CPC projects move forward

LENOX – Only one project got recommended for full funding through Community Preservation Committee monies this year, and it happens to be the project that has been to most discussed in recent months, while other projects received recommendations for either partial or no funding.

After much discussion, the committee has recommended $75,000 in funding for the restoration of the Church on the Hill cemetery.

While the board recommended funding for the first phase of the project, a consensus could not be reached on how to fund the future phases of the project.

“I don’t think we really need to complete the whole scope of the project,” said Selectman Channing Gibson. “I think we all agree that this is worthwhile, but there are limits.”

Yet, the CPC reached a consensus that the new director of capital projects, Jeff Vincent, would oversee the project in consultation with the Historical Commission.

That idea at first raised some concern from members that are also part of the historical commission.

“I am very concerned that we need to have a historical aim with this project, and not everyone can handle that,” said Olga Weiss.

This concern was answered by Town Planner Mary Albertson, who explained that in the request for proposal, to find someone to do the work it would state that you must meet historical guidelines.

The Mount

Edith Wharton Restoration Inc., better known as The Mount, asked for $40,000 for restorations to the horse stables on the property.

The group has received funding for the project in the past, and board members stated they agreed the project would continue to be a good use of funds. Yet, at the same time, the board was trying to hold the reins on expenditures this year.

CPC Member Kathleen McNulty-Vaughan first proposed providing $20,000 towards their project.

“I think providing them with some funds towards the project and staying the course with them is best,” she said. “They have been a good partner of the town.”

Then CPC Chairman Frederick Keator motioned to change the amount of funding to $30,000 as a further show of support.

“I believe that to not give them more funding because they can raise money on their own is an unfair ding,” said Mr. Keator.

The motion passed and the board recommended $30,000 in funding to the selectmen.

Lenox Fire Company

Another group to receive a recommendation for partial funding was the Lenox Fire Company, Inc.

CPC members felt the request needed more information on the plans for the group for the trucks in the future.

“I would like to see some kind of a five-year plan,” Ms. McNulty-Vaughan said.

The board also felt that currently, the group may be spread too thin by trying to restore five antique trucks.

“You have to ask is five really better than three?'” asked Mr. Keator.

The board then approved $18,500 (the group had requested $75,000) as its recommended amount towards the project.

This amount would cover the requested amount for the 1932 Buffalo Stewart, and the recommendation had the attached caveat that all the funding must go to finish that truck.

Affordable Housing Trust

One project that received a recommendation of no funding was the Affordable Housing Trust.

The Lenox Affordable Housing Trust requested $60,000 for a housing ownership grant program, and at previous meetings, the discussions indicated that funding would be hard to come by this year for the project.

With that in mind, the Affordable Housing Board and Trust approved plans to develop a mortgage grant program that works with local banks to make buying a home more affordable for those with low to moderate incomes last week using their own funds they already have.

If the program is successful, they may reapply for CPC funding next year to continue the program.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on March 14, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry