Community Preservation Committee

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Wednesday, January 7, 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 ID: 838 9961 0971
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Meeting of Community Preservation

Members: (Quorum)

• 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
• Remote: Apple Ahearn, Affordable Housing, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

• Tom Hankinson
• Pat Duffy
• Silas Ball
• Ben Eddy
• Dave Evans - remote
• Julie Evans-Marlowe - remote
• Maureen Ippolito - remote
• Don Robinson - remote
• Terry Allen - remote

See original Agenda Draft Minutes * * *

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 9:03 PM

0. Meeting Preliminaries

   • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

   • No minutes to approve.

1. Friends of North Leverett Sawmill Proposal

   • - Discussion

     General Discussion...
     An issue was briefly raised concerning zoning regulations as they relate to parking at the Sawmill. The draft plan submitted to the CPC indicates parking for four cars and one handicapped accessible parking area. It appears that these parking spaces are the same as those set aside on the Sawmill grounds in prior CPA funding for the trail access (Heritage Park). The concern is that the parking for the Sawmill under this proposal cannot be the same as the parking for the Heritage Park. An example of the conflict was the Sawmill art event last fall, which negated community access for trails parking. Concern to be communicated to FONLS and discussed at the next meeting.
     
     A concern was also raised about whether the proposed septic system would block the view from North Leverett Road which is protected under the present Historical Preservation Restriction.

2. Pickleball for All Proposal

   • - Discussion

     General Discussion...
     Not discussed. Awaiting responses to questions raised in the December meeting.

3. LES Accessible Playground Proposal

   • - Discussion

     General Discussion...
     Not discussed.

4. Drivable Trail to King Meadow

   • - Discussion

     General Discussion...
     Tom Hankinson reported on the progress of the proposal since December:
     Select Board formally decided to sponsor the proposal and Tom submitted it by December 17, as required by CPC. Included in the plan, Matt Boucher has laid out a proposed location for the trail and Ralph Tiner agreed to complete the wetlands delineation. ConCom agent Bella Yeager has agreed to assist in preparation of MESA (endangered species) and NOI forms. All members of the ConCom have visited the site. Preliminary mapping has been completed.
     
     A discussion ensued about the need/desire for a professional engineer for the project. The SB plan is to have Matt Boucher act as project manager and to have the town complete the work. Richard suggested that the project should be expanded to hire a professional engineer to design and manage the project. Timing is an issue, as CPC funds cannot be used for work already completed, thus the planning phase would have to come later, if CPC sends to town meeting and it is approved. Tom expressed concern with the added time this would require, as the town wants to move quickly on this with the hope of resolving the Evans-Marlowe lawsuit.
     
     CPC agreed to permit a further extension to allow for a long application to be completed that could include the funding for a professional engineer. Tom will bring the issue back to the Select Board for further discussion. Tom agreed to allow the preliminary maps to be submitted by Richard to Tighe & Bond for an estimate.
     
     The issue of whether CPA funding could be used for construction was answered by Danielle who had researched the issue and found that it was permissible for CPA funds to be used to access conservation land.
     
     The size of the trail was discussed, with arguments for it being smaller and for it to be large enough for two vehicles to pass and for fire and ambulance access. A suggestion was made to consider consulting with former road bosses.
     
     Updates expected in February.

     MOTION, moved by Richard Nathhorst, seconded by Kate Rice: Moved that the CPC allow an addition of or substitution of a long form application.

     Pass: Aye: Apple Ahearn, Danielle Barshak, Steve Ball, Eva Gibavic, Kate Rice, Richard Nathhorst.

5. Other Business

   • - Discussion

     General Discussion...
     Unanimously approved 12/17/25 minutes, moved by Richard, seconded by Eva.
     
     Discussed new format of CPC page on the town website which will facilitate minutes reporting.
     

6. Meeting Wrap-up

   • Next Meetings:
     1. Wed, Feb 4, at 7:00 PM "Community Preservation Committee" -- Leverett Town Hall Second Floor and Zoom Virtual Meeting
     2. 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