CPC Minutes
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of September 23, 2020
Virtual Meeting
Attending: Gary Sorkin, Chair; Michael Fisher, Robert Jackson, Elaine McIlroy, Janis Plaue, Geraldine Ramer, Thomas Siggia
Regrets: Rhonda Fowler
Chair Gary Sorkin called the Zoom meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes
Janis Plaue moved to approve the minutes of July 17, 2020. Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.
Town Meeting
Gary Sorkin commented on the success of the CPC Articles at the outdoor Town Meeting held on September 20, 2020. Janis Plaue noted that the voters were happy at the event. She said that CPC should renew efforts to have the Town responsible for cemetery funding, instead of a dependence on CPC money. CPC will send a letter stating the Town’s responsibility for the cemeteries. There was also discussion of supporting the Cemetery Commission’s efforts through use of CPC funding.
Agreements
Gary Sorkin made some changes to the agreements for the Rental Assistance and Cemetery Restoration projects. The Historical Society Museum CDP Housing Institute agreements, which are signed by the Selectboard, are being reviewed by Town Counsel.
Anticipated Projects
The Veterans’ Home in Dennis and the Breuer House applications will be updated for the new grant round. CDP is expected to submit a new application for their next year of the Lower Cape Housing Institute. The CPC Coordinator will check with the Recreation Director about a possible new application from the Recreation Department. Bob Jackson said there might be an Open Space item. Elaine McIlroy said the new trust fund might be set up. The Housing Authority is focused on progress at 95 Lawrence Rd.; however, the Buy Down program will continue in 2021. She asked that the word be put out to those interested in a first-time home ownership. Also she asked for information if anyone knew of a possible affordable house going up for sale.
Fund Projections
Mary Rogers and Town Accountant Gene Ferrari are working on available CPA finances. Actual distributions will be coming in from the state in November. Initial estimates for the surcharge and the state contributions are around $500,000. There is approximately $300,000 remaining in the fund balance.
Schedule for Fall
The deadline for new applications is Thursday, October 15, 2020. The Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 to review the applications that arrived. Discussions will be held with the applicants on November 18, 2020. That will leave time for any further discussions, if needed, decisions and presentations to the Selectboard and Finance Committee for presenting the projects as Warrant Articles at Annual Town Meeting 2021.
Project Reports/Concerns
Tom Siggia discussed a situation the Historical Commission was facing with the historical Form B’s. Because the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) is backed up with their data entry due to Covid-19, many of the completed forms have not yet appeared in the MHC MACRIS database. This is leading to confusion and unnecessary duplication of effort. Although MHC offered thirty Form B’s for free, some of them had been duplicates. The Wellfleet Historical Commission will try to determine which Form B’s, already submitted to MHC, have not yet been processed.
Committee members discussed the Habitat homes at Durkee Lane, any future applications from the Historical Society Museum and the successful completion of the Baker Field Pavilion. Jan Plaue asked about the full completion of Pond Hill School. They have signed off with CPC for the exterior of the building, but the full Certificate of Occupancy may not have been issued by the Building Inspector. Mary Rogers will seek more information on the status of the certificate.
Next Meeting Date & Agenda
The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2020 to review new applications.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Rogers
CPC Coordinator
CPC approved these minutes at the meeting held 10/21/2020