Salem CPA Determination of Eligibility Application Available

From the City of Salem:

SALEM, MA - The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has released its FY17 Community Preservation Plan and FY16 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. 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 uses a two-step application process for reviewing funding proposals, beginning with a brief 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 FY17 funding round, applicants are encouraged to submit their Eligibility Applications no later than January 9, 2017. 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 17, 2017. Submitted applications will be reviewed in accordance with the evaluation criteria and the goal of the CPC is to submit funding recommendations to the City Council in May, 2017.

CPC Chair Kevin Cornacchio stated, "The CPC is pleased to begin its fourth CPA funding round. We look forward to the review of a new slate of projects that will further enhance Salem’s resources.”

“CPA is an extremely important tool in funding housing, historic preservation, and open space and recreation activities in Salem,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “While Salem has leveraged state matching funds from the CPA Trust Fund, CPA grants have also helped leverage funds from other federal, state and private sources for projects throughout our community.”

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. Massachusetts regulations require that a minimum of 10% of annual CPA revenues be set aside or spent for each of three categories: housing, historic, and open space/recreation projects. 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 FY17 Community Preservation Plan and FY16 Annual Report, FY17 Determination of Eligibility Application, and other information on the CPA can be found at http://www.salem.com/community-preservation-committee.

Image via City of Salem