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CPC hears updates on rural cemetery tower, historical society closeout and library/townhouse preservation issues
Summary
Committee received progress reports: the Rural Cemetery water tower needs an estimate, Southborough Historical Society is working with CPC on project closeout and paperwork, and the library/townhouse preservation restrictions and bonds are under negotiation with Preservation Worcester and the town treasurer.
The Community Preservation Committee received brief status updates on several active projects and closeouts on Feb. 13, including the Rural Cemetery water tower, a project closeout with the Southborough Historical Society, and preservation restrictions and bonding issues related to the library and the townhouse project.
Ben Smith said the Rural Cemetery water tower estimate was delayed after a scheduled site visit cancelled; staff will follow up and place the item on the next meeting agenda. The committee asked Grant Farrington to contact the preservationist or contractor (Kevin) who had been expected to provide an estimate and to report back at the late-February meeting.
On project closeout, CPC staff said they had sent a closeout letter to the Southborough Historical Society and received a response from executive director Michael Weishan. Staff reported they identified at least one invoice within the scope of the original warrant and recommended partial payment to the town accountant while awaiting a bank statement to complete the records. The committee said it wants work that was within the scope of the enabling article to be paid and any remaining funds returned to the Community Preservation Trust.
Committee members also reported progress on the library and townhouse preservation restriction negotiations. Ben Smith said proponents are negotiating endowment and preservation-restriction terms with Preservation Worcester and that the amounts sought by the preservation group were lower than some members expected; he urged discretion while negotiations continue so as not to disrupt ongoing talks.
Brett Peters raised procedural concerns about rebonding: the town treasurer has asked whether bond funds set aside for the library project should be reissued before the preservation restriction and final PR (preservation restriction) is executed. Committee members asked staff to coordinate with the treasurer and project proponents to confirm whether rebonding is necessary and to verify whether funds encumbered for library signage and other small outstanding items can be returned to the CPA account.
These items are administrative and the committee did not take funding votes at this meeting; members asked staff to pursue updated estimates and documentation so the projects can be addressed at the next scheduled meeting.
