CPC Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Truro Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of Meeting of January 17, 2017

Truro Public Library

Members Present: Co-Chair Mary Rose; Maureen Cronin, Robert Lowe, Bonnie Sollog, Rex McKinsey, Ricard Larkin, Jane Petterson

Regrets: Co-Chair Deborah McCutcheon, Peter Herridge

Co-Chair Mary Rose opened the public hearing at 6:00 p.m.

Cape Cod Habitat for Humanity – $210,000 Request

Leedara Zola, Land Acquisition Team Director for Cape Cod Habitat for Humanity, outlined the plan for three affordable Habitat homes at 145 Rte. 6 and explained the Habitat process for selecting owners and the use of sweat equity for construction.  The three homes will have solar panels, and one will have a composting toilet.   Ms. Zola said that another grant has offered additional funding.  Mary Rose asked about other resources that Habitat that might be available if the full CPA funding is not granted this year.  She answered questions from the audience on abutters to the property and planned solar panel installations. 

Governor Prence Residences - $100,000 Request

CDP Representative Abigail Chapman and Keith McDonald, Vice-President of Strattford-Capital Group presented the request for a contribution of $100,000 towards the construction of Governor Prence Residences in Eastham.  The request could be spread out over more than one funding period, Ms. Chapman said.  She explained the qualifications for candidates for the rental units.  Mr. McDonald said Strattford-Capital Group only develops affordable housing.  He and Ms. Chapman answered questions on  the request.  Mr. McDonald said the money is only for construction and can be phased.  He discussed the application process with Eastham.  Mr. McDonald explained that in the lottery local preference is usually extended to abutting towns.   

Puma Park Enhancement - $202,786 Request

Susan Howe, Chair of the Truro Commission on Disabilities, explained the request for new surfacing and added features to make Puma Park accessible and inviting to all ages and abilities.  She said they would be using local, in-kind labor to prepare the new surface.  Then the professional installer would pour the mat material.  The request includes a sail cloth to provide shade.  She has learned of an American Society of Dermatologists who offer grants for shade coverings.  She also described the trail stations that are planned for all ages at Puma Park.  Outdoor double elliptical equipment is another desired feature.  The DPW is willing to create a handicap accessible path to the area from the parking lot.  There is a $1,000 consulting fee that is included in the application, but Susan Howe said she doesn’t expect to need the entire amount. She answered questions about seeking additional funds from the Friends of the COA.  Audience members asked about previous Recreation grant money, volunteering to help with the project   and spoke in favor of the plan,

25 & 25A Pond Rd. – $150,000 Request

Fred Gaecheter, Chair of the Truro Conservation Trust, presented the request for the Open Space acquisition of 25 and 25A Pond Rd. in North Truro.  There are ten acres of land that, if acquired, will be preserved as Open Space in perpetuity.  The Conservation Trust has planned trails on the property.  The Trust has pledged $500,000 and has sought other funds for the project.   Audience members spoke in favor of the project.  Tor Hansen discussed the key flora and fauna on the property.  Another ecologist, Ray Clark, read his statement on preserving this upland meadow, open habitat for wildlife.  He spoke on the importance of protecting ground water, especially as it would affect Pilgrim Pond.  Other speakers discussed the importance of the upland meadows, the psychological uplift it provides, and safety on Pond Rd.  Mary Rogers noted for the record the e-mail messages from Sandy Ball & Zoe Griffith, Brian Boyle, Andy English, Mary Ann Larkin, Robert G. Ross and Gary Sharpless supporting the proposal. 

Great Hollow Extension – $250,000 Request

Ann Courtney and Jack Farley explained the request that they and twelve citizens had brought forward to acquire the lot on Kill Devil Rd. as Open Space and provide an extension to Great Hollow Beach.  The purchase by the Town would triple the size of the beach.  Great Hollow is used all year long, Ms. Courtney said.  Besides the beach people eat lunch, paint and watch sunsets at the location.  They now have around $50,000 of support pledged.  Jack Farley explained use of the beach for lifeguard training and the importance of the beach for all its purposes.  Audience questions were about the location, limitation of use, the addition of 236 ft., and fund raising.  The project is presented as a two phase effort.  Helen McNeil-Aston spoke in favor of the project to gain more beach area.  Peter Burgess commented on the beach as a sanctuary and its historical significance.  Mary Rogers said there were seven e-mail messages of support from Christopher Baker, Jim Brizzi, David Clive, Tom & Jill Delbanco, David Hoffman, David & Denise Kelly and Shawn McNulty.

Edgewood Farm – $158,683 Request

Attorney Bruce Beirhans, Elsa (Tina) Tarantal and Steve Tarantal  of Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill described the historic restoration of Edgewood Farm.  Ms. Tarantal outlined Castle Hill’s involvement in the community.  Mr. Tarantal detailed the features of the farmhouse, the barn and the cottage.  He said the property is one of the few intact farms remaining on the Lower Cape.  He distributed for viewing photos of the new roofing and copper flashing on the buildings in the process of being restored.  Bruce Beirhans said he had prepared the Historic Preservation Restriction for the buildings.  In a response questions, Mr. Tarantal and other Castle Hill representatives discussed classes and programs that are offered to the Truro community.  The Ceramics Director explained the program in schools and the artists in residence program and affiliation with the Cape Cod potters and printmakers.  Richard Fishman spoke against the project because he says it does not serve the Town as much as outsiders.  Tor Hansen, as a sculptor, spoke in favor of the project.  Mr. Tarantal responded to a CPC question on further phasing of the project.  Castle Hill members said the Arts Center provides jobs for younger people and has saved Edgewood Farm from being subdivided. 

Highland House Museum  -  $248,617.57 Request

Director Jim Summers and President Susan Howe from the Truro Historical Society explained their request for Phase 2 funds for the historical restoration of the Highland House Museum located in a National Register Historical District.  This phase includes structural work for the building.  A third phase would provide accessibility and indoor renovations for the rooms.  The museum is caretaker to the history of Truro.  Susan Howe said their goal is to protect Truro’s heritage which is housed in the museum.   The 20-year lease with the Cape Cod National Seashore is awaiting signatures in Washington.  She said they have also applied for a state Cultural Facilities matching grant.  Mr. Summers commented on their free programs that reach out to the community.  Helen McNeil-Ashton added information of the services that the museum provides.  Five more members of the audience spoke on the importance of the museum and in favor of its restoration.

Cape Cod Village Home for Adults with Autism - $100,000 Request

Bob Jones, President and Founder of Cape Cod Village, and Richard Hoffman explained the plan to build a home and community resource center for adults with autism at Childs Homestead Rd. in Orleans.  Dr. Jones updated the Committee that Cape Cod Village had been awarded a  three million dollar grant that covers half of the cost of the project. They have also been accepted for a community development grant and will move into the application phase.  They are fully permitted through the Town of Orleans.  Bob Jones said the request for Truro CPA money is for pre-development money.  He explained role of the community center that is a part of the plan. Dr. Hoffman spoke to the need for housing of young adults with autism.  The vision of Cape Cod Village is to integrate the autistic residents into the community, not isolate them.     He said they were coming to Truro in the spirit of regional effort.  Ann Marie Chang spoke about her experience of raising a child with autism.  She sees the project as a resource for current as well as future young people with autism.  Dr. Jones explained the criteria for choice of residents. Jill Mays, a sensory integration therapist for schools, spoke on behalf of the project. 

Truro Housing Authority Technical Consultant - $30,000 Request

Carl Brotman, Chair of the Truro Housing Authority, asked for a continuation of support for a technical consultant to help their volunteer board with the complicated processes involved in developing Affordable units in Truro.  The consultant is particularly needed to help with the Cloverleaf property that the state has offered to the Town for Affordable Housing.

Rex McKinsey moved to close the public hearing and reconvene on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Truro Public Library. Bonnie Sollog seconded, and the motion carried 7s-0.

Mary Rose closed the hearing at 8:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

___________________________________                         

Mary Rogers, CPC Administrative Consultant     

The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 1/21/17.