Community Preservation Coalition: Look what CPA funds have done in Pittsfield, MA

Community Preservation Coalition (@CPA_Coalition) tweeted on Tue, Dec 28, 2021:

"Look how much the #CommunityPreservationAct has done for the City of Pittsfield in just the 5 short years since they adopted the program in 2016 - housing, historic preservation, and even more in the future! @MayorTyer @BerkshireEagle"

https://t.co/P5y6vZionZ or directly to the Berkshire Eagle page ->   https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/look_ahead/look-ahead-pittsfield-cpa-funding-requests-up-over-last-year-for-more-housing-and-preservation/article_ce69fcd4-5ac6-11ec-8049-af101b4377d9.html

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/fPiJCx8fub

The Community Preservation Committee decided that 11 of 13 applications for CPA funding were eligible for the program this year. The projects are vying for $715,000 in funding in a year when the committee has decided to cap allocations at $650,000.  By Meg Britton-Mehlisch, The Berkshire Eagle

Community Preservation Coalition: CPA funds can be used to buy a Christmas tree farm

Community Preservation Coalition (@CPA_Coalition) tweeted on Fri, Dec 24, 2021:

Who knew the #CommunityPreservationAct could be used to buy a Christmas tree farm? The Town @DuxburyGov did exactly that, forever preserving the Jaycox Christmas Tree Farm. 

Shared from Twitter => https://t.co/yMbcWjpBrc

More about the required membership of the Community Preservation Committee

https://www.communitypreservation.org/CPCs

Community Preservation Coalition: CPA funds can be used to buy a Christmas tree farm

Community Preservation Act Public Hearings Set to Begin in January 2022

The new portal to accept ideas or applications for funding for Community Preservation is now open. As required by law, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is required to have one public hearing per year to hear input on how to allocate Community Preservation funds. The Franklin CPC has decided on two public sessions in January. 

The committee legal notice can be found HERE ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

The public hearing dates are:
1. January 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street  Agenda = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-04_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_1.pdf
2. January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street   Agenda =   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf

Citizens may attend in person, through Zoom, offer comments and opinions, ask questions or submit ideas for consideration in our new online portal. Hard copy applications are also available by contacting Alecia Alleyne in the Town Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949 or by emailing aalleyne@franklinma.gov.

The Online application can be found HERE or by copying this link into your internet browser: https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1097

The Application for Funding for the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) beginning July 1, 2022 must be received by 4:00 PM on Monday, February 28, 2022. After the first year of CPA funding, applications will be then taken on a rolling basis. 

Applicants should review the State CPA legislation prior to submitting any applications for CPA Funding. Please keep in mind that there are legal limitations on the use of CPA funds. 

Additional information regarding the CPC & CPA can be found at the following links:

1.  Community Preservation Coalition -> https://www.communitypreservation.org/about
2.  MA State Legislator - Community Preservation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B
3.  Secretary of State Page - Accepting the CPA ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elecpa/cpaidx.htm

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was passed in 2000 to help communities empower themselves to raise a dedicated revenue source for the purposes of open space preservation, historic preservation, affordable housing and recreation. 

The Town of Franklin approved the Community Preservation Act by local ballot November 2020. 

Please bookmark the Franklin CPC website: https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee

Commonwealth of MA  CPA legislation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B

Shared from the Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/2022-cpa-funding-application-now-live

Community Preservation Act

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio)

FM #681 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 681 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of December 15, 2021: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Appointments

Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho

Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons

Community Preservation Committee: Richard (Rick) Power

 

2022 Annual Alcohol License Renewals

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._license_renewal_memo_list_motion.pdf

 

Presentation - Human Resources: Karen Bratt, Human Resources Director

The recording runs about 27 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Dec 16, 2021

** Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-681-town-council-quarterbacking-with-chair-tom-mercer-12-15-21

--------------

Town Council Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf

 

My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-hears-update-on.html

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio) 

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2 - Jan 18, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2

The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold two public hearings, Hearing #1 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:10 P.M. and Hearing #2, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:10pm. These informational hearings will involve a discussion of Franklin’s needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.

This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,
Alecia Alleyne
Licensing Administrator

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad__0.pdf

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2 - Jan 18, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1

The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold two public hearings, Hearing #1 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:10 P.M. and Hearing #2, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:10pm. These informational hearings will involve a discussion of Franklin’s needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.

This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform.  Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,
Alecia Alleyne
Licensing Administrator

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022

FM #676 - "Talk Franklin" touts community preservation and economic development - 12/10/21

FM #676 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 676 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

We talk about: 

• Community Preservation Cmte/Finance Cmte meetings

• Public hearings, Jan 4 and Jan 18 for ‘wish list’ ideas

• Economic Development recent events

• Botera, NETA ribbon cuttings

• Lt Gov Polito visit, MassWorks

Links to the key references are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.

** Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Upcoming-Improvements-to-Grove-Street--Economic-Growth-and-Community-Preservation-e1blnig/a-a73b7ic

--------------

Community Preservation Committee  agenda ->  

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/community-preservation-committee.html

 

Finance Committee agenda -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/finance-committee-meeting-agenda-dec-8.html 

 

My notes and audio from the CPC meeting  -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-community-preservation-committee.html 

Recap and audio for Lt Gov Polito’s visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/lt-gov-polito-visits-franklin-to.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

"Talk Franklin" touts community preservation and economic development

Recap: Community Preservation Committee approves meeting schedule, reviews sample plans/applications, sets Jan 4 and 18 as public hearings

Quick Recap:

• A short 21 minute meeting saw the introduction of new member Rick Power. He will represent the Planning Board and was unable to vote until formally approved by the Town Council.
• The proposed schedule of meetings for 2022 mostly Tuesday nights to avoid conflict with School Committee and other meetings in the Council Chambers was approved by 8-0 vote.
• Discussion on sample plans and applications used by other communities. Watertown's plan and Concord's application were touted and generally received agreement to be used as the 'template' for the Franklin version
• Public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and Jan 18 to allow the community to provide input and suggestions to develop the 'wish list' for how the CPA funds can be used.

-------

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #CPC1207 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1468368023450968065 

• getting ready for the Community Preservation Committee meeting tonight - agenda doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf…  #cpc1207
• meeting opens, motion to approve minutes of Oct 2021, passes 8-0 - new member representing the planning board is here listening/observing, can't officially vote yet (requires Town Council approval). #cpc1207
• discussion on proposed scheduled for meetings for 2022; motion to approve, passes 8-0 #cpc1207  (BTW - Rick Power is the representative from the Planning Board)
• discussion on CPC application and sample plans from other communities - see links in the agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf…  #cpc1207
• two public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and 18 to enable community input for the 'wish list' for which to use the CPA funds available in Nov/Dec 2022 #cpc1207
• Watertown plan touted as a good sample (side note, Watertown leveraged our charter once upon a time) #cpc1207 Concord application touted as a good one for consideration as a guide for Franklin's development
• The Town does have their own items for the 'wish list' one can look to the capital requests and see what of those make sense to use with CPA vs. remaining on the list for use with capital funds (i.e. free cash) #ccp1207
• consideration of applications as 'rolling' but have some level of 'cutoff' to enable the due diligence and prioritization to being before CPC for approval and then the Town Council #cpc1207
• expectation of the 4th and 18th is to open the listening session for ideas of possible use of the CPA funds #cpc1207
• motion to adjourn, passes 8-0 #cpc1207

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2c5102d4-6125-4beb-8e01-6732cdff24de

Recap: Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Committee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 7, 2021

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 7, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd Floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes for October 5, 2021.

2. Discussion on the following topics:

a. 2022 Schedule

b. Community Preservation Act (https://www.communitypreservation.org/plans-applications)

i. Sample CPA Plans

ii. Sample CPA Applications

Full agenda (including remote connection info)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf 

the CPC toured the Red Brick School and Historical Museum on Sep 29, 2021

Town Council Quarterbacking - 12/02/21 - What happened at the Town Council meeting? (audio)

FM #670 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 670 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of December 1, 2021: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Subcommittee assignments announced, meeting calendar approved

• Tax rate hearing

• Snow presentation

• TA Report – NationalGrid

The recording runs about 35 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Dec 2, 2021

** Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/85b955b3-30b4-48da-8224-2a8adc484fe5

--------------

Town Council Agenda document ->  

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_dec_1_2021.pdf

 

My notes from the meeting  -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-sets-tax-rate-at.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Snow presentation

Community Preservation Committee meeting - 10/05/21 (audio)

FM #621 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 621 in the series. 

This shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting that was held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; committee members present were in the Council Chambers, along with some public participants and the Town Administration staff. Others were able to via the Zoom conference bridge. 

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about eighteen minutes (~:18) .  Let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee  meeting for Oct 5

** Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8e68f1b2-859f-4b5a-870a-2e76c745f1e7

-----------

Meeting agenda  (including connection info) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-10-05_cpc_agenda_1_0.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here

• Getting ready for the Community Preservation committee meeting at 7 PM #cpc1005

• Meeting opens, motion to approve minutes for three prior meetings, seconded, passes (# to be confirmed) #cpc1005

• Discussion on public hearing to gather project ideas, possible Dec time frame, no application yet for projects or funding, anticipate to follow the budget process and then see what the match is available for projects available #cpc1005

• Two week notice on lead time for public hearing, Attny Cerel is the CPC Chair for Medway. Staff needs to put form together. Recommendation on two hearings, 4th and 18th of Jan, 2022. Meeting on Dec 7, 2021 would still be for prep. #cpc1005

• Google form for ideas, submit anytime. Review during Dec 7, application form is separate to apply for funds. #cpc1005 Town Admin and staff will develop apps for town properties, application would be for private entities to apply

• Could use the Feb meeting to review ideas and submissions. March possible for review of the combined listing of projects. Ideally FinCom in April would get review before the Town Council budget hearings and approval #cpc1005

• Red brick project, recreation project one or two (i.e. Nason St. tot lot) #cpc1005 would be likely, committee should have town view on projects to consider along with whatever comes in from the 'public'

• Catching up to the meeting ending with motion to adjourn.  An elapsed time of ~18 minutes. #cpc1005

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"