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		<subject index="0" >January 26, 2006</subject>

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Stockbridge Community Preservation Committee – Public Hearing
Stockbridge Town Hall
January 26, 2006, 6:30 P.M.

Present: Community Preservation Committee Members – Tom Stokes, Chairman; David McCarthy, Vice Chairman; Ann Beacco, Secretary; Linda Jackson, Historic Preservation representative.  Others: Selectman George Shippey, Shirley Miller, Laurie Norton Moffatt, Ronald Muir, Martha Muir, Time Geller, Cara Davis, Kim Gosselin.

The Meeting was opened by Chairman Tom Stokes, who explained that the public hearing was mandated by the Community Preservation Act legislation and that the purpose was to review the Committee’s mission and to get input from Stockbridge citizens on their views of potential CPA projects involving open space, outdoor recreation, historic preservation and affordable housing.  He passed out and reviewed the guidelines for submission of proposals.  The funds available are intended for projects outside the normal expenses in the Town budget.  Proposals viewed most favorably would be those that maximize public use and those where the CPA funds will help to leverage other funding.  Proposals must be submitted to the Selectmen’s office by February 10, at 4 P.M.  At David McCarthy’s request total CPA allocations to date were reviewed.  Tom mentioned that the CPA law mandates that at least ten percent of the funds go to open space, historic preservation and affordable housing.

Martha Muir spoke about her visit to Pine Woods to view an apartment her son was considering.  She felt that a poor impression was made because the project was so unfinished and there was a lack of specificity about just when they would be ready.  Kim Gosselin, Pine Woods property manager, said that occupancy had been anticipated by January, and that those attending were advised that the buildings were not complete and that they were limited in what they were able to show and promise in the way of occupancy dates.  Tim Geller, project director for construction, explained the reasons for the delays and setbacks.  Cara Davis referred to the misconception about the nature of the housing: more accurately described as mixed income housing rather than low income.

Laurie Norton Moffatt read a letter from Peter Berle of the Stockbridge Land Trust.  They will be requesting that $100,000 be allocated for open space.  Of this approximately $30,000 would be for a path, a portion of which would be a board walk, connecting Pine Woods with the Town side walk on Church Street.  They would provide the details in the proposal.  They would request that the remainder of the $100,000 be set aside for open space.

Laurie Norton Moffatt also spoke for a Rockwell Museum project.  They would be seeking funds to assist them in a project to digitize and preserve their archival collection of photographs of people and places in Stockbridge, which provide an invaluable record of Stockbridge’s history and heritage.  Tom Stokes said that as worthy as this project was, he could see some problems about whether this fell within the CPA guidelines, which were more geared toward historic structures.  David McCarthy said he thought the project had compelling merits and urged the Committee to look into it.   He agreed to check with Town Council and Tom agreed to check with the Mass Community Preservation Coalition about how legal restrictions on CPA would effect the eligibility of this project.

George Shippey spoke about the Plain School and Town Hall.  The Town was preparing to request CPA money to restore the cupola and the slate roof of the Plain School.  The committee agreed that this fit the criteria for historic preservation.

Tim Geller spoke about the request that Construct was planning to submit.  He said that since the project was half a million over budget, from a multitude of unforeseen circumstances, they would be asking for additional funding, beyond the $25,000 that the CPC had already approved for FY07.  Most of this added cost represents value added to the project.  David Shippey asked about whether the CPC would feel bound to keep to the five year $250,000 amount originally requested and approved by the Committee.  Tom replied that they would have to review the circumstance behind this additional request.

Tom reminded the committee members to pick up their copy of the proposals on February 10, and that the committee would be meeting to review them on Wednesday February 15, and again, if necessary, on Thursday February 23.

Upon a motion of David McCarthy and seconded by Ann Beacco, the meeting adjourned at 7:45.