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Massachusetts

Leverett

Town of Leverett
9 Montague Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Town Clerk: (413) 548-9150
Tax Collector: (413) 548-9666
Assessor: (413) 548-4945
Town Hall Fax: (413) 548-1035
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Community Preservation Committee

Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm
Leverett Town Hall Second Floor and Zoom Virtual Meeting
A meeting of the Community Preservation

The Leverett CPC Committee inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Leverett Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
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Meeting of Community Preservation

Members: (Quorum)

  • Present: Apple Ahearn, Affordable Housing, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Danielle Barshak, At-large, Chair, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Richard Nathhorst, Planning Board, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Steve Ball, At-large, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Eva Gibavic, Historical Commission, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Kate Rice, Recreation Commisson, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

  • David Powicki
  • Tom Hankinson
  • Pat Duffy
  • Jed Proujansky
  • Susan Lynton
  • Steve Shroud
  • Linda Jablonski
  • Cynthia Baldwin
  • Susan Mareneck
  • Attorney Tom Ready
  • Pat Fiero
  • Online:
  • Julie Evans-Marlowe
  • Dave Evans
  • John Anderson
  • Katie Schofield
  • Christina Barber
  • 'Package'
  • 'BBriza'
  • 'iPhone (127)
  • 'B

See original Agenda Draft Minutes * * *

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 8:45 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. Others in Attendance

  3. Friends of North Leverett Sawmill Proposal

    • Discussion

      General Discussion...
      Attorney Tom Reidy, attorney for FONLS, reviewed the update sent to CPC on January 28th.

      ZBA met January 29th, no decision on zoning variance and ZBA plans to meet again at the beginning of March. Richard asked again about the possible impact of the new flood plain maps. Attorney Reidy reported that, as they are already in the flood plain, FONLS has already been addressing the issue with their consultants and they found that the change in the maps will not have a significant (if any) impact on the project as designed.

      ConCom's second hearing met on Feb.2. Attorney Reidy reported that ConCom requested additional information on two items, including a maintenance plan. FONLS is hoping for a finding at the next ConCom meeting, March 2nd.

      Board of Health: Changes to the septic system are in progress, including additional surveys and FONLS expects to submit plans within the next week.

      Historic Preservation Restriction (HPR): The National Park Service (NPS) requires an HPR in conjunction with Mass Historic Commission but it would not be in perpetuity. Attorney Reidy indicated Mass. Historic would hold the restriction. Eva raised concern that the Leverett Historic Commission would not be a party, to which Attorney Reidy assured that LHC would have input into the process. Eva also raised concern about the timing and overlap of HPRs, seeing the National Park Service HPR would not be written until after the project was completed. Attorney Reidy said that a contingency could be included that FONLS would agree to continue the current limited HPR if, for some reason, a newer and more comprehensive HPR was not written prior to the extinction of the current one in 2035.

      Performance Security: In prior meetings, an issue was raised concerning the town's investment in the event that FONLS is unable to maintain the Slarrow Mill. A performance security agreement would put the Town in first position for return of those funds, essentially creating a Town lien on the property for the amount awarded. Attorney Reidy indicated that FONLS was willing to work on such an agreement. He agreed to contact town counsel to work out the language for such an agreement.

      Proforma: FONLS has submitted the proforma to the CPC and has posted it on the FONLS website. Attorney Reidy stated that 60% of the funding would be from private donations and 40% from community events.

      Line of sight: Concern had been raised in previous meeting to the building and septic plans might impact the line of site from North Leverett Road and Cave Hill Road. The current HPR includes provisions prohibiting blocking of the view. FONLS had a surveyor explore the sight line and submitted drawings indicating that the planned work would not block the view. Eva reported that the Historic Commission has reviewed the plan but made no comment on its impact on the HPR, choosing to wait until the septic system was approved to ensure that it does not impede the view. Steve raised an issue of the cantilevered decks impact on the view. The deck on the east (Cave Hill side) was taken out of the plans due to the LHC concern. Bob Jablonski reported that they are planning to make the deck smaller and not so far out over the water. Richard raised an issue with the cantilevered deck relative to FEMA regulations. Attorney Reidy indicated that if it is prohibited, then it wouldn't be built. If the proposal is forwarded to town meeting, Richard expressed concern that any plans or models be updated prior to town meeting to reflect the updated plan. Richard requested updated, full size set of plans including the floor plan and aerial view for the CPC. Steve and Richard also requested for a 3D rendering, stating that additional questions may be raised when the CPC sees the architectural renderings.

  4. Pickleball for All Proposal

    • Discussion

      General Discussion...
      CPC received a letter formally withdrawing the pickleball application due to location and public concern issues.

  5. LES Accessible Playground

    • Discussion

      General Discussion...
      Kate reported that the accessible playground has been fully funded by other agencies and that LES is withdrawing its CPC application.

  6. Drivable Trail to King Meadow

    • Discussion

      General Discussion...
      Tom Hankinson reviewed the current update that had been sent to CPC: The fieldwork for the wetlands determination has been completed by Ralph Tiner and he is working on his writeup. Matt Boucher has been in contact with Chris Stoddard of Athol, a professional engineer, who has agreed to work with Matt Boucher on the plans for the project, including reviewing the intial maps, visiting the site, and determining what additional schematics and maps will be required to be submitted as part of the Conservation Commission Notice of Intent and MESA applications. The NOI and MESA applications will be submitted as soon as the wetlands and engineering materials are complete. The Assessor's Office is generating a list of abutters for notification.

      A question was again raised as to why a width of 12 feet in necessary. After some discussion, it was agreed that the issue will be addressed with the professional engineer and Matt Boucher.

      Dave Powicki spoke, relating that the ConCom fully supports the project but also made clear that for ConCom to go forward with consideration of the NOI, engineering drawings would be needed determine the extent of the disturbance, a necessary component of their evaluation when considering what conditions would be required.

      Concern was raised about the timeline and that the MESA and NOI processes (which involve state agencies) might not be completed prior to the date CPC would have its final meeting to decide whether to send the proposal to town meeting. At that time, CPC can consider the option of including contingencies within the warrant article, if permits have are still in progress.


  7. Other Business

    • Discussion

      General Discussion...
      March 18th is the date for the final CPC meeting to decide whether proposals will be forwarded town meeting. However, we discussed pushing back the date in order to give applicants more time to get permits approved. Danielle indicated that March 25th would be the latest possible date, given the need to get the warrant articles drafted and submitted. Members will check their schedules.

      Danielle will draft the Annual Plan and Report which she will present at the March meeting.

      Steve raised a question as to whether a second public meeting would be required if substantial changes were made in either the Sawmill proposal or the Drivable Trail proposal. Danielle indicated that CPC is not required to have public meetings at all, but that if this situation occurs we could consider it.

      Danielle reported that the amount requested to be transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust was actually $26,000.


  8. Meeting Wrap-up

    • Next Meeting:
      1. Wed, Mar 4, at 7:00 PM "Community Preservation Committee" -- Leverett Town Hall Second Floor and Zoom Virtual Meeting

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes prepared by Eva Gibavic