CPC Minutes

Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of June 30, 2021

Remote Meeting  

Attending: Gary Sorkin, Chair; Michael Fisher, Rhonda Fowler, Elaine McIlroy, David Mead-Fox, Janis Plaue,

Regrets: Robert Jackson, Geraldine Ramer, Thomas Siggia

Also Attending: Jim McAuliffe, Fred Streams

Chair Gary Sorkin called the virtual meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.

Membership & Thanks

CPC members and new representatives Jim McAuliffe from the Historical Commission and Fred Streams from the Open Space Committee introduced themselves.  The committee recognized with gratitude the service of the former representatives Tom Siggia and Robert Jackson. 

Minutes

Janis Plaue moved to approve the minutes of February 24, 2021.  Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

Town Meeting Results

Gary Sorkin reported on the excellent results for CPC Articles at Town Meeting.  All passed as a one-vote agenda item. He explained the Wellfleet and state sources of CPC funding.  Jan Plaue discussed the big responsibility of CPC in bringing Articles to Town Meeting every year. Mary Rogers explained the changes that were made in some of the motions to cover the amounts for each grant.  Gary Sorkin further explained the transfer of Open Space reserve money in Article 3 with a slate of other Capital and Debt Service items.

Grant Agreements

The committee reviewed the grant agreements for the new projects approved at Town Meeting.  Gary Sorkin and Elaine McIlroy said it would be appropriate for the new Affordable Housing Trust be named as grantee for the grant submitted by the Wellfleet Housing Authority and the Local Housing Partnership.  Harry Terkanian, Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust will sign the agreement. Elaine McIlroy explained the role of the new trust in controlling fiduciary matters and its added ability to support Housing programs.  The Trust will have the ability to acquire real property, offer rental assistance and buy-down programs. 

Elaine McIlroy moved to authorize the coordinator to prepare the FY22 agreements and arrange for their execution with the grant recipients after a review by town counsel. Mike Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

Financial Update

Gary Sorkin discussed the continued efforts of the auditors to determine the correct balances for Community Preservation funds.  It presents a problem for offering another round of grants for Special Town Meeting in fall.  

Special Town Meeting & Application Deadlines

Committee members discussed opening up a summer deadline for applications to be considered at Special Town Meeting.   The July 15 deadline is too soon for adequate advertising, so an August 1, 2021 deadline was chosen.  Although there is no date set yet for the Special Town Meeting, members believed this would allow time for advance advertising, presentations by applicants, and recommendations for the Warrant.  Given the uncertainties of the finances and a definite date for the Special Town Meeting, CPC will seek Interim Town Administrator Charlie Sumner’s advice on proceeding.

Jan Plaue moved to call for an August 1, 2021 deadline for time sensitive applications with the understanding that CPC might not have the money to go forward with the applications until a new Town Meeting. David Mead-Fox seconded.  There was further discussion on streamlining the wording, and Jan Plaue and David Mead-Fox withdrew the motion and second.

Elaine McIlroy moved to open a round of applications with a deadline of August 1, 2021 for CPC projects that would potentially be funded at a Special Town Meeting.  Rhonda Fowler seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

Gary Sorkin explained how the current home buy-down that is almost completed opens an opportunity to do another one, and possibly more, if money could be approved at a Special Town Meeting.

Coordinator’s Contract

Mary Rogers presented her request to approve a salary of $30 per hour in a Fiscal Year 2022 agreement to continue as CPC Coordinator.

Mike Fisher moved to approve the agreement and salary raise for CPC Coordinator Mary Rogers.  Rhonda Fowler seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

Project Updates/Concerns

In accordance with the grant agreements, the committee had received a written report on the projects approved at the September Annual Town Meeting.  Jan Plaue commented that women were among the first veterans admitted to the Veteran’s transitional house in Dennis.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held July 7, 2021 at 9 a.m., pending word from the interim town administrator about feasibility of a round of applications for a Special Town Meeting.

Adjournment

Before adjournment, Gary Sorkin welcomed the new CPC members again and announced a Housing Story Slam that will take place at Preservation Hall on August 11, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Jan Plaue. moved to adjourn.  Mike Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Rogers,

CPC Coordinator

The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 7/7/2021.