Phillipston Community Preservation Committee makes final recommendations

PHILLIPSTON – The Community Preservation Committee met Monday to make its final recommendations on how use close to $1 million in Community Preservation Act funds.

The committee received a total of nine requests. The committee does not approve or commit to spending any of the funds under its purview – it reviews the applications and sends them to the Selectboard, which decides whether they should be on the Town Meeting warrant.

At the Feb. 10 meeting, members voted to recommend using just under $42,700 for a new handicap-accessible ramp at the Phillipston Historical Society’s museum. Kay Deans, assistant clerk of the society, said the plan is to replace the existing ramp with an aluminum one. The existing ramp, made of pressure treated wood, is decaying. It replaced a similar ramp about 10 years ago. She said an aluminum ramp would last about 40 years and require minimal maintenance.

CPC member Tom Specht said the cost of the project could be significantly reduced were it to be done by students from Montachusett Regional Technical Vocational School, of which Phillipston is a member. Deans said she had looked into the matter and felt the project would take too long, due to the limited hours students are available to work.

CPC member Tim Haley said the committee isn’t responsible for finding less expensive ways for applicants to undertake projects, but whether they are worthwhile and meet CPA requirements.

The committee voted 3-1-1 to recommend funding the ramp, with Specht voting no, John Telepciak abstaining, and remaining members Haley, Linda Langevin and Peter Travisano voting yes. Telepciak said he abstained because of questions on whether the new ramp would comply with the restrictions placed on work done to historic buildings.

The CPC also voted to support the request of Police Chief Bill Chapman for $75,000 to rebuild the garage at the northernmost section of the Phillipston Town Annex, which is used for police cruisers. The current structure, he said, is “falling in and the roof is collapsing.”

Falling debris, said Chapman, has resulted in damage to some police vehicles. The chief also noted that the grounds crew of the Highway Department, which also uses the garage for equipment storage, “has to work around the cruisers and this is a risk to the grounds crew as well as the police vehicles.”

The committee also approved $112,000 to purchase 54 acres of property behind the parcels occupied by the police station and the former Phillipston Memorial Elementary School. The town wants to preserve the property for conservation and recreation purposes.

Back in January, the CPC recommended using $105,000 for the restoration of the steeple of the Congregational Church. The total cost of the project is estimated at $140,000, with the church providing the $35,000 balance, raised through a combination of weekly church offerings, sale of the church parsonage, and private donations, according to the application.

At that same meeting, the committee endorsed using nearly $4,300 for the purchase and application of ultraviolet mitigation film for the windows of the historical society museum. The film will help to protect documents and other artifacts stored in the building. The committee also endorsed spending $9,900 to purchase preservation supplies for the museum.

The board is also recommending $200,000 to replace a portion of the stone foundation of the Phillipston Free Public Library. A portion of the floor that is sinking due to the condition of the foundation. Repair of the roof, rotting sills, and repair or replacement of the handicap accessible ramp are also included in the scope of the project.