CPA Draft Community Preservation Plan Available

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has released its Draft FY16 Community Preservation Plan and FY15 Annual Report. The Community Preservation Plan is used to guide the CPC’s decision-making when reviewing and recommending projects for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. The plan includes an overview of the CPA in Salem, evaluation criteria and a timeline. It also references several planning documents that have been vetted through public processes and summarizes some of the relevant needs, goals and recommendations of those plans. The plan also serves as an annual report – summarizing the status of funded projects and including copies of the required State reports.

The CPC is inviting public comment on the draft plan through December 2. Following the receipt of comments, the plan will be finalized and proposals for CPA funding will accepted.

The CPC uses a two-step application process for reviewing funding proposals, beginning with an Eligibility Application. This application enables applicants to know if their project is eligible under CPA regulations prior to submitting the more comprehensive Funding Application. Eligibility Applications may be submitted to the CPC at any time. However, in order to be considered for the FY16 funding round, applicants are encouraged to submit their Eligibility Applications no later than January 4, 2016. For projects that are determined eligible, applicants will then be invited to submit a Funding Application. The CPC’s tentative deadline for the receipt of Funding Applications is March 18, 2016. The goal of the CPC is to review proposals and submit funding recommendations to the City Council in May, 2016.

CPC Chair Kevin Cornacchio stated, “I am pleased that, to date, all of our recommendations to fund projects utilizing CPA funds have been approved by the City Council. The Draft FY16 Community Preservation Plan and FY15 Annual Report begins the next round and I look forward to reviewing the new projects that will be submitted to the CPC for CPA funding.”

“I thank the CPC for their time and thoughtful consideration given to CPA project funding requests. I am grateful that Salem is able to advance several important park, housing and preservation projects. I very much respect the CPA process and value the work of the CPC in prioritizing projects for funding. I hope members of the public will offer their comments before the December 2nd date, to help continue this important City program,” Mayor Kimberley Driscoll stated.

The CPA was adopted by Salem voters in November, 2012. It established a local dedicated fund for the purpose of undertaking open space, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and community housing projects. It is financed by a voter-approved property tax surcharge along with annual matching funds from the statewide CPA Trust Fund. The CPC is composed of representatives from the City’s Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Planning Board, Park & Recreation Commission and Salem Housing Authority, along with appointees from the Mayor and the City Council.

The Draft FY16 Community Preservation Plan and FY15 Annual Report and additional information can be found at http://www.salem.com/sites/salemma/files/uploads/fy16cpaplandraft.pdf.