CCPC issues spending recommendations for FY22

A new playground at the Luce School, renovations to the exterior of Town Hall, and a proposed new affordable housing trust will all be in line for some level of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding in the coming fiscal year after receiving the go-ahead from the town’s Community Preservation Committee earlier this month.

Canton’s historic Town Hall building is in need of major exterior repairs. (Moira Sweetland photo)

Six other proposals were also recommended for funding at the January 4 meeting as the nine-member CCPC voted to approve more than $860,000 in new spending to address a range of community needs across the CPA priority areas of open space/recreation, community housing, and historic preservation. Project applicants in this latest funding round included the Canton Housing Authority, Canton Historical Society, Canton Public Schools, and Walk, Bike & Hike Committee, along with several other town departments and committees.

While the CCPC is tasked with reviewing all project proposals and making spending recommendations, the final decision still rests with the voters at annual town meeting, who can opt to approve, reject, or reduce — but not increase — the suggested expenditures by a majority vote.

Among this year’s proposals, all but one of them — the housing trust — were recommended for full funding as the CCPC expressed a willingness, if necessary, to tap into some of its funds left over from prior years, citing its conservative revenue projections and record-high matching grant from the statewide CPA trust fund in FY21. Also factored into the equation is an annual bond payment of roughly $250,000 for land acquisition and associated upgrades at the Paul Revere Heritage Site.

In the case of the housing trust proposal, CCPC members generally supported the concept but many were uncomfortable with the requested amount of $100,000 given the lack of clarity around the trust’s goals and priorities. Part of the problem, they noted, is that the trust itself has yet to be established — it will appear as a warrant item at the May town meeting and is subject to voter approval.

The general idea behind an affordable housing trust, which has become an increasingly popular tool for local municipal governments, is to establish a designated fund to create and preserve affordable housing opportunities, and, by extension, ensure that the town maintains control over local zoning laws by keeping its affordable inventory above the state-mandated 10 percent threshold. The proposal has the backing of the Planning Board, Select Board and Canton Housing Authority, and project proponents, including Town Planner Laura Smead, envision annual CPA disbursements as a primary funding source for the trust.

But while some CCPC members, including the Housing Authority’s John McSweeney, felt the initial ask of $100,000 was appropriate for seed funding, several others felt it was premature, with George Comeau calling it “unripe” and likely a year too early and new member John Leonetti voicing concern over the lack of a business plan.

Added CCPC Chairman Stacey Gorman, “I would rather see an understanding of what the priorities and goals are and how they’re going to get there rather than having the money be allocated and spent before anything is even developed.”

Ultimately, at the suggestion of CCPC member and Select Board designee Lisa Lopez, the committee settled on a reduced figure of $50,000, contingent on the trust’s approval at town meeting and with the understanding that the funds would be used to hire a “dedicated subject matter expert” to help formulate a new housing action plan for the town.

Also generating some dissent during deliberations but eventually garnering unanimous support was a $270,000 request to rebuild one of the playgrounds at the Luce Elementary School. While some members balked at the price tag and others questioned the urgency of the project, the committee generally agreed that it was a worthwhile endeavor that would improve accessibility and have a significant …

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Posted by Jay Turner on Jan 29 2021. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.