CPA Draft Community Preservation Plan Available

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has released its Draft FY25 Community Preservation Plan and FY24 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 4, 2024. Following the receipt of comments, the Plan will be finalized and proposals for CPA funding will be invited.

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 FY25 funding round, applicants are encouraged to submit their Eligibility Applications no later than January 6, 2025. 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 21, 2025. The goal of the CPC is to review proposals and submit funding recommendations to the City Council in May 2025.

CPC Chair Bart Hoskins stated, "The Community Preservation Committee is excited to begin the next round of CPA funding in Salem. Since the first round of funding awards in 2014, the Committee has recommended almost 120 public and private projects for Salem's CPA funding. The Community Preservation Plan outlines the process that applicants should follow as we enter the next funding round."

"Since its inception, CPA in Salem has helped our community leverage millions in state funds that we otherwise would not have received," Mayor Dominick Pangallo stated, "I am grateful to the volunteer members of our Community Preservation Committee have served Salem diligently in developing recommendations for many housing, historic preservation, and open space and recreation projects made possible thanks to these funds, and to the city staff who have supported those efforts over the years. Especially this year, as we celebrate 10 years of CPA funding in Salem, it is remarkable to note the extensive positive impact it has had throughout our community."

The CPA was adopted by Salem voters in November 2012 with the first round of funding awarded in 2014. 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 FY25 Community Preservation Plan and FY24 Annual Report and additional information can be found at http://www.salem.com/community-preservation-committee. Written comments may be sent to the Department of Planning and Community Development, 98 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970 by December 4, 2024.