CPC Minutes

Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of December 16, 2021

Virtual Meeting

Attending: Gary Sorkin, Chair; Michael Fisher, Rhonda Fowler, Jim McAuliffe, Elaine McIlroy, David Mead-Fox, Janis Plaue, Geraldine Ramer, Fred Streams

Chair Gary Sorkin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes of 12/8/2021

Jan Plaue moved to approve the amended minutes of December 8, 2021.  Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Bonding

Gary Sorkin said that the Affordable Housing Trust had decided not to go forward with a bonding request for CPA funding.

Funding Available for FY23

Gary Sorkin screen shared a spreadsheet of available funds and a workable draft of distributions for the requests.  There was lengthy discussion and debate on the merits of each project with suggestions for distribution of the allotments.  Moving money was a dynamic process because adding extra to any project meant taking it away from somewhere else. 

The Housing Buy Down Program, which had already been approved for a Special Town meeting that did not take place, had reduced the request from $210,000 to $185,000.  Gary Sorkin said that the eighth buy down was now underway, so a new one could proceed without competing for the same limited housing stock.  The Housing Authority believed that $185,000 was in line with the past buy downs.

The Wellfleet Elementary School Playground was viewed as a priority project.  CPC members favored offering as much money as possible.  Fully funding it for the requested $370,000 was not realistic, but with the money raised by the Playground Committee and some money gained by a recalculation of the CPC Administrative allotment, $315,000 could cover installation of the major section of the playground and the swings.  The zip-glider area would have to wait for another round of Community Preservation funding, be covered by some other means, or possibly be reimagined.

The Lily House mission and presentation were received with appreciation, and CPC members expressed a desire to offer the hospice home more money.  Gary Sorkin said that $20,000 would cover one bathroom.  The non-profit has been receiving many donations and could reach out to other Lower Cape towns for additional CPA contributions.  Several CPC members expressed concern about the deed that still has not been finalized.  A grant contract would be contingent upon registry of the title. 

There was some discussion of lowering or dropping $7,500 for the Lower Cape Housing Institute, but CPC participants in the Community Development Partnership’s seminars said moving the small amount would not make a significant impact to another project.

The Historical Plan by the Wellfleet Historical Commission and the Museum Restoration and Accessibility plan by the Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum both would be drawing money from the 10% allotment for Historic Resources, $73,898.  There was no objection to offering $20,3000 for the continuation of compiling Form B’s for the Historical Commission, but several CPC members expressed concern over the amount of over one-million dollars already given for the museum acquisition and restoration. They said the Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum are successful at fund raising, and they should be seeking grants specifically tailored for ADA access and elevators.  Jan Plaue recognized that she was the minority voice, advocating for a grant larger than $20,000 since there was additional money available in the Historical Reserve.   

Project Approvals

After everyone had spoken, and the possibilities for shifting money had been explored, the Committee was ready to vote on the projects.

WES Playground                                

Rhonda Fowler moved to approve $315,000 for the Elementary School Playground.

Jan Plaue seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Affordable Housing Trust                                                           

Jim McAuliffe moved to approve $35,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust.  Elaine McIlroy seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Housing Buy Down

Fred Steams moved to reverse the earlier approval of $210,000 and approve a revised amount of $185,000 for the Wellfleet Affordable Housing Committee’s Buy Down Program.  Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Lily House                                

Elaine McIlroy moved to approve $ 20,000 for Lily House. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 8-0-1.

Lower Cape Housing Institute -Season 6

Jim McAuliffe moved to approve $7,500 to the Community Development Partnership’s Lower Cape Housing Institute.  Jan Plaue seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Historical Plan                                    

Michael Fisher moved to approve $20,300 to the Historical Commission for the continuation of the Historical Plan.  Elaine McIlroy seconded. The motion carried 9-0.

Historical Society Museum Restoration                           

Jim McAuliffe moved to approve $20,000 for the Historical Society & Museum’s restoration project.  Fred Streams seconded, and the motion carried 8-0-1.

Other Approvals

Opens Space Reserve

Gary Sorkin moved to reserve the 10% Open Space Reserve of $73,878.  Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Historical Reserve

Gary Sorkin moved to reserve the remainder of the 10% Historical Resources in the amount of $38,598.  Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 8-1-0.

Administrative Reserve

Jan Plaue moved to reserve Administrative Resources of $28,688 at a percentage of 3.9%.  Fred Streams seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Needs List for 1/11/2022 Hearing

CPC members will be notified before the January 11, 2022 public hearing to be held within the Selectboard meeting and reminded to attend.  There was a brief discussion of whether the list should be identified as the 2021 needs since the hearing is in 2022.  It was the 2021 list, but the January date was the first opportunity to meet with the Selectboard.

Next Meeting

The next CPC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 9 a.m.  An early draft of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant is expected to be ready for the meeting.

Adjournment

Jan Plaue moved to adjourn. Elaine McIlroy seconded, and the motion carried 9-0. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Rogers,

CPC Coordinator

The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 1/26/2022.