CPC Minutes
Truro Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Meeting of December 21, 2015
Truro Town Hall
Members Present: Co-Chair Deborah McCutcheon, Co-Chair Mary Rose; Maureen Cronin, Robert Lowe, Lisa Maria Tobia
Regrets: Bonnie Sollog, Richard Larkin
Co-Chair Deborah McCutcheon called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Minutes
Mary Rose moved to approve the minutes of December 11, 2015. Robert Lowe seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.
Discussion with Town Accountant
Town Accountant Trudi Brazil gave the projected amounts of CPA funds for Fiscal Year 2017. She requested that the Fund Balance be preserved in part as insurance for the Open Space debt service. She asked that if projected revenues exceed spending, CPC set an article for a Budgeted Reserve Fund that is a reservation or appropriation to make the money accessible during the year.
Trudi Brazil said bonding should be discussed with Finance Committee and Selectmen for policy because it affects bond rating for the Town. She recommended that CPC meet with the Finance Committee and Selectmen every year.
Lisa Tobia moved that CPC request a joint meeting with the Selectmen and representatives of the Finance Committee to discuss financing of potential Warrant Articles and write and direct to the Town Administrator, the CPC co-chairs with copies to the Accountant and Treasurer. Robert Lowe seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.
Trudi Brazil discussed timing of the Town Meeting Article and expressed her concerns about the project. One is that the Town does not own the Highland Museum building. She pointed out the fate of the golf course which the Town did not own. Secondly, it affects the Town bond rating. She also noted how old buildings have problems that you can’t anticipate until the construction gets underway. She further mentioned National Seashore funds that are available, or not available, for upkeep of buildings in the Park.
The CPC might also be interested in bonding for Affordable Housing, Deborah McCutcheon said. Trudi Brazil recommended that CPC discuss this with the Selectmen and Finance Committee in the future.
Jim Summers of the Historical Society spoke about the golf course, which still exists as a golf course, even thought the Town no longer owns it. He said the museum is a different situation. The museum’s location near the golf course and Highland Light is part of its historic attraction. He has been in conversation with Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent George Price about partnering with the Town. The National Seashore will be celebrating their 100th anniversary and this is the type of project that would get attention for them. Jim Summers said that planned construction would be timed so that the museum could be in use during the summer seasons.
Deborah McCutcheon moved to put CPC applications for the Town Meeting Warrant on the agenda for the January 29, 2016 meeting. Mary Rose seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Disabilities Commission
Susan Howe, chair of the Disabilities Commission and John Hopkins from Augustus Construction explained a new plan for Snow’s Park/Town Green that is a non-structural solution for access. John Hopkins presented renderings of the area that are ADA compliant. This includes a parking space with a totally permeable base as well as handicap access with natural sidewalks that are pitched and graded according to ADA standards. The plan will require Conservation Commission approval. The cost is greater than the original proposal, so the Disability Commission will provide new figures for their request.
Further Discussion of Highland House Museum
The Committee and Jim Summers discussed bonding vs. direct grants, Town Meeting planning and CPC support.
Hearing
The public hearing on the grant proposals will take place on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 6 p.m. in the Community Center.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Mary Rogers, CPC Administrative Consultant
CPC approved these minutes at the meeting held 1/14/16.