Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the community preservation committee regular meeting. It is Thursday, April 16th, 2026. We are in person in the lower level of town hall and also available via Zoom. This meeting is being recorded and can be viewed at a
later date on the town of Dyon YouTube channel. If we can all please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Well, we start off with committee member introductions. I am Kevin Smith, the chair and the parks and recreation representative. >> Alicia Wilson, vice chair, member at large. >> Jonathan Gail, ADA coordinator. At Gail's Historical Commission, uh
>> Dave Eckerson at large and financial representative. So >> the first order of business we have reviewed, discuss our um prior meeting minutes. Unfortunately, Elizabeth had a death in the family, so she couldn't join us tonight. She did reach out to just let me know that she didn't have
them prepared, but we can catch those up at our next meeting, so we'll just leave those for now. Uh financial reports, Steve, do you have anything? Uh we have no new no new news since we've been quiet unless uh you have something any update on the library grant. >> Actually, you know what? Now that you
say that, I haven't I I talked to Serena earlier this week, but I had I did not ask if that funding had been received yet. So, I will check on that. Um, and I think the only other thing that we can just chat about quick and we'll segue into it when we get to our warrant articles, but I did se send everyone the
link um with the prior year's funding um for for CPC. That way we could kind of take a look at it because that's how we set those the warrant article amounts is based off of that. I don't think locally based on um ongoing projects or anything like that and nothing significant has
changed from our past meeting. So like we need to really go over that in depth. >> Um >> what is our current revenue in available >> on new warrant articles are are pretty substantial. I think um that that's a
better thing to go off of. Right. >> Right. So I mean I guess roughly I want to say roughly 650,000. >> Okay. >> Um >> yeah is available to spend. Yes. Correct. Right. Right. >> AC and that's across the board. That's a
cumulative total of all of each category and the undesated unreserve fund. >> Right. The fiscal year 25 appropriations were 131,100 and um the new warrant article is up around 159,000.
>> Correct. >> All right. So, the first thing on the old business is review and discuss CPC um project updates. Um Pat, do you have anything? >> Yeah. Um the commission met with uh the preservation consultant and reviewed the
Mount Hope finishing company um nomination application. So um we had questions for her and she explained a lot of stuff and also um Mass Historical Commission um has begun their review. They've already provided
some input on some rent revisions to the application and they'll continue to review. Also they'll probably come down and do a site visit. um of the Mount Hope Finishing Company in Village Area. So, it's in process, which is good. Um
then the Mass Historical Commission will go through and they'll redline and make edits as you know, as they see to fit the National Register standards is um to submit and then we'll review it for the final application
and before it goes to submission to the state review board. So, >> do you have any updates as far as the library is concerned? The library and CPC funding are concerned. I know we had some it's been about 2 months now, but we had like some small things just
trickling in. >> Yeah, I know. >> I know they had kind of like bled the well dry so to speak um >> until we with the the funds from um Mass Cultural like in hand. So I know that we kind I sent I kind of gave um Serena a
note to give to Mark that you know we're kind of right up against the >> I can talk to Mark >> the funds and I mean I think at this point it's fully functional. It's been operational for we should I mean they should be at the point as far as CPC funding is concerned anyway that they
should >> I don't think there should be anything coming out. They just did a major thing on um putting gutters on and that wasn't out of CPC funding. So that was out of um one of the special articles or you know that he has >> and I I I concur with Pat. I think Mark
was keeping the building we're keeping the building committee open just for a few odds and end things here and there but I know he's in the process of wrapping everything up at this point and you know just a couple odds and ends that should not be CPC bunch.
>> Right. >> Right. And then obviously I know that there was talks of the landscaping and stuff outside. Obviously that doesn't fall under no >> under us. So just to be mindful that >> I'll chat with them from a historical point of view.
>> Okay. Yeah. Because as soon as um we do receive the grant funding back. I'll I'll check with um Ralph and Serena to see what the protocol for that is. In some instances, it just automatically goes back to the
fund the the two categories that it came from. >> In some instances though, you actually we will actually have to vote it back into the funds out of town meeting. So, we'll check on >> on the process >> what the process is cuz it's a little it's different for some
>> um some projects and others. Um, as far as from a parks and recck perspective, um, we're kind of just gearing up to get everything cleaned up for the season. I know like on our slate of things like the two open articles is
the North Light, well the three playgrounds, North Don playground, North Lighton ballfield fencing and lighting and then the Timothy Ryan's playground. Timothy Ryan does need some like I don't I don't foresee us making any purchases or major purchases that would
be CPC like eligible for use of the CPC funds with the exception of maybe some matting to go over the mulch. Now that that's kind of settled for the winter, we're going to go in have the highway department do a final adjustment of that mulch and then we'll put in the mats using some that we have on hand already
and we might but we may have to purchase additional. Um, I just actually met with someone this afternoon who's really interested in starting a community, like getting a community effort together to clean up the North Blon ball field itself. >> Um, the fencing
um has was like was 90% complete 2 years ago. There are a couple areas though and we do have like kind of a nuisance issue with the neighbor in the back. So, we might tap into that fund um or what's remaining in that fund just to address those couple issues to share up some
gates and then create a little privacy for the neighbor in the back. Um and then I'm hoping that once the kind of ballpark has come back to life, we can finish up and um get the get the lighting done. I'm still going to try to work trying to work out some kinks with
getting our school the school back involved to finish that up. So, that's that's what I have going on. I think that's that's it for current. The only >> is there any equipment there that has to be replaced or repaired or anything? >> No. And that can't come from CPC.
>> I know. I just >> I mean there are some I there are some minor hardware repairs. I mean throughout just >> wear and tear and winter related things. Um but yeah, nothing CPC related I would I would say. >> Thank you. >> Um
yeah. So I think that's it. The other thing that's still lingering and I'm waiting on some answers for, we did get like that kind of brief update of some things happening with some regional agencies about the trails like the trail network and all that. So, that's still
kind of in limbo. We're going to I got to do a little more research on where they stand and if that's moving forward and when so we can address that. >> And the boat ramp is still outstanding. the the boat ramp is its own conundrum
where there there's just a there's just a disagreement with the parties involved on >> multiple different >> I know >> I thought they agreed >> no >> what oh okay >> no um so that's kind of just been
stalemated um the unfortunate kind of situation with the boat ramp itself is it's listed as a parks and recreation like facility. >> However, it's still has to go the acquisition of any land still has to go
through the board of selectment >> and and you know via the town admin the town administrator and it's just it's >> I mean for probably we're going on I think 10 years now has seemed to be able to get it done for one reason or another
where the parties involved are just too far apart. the homeowner is I thought he had agreed with didn't agree with you then you came to a number and agreed to it. >> Correct. So just so the process that took place is we had an appraisal done
they disagreed with the appraisal. >> Okay. >> Um we with the town does have the ability to take that portion of land through eminent domain. It was like however we were trying to negotiate and not you know we're not here nobody's here to make enemies with you know a neighbor. Of course,
>> we want it to be amicable and we just can't seem to come to any but I also say it's kind of it's one of those things that we um we were in the middle of it while our former town administrator was here with him exiting and then some
change over on the board of selectment having an interim town administrator then it kind of just like which has >> what does the town administrator need to do? the well the town administrator is kind of like the middleman as far as securing
uh like it would now probably be another updated appraisal which we've already done two and but it's now now it would be expired. So, >> okay. >> Um, that too, there was a huge discrepancy >> in how the original appraisal and the
updated appraisal were reported due to the fact that I believe and I think it was everyone from on the town side believed there was a zoning um, how that piece of property was zoned
was missed. and how that piece of property was zoned works in favor of the town, >> right? It's a piece of conservation lander conservation and rec falls under conservation and recreation
zoning. >> So, that was a a major discrepancy between the two. >> It makes a big difference in the price. >> It makes a massive difference. >> Um, so with that being said, we're still at a stalemate. Um, and there's just been so much stuff going on on that it
>> it's just once that happens, the state's ready to spend all kinds of money. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> That's a can of works, but is there an opportunity for us to recoup that money back until we >> absolutely could well what we could do
is if we so choose, we could recommend a Warren article. like we could consider that project as presented you know or in with it current language um failed I would say I wouldn't even say completed failed and we could vote to return that funding
and we had that conversation and that kind of sparked you know you know there's no better way to say this and somebody watched a YouTube recording and was like oh no no we got to get back on this it sparked some energy I think you remember Nancy Gulot and Eric East today came in >> and then all parties fizzled Yeah.
>> Um, so I mean cuz that was my original attitude is the capacity of parks and wreck as it stands now and what I feel the job description is doesn't really cater to that sort of
>> what you don't want to get involved. >> It's not really parks and wreck. Yeah, I would say it's it's beyond what Titan Rex scope of, >> you know, capabilities are given that like we don't we have no we have no administrative support or anything of
that nature >> and like you need somebody who's going to be heavily involved from even with the from the negotiation process all the way through the construction of it. So like it's it's better suited for border selectment, town administrator, highway department
>> is who that should fall under if they so choose to pursue it. I think it's beyond what parks and is capable of. >> What's the amount? Isn't it like 47,000? >> It was some something in that nature. >> Somewhere in that nature. I also think
it would be and I don't know how this this works and if it's even a possibility. I don't know if it's possible to surrender that piece of land to the state. So, just like we had this conversation about DCR running a trail through here,
>> can we surrender that piece of property to DCR and then it just becomes a stateowned and run boat ramp? >> I mean, I think there'll be some outrage because typically when you get the state involved and it's a stateowned boat ramp that fees become part of it, right? But also too, let's be realistic. Those the
small amount of fees for the amount of boats that are going to get launched out of there, all they do is help support it. >> You know, I I would say >> and DCR is one of the most responsible agencies in as as far as the state is concerned, DCR and mass wildlife with collecting funds and keeping them within
their own bucket to support their systems. So >> right now, >> well, that's why I'm saying if if the conversation was had where it's like, okay, this is now going to be a stateowned and operated boat ramp, then the state can be
>> the bad. >> Yep. >> Which and they have a lot more firepower than the town of Titan does as far as >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> dealing with those. It's a 48,200 job to your question.
>> But that so >> I mean we'll have to address it eventually, right? >> At some point. I mean because even well even we had the a brief conversation about changing the funding of it and trying to get more money into it and I think we were all in agree and then it just we talked to town council and they
was like well no it has to which makes sense has to go off of fair market value like it's not a private sale where you can offer above asking so to speak. Right. >> It is. We have to follow the state guidelines. That's it.
>> Okay. All right. Next up, um, for just review and discuss, we have, um, >> make the suggestion. We have someone here for public input before we go through. >> Yeah, we can totally take them out of order. >> I move we take it out of order. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded to take public
input out of order. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I >> All right. Yeah, public. Yeah, thank you, Pat, cuz I would have kept rambling. >> I know you're on a roll. >> Go ahead, Jayla.
>> Um, so the girls and I were just here to ask about the dining public libraries. Um, they don't have a bike rack or anything like that. So, like right now, the kids are riding their bikes and stuff. They just kind of popping them in the parking lot and stuff. just
wondering is there a way we can help the library to get one of those or is it in the works that kind of >> So can I answer that or yes >> so I'm going to answer it on behalf of the library building committee in
essence really um and one of the things that we had talked about before um on the building committee was putting a bike rack in there >> um the question was where it's going to go and what kind of a rack we're going to And I know that Mark had been doing some looking into that. We also have to
coordinate that with Tom Perry uh for installation for permanent installation of the bike rack so that it can't be loaded into somebody's truck one night so that it's you know drilled into the ground or whatever they do to to keep it permanent. Um and then that has to
coincide with where the landscaping is going to be done. Um I have and then also I want to make sure the bike rack itself is in place and overall is considered accessible. I have a meeting with uh the library director next week
and Tom Ferry to go down to look at a couple of things related to the outside of the library that haven't somehow have an accessible component to it. And that is one of the things is we're discussing as to where it would be placed. So my hope is that we will have a bike rack in
place by mid May but certainly by the end of May. >> Okay, >> that's the best I can. So this sparked some thoughts from me. The landscaping design is this landscaping design that's happening strictly like architectural where it's to you know
>> set up flower beds, bushes, things of that nature. >> I think it would be really nice. I mean, we there is a playground down the street and so on and so forth. However, I think it would bring it'd be a really this sparks a good conversation to like add some like either active or passive
outdoor recreation components to the library cuz I think we can support that. I know that the library is probably op, you know, stuff coming out of the library's oper operating budget is probably slim. But if we wanted to create an outdoor picnic area, that's
>> a discussion about creating picnic areas, benches to sit and read, you know, those kind of >> cuz I think that's something be proactive in working with them and the community to like bring to light and it's absolutely something that we could
fund. You know, I think like we automatically go to like the whole like the trails because it's something you're walking on or a playground because it's something you're playing on, but there's a lot of aspects of CPC funding for open space and recreation that we could tie
into that and kind of make >> this discussion about outback towards the outback. >> I guess as you're looking up the back to the right >> over in that area, >> maybe it's some kind of a >> quiet space with picnic tables and a couple of >> Yeah. you know, chairs, maybe some more
flowers and shrubs, things like that to kind of create a quiet space so that people could sit out there, read orders out there as well. >> What else? >> Work in progress. >> Um, when library was in the basement here, I know especially during the summer, they did a lot of outdoor
activities and there was a lot more kids would come because they'd either see they'd see them outside and stuff like that. And I know the library got a lot more of like the little kid groups. That's how we found out that the library was even here was because Laura was outside with the kids. So, I think it would be nice if they did make an
outdoor space for the library, especially where that room to the side is a little bit smaller now. >> Mhm. >> Lori does a good job with outdoor programming. Um, even when we were in the um the old Carnegie building, you know, she would do like visiting different playgrounds and different
things, too. So, I'm sure, you know, she has some ideas, you know, for this summer. Um, >> yeah. She used to always travel to >> Yeah. She would go to different playgrounds. Different playgrounds. >> Yeah. Um, because Lori likes the outdoors.
>> She does a nice job. >> Yeah. You know, so um, you know, it's on the bucket list of things to be done, you know, with the landscaping and the tables. I think there's too an opportunity here for community engagement with this as well and ways to
be creative with like recycling things and you know the way we're using our funds and even asking I was thinking about it the other night. This is the time of year when everybody's digging out their perennials and splitting them asking for donations of people who are
splitting their perennials and maybe just tossing them aside at this point. maybe a idea of like leave a little bit of yourself with the library and taking those perennials and planting them around the garden and maybe down that street and to leading towards the
playground. So that whole area is kind of incorporated in that space as a whole community outdoor space that's friendly for families and kids and >> makes it more walkable and enjoyable cuz
it will bring more people into the library cuz I mean that's one of the things that's problematic right now. I think too just kind of thinking outside the box with just funding in general because we know where we're at with town funding is so you might come back with
this landscape design that's x amount of dollars and the you know library can only cover 70 say hypothetically 75% of that if we make it where it's a CPC project now you can kind of incorporate that or okay we're going to do this
acceptable patio that has paint and yada yada yada but we also need to, you know, have planned things and things. So, like if you make it a whole a project as a whole, then you can kind of tie >> this this into it and make it a little
bit probably more feasible. >> So, I guess I guess probably my best suggestion at this point for you, those of you that are on the library building committee, I would almost suggest let's keep it simple and let's keep the cost down and then explore something a little
more grand, so to speak. you know, like I don't think something like this is going to be a massive, you know, expensive project. However, it probably could be more than what you're looking at right now and and or an expansion upon what you're looking at, >> right? We can, you know, um I'm not sure
what, you know, Mark had in mind or what they were talking about, but those are all good suggestions. >> It's a good use of CPC money. Yeah. And that's kind of been like our thing is we haven't really had a ton like so we appreciate you coming in because we haven't had a ton of outside input and it's like something as simple
as like just this one idea this little bit of feedback >> can turn into something bigger. >> Circle back with Mark and then it's something the building committee can lean in on as well. >> Yeah. >> So >> and Taylor is always down at the library. >> Go to the library sometimes two times a day.
>> Love to hear you put a bug in Mark's ear. I've actually known Mark since I was uh since I was like 15. We used to work together when in middle. So >> Oh, a Hannah Fritz girl, huh? >> Yeah. >> Oh, maybe you know. >> Thank you for taking
it on our radar. >> Jonathan, when are you meeting with Mark next week? >> Um, depends on what probably Wednesday morning. Oh, okay. >> Did you have something in mind if you can?
>> Oh, I thought I would just crash your meeting if you know, but I have something Tuesday and Wednesday, but I you know, >> let me let me see what I can do and I'll try to include you in the hit list. >> Okay. >> So, is afternoon better for you Tuesday and Wednesday?
>> Um, yeah, >> yeah, >> I'll have my administrative support person give you a call. >> Okay. Okay. or you can text me. >> Yeah. So, just thank you again for coming down, bring it to our attention, and like if you have any other ideas
about anything, >> anything. >> Yeah. Bring it to us. >> You know where to find us. >> And you're more than welcome to stay for the rest of the boring stuff if you'd like to, but you don't have to. >> You guys not having the time of your
life? >> The best thing you've ever been to in Diane? >> No. >> No. >> No. It's always underway right now. >> Next Wednesday there's a selectman's meeting if you really wanted to
be. >> Let's go say thank you. >> Thank you. >> I just call her outside. Mr. White Pathfinder, >> could you tell her I'll be out in about 3 hours? No, >> just forget >> your I'll be out shortly. >> Thank you.
>> Oh, your mom got it. Thank you guys. >> I just want to just make a note before we move on and get back to like our regular agenda is there's a joint meeting. There's like a uh I think I don't know if it's border selectment and and capital outlay, but there is a
meeting at 6:00. So, we just kind of we don't have to rush rush, but we just got to be mindful of time as we >> Oh, here >> in here. Yeah. >> Um all right. So, back to um historic preserve fund and private properties. I had sent out there was a few links in
the agenda um with a couple different towns who have done this before um and I can't connect to the internet. It's awesome. Pat, did were you able to review those?
And did you did you get anything from it? Because I know it's kind of >> Yeah. Yes. I was It was interesting. It was Springfield and Cambridge first of all, the two totally different kinds of towns or cities, you know. >> Um,
so basically when I looked at them, if you're what what we're talking about is, you know, using CPC funding for private homes. So, what's happening uh is a lot of the resources out there and grants aren't available to the private
homeowner. They're usually for nonprofits or um usually nonprofits and they're usually matching grants or they're um they don't they're not available to the person who owns a historic house and wants to
upgrade you know put restore to the architectural integrity of the house. So those those are two key things. Um, both of them you had to have owners. They have to be owner occupied houses. The biggest drawback I saw like for us
is they're in local historic districts which are established by town bylaws, town and city bylaws and we don't have local historic districts in town. We do have national registered districts which are honorary, but there's nothing
in being in a national register district that um has a what you what you can do with your home and what you cannot do. You could paint your house purple in a register national register district if you wanted. That's why like down on Water
Street when um the John Hathaway houseway house went downhill, you know, there was no resources for that private homeowner, you know, and we couldn't stop the demolition of it. Um because it was declared unsafe. So, you know, it
the National Register District doesn't protect the building. The local historic district, the town establishes by bylaws. we decide what kinds of um criteria we want in the house cuz everyone says no one's going to tell me what color to paint my house. But that's
all just that's not necessarily true. It's what's decided by each city and town and their bylaws. I thought >> the district be both. >> Yes. Yes. >> Cuz that's almost that would be considered almost like an overlay, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. It can be both. Um, the goal
of course is to protect the historic qualities of your city or town, which is great. Um, but Cambridge is also tied into affordable housing, which I thought was kind of an interesting um way to go because Dyon
needs, you know, affordable housing. I think we did talk about that a little bit with the Hway is like that ability to like do a buy down and save it and make it an affordable unit. >> But like like we don't it's it seems like we've had these conversations not
so much about this but even tying it into community housing is we have all these little pieces that we need to put into place to make so much of these like >> right >> allow ourselves some more flexibility. >> I think I you know I spent some time with it. Um
they offer both of them offer like $30,000. You know, there's a sliding scale on one of them. Um it's for exterior, you know, repairs. Um anyway, it's not for anything inside except I think it
was >> structural, right? >> Structural porches, windows, doors. They'll pay for energy efficient storms. Um you know, they'll pay for painting. Um, Cambridge, I think it was, will also pay for um, if your house has vinyl,
your your historic house has vinyl siding on it, pay for the removal of that to go back to the clap board or whatever, you know. So, there's a lot to it. You have to see how it would fit with Dyton. You know, we did a lot of work,
but and the first step would be to look at, you know, local historic districts. Now, is that do you feel that by law that's necessary to establish a historic district? >> What it did is it takes it out of um
well, you could do the his either that or your commission and declares them locally significant each house. It's just that in when you already have the bylaw, it's just easier that your house is historically significant. I mean, you
could set, you know, we could probably define that as we wanted. You know, what makes it a possibility? I mean, certainly, >> I think you're already doing that work of like doing the historic survey. So, like we know that >> a lot of these properties that are being
surveyed and like well, we'll call it just certified for the sake of conversation or or recognized like we know that those are meeting the you know, components that the historical commission is looking for. So, I think it is a good idea. it is a good idea and you could kind of like create that path.
Um I think it's something that you know we have to continue learning a little bit about you know um I think it was both of them established funds so it doesn't have to always go to town meeting for a vote to use the CPC funds
for a private home. And that's the same thing that kind of ties into like the affordable housing aspect is if you create an affordable housing trust, then you're say we're we know we're going to take >> 10% of you know what that fund every
year and put it into this trust and then you have stewards of that trust who can then disperse it. Kind of like similar to the model of what you what was done with the um elderly and disabled tax fund. You'd have a separate committee that works that portion of funding. I just want to note one thing and I I find
this funny cuz there's several little instances that come up with CPA funds and like right on the community preservation coalition's website it says CPA communities often ask the coalition for advice providing CPA grants to private owners of his significant historic residential buildings. While
the design and administration of such programs can be a challenge, the city of Springfield and Cambridge have both created customized programs that could be a good model for your community. So if I there's like there's not like guidance
>> and I know that in the past and I and I I do agree with it to some extent is that like the the RC the Dyan CPC was very standoffish about funding private entities. You know I think the way we've
made exceptions cuz like the historical society is a is essentially private private but it's a private nonprofit. Yeah. >> So, I think it crosses like that little bit of like line in the sand. I think my biggest concern is if like you know I think we're far off cuz sounds like we
have a ton of work to do to even get to the point where we can consider it is how like putting those stipulations in place that okay if you know say brand's house needs painting we pay for brand's painting cuz it's historic and then next year brand sells it like putting those
beans >> and stuff I feel like like what's the cost associated with all these filings or having to you file a lawsuit because Brand says, "No, I'm not going to." >> Right? Because Cambridge did have a thing in there if they sold their house
within like 5 years that, you know, the CPC would get some funding back. >> Mhm. >> Um >> I think a lot of the programs that or some of the initiatives that we see on the CPC website are fantastic for the
towns for larger towns with a 3% search charge cuz they're raking in like millions of dollars. Mhm. >> You know, like in the grand scheme of things, it's like, well, we've seen it cuz we we've had a couple like kind of bigger ticket items. It doesn't take a whole lot to kind of deplete us.
>> No. >> You know, and that's like kind of where you have to have like you start having hard conversations. It's like, all right, do we want to fund, you know, this and then like a legitimate town project comes along and you kind of >> I've seen some big projects, too. >> Yeah.
>> That would have probably depleted everything we have. Oh, I mean you could you could we could get if we had some like you know what we considered some really worthwhile land acquisition. I mean, we essentially could we could drain ourselves, but like if we knew
there was like this piece that, you know, the town did not want to see sold and developed and it was like priority protected like then like those that that's a like a hard conversation that you have that >> that's tough too though because then you take it off the >> tax roles,
>> right? >> Yeah. That's >> you know years ago like rich people would do that. They desate areas like that, but they usually had >> right >> ways to make up for that, >> right? >> I think for something like this. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> This is a public meeting. >> You're going to say anything. You just got to state your name and address so we know. Kind of nonsense. >> So, one of the problems like, you know, it is hard like for people with historical homes is they always don't
have the funding to maintain that integrity. So, you know, it is a community project to maintain your history of it, >> you know. So, >> I like I think emergency relief fund
>> has like a good ring to it. >> You know, a vehicle somehow to help someone >> that loves their home, >> is trying to keep it historically correct, and we're so proud of our history, but can't. >> Yep. Mhm. I I'll agree with that. I mean
we could we could use a model of you know what are the parameters for identifying a home as as like this >> and then beyond that what are the parameters >> going to similar to what you were saying if they're going to if we're going to do something or if it's going to be a
matching fund if they need to redo siding >> and put wood back on siding or something. It might be that we would >> right >> suffice 50% of the total cost not to exceed X and then the parameter would be that the house has to stay either in perpetuity or you know after 5 years
every year it goes down 5% or 10% or something and the house can never be turned into a family trust etc etc. So there's a lot to consider there, >> right, >> to do something like that. But it's it it could be done, but I think we'd have to really cap it and figure out how
because we could, you know, we could end up getting a a bunch of residents asking for this and that that's the survey is a great place to know. Yeah, your surveys, you know, helps to identify and the surveys are um like a snapshot in time, you
know, because what was the first one was like 2021 in there somewhere 20 22 and you know, even some of those homes that they're documented, but those homes could need some would need some work and some of them do do need work.
>> Even then they needed work, you know. So, um I think it's worth exploring and seeing what we can put together. >> Absolutely. >> Um >> well, yeah, like we said, we've kind of been at this like stalemate where we're not seeing a bunch of fresh new things. So, like I think it's a great thing to
just explore >> and like you know, like we like you said, we know this like we're steps away from getting to where we need to be to take money from here and move it to there. And I think there's so many homes in town that are at that precipice of where the owners are
>> struggling to keep up with keeping the house just sound enough, >> you know, leaky roofs, windows falling apart. >> Yeah. >> You know, they're getting to the point where the house, if it goes much further, >> it's too far. And that house is then
going to get the big X on it from >> the health department. And then that bulldozer is going to come and and the key >> once it's condemned, the historical commission can't delay it. >> What would we cover specifically? >> Yeah. There's there's a
>> you know, we're going to cover up the septic system. >> No. No. Because it has to be, you know, architecturally. You have to keep the architectural integrity of your historical home. So, it's the outside of your house. what it your porches, the gingerbread work if you have it. Um,
windows, doors, porches, steps. Um, >> well, I would it's a very lengthy >> Yeah. >> um like document or set of documents, but I would argue that the Department of Interior like the standards are the most thorough and easiest to follow of all
the guidelines that we have. >> You would incorporate that and they would have to meet those guidelines. So, I think it's easy to police that like we did get to the point where we're having applications before us for that sort of thing. It's super easy to >> filter out what is and is not,
>> right? It was um Springfield, I think, hired a preservation consultant to make sure the work was being done. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. they hired a so each project that they do now Springfield's has seven
local historic districts so their money goes to the houses in in those areas and so the preservation consultant you know then signed off yep this is all all done correctly um so I think it it's I I personally like
the idea of trying to do something to help >> Mhm. >> people with, you know, historic homes and the idea like we can't fund big projects, but like an emergency kind of thing, you know. >> Yeah. It's like, yeah, you know, you have like, you know, >> windows are failing and it's causing, you know, it's going to cause a
catastrophic failure and Yeah. >> All right. I don't want to rush your path, but I don't want to if new business just to >> we can cover the conversation. >> Absolutely. >> Um, all right. So, new business review, discuss an application for funding for
the town clerk's vital records project. Um, I didn't I I didn't see it digitally. I know Shara had sent it to I think myself and you, but you have a printed version. So, after our conversation during the application of eligibility, she was able
to get the cost down to 53,320. So, it was about a $5,000 savings. Um, and she did say some of like cuz we had that conversation about digitizing and things like that. That's just part of the process. The company itemized it so
it looked like it was a separate thing, but it was just like their version of showing you what you get for the money. It wasn't necessarily like you can't like take that portion out of it. However, she did revisit with the contractor that does it and they um
indicated that, you know, the a certain set of books need to be done. A certain set of books are in good shape. You don't have to worry about those and this is what you get essentially for the money. So, um I did have a conversation with her earlier today, too. So, she
also did talk with the contractor um about any known grant opportunities plus doing her own research. It seems that most of the grant funding for those types of things open up in June. Um so obviously that there won't be
anything really done other than a possible application prior to town meeting happening. Um but I did tell her like it's always good for anybody that's doing a CPC project. I would still pursue like don't take for granted that you have the
funding if we so choose to do it. like please pursue that grant funding because it takes quite a while. We saw it when Mark did the first set of books. It takes quite a while to get these things back. So if you can secure funding >> and reduce the actual cost of the CPC in
the meantime, I always think it's just a good it's good practice. So and she was very amendable to that and said that you know if we move forward she would definitely keep in touch with us and let us know you know if grant funding is available and if it you know she does secure any. So,
um, >> and I sent you a letter. The commission voted, uh, to support the project. >> Yep. >> I have a hard copy. You want a hard copy? So, it just says Don Historical Commission met with the town clerk, Shara Costa, to discuss the ongoing preservation of Dayton's historic val
records. She outlined her plan for six volumes of historic records through professional conservation treatment, including digitization to ensure long-term accessibility. Um the commission voted unanimously to support this important pres preservation
initiative. >> The only question I have for this is if these are going to be digitalized. I would want to know what they're using and what methods they're using for accessibility. So the problem with as I understand with
starting to digitize is and because we talked about this with marks too >> to put it on you know um online is the capacity that you have for memory for storage. >> Well the capacity we have as a town
>> Yeah. >> is 100 pages. >> Yeah. >> And that's what we purchased. So we would have to probably either wait for the new contract that we have with our internet prov with our you know provider or we would have to purchase supplement
paid supple paid pages and we would have to know potentially to actually have this stuff available how many pages it could take because that could become >> it could become prohibitively expensive to even do that >> because we also from the historical commission side we looked at putting the surveys up for the same reason and it's
just >> yeah I think as far as access from the town website might be difficult However, it could be kept on like a separate hard drive. >> I don't know how that I'll just say this from an accessibility standpoint. I think we can all assume that there's going to be a large portion of it that's
just not recognizable by screen readers and things of that nature. And I think that's just the unfortunate reality of something like this. some more modern recordings should be able to be, you know, captured on by PDF or
whatever document they do. But I think >> the old ones are going to be that were written with a quilt pen are going to be a little tough. >> It should be, but I think it's at least worth having a conversation with the company to see what they do and what methods they'd be using because they may not be using the latest and greatest
either. They should be, but they may not be. So, I'm willing to have that conversation with Sherah. >> And >> do you feel like that's something that is going to hold you back? >> I do. >> Okay. >> I do. I'm not opposed to it, but I want to I feel like I just need to, you know,
cross the tea, do the eyes, and find that information out. >> Yes. And I remember discussing it with her when we were here before a little bit and I know she was busy with the elections and everything like that. We had to touch base again. >> So, I'd like to touch base with her first.
So that's my >> Have you had a chance to review any because we already we have a version of this with the books one through eight. >> Have you had a chance to review what was previously done because I believe it's the same contract. >> It is. >> So I think to kind of >> it is but
>> expedite the process. >> It it it is but the technology has changed so much. >> Okay. >> Just in the past three and four years. >> Okay. You mean because you can't read the screen, Jonathan, you want it to read it for you? >> That's Well, that's what it's supposed to do as to as much to the extent as
possible. There's what's called co-ag regulations and there are regulations. And my concern is that the federal government now, and this is a key factor, the federal government is requiring as of the 26th of this month, communities with over 50,000 residents
for anything that they digital that they digitalize in the future or have in the future or have available in the future has to meet these new standards. For towns that are under 50,000, we have until April 26th next year. >> Okay? And if we don't do it properly or
make every attempt to do it properly, we could be in a lot of trouble. I mean, that's what I that's part of what I deal with personally in my private work. >> And it's a hu a lot of companies are not geared up to do this >> because for these private companies to do it, it's very expensive for them to
have the code and the software that they need to do to do it. >> So my question to you, Jonathan, is there funding to help towns, cities, and towns do this? because it's like you have a government regulation and no funding. >> Massachusetts has more funding than most states. >> Actually, um,
and the funding for Massachusetts going to is going to increase. Actually, I was just asked actually to sit on the Governor's Council of Digital Technology. And I'm saying that only because I expect Massachusetts will go from what was about $3 million two years ago to probably about 25 to$28 million
in two years. So there'll be a lot more money for cities and towns, but cities and towns are already struggling with having to make their current web systems accessible. Cities, towns, schools, universities, all of that. Most towns don't have the money to do this. This is very very expensive.
>> Okay. I'm going to I just want to keep this I'm not going to No, I'm not going to stop you >> from what you're saying. I'm gonna kind of >> I'm just >> I'm well I want to address it. >> Yeah. >> Because to me this project the most important parts are cons conservation
treatment >> reproduction. So you actually have a physical copy you can touch and then the protect protective box imaging is just part of it because obviously you need to take images to reproduce it. We don't even know if the town is going to publish it. We don't have the current
capability to publish it digitally. So, >> you know what I mean? >> Yeah, I do. And I'm not I'm not opposed to >> and I don't know if it's is it required to publish it digitally. >> And that's what I need to find out, >> right? Because I think that's like this one little piece of the pie.
>> I'm not opposed to voting in the affirmative. Okay. >> With the condition that we at least look into this I can look into this in one week. >> Sure. >> To get an answer whether or not we have to have it digitally accessible. >> All right. We got 9 minutes. So, we're going to not rush everything. I don't I don't Well, I I will entertain a motion
to approve the application for funding for the town clerk's vital records. >> So moved. Second. >> Is there a second? All right. Motion made and seconded. Um is there any other discussion? >> Just the one thing I added.
>> Okay. So, we're just going to add a note that Jonathan will is going to speak with the town clerk about the digital aspect of it. >> Correct. That's it. >> Okay. Do you guys have anything you want to add to us? >> No, I'm I'm I'm going with Jonathan that you know you you want to get the stuff
digitized to the highest possible quality to take advantage >> agree >> of what's coming down the pike for tools which is you know as you said improving >> just improving rapidly. It'll only take me a week to find out and speak to the people I need to speak to. And >> if there's going to be a big bump in the
road, I'll come back to everybody and let everybody know through Kevin. >> But I otherwise, yes. >> I mean, so just as part of the conversation too, just we also have the ability if like there is something that transpires between now and annual town meeting, even ourselves as this
committee can choose to not stand up and make the motion. So if there is an aspect of this that you know changes our attitude towards it >> like that we don't want to bring it before town meeting floor we we do have that capability so just keep that in
mind with anything you know >> all right any other discussion hearing none all those in favor >> I I >> All right so next thing up is our annual town meeting warrant articles I sent you guys the draft on that um the first one
is our pretty much our boilerplate um appropriation of funds. Um it's the same exact one we did last year. So it's um to see if the town will vote to appropriate or reserve from the community preservation act annual revenues in the amounts recommended by the community preservation committee and
in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 44B section 6 for the committee's administrative expenses, community preservation projects, and other expenses in the fiscal year of 2027. with each item to be considered as a
separate appropriation. appropriation from FY27 estimated revenues for CPC administrative expenses 7,950 reserves from the FY 2027 estimated revenues for historic
resources 15,900 from FY2 2027 estimated revenues for community housing 15,900 from FY 2027 7 estimated revenues for open space
15,900 from FY2027 revenues for budget reserves 1 104,250. Um so that's based off of prior year's revenues with the 10 105 formula and the remaining balance going
into undesated unreserved. >> Okay. So >> anybody I I and I changed it live as we were going to because I know I had a couple I I didn't change the individual fies. I think I just changed the the way I named it so it reflects the
appropriate dates and >> everything. So I will entertain a mo uh a motion to approve the housekeeping warrant article as read >> to approve. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. Any discussion?
Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I. >> And then our next one did I I I did put in with the town actually three um placeholders, but we're only going to use two. Um
I thought that there was two separate appropriations, one for administrative and one for the rest, but it's all lumped into one. So, the next is, and we'll have to fill in the blanks here, to see if the town will vote to appropriate blank amount of dollars from the CPA historic resource fund and blank
dollars from the CPA unrestricted unreserve fund to be expended by the community preservation committee for the conservation, reproduction, and digitization of the town of Dyon vital records books numbers 8 through 16. uh project completion and expenditure of
funds shall be in accordance with step seven of the town of Dyen community preservation committee's application and guidelines. So the conversation I think that we need to have is how we want to dis disperse funds and I guess so Dave
this is what is our historic resource balance >> we have here is the last most recent information and this is um including the uh the register of historic places warrant article. Okay. >> For 8,500, we have a 34176
and 87 cents available for historic. >> So, um not enough to fund it all out of historic, but um we have a very um we have a pretty substantial amount in the uh unrestricted. >> And what's that balance?
>> 37,188 plus whatever is returned from the uh library project. >> Right. So, we we have I I don't even want to use the word anticipated. we have a known return of 22 or 232,000
from the um from the grant. So I think it just gives us a little bit more lenience in tapping into the undesated unreserved. I'm always going to be of the attitude we should pull a little bit from the bucket that it comes from and then fill
in the rest. Um, if I had to just give my suggestion, I would say, cuz we know that we're going to add in 1592 as well, I would probably say I would split it like 10,000 from historic. >> That's what I was thinking.
>> That's what I was going to do. >> And the rest from unrestricted. >> And the rest from under Yeah. You want to go lower? >> I want to go lower. I would five. I mean, I'll I'll kind of defer to Pat, too, because >> So that this will just roll over because
I'm thinking like next year if we're to do more survey work, >> right? >> Yeah. Cuz I put >> compromise 75. >> I'm all right. >> Why? Because you want to eat away at the
unrestricted more. >> No, not necessarily. I just think it's good to to distribute it between the two and not just pull like all from one place. >> I I'm perfectly okay and would be amendable to like doing that being more conservative on the restricted fund. Do it at 5,000
>> and then >> then it would be what? 48,320. >> Yeah. >> We said tech school kids can't do that. >> All right. So, let me just plug that in and then I'll reep it out. >> Okay. So, it'll be to see if the town
will vote to appropriate $5,000 from the CPA historic resource fund and $48,320 from the CPA unrestricted unreserve fund to be expended by the community preservation committee for the conservation, reproduction, and digitization of the town of Dyon vital
records books numbers 8- 16. Project completion and expenditure of fund shall be in accordance with step seven of the town of Dyon Community Preservation Committee's application and guidelines. I will entertain a motion to approve the war article language as read. >> Motion to approve as read.
>> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. >> All right. So, I'll save that and I'll send that along to Karen so that we're uh good. We can get that printed
>> and then is there any other public input? >> Motion to adjurnn. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? I We are adjourned at >> 6:00.