Planning

Fy24 Application Cycle has begun!

The FY24 Application Cycle began on Thursday, September 7, 2023 with the Application Technical Workshop at the New Bedford Free Public Library Main Branch, 3rd floor meeting room. The workshop reviewed the FY24 CPA Plan goals and the application process. All organizations, city departments, and individuals interested in applying for funding were strongly encouraged to attend this workshop.

The Application Process

All applicants are encouraged to review the FY24 CPA Plan prior to beginning the application process.

Step I – The Eligibility Form (a fillable pdf) is available here (download and save to your device before completing). The Eligibility Determination Form is due on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 by noon.  Forms are submitted via email to CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov – late submissions are not accepted and will not be reviewed.

Determination of eligibility does not guarantee CPA funding will be recommended for a project, it only determines if a project is an eligible use of CPA funds.

All submissions will be notified of their eligibility on Friday, October 6, 2023.  Eligible projects will be invited to submit the Step II – Project Application. If a project did not submit a Step I – Eligibility Determination Form, a Step II – Project Application cannot be submitted and, if submitted, will not be reviewed.

Step II – Project Applications will be due by Friday, November 17, 2023 by noon.   FY24 applications will be available on-line for public review by early December.

Public Presentations – All applicants will be invited to present their project before the CPC at a series of Zoom meetings in January 2024.  The public is invited to attend and provide comment. All public comments will be due by Friday, January 26, 2024.

CPC Recommendations to City Council – The CPC will review all applications and vote at their February 15, 2024 meeting on which projects to recommend to the City Council for their review and vote.  City Council can approve a recommendation as submitted; reduce the amount of a recommended award amount; or reject a recommendation. The City Council cannot add funds to a recommended amount nor add a project not recommended for funding by the CPC. Should the Council vote to not recommend a project or reduce the recommended award, the CPC has the opportunity to respond prior to the Council’s final vote on the project.   The FY24 CPA Recommendations to City Council will be available here in early March 2024 for public review.

FY24 PLAN REVIEW HEARING was held JUNE 27, 2023

To ensure the Community Preservation Plan includes the most accurate representation of the city’s priorities, the CPC invited the public to attend the annual review hearing on June 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street, 3^rd floor meeting room.

This meeting allowed the public to review the draft FY24 CPA plan and provide input.  The plan helps guide the CPC in determining how funds should be allocated during the next application period.  Public comments were accepted until July 14, 2023.  

On July 25, 2023, the CPC voted to approve the FY24 CPA Plan.

HAVE A CPA PROJECT IDEA?

Organizations, city departments, and individuals interested in applying for funding in the FY24 cycle are encouraged to review the FY24 APPLICATION TECHNICAL WORKSHOP POWERPOINT PRESENTATION and the FY24 CPA PLAN & FY23 ANNUAL REPORT. Each document will provide information about the process. If you have any questions regarding CPA, your project’s eligibility, or wish to be included on our email list, please email Jessica Bailey, CPA Manager, at CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov

What is CPA?

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a Massachusetts state law (MGL Ch. 44B) designed to help Massachusetts towns and cities plan for sustainable growth and provide funds to achieve their community preservation goals. CPA allows participating cities and towns to adopt a real estate tax surcharge of up to 3% to raise funds, creating a local, dedicated fund. CPA helps communities preserve open space and historic resources; create community housing; and develop outdoor recreational facilities. New Bedford voters approved CPA in November 2014 and adopted a 1.5% surcharge.  These funds are matched annually by the state’s Community Preservation Trust Fund.

CPA funds can be matched by other sources, leveraging funding for projects benefiting the city. To date, over $7.2 million in additional funding has been received by projects funded by New Bedford CPA.

Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) oversees the implementation of the CPA in New Bedford. It is responsible for assessing the community preservation needs of the city; developing and maintaining the community preservation plan which establishes the city’s preservation priorities; preparing an annual budget for City Council; and making project recommendations to City Council after an extensive application process.

Janine da Silva, Chair

Historical Commission

 vacant

General Public

Christopher Amaral

General Public

CPA plan

The CPA Plan is a study of the needs, possibilities, and resources of New Bedford regarding community preservation and establishes the CPC’s annual priorities for funding projects.  The plan includes the application instructions and documents for applying for funding.  In addition, it contains the previous fiscal year’s Annual Report.

FY24 CPA PLAN & FY23 ANNUAL REPORT

FY23 CPA PLAN & FY22 ANNUAL REPORT

FY22 CPA PLAN & FY21 ANNUAL REPORT

FY21 CPA PLAN & FY20 ANNUAL REPORT

FY20 CPA PLAN & FY19 ANNUAL REPORT

FY19 CPA PLAN & FY 18 ANNUAL REPORT

For CPA information or questions, email CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov