A Community Preservation Act (CPA) workshop held recently in Chelsea drew residents eager to voice their priorities for neighborhood investments. The newly-formed Community Preservation Committee (CPC) emphasized their commitment to helping residents realize these community goals.
On Sept. 27, the event took place in the main room of Chelsea’s senior center, where attendees heard committee members discuss the expanding tax revenue potential under the CPA, which Chelsea voters approved in Nov. 2016. As of now, no projects have yet been selected for CPA funding.
Jennifer Goldson, founder and Managing Director for JM Goldson, outlined the workshop’s central objective. She presented the most cost-effective options available to the community while simultaneously gathering input to ensure the process reflected residents’ actual priorities.
“We have to prioritize how we use that money and be smart about it,” Goldson said.
According to Goldson, approximately $1.46 million in CPA funds from taxpayers has accumulated during 2017-18 and remains available for future projects.
Approved with 66.5 percent of the vote, the CPA grants Chelsea control over tax revenue from residential and commercial properties at a 1.5 percent rate, supplemented by matching state funds. The law mandates that 10 percent of revenue support each of three categories: historic preservation, community housing, and open space and outdoor recreation. This leaves 70 percent discretionary after the mandatory 30 percent allocation.
The CPC presented the community with options for distributing these remaining funds. Attendees were asked to allocate seven points across the three categories, with community housing receiving the most votes.
“As time goes on the priorities of our communities change,” Jose Iraheta, chair of the CPC stated as he greeted the crowd in both English and Spanish, adding “We really need your help to pick between the three brackets.”
Goldson conducted several polls to determine which investments residents considered most critical within each category. She also invited attendees to write suggestions on table covers for later review and evaluation of feasibility.
A matrix of potential projects was displayed, featuring options such as new housing, home ownership programs targeting low-income families, historic building stewardship, community gardens, waterfront access, park improvements, and natural resource preservation.
Bea Cravatta, director of Chelsea’s Recreation and Cultural Affairs division, gathered demographic information from attendees using a 10-question survey.
“Great turnout today, a good mix of ages, profound interest, and collaboration has been the most exciting thing for me to see,” Cravatta said.
In the final half hour, residents representing their tables were invited to speak at the microphone.
Former City Councillor Matthew Frank was among those who voiced concerns.
“Instead of creating new open space, we need to clean up what we already have,” Frank stated in reference to existing open space problems the City already has on the Harbor Walk and other locations.
Before proceeding, the CPC must present all proposals to City Council for approval as part of a Community Development Plan. The City Council maintains authority to approve, deny, or reduce funding for any proposed projects.
The CPC will reconvene in November on a date to be determined, with viable investment recommendations scheduled for presentation in December.