CPC Minutes
Truro Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Meeting of November 8, 2019
Truro Town Hall
Present: Co-Chair Deborah McCutcheon, Co-Chair Mary Rose; Maureen Cronin, Peter Herridge, Susan Howe, Richard Larkin, Bonnie Sollog
Regrets: Jane Petterson
Co-Chair Mary Rose called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. and welcomed new member Susan Howe.
Minutes of 10/4/19
Maureen Cronin moved to approve the minutes of October 4, 2019. Richard Larkin seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.
Great Hollow Beach Update
Truro Conservation Trust President Fred Gaechter was present to discuss the purchase of the lot at Kill Devil Rd. This was completed solely by the Conservation Trust. Town Counsel had advised the Town not to pursue the purchase using CPA funds because it would leave the Town open to litigation. Mr. Gaechter had written a letter releasing the Fiscal Year 2019 grant of $192,000. The first FY18 CPA grant with a contribution of $50,000 will not be pursued either on the advice of Town Counsel. The Trust property will be taken out of the association of Kill Devil Rd. property owners, Mr. Gaechter said. The agreement of the seller with the Trust is to put the land into a permanent Conservation Restriction.
Review of New Applications
Purchase of 42 Corn Hall Rd.
Fred Gaechter discussed his small advisory role on the Cloverleaf Property and the Conservation Trust’s contribution to purchasing the Walsh Property. He explained his application for the purchase of the Bunker property at 42 Corn Hill Rd. for $145,000. This lot would complete land in conservation from Corn Hill Beach to Pamet Harbor. The land will provide continuum for wildlife and open space. The cottage will remain and be leased to Castle Hill for $1 a year for free use for artists during the summer. Castle Hill will be responsible for maintenance of the building. When the building becomes unviable, it will be demolished, and the property will revert entirely to open space. In the future, it may become a wetlands or submerged area. The Trust has begun a capital drive for the purchase and has raised $42,000. The Trust has committed $30,000 and expects to be able to raise another $35,000. With a CPA contribution the asking price would be reached. The cottage was built in 1890 and has an historic background. The Trust has a 33-year lease with Castle Hill, Mr. Gaechter said.
Rehabilitation of Building T5
Mariana Robertson from Payomet Theater discussed their request of $168,000 and their plans for Building T5. The structure contains asbestos that needs to be removed. The space is to be used for recreational purposes for Payomet and be available to the Town. The building is not on the historic register, but is historical, she said. The building was built in the 1950’s as a part of the Air Force Base. Payomet is in the beginning stages of leasing the property from the National Park Service, who owns the building. The NPS is supportive of the project, she said. The final planned square footage is around 1,000 square feet. Thirty-two hundred square feet would be demolished. Payomet had received a feasibility grant and has applied for a Mass Cultural Council grant for the project. Kevin Rice will attend the next CPC meeting to discuss leasing and answer other questions.
Highland House Museum Restoration Phase 5
Susan Howe explained the Historical Society’s Highland House Museum Phase 5 request of $144,471 for restoration plans that would include the roof, other repairs and second floor room renovations. This would be the last phase of the museum restoration. They plan to pursue grants from the Mass Cultural Council and some other smaller grants. The south side of the roof is in great need of repair, she said. The elevator is currently being installed.
CDP Lower Cape Housing Institute (2 years)
The committee reviewed their history with CDP’s Housing Institute requests. The CPC had asked them originally if this were to be a yearly request and still wants to know. Committee members asked about CDP’s training intentions and long-term plans. CDP Representatives will be invited to the next meeting to discuss their request of $15,000 for two years of the Lower Cape Housing Institute.
Highland Affordable Housing Mortgage Pay-offs
Highland Affordable Housing (HAH) had applied for $84,000 to pay off mortgages for 6 Helen’s Way and 53 Shore Rd. HAH had made a similar request in the past but had not given exact figures. This time they had specific explanation for the $84,000 request. Paying off the mortgage would give HAH more money to put aside for the four units in the two duplex houses. CDP manages the properties. HAH representatives will be invited to the next meeting with information on rentals, management fees and budget details.
Truro Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Truro Affordable Housing Authority Chair Kevin Grunwald will be invited to discuss the TAHA’s request of $150,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Mary Rose reviewed the importance of having available money for unexpected needs or opportunities that can’t wait until the next Town Meeting. The amount of the Fiscal Year 2021 request is significantly more than other years.
Update of Town-wide Historic Survey
Truro Historical Commission Chair Matt Kiefer will be invited to the next meeting to discuss the application for $47,550 to update the Town-wide historical survey. The new survey will include early twentieth century homes, post-WWII vacation homes and important mid-century modern houses not previously surveyed.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held December 13, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. Applicants will be given approximately 15 minutes to present their plans and answer questions.
Adjournment
Richard Larkin moved to adjourn. Bonnie Sollog seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Rogers
Public Records material of 11/8/19
All applications are stored in the CPC permanent files.