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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-01 ad Hoc - Community Preservation Act Study Committee MinutesRECEIVED Town of Reading TOWN CLERK xQi Meeting Minutes READING, MAa-� *ej'urzonvo`: 2025 DEC 16 AM 7: 32 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee Date: 2025-12-01 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Joe Camahan,"Vice Chair Sarah Brukilacchio, Carlo Bacci (remote), Margaret Donnely-Moran, Kate Kaminer, Sandy Matathia, Martha Moore Members - Not Present: Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in the Select Board Meeting Room of Town Hall and remotely via Zoom. Call to Order and Welcome Chair Joe Carnahan called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm. Carlo Bacci joined the meeting remotely at 7:37 pm. There were no attendees from the public Liaison reports Kate Kaminer shared that the Study Committee would not be on the Recreation Committee agenda until their January meeting, as the December meeting is a joint meeting with the Council on Aging to address programming at the future Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL). Recurring item: Example of CPA proiect Sarah Brukilacchio shared some example CPA Projects. Hingham used $250,000 of CPA money to construct six units of affordable housing for veterans. Another community used CPA funds for a dog park. And Chelsea puts CPA funds into the Housing Trust to defray rent for low -Income residents. Discuss outreach to committees and organizations Joe Carnahan shared that following his email to the Select Board seeking Input on what they would like to hear in the Study Committee's report, he received responses from two members. One was generally supportive, and one was generally unsupportive. Carlo Baccl shared his perspective that the presentation to the Select Board should include the Page I I recommended surcharge percentage, recommended exemptions, average increase to tax bills, and eligible projects, especially those with mass appeal, such as a dog park. The committee discussed outreach efforts to various boards and committees, including presenting to the Finance Committee and Reading Open Land Trust, and hosting a table outside of Town Meeting. Joe Carnahan noted that the argument of continuing to do what the Town does but for less money seemed to resonate with the Finance Committee. Members who distributed flyers and engaged with Town Meeting members outside of Town Meeting indicated that much of the feedback they received was either aware of CPA and supportive of its adoption or uninformed and open to learning more. The message to Town Meeting members was that the Study Committee would present to the Select Board this January, then bring it to Town Meeting in April. Mr. Carnahan shared that Kelly Bacon of the Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) contacted him to invite the CPA Study Committee to present to the BOLT at their meeting on Monday, December 8'h at 7:00 pm, and requested that the presentation be limited to 15 minutes. Martha Moore and Sarah Brukilacchio volunteered to present to the BOLT. Martha Moore moved to recommend the surcharge amount of 1%, which was seconded by Sarah Brukilacchio. The Study Committee discussed and agreed to recommend a 1% surcharge for the Community Preservation Act, citing reasons including feedback from outreach, and the approximately $1 million it would generate annually with state match, which is what the Town spends on these types of projects anyway. The only concern was the timing of the vote coinciding with an override. Following discussion, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0-0 to recommend a 1"/u surcharge. Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Brukilachhio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. On a motion by Sandy Matathia, seconded by Martha Moore, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0-0 to recommend applying the following exemptions: • To exempt the first $100,000 of assessed value for residential properties; • To exempt low-income households; and • To exempt low and moderate -income senior households. Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Brukilachhio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. The Committee discussed the Commercial/Industrial exemption separately. Carlo Bacci abstained from the discussion, as he is a commercial property owner in Town. Martha Moore noted that she was "on the fence" whether to exempt Commercial property entirely, or only the first $100,000. The consensus of the Study Committee was to exempt it entirely, citing difficulties keeping businesses downtown, and generating a lot of political friction given recent discussions about commercial tax rates. On a motion by Martha Moore, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 6-0-1 to recommend exempting all C13 Commercial and C14 Industrial properties, with Carlo Bacci abstaining, as he owns commercial property in Reading. Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Abstain, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Brukilachhio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. Discuss the composition process and contents of a report on the merits of the CPA and methods of adoption ",, I Margaret Donnelly -Moran reviewed the draft report she prepared for the Study Committee, which she adapted from reports shared by Natick and Winchester. Members of the Committee offered to send photos from their respective "pillars." They reviewed the draft and agreed to various revisions and omissions, and to further research content, such as the amount of funds that could have been raised had Reading adopted CPA in 2002, and master plans to reference. Discuss Future Meetinas and Aaendas The next meeting is scheduled for December 15 ^ when the Committee will continue revising the report. Members will review their respective sections and send revisions and photos to Margaret Donnelly -Moran and copy staff by December 6'h. Approve Prior Meeting Minutes: November 3, 2025 On a motion by Martha Moore, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0-0 to accept the meeting minutes of November 3, 2025, as presented. Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Burkilacchio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. On a motion by Marthe Moore, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0-0 to adjourn at 9:40 pm. Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes, Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Burkilacchio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes. Page 1 3