Community Preservation Committee
Regular MeetingSalem, MA · December 8, 2020
Minutes
December 8, 2020, Page 1 of 2
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
December 8, 2020
A regular meeting of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) was held on Tuesday,
December 8, 2020 at 6:00 pm via remote participation through Zoom. Present were Chair Bart
Hoskins, Vice Chair Carole Hamilton, Ed Moriarty, Deborah Greel, Mark Pattison, Joy
Livramento-Bryant, Bob Callahan and John Boris. Also present was Jane Guy of the City of
Salem Department of Planning & Community Development.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Written Comments Received
Ms. Hoskins stated that a comment letter was received from Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Chair of
the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (AHTF), which suggested amending the community
housing criteria on page 24 of the Draft Community Preservation Plan.
Finalization of Draft Community Preservation Plan
Mr. Moriarty stated that he attended the AHTF board meeting last week. He noted that the CPC
minimum goal for affordable housing is 10%. At the AHTF, it was the intention to try to increase
affordable housing, which he felt was laudable. He felt it was clear beyond dispute that there is a
need and noted there is difficulty in obtaining legislative level at the State and local level.
However, it is possible to make changes at a administrative level, in terms of zoning, in terms of
planning, in terms of funding from the AHTF and, he hoped, in terms of CPC funding. He was in
favor of the change to the criteria as recommended.
Ms. Guy noted that Mr. Northcutt and Mr. Boris are both on the AHTF board and were in
support of the recommendations in the letter.
Mr. Moriarty agreed noted that the vote of the AHTF was unanimous. He noted that these are
guidelines to take into consideration, but does not limit or broaden the CPC’s powers under the
enabling statue of the general laws or under the CPA ordinance.
Ms. Greel stated that she feels it is too bad that high sustainability and low energy are secondary
criteria, rather than primary, and that they should be highly encouraged.
Mr. Hoskins stated that some properties are quite old and may have inherent limitations in what
could be done in that area. He stated that to encourage universal design, sustainability, etc. is
good, but that he was nervous about requiring specific things as a primary criteria because some
buildings that become affordable housing may not be able to incorporate them.
Ms. Greel stated that the she was not adamant about moving it to primary criteria and felt if it is
an older building, it should be maintained in its historic form. She noted that she believed that
the Planning Board and the Salem Redevelopment Authority are moving in the direction of
sustainability and that they may be dealing with those issues once a developer comes in front of
them.
December 8, 2020, Page 2 of 2
Mr. Moriarty stated he would like to clarify that the criteria are considerations for CPA
eligibility, but are not conditions for obtaining a building permit, special permit, variance, etc.
He noted the CPC had no authority to require with specificity resilience, conservation, set-backs,
etc., but what we are looking for is generally issues such as number of units and affordability,
etc.
Mr. Hoskins questioned if the word “must” in the primary criteria implies that we will not fund
it, if it does not meet the criteria listed.
Ms. Guy replied in the affirmative, stated that that is the intent of the primary criteria.
Mr. Moriarty agreed it is the intent, but the practicality is it is wherever the vote is on any
particular project. He stated that common sense and case by case basis applies.
MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Moriarty made a motion to amend the FY21 Community
Preservation Plan and FY20 Annual Report with the suggested wording from the AHTF and
to finalize the plan. Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion; all were in favor and the motion so
carried.
Other Business
Approval of Minutes – 11/10/20
MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Boris made a motion to approve the minutes of 11/10/20. Mr. Callahan
seconded the motion; all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Funding Availability Update
Ms. Guy stated that there has been no change.
Next Meeting(s):
Ms. Guy stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 2021, which will
tentatively be to review any Step 1 eligibility applications received.
There being no further business, Ms. Hamilton made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Greel seconded
the motion; all were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Administrator
Agenda
CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
Kimberley L. Driscoll, Mayor
Community Preservation Committee
98 WASHINGTON STREET ♦ SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
♦ TEL: 978-619-5685 ♦
MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA
The Community Preservation Committee will be holding a Public Meeting on
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:00 P.M.
via remote participation with instructions posted to www.salem.com
in accordance Governor Baker’s Emergency Order dated March 12, 2020.
Important Announcement:
Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open
Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §20, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict
limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the City of Salem
Community Preservation Committee will be conducted via remote participation using the
platform Zoom. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by
members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can
be found on the city’s website, at www.salem.com/home/news/zoom-teleconferencing-tool. No
in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be
made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via
technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so despite best efforts, we will post
on the city’s website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of
proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting.
For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch, listen or provide comment during
the meeting may do so in the following manner:
To use the website link, click here
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89402820909?pwd=dUR0Y00yMzc4Y0RyM1IyMzduL0dkQT09 or
copy it into your web browser to join the meeting; or
Go to the website link https://zoom.us/join and enter Webinar ID #894 0282 0909 and
enter Password 692156; or
Dial the toll-free phone number 877-853-5257. When prompted, enter Webinar ID
#894 0282 0909, followed by the meeting password 692156, if directed. Those only
dialing in will not have access to the direct video feed of the meeting.
Providing Public Comment During the Meeting:
Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments, if they
wish to do so, during the portion of the meeting designated for public comment. During portions
of the meeting in which public comment is permitted, members of the public who have “raised
their hand” in Zoom will be unmuted and called on to offer comment. In order to raise a hand,
members of the public using the Zoom computer or phone application may click the “Raise Hand”
button; members of the public dialing in may press the star key followed by the number nine (*9),
Page 2
to raise their hand to speak. Attendees will be called on by their screenname or the last 3 digits
of their telephone number. When called on, the moderator will ask the attendee to unmute their
device and provide their full name, address and comment for the record.
Understanding Zoom:
We encourage members of the public to install and familiarize themselves with Zoom in advance
of the meeting. If you plan on providing public comment and are logging into this meeting via
the Zoom application, please test your speakers and microphone ahead of time. If we have
trouble hearing you when you speak, we will move on to the next person and try to return to you
later in the list. If this happens, we recommend that you call the toll-free number to access the
meeting and provide your comment.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation for our
community and the world.
AGENDA
Public Comment
Finalize Community Preservation Plan
o Review/discussion of written comments received
Release of Application Deadlines
o Step 1 – January 4, 2021
o Step 2 – March 26, 2021
Other Business
o Approval of minutes of 11/10/20
o Funding Availability Update – No change
Next Regular meeting: January 12, 2021, 6:00pm (tentative)
December 2, 2020 Jane A. Guy
CPA Administrator
Persons requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign
language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a
reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of
Salem ADA Coordinator as soon as possible and no less than 2 business days before the
meeting, program, or event.
Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25, and
City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033
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