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HomeArchiveVol. III No. 24 12/15/2022Notes from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), December 1, Hybrid meeting
Vol. III No. 24 12/15/2022

Notes from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), December 1, Hybrid meeting

Present:

  • Sally Underwood-Miller, Chair
  • Carole Owens
  • Tom Stokes
  • Linda Jackson
  • Patrick White
  • Jay Bikofsky
  • Michael Canales, Town Administrator
  • Ericka Oleson, Town Treasurer/Collector
  1. There were three items on the business agenda
    1. It was suggested, voted and approved, that Ericka Oleson will do "the paperwork" of the CPC (with the exception of the minutes which Underwood-Miller will continue to do) for a fee of $5200/year
    2. Rolling application period was suggested but was a hardship for Linda Jackson, chair, Historical Commission, which must review the applications in a timely fashion. It was agreed that "rolling" was the wrong word — it would be an extended period with a deadline
    3. Underwood-Miller said she anticipates the same schedule as in previous years — 3 meetings — to listen to applicants, accept and review applications with applicants, and vote the awards
  2. The meeting was then turned over to Stuart Saginor, Executive Director, Community Preservation Coalition
    1. Saginor shared what the coalition does and how CPC might take advantage of its existence
    2. He explained the three "pockets" allowable by the Community Preservation Act (CPA): Historic Preservation, Affordable Housing, and Open Space (including Recreation)
    3. Saginor told us CPA requires we have a CPA plan (Stockbridge has never had one beyond the requirements in the CPA)
    4. He discussed the CPA prohibition of funding religious organizations. Underwood-Miller said we fund the Congregational Church as an historic building. Saginor said, okay, as long as not funding religious iconography or ritual.
    5. Saginor recommended "not handing money" over to private organizations without a grant agreement although Stockbridge has for decades awarded grants to 501c3 organizations such as Norman Rockwell Museum, Chesterwood, Pine Woods and many more. Evidently, he considers those private as opposed to giving the money to the Town. Saginor wanted Town "to claw" back the money if 501c3 property is sold.
  3. Stokes asked about an issue important to him — does CPC have to hand out all the money? Can CPC turn down some applicants and save that money? Saginor said in that decision making process a CPA Plan would help.

Meeting adjourned

 

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Photo: Blue Moon Images/Dana Goedewaagen