Clifford Goodman and Barry Jordan regarding the hill behind  October 17, 2016, Page 3 of 3 Bertram Field, which were emailed to the members. Today, letters were received from Nina Cohen and the Salem Cemetery Commission. Mr. Cornacchio stated that NIAC did not provide any comment. Ms. Tuttle stated that they talked about it at the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. They also talked about a paper hill lot adjacent to Gallows Hill off Hanson Street, which appears to be for sale, but for which they are doing some research. Next Meeting Date Ms. Guy stated that the next meeting date is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, 2016, which will be to review the draft plan and additional comments received. There being no further business, Mr. Shea made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Boris seconded the motion; all were in favor, and the motion so carried. Respectfully submitted, Jane A. Guy Administrator