East Longmeadow Community Preservation Committee

Minutes June 6, 2007

Present: Timothy Seeley, Chair (At-Large), William Speight (Historical Commission), Carol Johnston (Housing Authority),  Michael Perkins (Board of Public Works), George Kingston (Conservation Commission),
Michael Salvon (Recreation Commission), Mary Ellen Goodrow (At-Large)

Absent: Louis Calabrese (Planning Board), William Fonseca (At-Large),

Chairman Seeley opened the meeting at 7 pm.

Mr. Edward McAndlish spoke to the Committee about the East Longmeadow Fire Department's first motorized truck, a 1925 Seagrave Suburbanite that was retired in 1957, then used by DPW and is now in the process of being restored.  He suggested that CPA funds could be used for the restoration in conjunction with contributed labor.  The Committee discussed this and agreed that it falls under the category of Historic Preservation.  Mr. McAndlish was told to develop a fundng proposal and formally submit it to the Committee.

The Committee discussed the railroad depot building.  At a Historical Commission Special Meeting on May 31, they declared the Depot to be historically significant.  Mr. Seeley attended the meeting of the Board of Selectmen at which the disposition of the Depot was discussed.  The Selectmen tasked Town Counsel with researching if the Depot could be placed on the railroad right-of-way.  He will consult with the state Department of Transportation.  Moving to that location may only cost $3,000.

It was moved by Kingston and seconded by Perkins that the CPC recommend that the Town spend not more than $40,000 to move the Depot to Town owned land.  After discussion, it was moved by Perkins and seconded by Seeley to change the limit to $35,000.  The Committee voted 5 to 2 to approve this.  It was then moved by Johnston and seconded by Seeley to change the limit to $25,000.  The Committee voted 6 to 0 with one abstention to approve this.   Kingston will send a letter to the Board of Selectmen to accept or reject this recommendation and take it to Town Meeting.

The proposed Application for CPA funds was returned with comments by Town Counsel.  Kingston will revise it and provide an electronic copy.  It was moved by Salvon and seconded by Perkins that all invoices for CPA funds will require the signature of the Chair of the Committee, the Committee Treasurer.  The Committee voted to approve this proposal 7-0.

Mr. Seeley and Mr. Speight attended Implementation Training for the CPA last week and reported on it.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on September 5 at 7 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
George Kingston, Clerk