Yes on Q3: Smart Choice for Malden

Dear Malden leaders and residents!

On November 3, 2015, I will vote yes on Ballot Question #3 to adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA), a growth tool that will engage our community and open up an annual stream of funds to enhance or protect historical treasures and green space as well as provide equitable access to housing and opportunities to recreate. Adopting the CPA is more than a good investment. It is an impetus and a structure that Malden needs to be smart in the way it develops. If we care about the quality of life in Malden, we need the CPA.

As we all know, time and money constraints often keep cities from investing thought and money outside normal operational maintenance-oriented activities. Creative consideration for things like open space, city character, residential wellbeing, and clever and equitable housing distribution are hard to budget in. Since 2000, many cities and towns in Massachusetts have opted into a program to benefit from paying attention to quality of life initiatives with funds and a process that engages community stakeholders.

Opting into the CPA occurs with a majority vote of a ballot question. Following adoption, a Community Preservation Committee is established, a project applications and vetting process is identified, and projects are funded by an annual surcharge on property tax for homeowners (average $26) and businesses (average $222), which is matched by the state (lately a 30% match). The vetted projects are in four specific areas: 1) open space, like the Malden River and its banks; 2) parks, like Roosevelt Park in need of overhall to prevent flooding, 3) protection of historic treasures, like the oldest congregation in Malden, First Church Congregational, formed in 1649; 3) outdoor recreation projects like enhancements to the bike path; and 4) affordable housing projects that can include feasibility studies. At least 10% of the funding pool must go to each area annually, either saved for a future year or spent for immediate projects.

Over 150 communities, including Arlington, Salem, Somerville, Lexington, Fall River, and Cambridge have adopted this tool, already benefiting annually from millions of dollars’ worth of matched and additional funding of parks, historic properties, housing, and outdoor recreation. Bike paths, waterfront, forests, ponds, and rivers have been prserved or enhanced. Communities have honed their development process, inviting stakeholder contributions along the way.

I am a fan of this tool - not only because, for a small investment, it offers a huge return that includes a state match, the access to additional funding opportunities through having dedicated funds to match grant funding, natural services like flood protection and clean air, potential increases in property value, and the psychological benefits of investing money and time in the community. In addition to these returns, adopting the CPA challenges Malden to revamp its development processes, identify important players that are vital for project selection, and engage residents and local groups to consider what projects to propose and apply funding for. Such reflection can only improve the chances of change.

Join me in accepting the CPA and its treasures. We will all benefit from that decision as we mark out the new processes, parameters, and people that will make our ideal Malden come to life.

Ose Schwab
Ward 6

visit http://preservemalden.us for more details