CPC Minutes

Truro Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of Meeting of December 13, 2019

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 Mary Rose called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. and welcomed new member Susan Howe.

Minutes of 11/8/19

Maureen Cronin moved to approve the minutes of November 8, 2019.  Bonnie Sollog seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.

New Applications

Purchase of 42 Corn Hall Rd.

Truro Conservation Trust President Fred Gaechter was present to discuss the purchase of the lot at 42 Corn Hill Rd. There is a .5-acre lot.  The Trust has an arrangement with Castle Hill to have artists live there in summer.  The Trust has committed $300,000 already.  The request for CPA money would bring them to their purchase price.  This property is the last piece available to add to the continuum of open space from Corn Hill Beach to the Pamet River.  He expects to raise $100,000 in fund raising.  The asking price for the property is $525,000.  Castle Hill is covering all insurance coverage and maintenance for the building.  The Trust has insurance on the land.  The lease with Castle Hill is for 30 years.  $240,000 that was not used for Kill Devil Rd. has been released to CPA funds.  Permission to use the Trust trail is a part of the agreement with Castle Hill for their use of the cottage. 

Two Mortgage Pay-offs

Highland Affordable Housing (HAH) President Kathleen Henry said the mortgage for Helen’s Way and Shore Rd. had been refinanced.  They have increased their fundraising efforts with the Last Gasp bike event and other donations.  The problem is that maintenance costs keep increasing.  Because these are Affordable housing properties, the revenue remains static, but HAH just manages to break even.  The request is to pay off the mortgage for the four units in order to save $146,000.  They continue to keep maintenance costs as low as possible.  They wish to keep Truro a vibrant community.  HAH holds the mortgages on the two properties.  Ms. Henry said they would bring in a consultant to help them prepare a five-year plan for maintenance and other expenses.  CDP manage the buildings for HAH.  Ms. Henry said that HAH has been paying down the mortgage with an extra payment each year.  Mary Rose asked about the cost of hiring a consultant.  Deborah McCutcheon wanted to see the plan first, but they can’t do the plan until they have money to hire a consultant.  HAH is interested in developing more Affordable properties, but they need to hire a consultant to help guide them with housing needs and costs.  Fifty percent of HAH members have participated in the Lower Cape Housing Institute in the effort to increase Truro’s housing stock to reach the 10%.  Ms. Henry said HAH properties are rented by workforce tenants who have remained in the units for many years.  Maureen Cronin asked if there was a resident in one of the units available to be superintendent of the properties.  Ms. Henry said that supervision would be a problem in such an arrangement.  The units are not allowed to become ownership properties. 

Cape Housing Institute (2 yrs.)

Community Development Partnership (CDP) Chief Officer Ann Robinson presented the request for a two-year contribution for the Lower Cape Housing Institute for $15,000.  She said the Institute has been well received and well attended by Truro with 12 participants last year and 16 this year.  CDP offers quarterly advanced trainings as well as the Institute workshop sessions.  There are quarterly peer groups among the towns.  Each year the program changes a bit so people can repeat the course for new information.  Work force, as well as Affordable housing, is addressed at the sessions. CDP promotes rental and home ownership on a year-round basis.  Peter Herridge gave testimony to the excellence of the CDP program.  Deborah McCutcheon asked if there was grant money that went to CDP’s other programs.  None of the money goes to other programs.  The grant money is earmarked for the Institute only.  Ms. Robinson mentioned some of the quality speakers who have addressed the Institute.  CDP has had some foundation support as well CPC money from several towns.  Robert Weinstein, speaking as a private citizen, said he has attended the Institute for two years now.  He said housing issues are a priority for the Truro Select Board.  He encouraged the CPC to support the Housing Institute request. 

Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Truro Housing Authority Chair Kevin Grunwald and Trustee and Truro Select Board member Robert Weinstein came forward to explain the Affordable Housing Trust.  Mr. Grunwald read from a report on Cape Cod’s critical need for workforce housing.  The TAH Trust Fund was established in 2002 as an entity to support Affordable Housing.  They have bought properties, assisted in buy-downs, pay tax on land for HAH, and contributed to the Housing Institute last year.  Their past requests have been modest, but TAH wants to be able to act on opportunities that present themselves for a sale or down payment.  There is no plan to use this grant for the Cloverleaf Property.  The Trust Fund account balance right now is $335, 700.   Deborah McCutcheon asked about transparency of using Town money instead CPA funds.  Robert Weinstein said all TAH Trust money is of public record.  Kevin Grunwald discussed the different compositions of Trust Funds on Cape Cod.   Mary Rose asked about percentages for workforce housing.  He discussed the variety of levels to be offered at the Cloverleaf Property. The average median income for Barnstable family of four is $90,000, Bob Weinstein said. 

Update of Historic Survey

Historical Commission Chair Matthew Kiefer, Jim Summers, Fred Todd explained their request for the updated historic survey of Truro properties.  They would like to add 20th century buildings in an update.  They would like to complete the survey, which is a resource for the Town as well as the Historical Commission.  The process includes a windshield survey followed by the Inventory forms that are registered with the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC).  The database is an important resource for home buyers, the Planning Board and the Building Inspector.  The information is on the Town website, at the Library and in the MHC website database.  MHC has a 1970 cut off for historic eligibility.   Midcentury modern houses will be included for their architectural significance. 

Rehab of Building T5 - Payomet

Kevin Rice Artistic, Director of Payomet, and Lauren McKeon, National Seashore came forward to explain Payomet’s request for $168,000 to rehabilitate Building T5 at the former Air Force Base.  Mr. Rice considers this a step for opening Highland Center to the community.  Payomet has many free offerings for the Town.  Payomet is working on a longer-term lease of 20 to 30 years with the Seashore, but they need to show they have funds to move forward.  At present there is a 5-year lease agreement.   Lauren McKeon said Payomet has been a strong partner with the Seashore for many years.  They have been working on a letter of intent to lease.  It would be compatible with Healthy Parks/Healthy people Seashore effort.  Payomet is working to extend their season.   The hall would be a multi-purpose hall for juggling classes and other offerings.  The building is structurally sound.  There is only flooring with asbestos.  Part of the building will need to be demolished.  The hall has a small stage which has always been a part of the NCO Club, as it was known.  Mr. Rice explained the $10,000 line for staff, which meant a project planner.  Payomet is a 501(3) (c) non-profit organization.  Payomet can’t make much use of AmeriCorps help because of their summer turnover time. 

Highland House Museum Phase 5

Historical Society Museum Director Lauren Kaufmann and Clerk of the Works Jim Summers explained their request of $144,471 to replace the Highland House Museum shingled roof.  This portion of the restoration was removed from their request last year because of the limitations of CPA funds.  Susan Howe had presented additional information at the last meeting.  The museum has a zero-rent lease with the Seashore for twenty years. 

Next Meetings

The next meeting will be held Friday, January 10, 2020 Town Hall at 4:15 p.m. to discuss finances available.

Proposed hearing dates of Tuesday, January 28, 2020 town Hall at 6:00 p.m. with snow date of Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2020 will be scheduled, depending upon available space and video equipment. 

Adjournment

Mary Rose moved to adjourn.  Susan Howe seconded, and the motion carried 8-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Rogers

                                                                                                                                          
CPC approved these minutes at the meeting held 1/10/2020.