CPC Minutes

Community Preservation Committee

Minutes of Thursday, December 7, 2022

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 1:02 p.m.

Minutes of 10/26/2022

Michael Fisher moved to approve the minutes of November 30, 2022, as amended. Jan Plaue seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

Finances for Fiscal Year 2024

Gary Sorkin reviewed the money available for the projects based on the Fiscal Year 2022 estimates and the reserves and undesignated fund balance that are already in the CPC account.  The Historic Reserve amount is incorrect and needs to be adjusted through a warrant article at 2023 Annual Town Meeting.

Correcting the Historic Reserve Fund

Gary Sorkin moved that CPC present a Warrant Article to correct the figure for the Historic Reserve.  Jan Plaue seconded.  There was a roll call vote:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

CPC’s Share of Debt Service for Maurice’s Campground

CPC discussed the other percent allowances and the anticipated debt service for Maurice’s Campground bond payment.

Gary Sorkin moved to approve a first payment of $25,000 for Fiscal Year 2024 bond for Maurice’s Campground to be taken from the Housing Reserve 10% allocation. Rhonda Fowler seconded, and a roll call vote was taken:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Decisions for Remaining Applications

The Committee had previously approved $7,500 for CDP’s Lower Cape Housing Institute and $150,000 for the Open Space Committee’s Conservation Fund, but eight applications remained to determine grant amounts and for advancement to Annual Town Meeting. 

Beach Access w Mobi Mats – Request for $32,760

Gary Sorkin moved to approve the request for $32,760 for beach access with Mobi Mats at two bay beaches and two ponds.  Rhonda Fowler seconded, and discussion followed.  There was a question of asking for CPC money for what should be done through the Town budget.  Suzanne Thomas had said it was not in her FY24 budget.  There was strong support for the Mobi Mat installations, but questions about the $9,000 for installation of the sunshade at Mayo Beach.  The sunshade had been obtained from a melanoma-prevention grant, and the DPW had agreed to install it.  However, there were more costs related to materials extending the boardwalk for it.  Cutting $9,000 from the request, CPC could offer $23,760. The motion and second were withdrawn. 

Jan Plaue moved to approve $23,760 with the conditions that there is approval from the Conservation Commission and approval from the Wellfleet Conservation Trust for use of a portion of their property.  Fred Streams seconded.  There was a roll call vote:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Landscaping at ACC   - Request for $9,902

Jan Plaue moved to approve $9,890 for the Landscaping Enhancement at the Adult Community Center.  Jim McAuliffe seconded for discussion.  The issue of the Town’s responsibility for the property upkeep was raised.  Wayne Clough, advocate for the project, said that $5,000 for upkeep has been requested in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

Jan Plaue again moved to approve $9,890 for the betterment of the ACC landscaping.  Elaine McIlroy seconded.  There was a roll call vote:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Awning for Bandstand at the Pier  - Request for $63,843.60

Rhonda Fowler moved to approve $63,843.60 for the Recreation Department’s request for a pavilion over the bandstand at the end of the pier. Elaine McIlroy seconded.  Committee members expressed support for the project and discussed additional uses of the bandstand that could become possible.  The harbormaster liked the project, but one CPC question remained: the actual height of the pavilion.  Rhonda Fowler said she would contact the Recreation Director and get an answer during the meeting.

Discussion of Regional Contributions

CPC members had a range of opinion on what to do about the regional request for Wellfleet CPA money for two projects in Orleans and one in Provincetown.  These included giving nothing to the other towns; offering $20,000 to each of the projects; giving to the regional project closest to being fulfilled; concentrating on Lawrence Rd., Wellfleet but giving token amounts to show support for the other towns’ community housing plans; not passing money back and forth in hopes the other towns support requests from Wellfleet; and not withholding money from the other projects because even giving nothing to them, Wellfleet CPA money would not fully cover the request by POAH and the CDP for 95 Lawrence Rd.   

Deferments

Gary Sorkin suggested deferment of 3 Jerome Smith Way Housing in Provincetown and for 107 Main Street Housing in Orleans, but offer $20,000 to the Cape Cod 5 Housing at West Rd., which had been deferred last year and resubmitted to the Wellfleet CPC this year.  This would show the state that Wellfleet is supportive of regional efforts but is focused on Lawrence Rd. community housing.

Cape Cod 5 Housing, Orleans  - Request for $100,000

Jan Plaue moved to approve a Wellfleet CPA grant of $20,000 to Pennrose, LCC for the Cape Cod 5 Housing at 19 West Rd., Orleans.  Michael Fisher seconded, and a roll call vote was taken:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

3 Jerome Smith Rd., Provincetown – Request for $500,000

Jan Plaue moved to defer 3 Jerome Smith Way in Provincetown with an invitation to submit an application again next year.  Jim McAuliffe seconded.                               There was a roll call vote:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

107 Main St., Housing,  Orleans  -  Request for $100,000

Jan Plaue moved to defer 107 Main Street in Orleans and invite them to come back next year.  Fred Streams seconded, and a roll call vote was taken:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Suggestion

Rhonda Fleming suggested that Wellfleet write to the state about the dilemma Wellfleet and other Cape Cod towns confront in giving regional support to projects when so many towns have their own housing efforts underway.  This would serve to call attention that Cape towns are the only ones in the Commonwealth that have been providing mutual help for community housing production. 

95 Lawrence Rd.  -  Request for $1,500,000

Gary Sorkin announced that the state is now considering 95 Lawrence Rd. in the January round of financial aid, so support by the CPC and the Town is more important.  He said that the Affordable Housing Trust will also be offering money to Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Community Development Partners (CDP) to supplement what Fiscal Year 2024 CPA money is available.  CPC can offer a grant of $1,000,000 using FY24 projected income and Budgeted Reserves. 

Jan Plaue moved to approve a Wellfleet Community Preservation grant of $1,000,000 to POAH and the CDP for the development of 95 Lawrence Rd., Wellfleet.  Michael Fisher seconded, and a roll call vote was taken: 

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Down payments, Closing Costs, Repairs,   -  Request for $100,000

Gary Sorkin moved to approve a grant of $100,000 for down payments, closing costs and repairs for affordable housing for qualified, first-time Wellfleet homeowners. Jan Plaue seconded and discussed how beneficial this program has proven.

There was a roll call vote:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Vote on Bandstand Cover

Information had come in regarding the height of the pavilion to cover the bandstand at the end of the pier.  It slopes upward to a height of 12 feet. 

Michael Fisher moved to approve $63,843.60 grant to the Recreation Department for the pavilion over the bandstand at the pier.  Jan Plaue seconded.

Gary Sorkin reminded the Recreation Director and Assistant Director that  the project must go out for bids even though they had presented only one quote in the application.

A roll call vote was taken:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Reconsideration of Vote on Grant for Beach Access/Mobi Mats

Ronda Fowler moved to reconsider the grant amount previously voted for the beach access and Mobi Mats project and give the Commission on Disabilities the full amount of $32,760, which they had requested.  David Mead-Fox seconded. 

A roll call vote was taken:

Jan Plaue – Aye; Rhonda Fowler – Aye; Elaine McIlroy – Aye; Geraldine Ramer – Aye; David Mead-Fox – Aye; Jim McAuliffe – Aye; Fred Streams – Aye; Michael Fisher – Aye; and Gary Sorkin – Aye.  The motion carried 9-0.

Needs Lists – Updates

The Needs lists for Community Housing, Historical Preservation, Open Space and Recreation are due for review and updating as needed. Mary Rogers asked that representatives from each area submit their lists in advance of the Needs Hearing.  The hearing will focus on Open Space needs, but the complete list should be up to date.

Needs Hearing & Next Meeting Dates

The public hearing for the Community Preservation needs and a preview of the projects for the 2023 Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2023.  The Open Space needs list will be highlighted at the hearing.  A meeting for the warrant article recommendations was set for February 8, 2023.

Thank You

Fred Streams, who has been Open Space representative, announced his upcoming move to Ohio and subsequent resignation from the Open Space Committee.  Gary Sorkin thanked him for his service to CPC, and everyone wished him well.

Adjournment

After wishing everyone a happy holiday season, Jan Plaue moved to adjourn.

Michael Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 9-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Rogers,

CPC Coordinator

The Community Preservation Committee approved these minutes at the meeting held on 3/1/2023.