Applications for the pilot round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant funding must be submitted to City Hall by Wednesday, Feb. 13, as the deadline approaches quickly.
The Community Preservation Committee conducted its first in a series of public informational sessions and application workshops on Thursday, Jan. 31, focusing on the draft Community Preservation Plan and the pilot funding round. A public hearing on the plan itself will take place Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Chelsea Senior Center at 7 p.m.
During this pilot round, project applications are capped at $50,000.
“We are doing this pilot program so we can
get a better understanding of how the process will work and not having the
committee approve huge amounts of money until we streamline the process,” explained Karl Allen from the city’s Planning and Development Office.
In November 2016, Chelsea voters approved adoption of the CPA, which will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for affordable housing creation and acquisition, historic preservation, open space and recreation. The CPA trust fund currently stands at just over $2.2 million.
“Part of our mission is to build our
capacity in the community and to build the funds,” Allen noted. “We have a low
bar of entry for anyone who wants to apply.”
The workshop held the previous week was designed to assist individuals and groups interested in applying for CPA funds or learning which projects qualify for funding.
“We want to use the taxpayer’s money in a
thoughtful way,” explained Anna Callahan, community planner at JM Goldson, the City’s consultant for the Community Preservation Plan.
Beyond the $50,000 limit for pilot grants, Callahan noted that the CPC seeks projects capable of beginning construction by summer or fall of this year.
Prospective applicants must first complete a one-page project eligibility form by Feb. 13. These forms will determine whether proposed projects meet CPA requirements.
A more detailed application must then be submitted to Allen by Wednesday, April 3.
According to Callahan, the CPA prioritizes projects where applicants have control of the property or land involved.
Those with project ideas should collaborate with Allen and the CPC, Allen suggested.
“Ideally, if you have an idea, you can write
it up quickly on the eligibility form and you can bring it to a workshop,” Allen stated.
The final informational CPA session before eligibility forms are due is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Chelsea Senior Center at 1 p.m.
Additional application workshops for the full process are planned at the Chelsea Public Library on Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m.
Community housing, historic preservation, and open space and recreation needs can all receive CPA funding.
According to CPC Chairman Jose Iraheta, the CPC broadly recommends allocating 40 percent of funds to community housing, 15 percent to historic preservation, 25 percent to open space and recreation, and 15 percent as undesignated funds available for any project type.
Administrative expenses account for the remaining 5 percent.
The City itself is eligible to apply for CPA funding, along with groups and individuals.
After developing a Community Development Plan, the CPC must present all proposals to City Council for approval. City Council has authority to approve, deny, or reduce funding amounts for proposed projects.
Callahan indicated the CPC favors projects demonstrating site control, community support, implementation capability, and public accessibility focus.
“The CPA really reflects the community’s
needs,” she explained.
City Councillor-At-Large Roy Avellaneda championed placing the CPA on the 2016 city ballot and has been monitoring the CPC’s work closely. “I’m thrilled that we are where we are right
now,” he remarked.