Report of the Community Preservation Committee 2009

This is the seventh 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 427.04 acres of farmlands with a combination of locally raised CPF funds used to leverage CPA state matching funds. The Town of Southwick has spent $746,000.00 of CPC funds for preservation of open space and the state has provided matching funds of $2,369,000.00.

This year the CPF provided funds to preserve 82 acres of farmland along College Highway, 34 acres of farmland along Mort Vining Road and 66 acres of farmland along South Longyard Road. CPF funds used to preserve these properties were $274,000.00, while the state provided $1,281,000.00. In addition, the CPF provided funds to purchase 43.34 acres for open space at Rising Corners, which is the beginning of the M & M trail in Southwick.

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 $365,000.00 in funds from its CPF for historic preservation projects and the state has provided grant funds of $10,000.00.

This year the CPF provided funds to preserve the Gillett Cigar Factory. The Southwick Historical Society applied for funds to move and preserve the Gillett Cigar Factory.

Since its inception in 2002, the Town of Southwick has used $83,000.00 in CPF monies for affordable housing projects and the State has provided matching funds of $222,329.00.

Finally, CPF monies allow Southwick Citizens to acquire, create, preserve, and support affordable housing.

This year no affordable housing project proposals were submitted. In past years, CPF affordable housing monies have been used to leverage additional funds from the state to help with accomplishing previously proposed and approved projects. ~These projects have included window replacements in six of Southwick’s family housing units, and heating system conversion from electric to gas-fired hot water system in one of Southwick’s family units.

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 May 21, 2009. 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. Barbara MacEwan continues to represent the Historical Commission. Kelly Magni has remained as the representative of the Park and Recreation Department. Chris Pratt joined the CPC as the Conservation Commission representative. Sylvan Thibault is the Housing Authority representative. Bob Johnson is the Planning Board representative. Pat Ayotte, Bettye Bradley and Dennis Clark are the Selectmen’s Appointees to complete the nine person committee. Ruth Preston is the part-time Secretary. Dennis Clark was voted the vice chairman.

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 $176,194.00.

Respectfully submitted,

John Whalley III, Chairman
Board of Selectmen Appointment

Barbara MacEwan, Vice-Chair
Historical Commission Representative

Christopher Pratt
Conservation Commission Representative

Sylvan Thibault
Housing Authority Representative

Kelly Magni
Park & Recreation Commission Representative  

Robert M. Johnson
Planning Board Representative

Bettye Bradley
Board of Selectmen Appointment

Dennis Clark
Board of Selectmen Appointment

Patrick Ayotte
Board of Selectmen Appointment

Ruth Preston
Secretary