Fy25 Application Cycle has begun!

The FY25 Application Cycle began on Thursday, September 5, 2024, with the Application Technical Workshop at the New Bedford Free Public Library Main Branch, 3rd floor meeting room. The workshop reviewed the FY25 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

The CPA application is a two-step process.  Please review the Application Instructions and the FY25 CPA Plan prior to beginning the process.

The Step I – Eligibility Determination Form is due on Friday, September 27, 2024 by noon; submit via email to CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov – late submissions will not accepted and will not be reviewed.  (Open the form and save on your device before completing.)

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 by Friday, October 4, 2024.  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 Friday, November 15, 2024 by noon. Only projects determined to be eligible under CPA will be provided with an application.

Public Presentations – All applicants will be invited to present their project before the CPC at a series of Zoom meetings in January 2025.  The public will be invited to attend and provide comment. All public comments will be due by Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

CPC Recommendations to City Council – The CPC will review all applications and vote at their February 11, 2025 meeting on which projects to recommend to the City Council.  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 FY25 CPA Recommendations to City Council will be available for public review in March 2025. The City Council will vote on the recommendations in Spring 2025.

Considering a historic resource project?

In order to be considered for CPA funding, the building, structure, vessel, document, artifact, or real property must either be listed on the State Register of Historic Places or be significant in the history, archaeology, architecture, or culture of New Bedford as determined by the New Bedford Historical Commission.  The determination must be made by the New Bedford Historic Commission and submitted with the Step II Project Application.   If you have never applied for CPA funding and are considering a historic resource project, please email Anne Louro, Assistant Planning Director and Preservation Planner, at Anne.Louro@NewBedford-MA.gov, to determine what steps you may need to take.

FY25 PLAN REVIEW HEARING – JUNE 11, 2024

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 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street, 3rd floor meeting room.

This meeting allowed the public to review the draft FY25 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 welcomed and accepted until July 5, 2024. 

Not able to attend the June 11, 2024 meeting?  View on New Bedford Government Access Virtual Meeting Recording

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.

Members Representation     
Janine da Silva, Chair
 
Historical Commission
Melissa Chester-Letendre, Clerk General Public 
 vacant
 
General Public
 
Christopher Amaral
 
General Public
Peter Blanchard Conservation Commission
Diane Berube Parks Board
Arthur Glassman Planning Board
Leona Fisher Housing Authority
Jody Gonsalves Seivert, Vice-Chair 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.

FY25 CPA PLAN & FY24 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