CPC Minutes

Meeting date: 
Friday, December 5, 2014

Truro Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of Meeting of December 5, 2014

Truro Town Hall

 

Members Present:  Mary Rose, Acting Chair; Maureen Cronin, Richard Larkin, Robert Lowe, Jane Petterson, Bonnie Sollog, Lisa Maria Tobia

Regrets:  William Golden, Paul Wisotzky

Acting Chair Mary Rose called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.  As she opened the meeting, she announced that there are more requests than funds available this year. 

Truro Congregational Meeting House – Phase 3

Ann Keenan of the Friends of the Congregational Meeting House, Nick Knollman, and Brian Hopkins from Augustus Construction and from the Friends came forward and reported on progress so far.  The roof was discovered to be defective, and the CPC gave an advance award of $75,000.  They submitted two sets of photos and a spreadsheet indicating the new expenses for foundation walls and the crawl space.  The total request is for $264,790 request with the $75,000 subtracted.  CPC members commended the Friends for their detailed plans and good fund raising efforts. 

Habitat for Humanity – Land Acquisition

Leedara Zola from the Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod and Carl Brotman from the Affordable Housing Authority explained Habitat’s proposal.  Ms. Zola said they are requesting money for land acquisition so that Habitat could build on the property through 40B permitting.  She explained the status of the other Habitat project that has been challenged in court.  She urged CPC not to wait because costs of property only increase.  She reviewed income qualifications for a three-bedroom house.  Carl Brautman discussed Habitat projects in Truro to date.  Maureen Cronin asked if a duplex house or several small houses were possible.  Ms. Zola  and Mr. Brautman said that is Habitat’s hope, but septic limitations determine how many bedrooms  are allowed on a property. 

Commission of Disabilities Mobi Mats for Corn Hill & Head of the Meadow

Maureen Cronin disclosed that the representative from Disabilities is her husband.

Representative Peter Graham presented the Mobi Mat project for the beaches.  These mats make access easier for a number of people, not just the disabled.  The request is for $22,059.  Mr. Graham reviewed the durability of the Mobi Mats. 

Historical Society – Maps

Debby Merriam and Henry Lum of the Truro Historical Society came forward to discuss the map project at the Cobb Library.  The new request is to restore 15 more maps.  Mary Rose asked about money remaining in the Historical Society account for the map project and in the account for the Cobb Library structure.  The Society would like to re-appropriate the remaining money for other restoration of the building.   The Historical Society will check with the Town Accountant.   

Historical Society – Highland House architectural drawings

The second project requested by the Historical Society was for architectural drawings of the interior of Highland House Museum.  The feasibility study grant has already been awarded, Ms. Merriam said.  That study included exterior renderings of the building.  The drawings would be used for fund raising and for arranging the National Seashore lease.  The representatives said they were still using the money from the feasibility study.  Mary Rose asked if there was any figure known yet for the entire project.  Mr. Lum said they would be coming back for the Planning Phase.  They are seeking other sources of grant money.  CPC members and the Historical Society representatives discussed fund accounts and reporting to CPC on an annual basis. 

Cemetery & Historic Commissions – Plaques for Cemeteries

Robbie Robinson explained the grant request for $1,400 which would complete the project previously funded by the CPC that installed National Register plaques for several historic properties. The latest proposal is for two plaques for Pine Grove and Old North Cemeteries.  The DPW will install the plaques on boulders near the entrance ways.   Regan McCarthy, the head of the Non-Resident Taxpayers Association, offered to cover the cost of the plaques if CPC couldn’t.                                                                                                                        

Conservation Trust – 2 lots for walking trails at Edgewood Farm

Fred Gaechter, chair, Phil Smith, treasurer, and Meg Royko of the Conservation Trust came forward to present the Truro Conservation Trust’s application to create two walking trails at Edgewood Farm that would connect with Town-owned Conservation land.  The DPW has already installed a parking lot on Route 6.   The Conservation Trust’s request is for $100,000.  They spent $536,000 on purchasing the property.   Mr. Gaechter said that the timing was not urgent because it would not go forward until a state grant could be secured.  Mr. Smith reviewed the fundraising and contribution the Trust had provided for Poor’s Hill.  The Trust would build and maintain the trails, Mr. Gaechter said.  There is also a retroactive grant that is a possibility.  Mary Rose discussed the Poor’s Hill trail fund balance and the dead end of the trail with the Conservation Trust representatives.  Mr. Gaechter said the Trust owns the Conservation Restriction on Poor’s Hill and is charged with its conservation.  They keep invasive species cut back on the property.    Mary Rose cautioned that the Open Space debt was so large that CPC contribution this year was not a top priority.  Mr. Gaechter said they would be going forward with the project in any event. 

Castle Hill – Edgewood Farm Historic Preservation

Cherie Mittenthal, executive director, board members Kim Kettler and Robert Jackson of the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill presented the plan for historic preservation of the Edgewood Farm property and old buildings.  They have completed their feasibility and planning studies for the overall project.  The Truro Historic Commission had toured the property and gave their support.  There will be an artist in residency program as well as artist retreats offered in the historic home.  Their surveys have come back with positive support.  Kim Kettler discussed their capital campaign and the purchase of the property.  Their possible closing dates end in December of 2015.  Mary Rose said that CPC, besides its financial constraints, would like to see a detailed break down of costs.  She suggested they might be able to make the request for only one part of the historic buildings.  They also need to prioritize what is most in needed.  Perhaps the main house could be the first phase of the project.  Regan McCarthy joined the group to discuss Castle Hill’s capital campaign and capacity building.  She said the renovations are planned for five years.  The two buildings that need to be fixed first are the main house and the cottage, she said.  CPC discussed coming back with a detailed plan for these.  They said the Depot Rd. property owned by Castle Hill was on the market. 

Policy Memorandum #54 Standards of Professional Conduct

CPC members signed Policy Memo #54 to be filed with the Town.

Minutes

Richard Larkin moved to approve the minutes of November 7, 2014.  Maureen Cronin seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

Agenda for Next Meeting

The next meeting on January 16, 2015 will be the public hearing for the projects.

Adjournment

Larkin moved to adjourn.  Cronin seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary Rogers, CPC Administrative Consultant                     

 

CPC approved these minutes at the meeting held 1/16/15.