CPC Minutes
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of Thursday, June 16, 2022
Virtual Meeting
Attending: Gary Sorkin, Chair; Michael Fisher, Jim McAuliffe, Elaine McIlroy, David Mead-Fox, Janis Plaue, Fred Streams
Regrets: Rhonda Fowler, Geraldine Ramer
Chair Gary Sorkin called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
He reported on reappointments for all committee and board members. To continue on CPC, Fred Streams and Rhonda Fowler need reappointments to the Open Space and Recreation Committees respectively.
Minutes of 1/26/2022
Jan Plaue moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 26, 2022. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Annual Town Meeting Results
Gary Sorkin stated that there were no questions about the CPC Articles, and all of them passed in one consent item at Annual Town Meeting. Jan Plaue and Gary Sorkin expressed their preference for a return to indoor town meetings. Elaine McIlroy announced that the MHP Housing Hero award had been given to the Wellfleet Housing Trust, Affordable Housing Authority and Local Housing Partnership for the successful record of securing CPA grants for Community Housing at Wellfleet town meetings.
Agreements for Projects
Committee members reviewed and approved the grant agreements for the internal Town bodies. Town Administrator Richard Waldo has recommended inclusion of the Town Accountant’s signature on these agreements.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the Housing Trust Fund grant agreement for $35,000. Fred Streams seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the Housing Buy Down grant agreement for $185,000. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the Historical Plan grant agreement for $23,000. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the WES Playground grant agreement for $315,000. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
The agreements with CDP, Lily House and the Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum are being reviewed by Town Counsel. The Committee proceeded with motions subject to approval by Town Counsel.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the grant agreement with Lily House for $20,000, pending Town Counsel’s approval. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the grant agreement with CDP for $7,500, pending Town Counsel’s approval. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Jan Plaue moved to approve the grant agreement with the Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum for $20,000, pending Town Counsel’s approval. David Mead-Fox seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
Agreement for Coordinator Mary Rogers
Mary Rogers presented her contract for Fiscal Year 2023 with a request for holidays but no pay increase. She informed the committee that this will be her last year because she intends to retire on June 30, 2023. This early announcement will give CPC time to look for a replacement coordinator and advertise for the position. It might be possible to make an arrangement for a shared CPC administrator with Truro, where she serves as CPC consultant.
CPC Finances
Lisa Souve is still working on the audit of CPC and Housing accounts, so there is not yet a Community Fund Balance amount that has been identified as available for future grant use. There is approximately $200,000 of Fiscal Year 2022 money, the known difference between the projection and the amount of money received from the state.
Bonding for Maurice’s Campground
Gary Sorkin explained bonding plans for the purchase of Maurice’s Campgrounds. He said that the Housing groups are preparing a Warrant Article for Special Town Meeting. They will be submitting an application to CPC. If CPC covers two million dollars, the Town will be combining the remainder of the $6.5 million needed for the property. CPC bonding can only be done against the Wellfleet surcharge tax, not money from the state match. A vote at Special Town Meeting in September will approve appropriations beginning in Fiscal Year 2024 and continuing until the debt service is paid.
Elaine McIlroy and Gary Sorkin discussed the opportunity that Maurice’s opens for community housing ownership. The Town of Eastham has a Municipal Water System that can be brought in to serve the property. The Barnstable County Average Median Income (AMI) has increased, allowing an increase in deed-restricted housing under the 100% AMI umbrella. There was discussion of other possible uses on the property. Some of it could be deed restricted as Open Space, and a Town records storage building might be included in the plan. The request to purchase Maurice’s Campground through bonding will be made by the Housing Trust for the Town at Special Town Meeting.
July 15th Deadline for STM Applications
The July 15th deadline for new applications is being advertised for projects to be included in the fall Special Town Meeting Warrant. The Coordinator will get the announcement publicized in a variety of media sources.
Needs Presentations to Selectboard
The Needs lists for each category of Community Preservation might be more effectively presented to the Selectboard and public if there were separate presentations during the year. Fred Streams was waiting to hear about an opportunity to meet with the Selectboard to discuss the Open Space needs list. The coordinator will arrange to get the Open Space needs onto a Selectboard agenda sometime in fall after the Special Town Meeting.
Project Concerns/Updates
Elaine McIlroy gave updates on the Old King’s Highway Habitat Homes court case, the dates for ZBA hearings for 75 Lawrence Rd., and Ted Malone’s renewed efforts for the Paine Hollow rental units. Mary Rogers said the Historical Commission’s Plan and the Historical Society & Museum’s renovations for the museum were both progressing well.
Next Meeting
The next CPC meeting will be held virtually on July 20 at 9 a.m. Agenda items will include: announcements, election of CPC officers, finances, review of new applications, bonding, CPC Coordinator’s job description, and project updates/concerns.
Adjournment
Jan Plaue moved to adjourn. Fred Streams seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:08 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Rogers,
CPC Coordinator
The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held 7/20/2022.