Community Preservation Committee

February 8, 2022, Page 1 of 3 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES February 8, 2022 A regular meeting of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) was held on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 6:00 pm via remote participation through Zoom. Present were Chair Bart Hoskins, Vice Chair Carole Hamilton, John Boris, Ed Moriarty, Mickey Northcutt, Joy Livramento-Bryant, Bob Callahan, Mark Pattison and Deborah Greel. Also present was Jane Guy of the City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development. Public Comment Seth Lattrell of the City of Salem, Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD), stated that he was present for Salem Willows Pier eligibility application and that he is able to answer questions. Review and Vote on Determinations of Eligibility Applications Received: Mr. Hoskins stated that the Salem Police Department withdrew their clock application. City of Salem – Salem Willows Park – Salem Willows Pier Replacement The City of Salem submitted an application for the replacement of the Salem Willows Pier at Salem Willows Park. Ms. Greel asked if the pier will be built higher this time. Mr. Lattrell replied that the design is still being refined and they hope to have the permit applications ready within the next month. The City has gone through the MEPA process, which is preamble to permitting, and is proposing that the new pier will be about 3’ above the existing pier. He noted that the design should not go too high in order to avoid sea level rise, because the pier could lose functionality in the near term. He stated that it is a balance to design something that will resist some storm damage, while acknowledging that it will be subject to some wave action in the future. They are working carefully with the engineers to design something in between. Mr. Callahan stated that he felt the explanation is excellent. He stated that Bill McHugh is working closely with the DPCD and is on top of the design. He noted that this is a separate project from Salem Willows project previously funded. He added that he feels it meets every criteria and is tremendous project. Mr. Lattrell stated that the pier project is being done in cooperation with the Office of Fishing and Boating Access of the Division of Marine Fisheries, who are making a substantial fixed contribution toward the project. This was set several years ago and the cost of construction over the past two years has gone up significantly. The City is making an effort over the upcoming year to pull together the additional matching funds needed from as many different sources as possible. He noted that demolition is moving forward, which is being funded solely by the City, of which the State will recognize as part of the match.  February 8, 2022, Page 2 of 3 MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Callahan made a motion to find the proposed project is eligible, to be submitted under a CPA funding application under Recreational Land: Rehabilitation/Restoration. Mr. Boris seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. Mr. Hoskins wondered if the pier has been there long enough to have historic status. Mr. Lattrell stated that the original pier was permitted in 1898. The City presented to the Salem Historical Commission and, through the MEPA process, coordinated with Massachusetts Historical Commission. It is a contributing structure to the overall Salem Willows Park history. But the structures contribution is more based on functionality than it aesthetic, so they were supportive of replacement. City of Salem – Salem Deed Conservation The City of Salem submitted an application for the conservation and reframing of the original 1686 handwritten Salem Deed. Ms. Guy stated that Patti Kelleher is working with the tribe regarding concerns about digitizing, etc. The request is to determine that it is eligible for conservation. MOTION: Mr. Northcutt made a motion to find the proposed project is eligible, to be submitted under a CPA funding application under Historic Resources: Preservation. Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion. Mr. Moriarty stated that he thinks it is eligible, but hoped that it is not highly funded. He stated that he would be interested in the tribal concerns regarding this document. He stated that this is similar to other shameful aspects of early American history; 20 pounds for the metes and bounds of Salem is a shameful history of our ancestors in terms of taking land and purporting to make it a transaction consistent with then common law. He stated he was not certain if this is the best use of CPA funds, unless there is a concomitant component to the preservation of this document. He stated that it is palpably offensive to say that this was a lawful transaction. He stated he did not feel it is the type of history that the CPC should be funding, unless there is a much more fair and balanced presentation of the tremendous cost associated with the acquisition of land of the native peoples. He stated that he does not dispute the fact that it has sound historic significance, but questioned if the significance is the document per se or the reflection of early ancestors’ landgrab from native tribes with a shimmer of legality. VOTE: Mr. Northcutt, Mr. Boris, Ms. Greel, Ms. Livramento-Bryant, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Pattison and Mr. Hoskins voted in favor. Mr. Moriarty voted in opposition. The motion so carried. Other Business MOTION/VOTE: Ms. Greel made a motion to approve the minutes of January 11, 2022 as amended. Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.  February 8, 2022, Page 3 of 3 Ms. Guy stated that she will be sending out the annual summary of conflict of interest law to the CPC. CPC members are required to sign the acknowledgement and return it. Also required, is to complete the annual online training, print the certificate and send in a copy. Both of these need to be returned within 10 days. Next Meeting(s): Ms. Guy stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, 2022, but currently there are no agenda items. She noted that tonight’s meeting is likely Mr. Northcutt’s last meeting as a member of the CPC and thanked him for his many years of service on the board. Mr. Northcutt stated that he loves the board, and feels that it is one that many are perfectly willing and capable of serving on, since it is nice to be in the position of handing out resources. He felt that since his term is coming up, it is a good time to make room for somebody else. He stated it was a pleasure working with everyone and he will see the members when he comes back as an applicant. There being no further business, Mr. Moriarty 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