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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-31 Community Preservation Act Study Committee Minutes_IVED 'N CLERK `4 -ADIU Notes of Meeting 2001 JUN 18 A 11: 21 Reading Community Preservation Act ad hoc Study Committee May 31, 2001 The meeting was called to order at 7:38 PM. Present for the Study Committee: Paul Dustin Kim Honetschlager Patricia Lloyd Tim Kelley Jack Downing Rick Schubert Also present representing the Reading Historical Commission: Virginia Adams Roberta Sullivan Clay Jones The approval of notes of the May 24, 2001 meeting were not approved because of a missing page in the reproduction process. Members of the Historical Commission provided a description of their Commission's needs and thoughts on how the CPA could be used to meet those needs. They said that the current economic boom is leading to a number of tear downs of older and usually smaller homes to create lots for construction of larger modern residential structures. These older small homes were the workers homes. The history of these structures projects a. great deal about the majority of the Reading population that ultimately shaped the community we live in today. If the historical value of these smaller older structures could be conveyed to local realtors, they might be able to market the real estate in a way that would convince a new owner to pursue preservation or restoration of the structure. Unfortunately many of the houses older houses susceptible to tear down are also in a state of disrepair and a restoration requires a great deal of money and time from a new owner before some of these structures are habitable. Apathy toward the continuity of existence of these historical structures also develops during boom economic times because of rapid turnover of the residential market. With the loss of these historic structures, there is also a lost sense of neighborhood. By paying to bring in an expert on restoration and explaining to realtors in the area the value of a restored structure, the Historical Commission thinks Reading can retain the character of some of the older neighborhoods when new owners move in to these structures. The Historical Commission sees the possibility of using the CPA to supply seed funding for developing and applying for matching grants from organizations such as the Massachusetts Preservation Fund. This can lead to grants such as the one Reading recently received for the Senior Center. They also see the possibility of educating the local building inspector on how to administer the building code appropriately for such older structures and make restoration an easier task for the new owner. Restoration could lead to increased assessed value of historic structures and increased tax base for the Town. The increased assessed value would not only be on the structure but the community and neighborhood value inspired from the restored structures. The Historical Commission also suggested that the CPA could be used to broaden the concept of restoration. Some possible methods could include development of historic districts, painting fire hydrants with Minuteman logos, a recreation of Lobs Pound Mill, and an archeological dig at Marion Woods. Paul Dustin asked how the CPA might be used to help individuals. The Historical Commission members suggested that the archives in the basement of Town Hall could be computerized and made accessible to all. The CPA could also be used to fund the printing and distribution of information brochures and rental of videos for presentation to the public and to fund the fee for outside speakers to make presentations of local interest to the public. Much of the education could come from a paid Historical Commission administrator. Tim Kelley developed a discussion with those present about how the CPA could be used to join historical restoration and with affordable housing. Virginia Adams gave a few examples including how a structure on John Street was restored and redeveloped into a four-unit residence. r Kim Honetschlager asked the Historical Commission to prepare a one or two page summary on the Commissions needs, a wish list for using CPA as a funding source, and a list of alternatives to using the CPA to meet these needs. Roberta Sullivan made the suggestion, in speaking as a citizen, that she would like to the the CPA approved for the smallest possible amount since she believes it would be a difficult sell to the voters in any greater way. Later if the CPA is working, the amount could be increased. There was some additional discussion about how the CPA may affect the position of the Massachusetts legislature on the self-help and other grant programs that have, up to now, been the only source of open space, affordable housing, and historical preservation from our state government. The concern is that the State may say that all funding for these programs in the future would have to come from the CPA. It was agreed that Jack Downing would seek to have one or more local house and/or senate representatives or their designated aides attend a future ad hoc CPA Study Committee meeting. With a 6-0 vote, the committee adjourned at 9:42 PM. 5-66"- j. - Zee'? Ay