Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text

Min-20160617161030

CCPC · Source year folder: 2016 · Record 47768

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Town of Canton, Massachusetts 
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE 
Minutes of December 7, 2015 
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm at the Canton Public Library. 
Committee members in attendance: Lisa Lopez, George Comeau, Kathy Fox Alfano, Deb 
Sundin, John McSweeney, Larry Bogue, Michael Mitcheroney, Michael Loughran, Bob Panico 
Ongoing Projects - Status Update 
FY 2015 Projects 
Tennis Courts - $185,000 of $200,000 grant allocation spent to date, with expectation that all 
funds will be used. A sign acknowledging CPA funding will be installed. 
FY 2016 Projects 
FPUU Steeple Restoration - The project cannot proceed until the preservation restriction is 
finalized. The town is waiting for a response from the church regarding the language in the most 
recent restriction, after which the restriction will go to the BOS and subsequently the MA 
Historic Commission. 
Tilden House Restoration - The consultant is nearly halfway through the historic structures 
report which is expected in January of 2016. Bid documents for construction will be prepared in 
the spring. Construction is expected to begin in June/July of 2016 and to take approximately 
three months to complete. 
Veterans Housing Fire Alarms & Electrical Boxes - Work has been completed and the CHA is 
waiting on final bills from contractors. Town Meeting approved a total of $193,000 for this 
project; however, total project costs are expected to be far lower than that amount (in the $90,000 
range). 
Historic Documents Master Plan - The contract for the master plan was awarded to N.E. 
Documents. Work has started and the plan is expected to be complete by the end of this calendar 
year. 
Martha Howard Petticoat - The textile is currently with the conservator retained to undertake the 
restoration. The Historical Society expects to display the petticoat at the Library prior to Annual 
Town Meeting in May of 2016. 
Paul Revere Heritage Site - Extensive demolition is occurring. The location of the Revere House 
has been identified. The barn has been moved but is not yet on the new foundation. The Paul 
Revere Heritage Site Commission and the two related Committees have been meeting regularly 
and are working toward their respective goals/mandates. 
Page 1 of 4 CCPC Minutes of December 7, 2015

Review of Community Preservation Plan; Section Updates 
K. Phelps had copies of board specific sections of the Community Preservation Plan available 
(Open Space & Recreation; Historic; Community Housing). L. Lopez asked Committee 
members to put the relevant plan sections on their respective agendas for updates. 
Consideration of FY 2017 CPA Applications and Vote on Recommendations to Annual 
Town Meeting 
Lisa Lopez reviewed the most recent budget estimates and noted that a total of approximately 
$785,000 was available for the FY 2017 round of CPA applications. A total of $563,800 has 
been requested by applicants for this year's funding cycle. She noted that the CCPC has been 
judicious in their funding recommendations over the past two years and have made a practice of 
reserving funds for future appropriations (not spending the entirety of funds available in a given 
year). L. Lopez reviewed the list of proposed projects for FY 2017; committee members had 
questions about all five projects and discussion ensued on all applications. 
Crane's Guard Militia Flag 
Applicant: Canton Historical Society 
Amount Requested: $21,000 
L. Lopez questioned whether the age of flag equated with historic value. G. Comeau spoke to 
the historic importance of the flag and its connection to the Town of Canton in particular. 
Several CCPC members noted that past projects put forth by the Historical Society were 
accompanied by nominal matching funds and that they would prefer to see partial funding from 
another source. K. Alfano stated that prior Historic Society projects included a 10% contribution 
from that organization and suggested that the CCPC consider recommending the project at 90% 
of the requested funding. L. Lopez noted that taking this approach confirms the Committee's 
interest in projects that leverage outside funding. 
Motion to recommend the Crane's Guard Militia Flag restoration project to Town Meeting 
for funding in the amount of $18,900 by Kathy Fox Alfano, seconded by Deb Sundin, 
approved 8-0-1 (George Comeau abstained). 
Old English Burying Ground 
Applicant: Canton Historical Commission 
Amount Requested: $36,915 
G. Comeau provided a brief overview of the project for CCPC members who were not at the 
presentation hearing. He reiterated that the cemetery is a small space and the project will 
completely restore the burial ground in a short amount of time. 
Motion to recommend the Old English Burying Ground restoration project to Town 
Meeting for funding in the amount of $36,915 by Kathy Fog Alfano, seconded by Deb 
Sundin, approved 9-0-0. 
Page 2 of 4 CCPC Minutes of December 7, 2015

Needs Assessment and Master Plan for Outdoor Recreational Facilities 
Applicant: Canton Recreation Committee 
Amount Requested: $46,000 
L. Lopez inquired whether the Recreation Department and Commission are supportive of the 
proposed plan and G. Comeau asked if master plan would be used. L. Bogue responded that he 
feels the plan is necessary, although effective development and use would likely require a sub- 
committee focused on this project. Discussion about what should be included in the plan 
followed. G. Comeau reminded the Committee that the plan was the suggestion of the CCPC 
and the outputs of such a plan would guide CCPC as it evaluates future funding requests for 
Recreational projects. 
Motion to suspend action on the Needs Assessment and Master Plan for Outdoor 
Recreational Facilities to January 15th (in order to request a revised application for a more 
comprehensive plan inclusive of indoor facilities) by John McSweeney, seconded by Bob 
Panico, approved 9-0-0. 
The CCPC agreed to schedule a public meeting for January 19th to consider a possible revised 
application. 
Hagan Court Senior Housing 
Applicant: Canton Housing Authority 
Amount Requested: $120,000 
CCPC members expressed support for the project noting that the work addresses a significant 
health and safety problem. Members also agreed that special effort would be required to address 
concerns raised by the Finance Committee and Town Meeting members about the way capital 
projects at Housing Authority properties are funded by the Commonwealth. D. Sundin added 
that support from other boards (e.g. Board of Health) would be important in securing Town 
Meeting approval. J. McSweeney reminded the Committee that the exhaust systems and GFI 
outlets had been installed in three of the nine buildings at Hagan Court with DHCD funds. 
Motion to recommend the Hagan Court Senior Housing project to Town Meeting for 
funding in the amount of $120,000 by Kathy Fox Alfano, seconded by Deb Sundin, 
approved 
9-0-0. 
Canton Corner Cemetery 
Applicant: Canton Historical Commission 
Amount Requested: $339,886 
Sepp Bergschneider was present in his capacity as Chairman of the Historical Commission and 
as the CCPC's liaison to the Finance Committee. L. Lopez reviewed the Canton Corner 
Cemetery projects funded by CPA to date. She reminded the Committee that the current 
application includes three distinct pieces that had been given a priority order by the project 
proponent. S. Bergschneider confirmed this statement, noting that the top priorities are the 
vaults and the tomb. He added that the project management expense would also need to be 
considered. Discussion about partially funding the proposed project and how to handle the wide 
Page 3 of 4 CCPC Minutes of December 7, 2015

range in the proposed budget for each piece followed. The Committee agreed that the retaining 
wall should be excluded from their recommendation. 
Motion to recommend the Canton Corner Cemetery project exclusive of work relating to 
the proposed retaining wall to Town Meeting for funding in the amount of $160,000 by 
Kathy Fox Alfano, seconded by Deb Sundin, approved 9-0-0. 
Motion to adjourn at 8:30 pin by George Comeau, seconded by John McSweeney, 
approved 9-0-0. 
Respectfully submitted by 
Kristen Phelps 
Page 4 of 4 CCPC Minutes of December 7, 2015