Report of the Community Preservation Committee
This is the eighth annual report of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). Southwick’s Community Preservation Fund (CPF) was established through acceptance by the town of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in 2002. Monies in the fund come from a surcharge of 3% on local property taxes and annual state matching funds. The CPA is designed to enhance the Town of Southwick, preserve community character, and help Southwick citizens achieve their goals in shaping Southwick’s future. CPF monies allow Southwick citizens to create, acquire, and preserve open space and land for recreational uses (passive and active).
Since its inception in 2002 the Town of Southwick has preserved a total of 543.04 acres of farmlands with a combination of locally raised CPF funds used to leverage CPA state matching funds. The Town of Southwick has spent $959,500 of CPC funds for preservation of open space and the state has provided matching funds of $3,223,000. This year the CPF provided funds to preserve 55 acres of farmland along Davis Road and, 61 acres of farmland along Granville Road. CPF funds used to preserve these properties were $213,500, while the state provided $445,500. Southwick has preserved 7 APR properties in 8 years.
CPF monies also allow Southwick Citizens to acquire, preserve, and rehabilitate historic resources and heritage landscapes. Since its inception in 2002 the Town of Southwick has spent a total of $515,000 in funds from its CPF for historic preservation projects. This year the CPF appropriated $150,000 to rehabilitate the Town Hall Auditorium.
Since its inception in 2002, the Town of Southwick has used $137,000 in CPF monies for affordable housing.
Finally, CPF monies allow Southwick Citizens to acquire, create, preserve, and support affordable housing. This year the CPF appropriated $54,000 to install two new energy- efficient furnaces in Housing Authority family houses and install installation to improve energy-efficiency in Housing Authority family houses.
The Community Preservation Committee welcomes project proposals. The committee accepts applications throughout the year from individuals or groups interested in presenting their projects for consideration for the use of CPF funds. The committee relies on established criteria for balanced decision-making on the various projects that come before them for review. Project application packets are available through the CPC website that can be accessed through the Town of Southwick’s website.
The Community Preservation Committee is required to hold a minimum of one annual public informational hearing; this meeting was held on September 29, 2010. All residents of Southwick are invited to participate in helping to shape the future of our community. It is through input at these public hearings and the CPC meetings that the concerns and wishes of Southwick residents are brought to the attention of the Committee.
As designated in the bylaw adopted in November 2002, the Southwick Community Preservation Committee is a nine-person board. The committee must include the following five designees: one member of the Conservation Commission; one member of the Historical Commission; one member of the Planning Board; one member of the Park & Recreation Board; and one member of the Housing Authority. The remaining four members are at-large and consist of interested Southwick citizens appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
John Whalley III, a Selectmen’s appointee to the committee, serves as the committee chairman. Dennis Clark was voted the vice chairman. Barbara MacEwan continues to represent the Historical Commission. Kelly Magni has remained as the representative of the Park and Recreation Department. Chris Pratt is the Conservation Commission representative. Beth Malone is the Housing Authority representative. Doug Moglin is the Planning Board representative. Pat Ayotte, Bettye Bradley and Dennis Clark are the Selectmen’s Appointees to complete the nine (9) person committee. Ruth Preston is the part-time Secretary. Through the Community Preservation Act the town of Southwick received on October 31st from the state a 75.88% match for its locally raised CPA funds, amounting to an award of $139,600.
Respectfully submitted,
John Whalley III, Chairman, Board of Selectmen Appointment
Dennis Clark, Vice-Chair, Board of Selectmen Appointment
Christopher Pratt, Conservation Commission Representative
Beth Malone, Housing Authority Representative
Kelly Magni. Park & Recreation Commission Representative
Doug Moglin, Planning Board Representative
Barbara MacEwan, Historical Commission Representative
Patrick Ayotte, Board of Selectmen Appointment
Bettye Bradley, Board of Selectmen Appointment
Ruth Preston, Secretary