CPC Minutes

Truro Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of Virtual Meeting

November 12, 2021

Present: Co-chair Mary Rose, Co-chair Jim Summers; Bonnie Brown-Bonse, Anne Greenbaum, Susan Howe, Jane Petterson

Regrets: Diane Messinger

Co-chair Mary Rose called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

Minutes of 10/15/2021

Jim Summers moved to approve the minutes of October 15, 2021.  Anne Greenbaum seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Review of FY2023 Applications

Before looking at the applications, Mary Rose outlined the process for considering grant requests leading to the public hearing and CPC approvals.  She noted the unprecedented number and the quality of the new applications.  Even though the finances available for Fiscal Year 2023 have not yet been determined, she believes that there is money to cover all the proposals that qualify as Community Preservation projects. 

Cape Cod 5 Housing                        

Pennrose LCC had submitted an application for the Cape Cod 5 Housing project located in Orleans.  They have requested a $100,000 contribution from the Town of Truro as a part of the regional approach for funding.  CPC members consider this beneficial to all towns because of the housing need.  Even though it will not count toward the Affordable Housing percentage for Truro, the Town will likely be seeking regional contributions for future housing plans here. 

Affordable Housing Trust                

There are two applications from the Housing Authority.  The first request is for $300,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust.  The amount is higher than past requests, and CPC had several questions about the current balance in the Trust, the amount of previous Community Preservation grants for the past five years, how that money has been spent, and what money the Town is contributing to the Trust, particularly for the Cloverleaf property.  Money in the Trust is strictly used for housing needs.  It gives them the ability to buy available properties without waiting for the next town meeting and to move forward with development of the Cloverleaf and Walsh properties. 

Housing Consultant                         

The second request by the Truro Housing Authority is $25,000 for a Housing Consultant/ Technical Assistant.  The housing consultant’s help has made a big difference in planning and implementing Affordable Housing in Truro, and CPC supports this new grant request.

Lower Cape Housing Institute                     

The Community Development Partnership (CDP) is requesting a two-year grant  of $15,000 for the continuation of the Lower Cape Housing Institute.  Anne Greenbaum and Jane Petterson, who have attended some of the sessions, attested that it is a good use of CPA funds.  The program covers many different areas of housing.  There were questions about CDP’s outreach with notifications for their seminars, the number of Truro citizens outside of Town officials and staff who have participated, and the number of Truro participants in the past two years.  A CDP representative will be invited to discuss these questions at the next meeting.

High Head Trails                              

The Truro Conservation Trust application is for development of High Head Trails.  They have requested $78,000 for trail development, benches for viewing areas, and signage.   Open Space has last year’s 10% of approximately $63,000 and will have the new 10% available for this project, which was met with enthusiasm by CPC members.  Susan Howe was pleased with the accommodations for access included for the disabled.  There were questions on arrangements with the DOT for parking and a more detailed breakdown of the budget outlined for five steps of the plan. 

Memorials Study for Memorials and Monuments Commemorating Payomet People           

The Truro Historical Commission applied for $37,500 for the “Study for Memorials and Monuments to Commemorate the Payomet People.”   There was discussion of how this fit the allowable Historical projects if the operative verb was “create.”   It is the Historical Commission that decides if a resource is of significance to the history or culture of a town.   Jim Summers said that THC Chair Chuck Steinman had prepared a list of similar Historic Preservation statewide projects that establish a precedent.  Jim will forward the list to the CPC.

Acquisition Fund Highland House Museum         

The Truro Historical Society requested $44,440 for an acquisition fund for the Highland House Museum for the purchase of Wampanoag and other art and artifacts; Truro art; and the repair of the museum’s loom.  The question of creating vs. acquiring a scaled-version of a Wampanoag wetu arose.   The operative verb would be acquire.   The Highland House Museum received tremendous feedback on their summer exhibit featuring the Wampanoags.

Preserving Historic Records and Records Management                      

Town Clerk Kaci Fullerton and Town Manager Darrin Tangeman have submitted an application for $106,000 for Phase 1 of a three-part project to preserve historic Town records and establish a records management system.  This will allow more public access to Town records.  CPC wants to know the date range for the records that are to be preserved and if the Town will be budgeting money for the overall project.  Kaci Fullerton will be invited to the next CPC meeting to explain.

Mobi Mats & Fencing                                  

The Truro Commission on Disabilities is requesting a grant of $40,564 for Mobi Mats and Fencing to improve beach access at Head of the Meadow, Corn Hill and Coast Guard Beaches.  The mats and fencing will be installed and taken down each year.  They have a 10-year life expectancy.  The cost of shipping was not included in the budget, so an adjustment to the request will be made.

Mini Grants

Four mini grants, intended for projects with a budget up to $20,000, had been submitted for CPC consideration.  Because of the clarity of the budget pages included in the mini grant applications, in the future, these worksheets will be incorporated into the regular grant application form.

Paddlecraft Racks                             

The Truro Beach Advisory Committee applied for a $6,940 mini grant for design and construction of paddlecraft racks to serve kayaks, small boats and paddle boards at Truro beaches.  CPC will invite their representative to the December meeting to discuss locations, give more information on construction, maintenance and approval for locations on Town property.

Edible Forest                                     

The Truro Public Library Board of Trustees, Friends of the Truro Library, and Sustainable Cape, Inc. have requested a mini grant of $15,800 for an Edible Forest path between the Library and the road to Sally’s Way.   CPC would like further information on accessibility to all and about maintenance.

Cold Storage History                        

The Pond Village Preservation Committee, a group of ten citizens, requested $3,936 in their mini grant application for the “Histories of Pond Village and the Fishing Industry at Cold Storage Beach.”  Laura English is contact for the group, planning two historic displays on trap fishing and the Cold Storage Plant, and Pond Village’s place in history.   There were questions about Town approvals, installation costs and a fiscal agent for the group.   Possibly the Historical Society will be able to serve as a fiscal agent to handle their money

Air Force Station History Documentary Film                                            

Payomet Performing Arts Center submitted a $20,000 mini grant request, “ North Truro Air Force Radar Station Short Documentary Film,”   featuring interviews with people who had involvement at the base.  The guidelines for allowable Historical projects do not make provision for oral histories or films, so the project was called into question.  Anne Greenbaum will check directly with the Community Preservation Coalition about the eligibility of the project.  Including an exhibit on the history of the Air Force Station is a part of the agreement for the restoration of the T-5 Building at Highlands Center for the Arts, so CPC is interested in a depiction of some king.  There were other questions on the film proposal concerning another existing film, “Out of Service,” and quotes for the listed budget items.

Initial Monitor Assignments

CPC members will be in contact with the applicants to invite them to a meeting prior to the public hearing in order to clarify any issues or questions that have arisen in the first review of the grant requests.  Jim Summers will handle Cape Cod 5 Housing, CDP’s Lower Cape Housing Institute, the Historical Commissions Study for Memorials & Monuments for the Payomet People, and the Acquisition Fund for Highland House Museum.  Mary Rose will be in contact with the Truro Housing Authority for their two applications.   Jane Petterson became early monitor for the High Head Trails and the Preservation of Town Records.  Susan Howe will handle Mobi Mats and the Edible Forest.  Anne Greenbaum will follow up with mini grants for the Paddlecraft Racks and the Air Force Station History film.  Bonnie Brown-Bonse and Susan Howe will be in charge of the Cold Storage History grant request. 

CPC Plan

A complete version of the CPC Plan will be prepared for the December meeting.  Jim Summers had sent out a request for any further revisions on the fall draft of the plan. 

Next meeting

The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, December 3, 2021.  Kevin Grunwald from the Affordable Housing Trust, Ann Robinson from CDP, Ann Courtney from the Beach Advisory Committee, Town Clerk Kaci Fullerton and Librarian Tricia Ford will be invited to the meeting to discuss their projects and answer any questions from CPC members. 

Adjournment

Susan Howe moved to adjourn.  Bonnie Brown-Bonse seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Rogers,

Administrative Consultant

The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 12/3/2021.

Public Records Material of 11/12/2021

Grant Applications for Fiscal Year 2023 are filed in the permanent CPC records.