CPC Minutes

Truro Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of Virtual Meeting

November 13, 2020

Present: Co-Chair Mary Rose; Maureen Cronin, Peter Herridge, Susan Howe, Bonnie Sollog, Jim Summers

Regrets: Deborah McCutcheon, Jane Petterson,

Also Attending: Betty Gallo, Kevin Rice

Co-Chair Mary Rose called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. after solving some technical difficulties.

Minutes of 10/9/2020

Bonnie Sollog moved to approve the minutes of October 9, 2020. Susan Howe seconded, and the motion carried 5-0-1. 

Financial Outlook

Town Accountant Trudi Brazil will join the committee at the December meeting to discuss money available for the Fiscal Year 22 projects.  She has noted that a 10% reserve for Open Space will be made since the debt service has been completed and there is no new Open Space application for FY22.  Mary Rogers reported that the new state distribution had just come it at 47.5%, much greater than the estimated 14%.

Use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund CPA Money

Betty Gallo was present to discuss the Truro Housing Authority’s plans for emergency funding due to the pandemic.  She asked if there were any restrictions on CPA money now in the Housing Trust Fund for rental assistance relief.  There are no known restrictions, according to Mary Rogers, but the CPA money used for assistance should be reported separately when the DOR reports are prepared at the end of the fiscal year. 

New Grant Applications

Mary Rose asked if there were questions about any of the six new applications.  Kevin Rice from Payomet Performing Arts center was present to explain their Drive-In request.  He said the stage area and shell to protect the performers were the biggest part of their project.  A new shell would also enhance the acoustics for musical presentations.  Jim Summers asked about future use of the Drive-In after 2021 and COVID-19.  Mr. Rice expected it to continue for morning and afternoon events.  He said Payomet could offer the community occasional film screenings.  Winter usage is a possibility.  Weather permitting, they will continue to offer pop-up performances this year.

Jim Summers said he had questions on the process of calculating costs for the next phase of the Edgewood Farm historic restoration.  Cherie Mittenthal will be invited to the next meeting to answer his questions.  Jim Summers noticed that the delivery costs for the Puma Park Enhancement Program’s equipment had not been included in the application.  Susan Howe said that the Commission on Disabilities would submit an amended application so that the cost was included. 

Kevin Rice asked when CPC would be voting on the projects.  That takes place after the January hearing, which is also expected to be virtual.  There is no information yet on when the next Annual Town Meeting will be held.

Existing Project Reports/Concerns

Mary Rose said the agreements for the projects approved at Annual Town Meeting in September are almost completed.  Mary Rogers asked for an update on the 181 Route 6 Habitat property that has been in litigation.  Mary Rose said the plans are on hold.  She does not know what happens if the Habitat project does not proceed. 

Next Meeting 

The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, December 11, 2020.  Castle Hill representatives will be invited to discuss the new request for Edgewood Farm.  Susan Howe will have submitted an amendment to the Puma Park Enhancement Program request.  Trudi Brazil plans to present the CPA financial projections for Fiscal Year 2022. 

Adjournment

Susan Howe moved to adjourn.  Maureen Cronin seconded.  The motion carried 6-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Rogers,

CPC Administrative Consultant

The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 12/11/2020.