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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-29 ad Hoc - Community Preservation Act Study Committee Minutesa Board - Committee RECEIVED Town of Reading TOWN CLERK Meeting Minutes READING, MA, 2025 NOV -4 AN 1: 4 � - Commission - Council: Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee Date: 2025-09-29 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:30 PM Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Chair Joe Carnahan, Vice Chair Sarah Brukllacchlo, Carlo Bacci (remote), Kate Kaminer, Sandy Matathia, Martha Moore (remote) Members - Not Present: Margaret Donnelly -Moran Others Present: Executive Assistant Jacquelyn LaVerde Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in -person in the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room and remotely via Zoom. Chair Joe Carnahan called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Roll call attendance: Martha Moore (remote), Sanday Matathia, Kate Kaminer, Sarah Brukilacchio, Joe Carnahan. Carlo Bacci joined remotely shortly after roll call at 7:34 pm. Welcome New Member Chair Joe Carnahan introduced new member, Kate Kaminer, who replaced Eric Gaffen as the liaison from the Recreation Committee. The group explained the composition and roles of committee members, with introductions made by the other members present. Public Comment There was no comment from the public. Liaison reports Martha Moore shared that the Conservation Commission owns the Mattera Cabin, which Is currently closed, as It needs upgrades before it can be used by the public again. Some of the upgrades could possibly be appropriate for CPA funding, though hopefully it will not be closed for that long. Ms. Moore noted that Mattera Cabin is a Historic structure and asked if CPA funds could be used for maintenance or just upgrades. Sandy Matathia cited the Community Preservation Coalition (CPC) chart that stated "Maintenance expenditures are prohibited for all assets, even if they could otherwise be considered acquisition, creation, preservation, support, rehabilitation, or restoration. Maintenance Includes incidental repairs that do not materially add the value of property, or appreciably prolong the property's life." Though further guidance could be sought from the CPC. Sarah Brukilacchlo stated that she would check to see If the cabin was included on the Historical Inventory. Page 1 1 Recurring item: Example of CPA proiert Sarah Brukilacchio shared that Pelham invested $500,000 of CPA funds for an affordable Housing project: Amethyst Brook Apartments. The investment allowed them to leverage several additional grants. The total cost of the project is $22 million, and will develop an eight -acre parcel Into 34 rental units, the majority for households earning 60% or below Area Median Income (AMI), and five units for 30% below AMI. Joe Carnahan shared that the City of Lowell, who adopted the CPA in 2021, just funded their first major project. A collaboration between the Lowell CPA, Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust, Mill City Grows, and Mass Audubon purchased a 20-acre former farm to preserve open space and turn it into the Pawtucket Wildlife sanctuary. Report from Reading Fall Street Faire Committee members shared their experiences while hosting an informational table at the Fall Street Faire event. Martha Moore stated that a lot of folks she spoke with seemed open to hear more Information and questioned the downside. She prepared jars labeled with suggested 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% for people to drop a marble on which surcharge they would recommend. Over 50 people voted, and the 1% jar won the majority of marbles. Sandy Matathia noted that he spoke with a lot of people who were asking hard questions, and playing devil's advocate on the financial costs associated with CPA. He noted that maybe half the people he spoke with might be a hard sell. Discuss outreach to committees and organizations Sarah Brukilacchio and Martha Moore presented to the Climate Advisory Committee and stated that it was like preaching to the choir. The Climate Advisory Committee indicated that they would vote to support the CPA, and at what percentage at their next meeting. Sandy Matathia attended the Reading Housing Authority (RHA) with CPA liaison Margaret Donnelly -Moran. Mr. Matathla shared that Margaret gave a lengthy introduction, and he presented the CPA Study Committee's presentation. They ran short on time, but it is a standing Item on the RHA's agenda. Sarah Brukilacchio and Joe Carnahan gave a ten-minute presentation to the School Committee. They highlighted that two school buildings are historic, and school sports fields are considered open space and recreation. The School Committee seemed interested, but felt that anything that could endanger an override was a red Flag. Martha Moore and Sandy Matathia presented to the Conservation Commission. Conservation Administrator Chuck Tlrone served on Arlington's CPA Committee and was able to fill in a lot of details. The Conservation Commission will vote to support at their next meeting. Further outreach Sandy Matathia suggested reaching out to key administrative staff. Sarah Brukilacchio and Kate Kaminer will present to the Historical Commission on November 5'h. Kate Kaminer stated that she will follow up with Recreation Administrator, Jim Sullivan, to add the CPA presentation to the October 20th Rec Committee agenda. Carlo Bacci plans to attend If he is able. At the Financial Forum on October 8", the hope is that Margaret Donnelly -Moran will present to the Finance Committee with Sandy Matathia. In the event Margaret is unavailable, Sarah will assist with the presentation. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee will be meeting on October 15". Either Sandy or Sarah plan to present with Margaret, who is also the RHA appointee on the Affordable Housing Trust Committee. Page 1 2 Further follow up is needed for the Bylaw Committee, Board of Library Trustees, Board of Cemetery Trustees, and Council on Aging. Joe Carnahan also shared that the Town Moderator declined the Study Committee's request to give a report to Town Meeting, In an effort to have fewer live reports. He will instead confirm with the Town Clerk whether the Study Committee can host an Informational table in the hallway outside of Town Meeting. Martha Moore stated that she is happy to share something with the unofficial Town Meeting Member email distribution list, and suggested also hosting a table at the Connected Reading event on October 28'h. The report will be discussed further at the next meeting when Margaret Donnelly -Moran is able to attend. Discuss Future Meetinas and Aaendas The next meeting was scheduled for November 3rd. Agenda items will include a CPA project researched and shared by Sandy. The Committee discussed whether to host a public forum but agreed to just invite the public to give input at a regular meeting, as trying to schedule an additional forum after Town Meeting and during the holiday season could be challenging. Approve Prior Meetina Minutes: August 18, 2025 On a motion by Martha Moore, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 6-0 to approve the meeting minutes of August 19, 2025, as presented. Roll call vote: Martha Moore - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Sarah Burkilacchio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. On a motion by Kate Kaminer, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 6-0 to adjourn at 9:24 pm. Roll call vote: Martha Moore - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Sarah Burkilacchio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. Vag, 1 3