HomeMy Public PortalAboutCPC Packet 012921
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
cpcmeeting@brewster-ma.gov
(508) 896-3701
MEETING AGENDA
January 29, 2021 at 1:00 PM (Remote Participation Only)
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Gov. Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting
Law provisions and imposing limits on public gatherings. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to
live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible.
The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brerwster-ma.gov),
or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
Meetings may be joined by:
1. Phone: Call (929) 436-2866 or (301) 715-8592. Webinar ID: 849 4376 8768 Passcode: 546459
To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized.
2. Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84943768768?pwd=WjBCdzBUT0VUUnRHYW5uSGY0YzRnZz09
Passcode: 546459
To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to be
recognized.
Community
Preservation
Committee
Faythe Ellis
Chair
Sharon Marotti
Vice Chair
Elizabeth Taylor
Clerk
Barbara Burgo
Bruce Evans
Peggy Jablonski
Diane Pansire
Paul Ruchinskas
Roland Bassett Jr.
CPC Assistant
Beth Devine
1. Discussion and possible vote on recommendations to the CPC for funding
amounts, conditions, liaisons and CPC funding source for the following
applications:
a. Red Top Road Community Housing - $100,000
b. Veteran’s Home in Dennis - $50,000
c. Stony Brook Mill Retaining Wall Reconstruction - $125,000
d. Brewster Rental Assistance Program - $150,000
2. Discussion and possible vote on public access assurance for Pleasant Bay
Community Boating dock award.
3. Approval of minutes from 1/14/2021
4. Discussion and possible vote to approve $3500 in dues to State Community
Preservation coalition.
5. Project updates
6. Announcements
7. Items the Chair could not anticipate
8. Next meeting 2/10/2021 at 4 PM
9. Motion to Adjourn
Date Posted: Date Revised:
1/28/21
Community Preservation Committee: FY22 Forecast as of 1/14/2021
1,716,072.80$
1,084,450.00$
162,667.50$ 1,247,117.50$
2,963,190.30
50%10%10%
Open Space Housing Historical
$ 503,132.57 $ 113,075.41 $ 475,462.89 $ 624,401.93
$ 623,558.75 $ 124,711.75 $ 124,711.75 $ 374,135.25
$ 1,126,691.32 $ 237,787.16 $ 600,174.64 $ 998,537.18
Open Space Housing Historical "30%"
$ (53,100.00)
$ (101,600.00)
$ (48,983.00)
(62,355.88)
(300,000.00)
(50,000.00)
(125,000.00)
(51,096.00)
(150,000.00)
(100,000.00)
Total YTD Obligations - FY22 $ (203,683.00) $ (101,096.00) $ (125,000.00) $ (612,355.88)
$ 923,008.32 $ 136,691.16 $ 475,174.64 $ 386,181.31
Total net available from all accounts 1,921,055.43$ YE ADJUSTMENT-
BREWSTER BAPTIST
STEEPLE RETURN OF
ALLOCATED FUNDS
Windrift (5)81,973.00 50,000.00
McGuerty 193,063.00
(2) State Match revenue is projected at 15%, which is the total which was listed in the Fall TM Warrant.
[3] Administrative expenses are limited by law to 5% of the total CPC budget and include primarily payroll costs, legal and other professional expenses, the annual $3,500 state
Coalition dues.
{4} Original bond amount of 1,594,900 to be paid down by 899,210 in April 2020 and 400,000 in April 2021. Rem. Balance is 295,690 @ .75% interest rate
{5} 1/14/21 CPC voted to use Windrift grant funds of $295,690 to pay off Besse Cartway note.
[1] Balance forwarded estimated from prior year includes all unallocated funds, including unspent amounts from projects and budgeted administrative and professional expenses.
Administration Expense [3]
Outstanding Requests for Funding for Spring TM
Brewster Dog Park
Dennis Veterans Home
Mill Pond Wall
Housing Coordinator
Rental Assistance
Habitat - Red Top Road
FY22 Estimated Unreserved Fund Balance as of 01/02/2021
with Adjustments
REMAINING OPEN SPACE GRANT FUNDS (4)
Budgedted Reserved
for CPA
FY-21 Actual Unreserved Fund Balance
FY-22 Estimated revenue
FY-22 Estimated Funds available
FY-22 obligations as of 01/02/2021
BBJ Property Bond #1
BBJ Property Bond #2
Bates Property Bond
FY-21 Estimated total balance forwarded [1]:
FY-22 Estimated local tax revenue:
FY-22 Estimated State contribution [2]:
Total FY-22 Estimated funds available:BONDS
To: CPC Committee Members
From: Faythe Ellis
Re: CPC Application Information:
1/26/21
The application documentation we will be discussing at our 1/29/21 meeting were included in prior
meeting packets. Rather than including them again in this week’s packet, I have included links to the
prior packets here.
Applications submitted December 1, 2020 are in the 12/9/2020 Application Packet.
Additional Information requested by the CPC is in the 12/23/20 Meeting Packet.
From: Shirin Everett
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 12:10 PM
To: 'Faythe Ellis'
Cc: Beth Devine; Peter Lombardi; Jonathan Silverstein
Subject: BREW: Pleasant Bay Dock Grant Agreement for review
Hello Faythe,
Whether the Town wants to obtain a restriction in exchange for CPA funds to PBCB is a policy decision
for the CPC and the Town. In my earlier email on this project, I noted that PBCB stated in its application
that the camp would be open to the public, and asked if the Town wanted to obtain a restriction from or
enter into an agreement with PBCB, ensuring continued public access. I understand that the amount of
CPA funds being granted by the Town ($25,000) may not make a permanent restriction feasible, but the
Town could, should it want to, inquire from PBCB whether a restriction for a shorter term is possible or if
there are other assurances of public access. If the CPC determines that a restriction or other assurance
is not possible, please let me know and I will remove the reference from the Grant Agreement.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Shirin Everett, Esq.
KP |LAW
101 Arch Street, 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
O: (617) 654 1731
F: (617) 654 1735
severett@k-plaw.com
www.k-plaw.com
This message and the documents attached to it, if any, are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information
that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL and/or may contain ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT. If you are not the intended recipient,
you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication
in error, please delete all electronic copies of this message and attachments thereto, if any, and destroy any hard copies you may
have created and notify me immediately.
From: Faythe Ellis <Faythe.Ellis@outlook.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 11:20 AM
To: Shirin Everett <SEverett@k-plaw.com>
Cc: Beth Devine <bdevine@brewster-ma.gov>; Peter Lombardi <plombardi@brewster-ma.gov>;
Jonathan Silverstein <JSilverstein@k-plaw.com>
Subject: FW: BREW: Pleasant Bay Dock Grant Agreement for review
Good morning Shirin – I have had a question from PBCB regarding item 10 Deed restriction asking for
this item to be deleted from the grant. Can you provide some guidance regarding this request? Thank
you! Faythe
Hi Beth & Faythe
I have reviewed the documents for signing and it all seems in order except for item 10 having to do with
deed restrictions. The sample document you provided previously noted that this would be deleted if it
was not applicable. Since this is not a land acquisition project it seems like it would not be applicable
and should have been deleted. Assuming that is correct, can you send an updated document? If there is
an easier way to exclude it that’s fine too.
Thanks,
Ted
Ted Baylis
President
Pleasant Bay Community Boating
www.pbcb.cc
Original Legal Opinion – PBCB application
Pleasant Bay Community Boating
Hello Faythe,
You have requested an opinion as to whether the project for which funds are being sought by
Pleasant Bay Community Boating (PBCB) is eligible for funding under the Community
Preservation Act (“CPA”). PBCB is a non-profit organization provides sailing, boating, and
other recreational and educational opportunities, often for free, to children and others in the
community. It requests CPA funds seeks to replace the existing seasonal dock located on the
former McClennen Estate with a dock that is permanent and handicap accessible, to serve a
wider community. The project involves the construction of a permanent handicapped accessible
drop-off area, pathway, permanent pier, gangway, viewing area and related improvements
(called the “Accessible Dock Project” or “Project”). The total Project is estimated to cost
$250,000; PBCB seeks $25,000 from Brewster. According to the application submitted by
PBCB, if PBCB obtains CPA funds from Brewster in the spring of 2020, it anticipates
commencing the Project in March, 2020 and completing the same in June, 2020. It appears from
PBCB’s most recent message, however, that there is some uncertainty as to when bids and due
and when the work will be completed; it is possible that some work will occur after July 1,
2020. If the Project is completed before July 1, 2020, you have asked if Town may appropriate
funds from Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 estimated annual CPA revenues, as such funds will be
available only on and after July 1, 2020. If FY21 CPA funds cannot be used, you asked if the
Community Preservation Committee may appropriate funds for the Project this fiscal year.
For reasons discussed below, it is my opinion that the CPC could reasonably determine that
Project constitutes the rehabilitation of recreational land, and also the creation of open space and
recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities who could not previously access Pleasant
Bay using PBCB’s existing dock. It is my recommendation that, should the CPC use FY21
estimated revenues for the Project, the CPC fund that portion of the Project cost that is
performed after July 1, 2020; alternatively, the CPC may use existing CPA funds, if available, to
fund Project costs incurred prior to July 1, 2020.
As you are aware, CPA funds may be used only for those purposes that are specified in the
statute. Specifically, CPA funds may be used to acquire, create, and preserve open space and
land for recreational use, and also to rehabilitate recreational land. In my opinion, Pleasant Bay
is an important open space asset that also provides recreational uses, allowing the community to
enjoy the land and the water. The CPA does not define the word “create”, but that word has
been interpreted by the courts to mean “bringing into existence” something that did not
previously exist. “Rehabilitation” is defined as the making of extraordinary or capital repairs
and/or improvements that help make recreational land functional for its intended use, including
improvements to comply with the American with Disabilities Act. In my opinion, the CPC may
reasonably find that the Project is eligible for CPA funding as the replacement of PBCB’s
seasonal dock with a permanent dock that is accessible to persons with disabilities constitutes the
rehabilitation of land for recreational use and activities, as well as the creation of open space and
recreational opportunities available to a wider community. I recommend that the Town enter
into a grant agreement with PBCB to set forth the specific purposes for which the CPA funds
will be used. Although it appears that PBCB intends to make the McClennen Estates and its
recreational opportunities and open space available to the public, the Town could consider
entering into an agreement with PBCB to guarantee open access, thereby ensuring that the funds
serve a public purpose.
If CPA funds are available for this FY20, either in the budgeted reserve or in open space and/or
recreational reserves or accounts, the CPC may certainly recommend that Town Meeting
appropriate funds from such sources, which would allow the Town to expend the funds from this
fiscal year onwards. If the Town will fund Project costs incurred after July 1, 2020, the Town
may certainly appropriate monies from FY21 estimated revenues. While the CPA does not
expressly prohibit estimated CPA revenues to be used for past projects (that is, for expenses
incurred by PBCB before July 1, 2020), in my opinion, I recommend that the CPC consider
using current FY20 funds for past expenses, if available.
Please let me know if you have any further questions regarding this matter. I will send you a
separate email on the other project in a few hours.
Shirin
Shirin Everett, Esq.
KP |LAW
101 Arch Street, 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
O: (617) 654 1731
F: (617) 654 1735
severett@k-plaw.com
www.k-plaw.com
Grant Agreement Paragraph
10. Deed Restrictions. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44B, § 12 every
project that involves the acquisition of any interest in real property with CPA funds shall
be bound by a permanent deed restriction that meets the requirements of M.G.L. c. 184,
limiting the use of the interest to the purpose for which it was acquired. Where applicable
and as required by the Award Letter, Recipient agrees to the imposition of such deed
restriction in a form acceptable to the CPC.
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of January 14, 2021 Page 1 of 5
2198 Main Street
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898
(508) 896-3701
FAX (508) 896-8089
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Virtual Meeting
Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2021
Present: Community Preservation Committee (CPC) - Chair Faythe Ellis, Vice-Chair Sharon Marotti,
Clerk Elizabeth Taylor, Roland Bassett, Bruce Evans, Paul Ruchinskas, Diane Pansire, Peggy Jablonski
(4:15)
Absent: Barbara Burgo
Also Present: Cynthia Bingham, Select Board; Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator; Tom
Lincoln, Brewster Dog Park Committee
Chair Faythe Ellis called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Gov. Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions
and imposing limits on public gatherings. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a
record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible.
The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brerwster-ma.gov), or Video
recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
Meetings may be joined by:
1. Phone: Call (929) 436-2866 or (301) 715-8592. Webinar ID: 889 7884 6327 Passcode: 384875
To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized.
2.Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88978846327?pwd=bVJMSDJZMWpyRGZleUwyUmpLV2FLQT09
Passcode: 384875
To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to be
recognized.
1.Financial Report
Sharon went over the report with the group. She added in all of the outstanding requests for Spring
Town Meeting and put total amount of each request as well as where the Committee decided to take the
funds from either Housing, Historical or the 30%. We came up with the end of the year balances
$923,000 for Open Space, $136,000 for Housing, $475,000 for Historical, $386,000 for the 30% Funds.
Additionally, there are two Open Space State Grants: Windrift Acres $377,663, and McGuerty Road
$193,063. At end of year, all remaining funds will be rolled into the Open Space balance for FY23.
There will also be an adjustment to the Historical funds for $50,000 for Brewster Baptist steeple which
was never used and will be returned CPC. This will get rolled back in to FY23.
2.Discussion and possible vote on financial assumptions for FY2022
Motion to approve the financial assumptions for FY22.
MOVED by Diane Pansire. Seconded by Bruce Evans.
Roll Call Vote: Sharon Marotti – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Bruce Evans – yes, Paul
Ruchinskas– yes, Diane Pansire – yes, Roland Bassett – yes, Chair Ellis - yes
VOTE 7-yes 0-no
Approved:
VOTE:
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of January 14, 2021 Page 2 of 5
3.Discussion and possible vote on completeness, timeliness and CPA eligibility of Dog Park
application and referral to Recreation Commission for review and recommendation.
Faythe said that she forwarded the application and got back comments for additional requests for: a line
item budget that ties back to the total cost listed, the bid result information, clarification on project
scope, and a list of proposed funding sources and amounts. She also confirmed with Legal that the prior
opinion stands.
Sharon is concerned that we don’t have a line item budget for this, only the first time budget and a base
bid with add-ons.
Bruce, Elizabeth, Paul, Rollie and Faythe agree the application is ready to refer to Recreation.
Faythe believes we have enough information to move forward without a line item budget.
Tom Lincoln was unsure what the committee needed for a line item budget. Faythe said that in the
application there is a 2019 line item budget. Tom Lincoln said it was developed by the design firm with
estimated costs. The bidding process does not break out all the items. In the second round, we broke it
out to see if we could get some costs down.
Paul said that we are faced with this in other projects – bids won’t come in until much later. They have
provided us with what the total base bid will be, and we should be able to work with that at this point.
Tom Lincoln said their intent is to put in a request for bids at the end of this month with numbers in
February for what it would cost to complete the project to have that number before Town Meeting.
Motion to approve the completeness, timeliness and CPA eligibility of Dog Park application and
ready to refer to Recreation Commission for review and recommendation.
MOVED by Roland Bassett. Seconded by Elizabeth Taylor.
Roll Call Vote: Sharon Marotti – yes, Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Roland Bassett –
yes, Paul Ruchinskas– yes, Peggy Jablonski – yes, Diane Pansire - yes, Chair Ellis - yes
VOTE 8-yes 0-no
4.Discussion and possible vote to use grant funds of $295,690 to pay off Besse Cartway short term
loan in May 2021.
Faythe said in the original packet, she had included a summary of the Besse Cartway Loan. The
remaining balance being $295,690. The proposal is to use the Grant Money that is available to pay this
loan off which would retire the debt on this purchase.
Motion to approve the use of grant funds of $295,690 to pay off the Besse Cartway short term loan
in May 2021.
MOVED by Sharon Marotti. Seconded by Diane Pansire.
Roll Call Vote: Sharon Marotti – yes, Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Roland Bassett –
yes, Paul Ruchinskas– yes, Diane Pansire – yes, Peggy Jablonski - yes, Chair Ellis - yes
VOTE 8-yes 0-no
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of January 14, 2021 Page 3 of 5
5.Discussion and possible vote regarding Pleasant Bay Community Boating (PBCB) Grant
Agreement deed restriction clause.
Faythe said that we sent out the Grant Agreement for signature and they came back with questions on
the deed restriction clause in the Grant. Faythe went to Legal for clarification, and the issue is about
assurances of public access. She wants to discuss this and see how the Committee feels about said
restriction.
Paul said we ran into a comparable issue with the Natural History Museum, and the Board chose not to
accept it. With a private non-profit, the issue of public access is important. Paul wondered if Sharin
Everett, Town Counsel, thinks there is any other method we could use to guarantee public access to the
dock. It is important when we do a recreation project that isn’t on town land.
Bruce wondered if the issue has to do with the PBCB maybe using the area for a different purpose down
the road, and if it has a restriction, that would be a problem.
Faythe said she could go back to them and see if they would reject this Grant if the restriction stays, or if
Legal has another option.
Paul said they applied to 3 other towns and was curious if this has come up with any of the other towns.
He does think it is an important aspect for a private corporation, there needs to be some sort of public
benefit that we can describe. Rollie agreed. Diane said she thinks it is vital that we have this restriction.
6.Local Preference Workshop on 3/25/21
Donna Kalinick said this Local Preference Workshop will be presented on March 25th at 6pm, a joint
workshop with the Housing Partnership, the Select Board, the Affordable Housing Trust, and they
would like to invite the CPC to take part. It is about education and understanding, not yet about policy.
There will be plenty of time for Q&A. It will be televised. Because of the number of people involved, it
will be televised, however, it will not be a public forum. Diane is looking forward to the Workshop.
Donna said this ties back to multiple committees’ goals and strategic plans and part of the reason why
we decided to have an educational forum.
7.Meeting Schedule – January/February
CPC-
Friday, 1/29 at 1PM
Wednesday, 2/10 at 4PM
Wednesday, 2/24 at 4PM
Immediately following this meeting the Housing Partnership is going to be talking about the projects we
have referred to them. Faythe is planning to attend and we should have some of those coming out of that
meeting for our meeting on the 29th.
1/20 Historical Commission – the Mill Wall Project
1/28 Rec Commission – Dog Park
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of January 14, 2021 Page 4 of 5
Faythe said this Committee will take each project up pretty much as they come out of these Committees.
8.Approval of minutes from 12/23/20
Motion to approve the Minutes of December 23, 2020 as written.
MOVED by Diane Pansire. Seconded by Roland Bassett.
Roll Call Vote: Sharon Marotti – yes, Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Roland Bassett –
yes, Paul Ruchinskas– yes, Diane Pansire – yes, Peggy Jablonski - yes, Chair Ellis - yes
VOTE 8-yes 0-no
9.Project Updates
a. Open Space and Rec Plan
b. Cobb House Outbuilding
c. Other
Open Space and Rec Plan – Elizabeth said we received a letter of review, we have set up a phone
meeting with Melissa Ryan to discuss her letter and ask questions regarding any changes requested.
Cobb House Outbuilding – Faythe said they have submitted documentation regarding expenses, she is
waiting for confirmation of the Historic Preservation Restriction before moving to Finance.
Stony Brook Field – Rollie said he signed a bill for the bid documents, he believes that on the 12th there
was a bid opening. Donna said Jon O’Reilly submitted a bill which was processed. The bid opening was
on the 12th, we received three bids where $455,589 was the low bid. She sent the 3 bids to John O’Reilly
to review. Once he finishes, we will move to the next step.
10.Announcements
Diane said her term on the CPC expires at the end of June. She will not be returning. It is with great
regret that she will be stepping back.
Faythe said to be aware we will have a citizen opening in June. Please encourage town citizens to apply.
Donna Kalinick said Town Hall is still closed to the public. Due to the fact the Governor has extended
his orders, we are continuing to keep the building closed to the public. We are still working remotely
and there are many boxes out front for public use. Please call the Town Administrator’s office if there
are any questions.
Donna Kalinick said we are transitioning committees to the Zoom Webinar format going forward. We
are trying to increase public participation. The first set of meetings went to webinar in January, the rest
of the committees will transition in February. If people want to join to provide citizen comment live,
they will be able to do so on the webinar format. There will only be one committee shown live, the other
will be recorded if there are two happening at the same time.
11.Items the Chair could not anticipate – none
Community Preservation Committee
Minutes of January 14, 2021 Page 5 of 5
12.Next virtual meeting: Friday, 1/29/21 at 1PM
MOTION made by Bruce Evans to adjourn the meeting at 4:47pm.
Diane Pansire second.
Roll Call Vote: Bruce Evans – yes, Elizabeth Taylor – yes, Paul Ruchinskas – yes, Roland Bassett
– yes, Peggy Jablonski – yes, Sharon Marotti – yes, Diane Pansire – yes, Chair Ellis - yes
VOTE 8-yes 0-no
Respectfully submitted, Beth Devine, Recording Secretary
Packets of additional documents available on website for public review.
January 6, 2021
Community Preservation Committee
Town of Brewster
Brewster Town Hall
2198 Main St.
Brewster, MA 02631
Community Preservation Coalition Dues Notice
Annual membership dues……………… $3500.00
Please make checks payable to: Community Preservation Coalition
Contact the Community Preservation Coalition with any questions at 617-367-8998.
Please remit to our address:
Community Preservation Coalition
Attn: Stuart Saginor
6 Beacon Street, Suite 615
Boston, MA 02108
While 2020 proved to be a challenging year as the world contended with
the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Preservation Act continued to be
a vital resource for communities—and due to the Coalition’s legislative
work, this year was one marked with success from beginning to end.
January saw two important events connected to the CPA Trust Fund. First,
CPA communities received their disbursements from the delayed $20
million in FY19 state budget surplus funds, boosting the base state match
for November 2019 from only 13% to 24%. At the same time, the long -
anticipated CPA Trust Fund increase went into effect, and the results are just as significant as we had projected.
The Community Preservation Coalition championed the decade-long effort to pass legislation increasing the fees that generate
revenue for the CPA Trust Fund. The new fee schedule at the state’s Registries of Deeds went into effect on December 31st,
2019—and since then, we’ve watched as revenue for the CPA Trust Fund has more than doubled. Because of this, over $55
million was distributed from the Trust Fund in November 2020, and all CPA communities received a 28.6% match on round one
of the distribution.
Even though our staff shifted to remote operations in March, we worked hard to
ensure that it would not negatively impact our day -to-day technical support for
communities. The Coalition responded to a huge volume of email and phone inquiries
from across the state, offering support for a range of CPA concerns, including project
eligibility questions, budgeting issues, warrant article development & review, and
assisting adoption campaigns.
One of the most important tasks in 2020 was making sure that CPA communities
understood their options regarding Emergency Rental Assistance Programs in the
midst of the pandemic. The Coalition staff participated in webinars hosted by housing
organizations, assisted with a statewide rental assistance survey to monitor the progress of CPA’s role in these programs, an d
provided direct technical assistance to communities pursuing rental assistance with CPA funding. According to a statewide
survey conducted by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, over $33 million was allocated for emergency rental assistance
programs as of October 2020, and CPA was noted as the leading funding source across all participating communities.
Our staff continued to add news updates, technical assistance articles, and success stories to the Coalition website.
Additionally, the Coalition’s CPA Update email newsletter provided valuable information for CPA communities throughout 2020
with an emphasis on helping CPC’s shift to online meetings and form strategies to deal with delayed town meetings. On social
media, the Coalition’s Facebook and Twitter accounts continued to highlight inspiring CPA projects from across the state and
promote the great campaign work from the communities attempting to adopt the program.
2020 was a remarkable year for CPA adoption efforts as a total
of nine communities passed CPA ballot questions during
November’s election. Advocates had to navigate a precarious
campaign season filled with socially-distanced town meetings,
virtual city council discussions, and even collecting signatures
for a ballot petition in one town. Despite this, all nine CPA
adoption measures succeeded: the cities of Framingham,
Franklin, & Greenfield, as well as the towns of Hopedale,
Lancaster, Lee, Milton, Shrewsbury, and Whitman all voted to
adopt CPA. These successes, combined with West
Stockbridge’s adoption of CPA in the spring of 2020, bring the
total number of CPA communities to 186, representing 53% of
the municipalities in Massachusetts.
The Coalition spends hundreds of hours each year ensuring that legislators, communities, state agencies, and the press have
access to a robust database on CPA revenue, adoption, and projects. This year’s project reporting was especially challenging
with many CPA approvals delayed and disrupted due to the pandemic, but our staff worked throughout the summer to ensure
that each community completed the annual report on time. There are now over 12,800 projects that have been approved by
local communities, representing more than 20,000 affordable housing units created or supported, 31,861 acres of open space
preserved, over 5,800 historic preservation projects approved, and over 2,700 outdoor recreation projects initiated.
There’s no doubt that 2020 was a tumultuous year, but the Coalition
maintained its operations in spite of these difficulties. Our staff
transitioned to working remotely beginning in March, and the Coalition
Steering Committee was able to hold full meetings virtually throughout the
year. We were pleased to welcome Andrew DeFranza, the Executive
Director for Harborlight Community Partners, as an at -large member of
the Steering Committee—and at the end of the year, the Committee voted
to expand its membership with two additional at-large positions.
Recruiting for these new members will launch in early 2021.
The Coalition completed another year on firm financial footing (see our
budget report to the right). We are deeply grateful for the support of our
member communities and thank them for their advocacy on behalf of CPA,
as well as their work on hundreds of impressive housing, recreation,
historic, and open space projects that were completed during 2020.
Community Members $461,600
Foundation Grants $75,534
Total Revenue $535,134
Personnel Costs $197,000
Benefits & Personnel Overhead $94,560
Professional Services $4,303
Travel and Meeting Costs $3,577
Rent and Office Costs $35,605
Legal, Financial, Admin. & Misc. $90,987
Reserves $109,102
Total Expenses $535,134