Community Preservation Committee

FY21 APPLICATION TECHNICAL WORKSHOP – SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 6:00 PM

The CPC invites the public to attend an application workshop to learn about the CPA eligibility requirements and the application process. The workshop will take place via Zoom. Please see the flyers for meeting information. Questions? Email CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov.

FY21 CPA PLAN AND FY19 ANNUAL REPORT DRAFT

JUNE 23, 2020 VIRTUAL MEETING INVITATION

FY21 CPA Plan and FY20 Annual Report DRAFT
FY21 CPA Categories Goals and Priorities
FY21 CPA Plan Review PowerPoint Presentation
FY21 Plan Review meeting Flyer English Portuguese Spanish

FY2020 CPC FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL

The Community Preservation Committee voted to recommend to City Council 11 projects, totaling $1,145,011 in FY2020 CPA funding. These projects are in three of the CPA categories: historic resources, community housing, and recreation; all projects will benefit the City and its residents.

The CPC received twenty-one applications during the FY2020 CPA application cycle, seeking a total of just over $3.3 million. In deciding how to allocate the $1,145,011 in FY2020 CPA funds available, the CPC evaluated the twenty-one projects against the priorities in the FY2020 Community Preservation Plan and took into consideration other relevant factors such as the amount of funding available, the ability to fully or partially fund projects, and the distribution among the CPA categories. Details regarding the FY2020 cycle and the recommended projects can be found in the FY2020 CPC Funding Recommendation to City Council. The City Council approved all 11 FY2020 recommendations on July 16, 2020.

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 and create a local dedicated fund for preserving open space and historic resources and expanding community housing and outdoor recreational activities. New Bedford votes approved CPA in November 2014 and adopted a 1.5% surcharge.

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