CPC Minutes
Truro Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Meeting of February 14, 2020
Truro Town Hall
Present: Co-Chair Deborah McCutcheon, Co-Chair Mary Rose; Maureen Cronin, Peter Herridge, Susan Howe, Richard Larkin, Jane Petterson, Bonnie Sollog
Co-Chair Deborah McCutcheon called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
Minutes of 1/10/2020 and 1/13/2020
Mar Rose moved to approve the minutes of January 10, 2020 and January 30, 2020. Jane Petterson seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
Approval of 2020 Coalition Dues
Mary moved to approve the Community Preservation Coalition dues for 2020 in the amount of $1,750. Richard Larkin seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
Finances Available for Warrant Articles
Deborah McCutcheon reviewed the available finances, prepared by Town Accountant Trudi Brazil. She asked the Committee to give her, Co-Chair Mary Rose and Mary Rogers the authority to prepare the Warrant Articles of Town Meeting.
Mary Rose moved to grant Mary Rogers, Deborah McCutcheon and Mary Rose the authority to develop and adapt the Warrant Articles for Annual Town Meeting in accordance to legalities and Town Counsel’s advice. Susan Howe seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
Decisions on FY21 Grant Applications
42 Corn Hill Road. Purchase – Truro Conservation Trust $145,000 ($50,000 & $192,000)
The Conservation Trust has requested $145,000 for the purchase of 42 Corn Hill Rd. for Open Space and the preservation of the historic cottage on the property. Fred Gaechter said WCT has a signed P&S agreement and expects to close in May. Castle Hill will be in charge of rental and maintenance of the building. The building is to be preserved through an agreement with Castle Hill although the all the funds are going to the purchase of the property.
Mary Rose moved to approve a repurposed money in the amount of $145,000 from the 2018 Warrant Article to the Truro Conservation Trust for the purchase of Corn Hill Road as an Open Space and Historic Preservation project and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Richard Larkin seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
Cape Housing Institute (2 yrs.) – Community Development Partnership $15,000
Community Development Partnership (CDP) requested a two-year grant of $15,000 for continuation of the Lower Cape Housing Institute. Jane Petterson read the statement made last year on the limitations of the Institute. Peter Herridge, Richard Larkin and Maureen Cronin spoke in support of the CDP program. Jane Petterson said there are budget lines in the Town Budget that should cover the program. Mary Rose reviewed what had happened with last year’s request when CPC had approved the grant through use of Administrative funds.
Susan Howe moved to approve a grant of $15,000 to the Community Development Partnership for the Lower Cape Housing Institute as a Community Housing project open to the public and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Peter Herridge seconded, and the motion carried 5-0-3.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Truro Housing Authority $150,000
The Housing Authority requested $150,000 of additional funds for the Affordable Housing Trust. Bonnie Sollog asked about the lack of specific use of the money. Mary Rose discussed possible use of the money towards the Cloverleaf Project. She gave the break down of affordable, work force and market value units at the Cloverleaf. She reviewed the opportunity of the Housing Authority to act if opportunities arise during the year. Maureen Cronin discussed the housing possibilities the Cloverleaf Property would afford the Town. Bonnie Sollog expressed her opinion against proceeding with the Cloverleaf plans. Jane Petterson said the $150,000 is not necessarily going to the Cloverleaf. Deborah McCutcheon said the Warrant Article should reflect that the committee be kept informed by the monitor of use of the funds.
Deborah McCutcheon moved to approve a grant of $150,000 to the Truro Housing Authority as a contribution to the Truro Affordable Housing Trust Fund as a Community Housing project provided the CPC be kept informed of its use by the CPC project monitor and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Jane Petterson seconded, and the motion carried 6-2.
Update of Historical Survey – Truro Historical Commission $47,550
The Truro Historical Commission has requested $47,550 for an update of the Historical Survey in order to add newly eligible buildings and include mid-century modern homes. Susan Howe spoke in favor of the project and the value to the Planning Board, town boards, realtors and homebuyers interest in older homes
Mary Rose moved to approve a grant of $47,550 to the Truro Historical Commission for an Update of the Historic Survey as an Historic Preservation project and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Peter Herridge seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.
Rehab of Building T5 - Payomet Performing Arts Center $168,000
Payomet Center for the Performing Arts requested a grant for $168,000 for the historic rehabilitation of Building T-5 at the former Air Force Base. There were four additional letters of support for the project. Susan Howe spoke in favor of getting a long-term lease in place. Kevin Rice said they are entering a new agreement with the National Park Service, which has been very supportive of Payomet. The agreement is expected in spring, but he thinks the lease will be for ten years. He said he does not anticipate returning for CPA funds next year. Mr. Rice expanded upon planned use of the hall. The grant could be contingent on a 10-year lease, he said. Susan Howe said that Highland Museum had received a 20-year lease from the National Park Service. Deborah McCutcheon said the lease should be reviewed in a year.
Deborah McCutcheon moved to approve a grant of $168,000 to the Payomet Performing Arts Center for the Rehabilitation of Building T-5 as an Historic Preservation project and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Peter Herridge seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Highland House Museum Phase 5 – Truro Historical Society $144,471
The Historical Society has requested $144,471 for Phase 5 historic restoration of the Highland House Museum. It is to be the final request for the project.
Mary Rose moved to approve a grant of $144,471 to the Truro Historical Society for the Highland House Museum Phase 5 Restoration as an Historic Preservation project and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Jane Petterson seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Other Warrant Articles
Operations Allowance of 5% for Administrative Purposes
CPC estimates for Fiscal Year 2021 allow up to $31,732 to be set aside for administrative purposes.
Mary Rose moved to approve $31,732.00 of Projected Fiscal Year 2021 funds for Administration and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Jane Petterson seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
Repurposing Article for Puma Park $26,500 from FY17 grant to Snow’s Park/Town Green
Last year CPC approved the additional funds of $26,500 for Puma Park, but the allocation needs to be placed as a Town Meeting Article in order to be granted.
Mary Rose moved to approve $26,500 of repurposed funds from the Fiscal Year 2017 grant for Snow’s Park/Town Green as additional funds for the Enhancement of Puma Park, an approved Recreational project, and place it as an Article on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Peter Herridge seconded, and the motion carried 9 -0.
Follow-up and Warrant Article Preparation
Deborah McCutcheon, Mary Rose and Mary Rogers will send letters to the applicants notifying them of these decisions. They will also work out the allocation of money from the available sources and prepare the Town Meeting Warrant Articles.
There were four additional letters of support for the Payomet Performing Arts proposal for the historic preservation of Building T-5 at the former Air Force Base.
Next Meeting Date & Agenda
The next CPC meeting will be held on March 20, 2020. The agenda will include monitoring assignments, Town Meeting presentation of the CPC Articles, Updating the CPC Plan and minutes.
Adjournment
Bonnie Sollog moved to adjourn. Peter Herridge seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Rogers
CPC Administrative Consultant
Public Records material of 2/14/2020
Town Clerk’s worksheet of estimated CPA revenue
The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held September 11, 2020