WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Committee voted Thursday night to approve two funding requests totaling $193,900 for preservation of open space and to rehabilitate an historic Court Street building
The two funding requests, submitted by the Hayden family for a conservation on restriction on property in Wyben and for the repair of the slate roof of the Taylor Mansion which is part of the YMCA complex, will have to be appropriated from Community Preservation Act funding by the City Council.
The Hayden petition, presented by Rosemary Arnold, president of the Winding River Land Conservancy, is seeking $100,000 to put an conservation restriction on 100 acres of open space which, if approved by the Conservation Commission and the state, would prohibit development on that land.
Arnold said that Winding River had assessments done to determine the value of the land and to appraise the property for conservation. Arnold said the city has to option to purchase the property for $155,000 or to leave the property in the family’s ownership and purchase a conservation restriction for $100,000.
Arnold said the family would include construction of a small parking area on Montgomery Road and to allow the property to be used by the general public for passive recreation such as hiking and bird watching, in the conservation restriction.
“They are willing to open the property to the public,” Arnold said. “The family’s desire is to keep it as open space, they just want to keep it open and protected.”
The family would receive $95,000 of the total, while Winding River would receive a $5,000 reimbursement for funding the appraisals and administrative costs related to applying for the conservation restriction.
The Conservation Commission would hold and enforce the conservation restriction for the land.
Several Members of the CPC asked if the Hayden property abuts other land under conservation restrictions. Arnold said that several other adjoining parcels of property are also in a protected status.
The commission also approved a request for $93,900 to repair the slate roof of the Taylor Mansion which is in a state of repair, YMCA CEO Andrea Allard said.
“The Taylor home is still very much in its original condition, we recently used a grant to restore the hard wood floors and the building current use is for a preschool program and the formal dining room is used as the Board of Directors’ meeting room,” Allard said.
“We have a $30,000 grant from the Alden Trust for this project, but need additional funding,” Allard said.
The YMCA requested proposals from companies to assess the damage and provide cost estimated to repair the slate roof. Two firms responded, one with a comprehensive assessment and estimate, while the other provided an open ended appraisal.
The committee members preferred the comprehensive proposal submitted by Mahan Slate Roofing Company of Springfield so that the cost would no escalate as the work was performed.
Commissioner Cindy Gaylord, who represents the Historical Commission on the CPC said the Taylor building “is one of the most utilized historical buildings in Westfield. The roof is something that needs to be addressed. The YMCA is restoring the building to its original condition, yet it is still functional.”
The CPC voted 5-0 to send both requests to the City Council for an appropriation vote.
