HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CPC - 10/12/2017 CPC Minutes October 12, 2017
Cohasset Community Preservation Committee
91 Sohier Street-Willcutt Commons
Chart Room
Cohasset, MA
Members Present: Russell Bonetti-Chairman
Suzanne Wadsworth
Tom Reardon
Alex Koines
Michael Dickey
Diane Kennedy
Chairman Bonetti called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee-Presentation regarding CPC participation in financing of
Town Hall renovation. Chairman Mary McGoldrick, Fran Collins, Sam Wakeman, Carolyn Coffey and
Chris Senior were present. Mrs. McGoldrick reviewed the background of the Committee,their mission,
the architect they chose and their meeting schedule to date.
Mr. Wakeman stated the THRAC Committee put in an application seeking$7 million from CPC. The full
amount was requested because it could be eligible and they figured they would request the max and
start the conversation. They will be going to Special Town Meeting to see if the town is willing to go
forward with the project. They would like to have CPC's support of some type of funding.
Mr. Senior distributed some debt service information from bond counsel with rough numbers. The
town would ultimately be responsible. Mr. Senior stated they are looking into other funding sources for
grants. They have reached out to the MA Cultural Council as well as National Grid. There could be
private funding because of the auditorium component.
Mr. Wakeman said the goal of tonight's meeting was to get an idea if CPC has an appetite at all to get
involved in some type of funding. They would like to go to STM and be able to say that CPC does or
doesn't want to get involved in the funding. Mr. Dickey stated right now CPC gets around $400k
annually. He asked if that that number will continue to go up year over year. He doesn't want to lock
up all funding for other things 20 years down the road. Mr. Dickey added that he believes CPC should be
involved in some of the funding. Mrs. Kennedy agreed since there is money there for the project. She
thinks they should use some money up front and some additionally year to year. Mrs. Wadsworth
agreed CPC should be involved in funding as well. Mr. Reardon stated that both a capital commitment
and year to year funding is agreeable to him.
Mrs. McGoldrick asked if CPC had any big projects they anticipate would be coming up over the next few
years. Mrs. Kennedy responded that there may be a request from Affordable Housing and possibly the
boat ramp project at the harbor.
Mr. Wakeman stated that the Capital Budget Committee is currently working on capital requests with
departments throughout the town. They will share the information as it becomes available.
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CPC Minutes October 12, 2017
Chairman Bonetti agreed that CPC should be involved in the town hall project but they have to figure
out how much.
The CPC had a conversation about if they should vote on a specific dollar amount tonight or wait until
after STM and the design. They discussed a resolution from CPC that they could read to STM in support.
Motion by Mr. Reardon that the CPC endorses the town hall proposal,views with great interest and
enthusiastically supports&commits to funding once project is approved,seconded by Mrs. Kennedy
and the vote was 5-1. Alex Koines voted against.
The Committee discussed the THRAC withdraw the current application and come back after STM with an
amended one.
The Committee had a discussion about the CPC application process. Mr. Senior stated other towns have
a pre-application process. This process helps applicants come to CPC with a more complete application.
Chairman Bonetti suggested they discuss at their annual meeting.
Motion by Mrs. Kennedy to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Dickey and the vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
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