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Article 3 - Hear Reports - 2018 CCPC Annual Report
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Report of the COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Stacey Gorman, Chairman 801 Washington St. Lisa Lopez, Vice-Chairman Canton, MA 02021 Robert Panico, Treasurer Telephone 339-502-5729 George Comeau, Clerk ccpc@town.canton.ma.us Thomas Theodore, Board of Selectmen Nichola Gallagher, School Committee Josh Cohen, Conservation Commission John McSweeney, Housing Authority David McCarthy, Planning Board The Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC) is comprised of nine members, all but one of whom represent another Town board or committee. Given the make-up of the CCPC, turnover is experienced each year at varying levels. In 2018, four members were either rotated off this service or chose not to seek reappointment. Kathy Fox Alfano (Board of Selectman Designee) joined the CCPC at its inception. Serving from 2013 through 2018, Kathy played an instrumental role in getting the Community Preservation statute adopted in Canton. Michael Mitcheroney served on the Committee as the representative from the Planning Board for two years. Emilio Mauro and John Bonnanzio, representatives of the Capital Planning Committee and the School Committee, respectively, each served one year on the CCPC. Following the departure of these four members, the CCPC welcomed David McCarthy from the Planning Board, School Committee member Nichola Gallager, Selectman Thomas Theodore, as well as Capital Planning representative Bob Panico who served on the CCPC from 2013 to 2017. All four members were appointed by the Board of Selectmen in time to fully participate in the FY20 round of CPA funding decisions. The CCPC extends its appreciation to Kathy, Michael, Emilio and John for their service to the Town and their commitment to community preservation. Purpose The role of the CCPC is to administer Community Preservation Act funds for projects that benefit the public in the areas of open space protection, historic preservation, community housing and outdoor recreation. Voters approved the statewide Community Preservation Act (CPA) at the 2012 General Election through a 1% surcharge on all real estate property tax bills with two exemptions: residential property owned and occupied by any person who qualifies for low-income housing, or low- or moderate-income senior housing and the first $100,000 of taxable value of all residential real property. At the 2014 Annual Town Meeting (ATM), residents voted to extend the $100,000 tax exemption to commercial and industrial property owners. 2018 Major Accomplishments While the Devoll Playground project is technically ongoing (awaiting final project components such as a sign), the major pieces of this project have been completed. The rehabilitation of both Devoll and Tilden Playgrounds were fully funded through a Community Preservation grant totaling more than $400,000. At Devoll, the two-decades-old structure has been removed (many thanks to the Canton DPW for their assistance!) and a new playground structure (pictured at right) featuring numerous climbing elements and slides is in place and open to the public. The poured-in-place surface ensures that the playground is safe and accessible. As the home of the Canton Recreation Department’s free Summer Playground Program, the new Devoll Playground is a vital community asset that will be enjoyed by Canton families for years to come.
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2018 Major Accomplishments (continued)
One of three planning studies funded in Fiscal Year 2018, the Earl Newhouse Waterfront Master Plan was the first
planning project to be completed. The 12-acre Newhouse Waterfront Area was purchased by the Town in 1997. The goal
of the Newhouse Master Plan
was to “to survey the existing
conditions of the site, prepare
a site analysis and future
development plan in a
transparent, well thought-out
and coordinated way ... that
will ensure the protection of
wildlife habitat, wetland
resources and open space
while providing recreational
opportunities for residents of
all ages.” Landscape
Architect Kyle Zick was
hired to facilitate the planning
process and develop the site’s
master plan. Through a series
of public meetings and online
surveys, community input
was solicited to inform the
process of developing a comprehensive list of desirable uses and amenities as this site. This data was combined with the
consultant’s extensive field work, site review and research to produce a thorough master plan highlighting the potential
“build out” of the site and the action items required to achieve the vision for this unique open space parcel.
In addition to the projects noted above, progress was made on several other CPA projects over the past year. The
following table provides a summary of the projects funded to date with a note regarding project status at the conclusion of
the 2018 calendar year.
Project Fiscal Year Category CPA Funding Status
Pequitside Farm Architectural Study 2018 Historic $28,000 ongoing
Library entrance 2018 Historic $35,000 complete
Rolling Mill Copper Roof 2018 Historic $148,975 ongoing
PRHS Conservation Restriction 2018 Open Space $20,000 ongoing
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update; Trails 2018 Open Space / $150,000 ongoing
Plan; Newhouse Master Plan Recreation
Kennedy Fields Restrooms & Storage Facility 2018 Recreation $173,500 ongoing
Tilden and Devoll Playgrounds 2018 Recreation $401,300 ongoing
Rubin Court Senior Housing 2018 Housing $80,000 ongoing
Crane’s Guard Militia Flag 2017 Historic $18,900 ongoing
Olde English Cemetery 2017 Historic $36,915 ongoing
Canton Corner Cemetery – Receiving Tomb & 2017 Historic $160,000 ongoing
Vaults
Recreation Needs Assessment – Outdoor 2017 Recreation $50,000 ongoing
Facilities
Hagen Court Senior Housing 2017 Housing $120,000 complete*Source page 3
Canton Corner Cemetery Phase II 2016 Historic $11,000 complete*
Ponkapoag Station Bell Restoration 2016 Historic $15,000 complete**
Tilden House Restoration 2016 Historic $414,150 ongoing
Historical Document Master Plan 2016 Historic $10,000 complete**
Martha Howard Petticoat 2016 Historic $5,895 complete
FPUU Steeple and Spire 2016 Historic $99,120 ongoing
Veterans Housing (Supplemental) 2016 Housing $100,000 complete*
Plymouth Rubber – Land Acquisition 2016 Open Space $1,740,000 ongoing
High School Tennis Courts 2015 Recreation $200,000 complete
Veteran’s Housing – Electrical Boxes 2015 Housing $30,000 complete**
Veteran’s Housing – Smoke Detectors 2015 Housing $63,700 complete**
Canton Corner Cemetery Phase I 2015 Historic $25,000 complete**
Friendship Quilt 2015 Historic $2,705 complete
Civil War Soldier Restoration 2015 Historic $30,000 complete
* work complete / awaiting final invoices
** project complete and under budget (unused funds returned to the CPA fund).
2018 Approved CPA Projects
In 2018, the CCPC recommended a total of five projects to Annual Town Meeting (a sixth project pertaining to the
Bolivar Pool was withdrawn just prior to Town Meeting). CPA-funding recommendations for FY 2019 totaled $792,500.
The CCPC is pleased to report that all five projects recommended for funding were approved at the May 2018 Town
Meeting. An outline of the most recently funded CPA projects follows:
Community Housing Projects
Project Description CPA Funding
Rubin Court Senior Housing – Phase II $80,000
• Install bathroom exhaust fans in remaining units at senior housing facility to
address/prevent mold and mildew.
Open Space/Recreation Projects
Project Description CPA Funding
Ponkapoag Playground $63,500
• Remove existing structure and install new playground equipment at neighborhood park.
Walsh Field Lights $150,000
• Remove existing structure and install new playground equipment at neighborhood park.
Kennedy School Field Restroom & Storage Facility $173,500
• Second installment to cover full construction costs for restroom and storage facility at the
Kennedy School fields.
Improvements to Open Space at Paul Revere Heritage Site $325,500
Funding to cover improvements to open space at the Paul Revere Heritage including
installation of irrigation system and electrical conduit for future light fixtures.
In the Fall of 2018, the CCPC received ten applications for CPA funding for FY 20 totaling $1,050,574. The CCPC held
two public meetings in December to entertain presentations from project proponents and to consider which projects toSource page 4
recommend to Annual Town Meeting in 2019. Final decisions as to FY 20 recommendations will be reported in early
January and voted at ATM in May of 2019.
Financials
Total CPA revenues in fiscal year 2018 were $702,618.97. This includes the State Match totaling $94,671. FY 2018
numbers are detailed below:
Canton Community Preservation Committee
FY 18 Revenue and Expenses as of 06.30.18
**does not include projects approved in prior fiscal years**
Beginning Balance $1,148,239.80
FY 18 Budgeted FY 18 Actual
Revenue
CPA Tax $500,000.00 $581,951.58
State Revenue (received November, 2017) $100,000.00 $94,671.00
Tax Liens Redeemed $1,534.29
Earnings on Investment $22,270.00
Penalties/Interest CPA $2,192.10
Total Revenue $600,000.00 $702,618.97
CPA Revenue including carryover fund balance $1,850,858.77
FY 18 Budget FY 18 Available
Expenditures Budget
Administrative Expenses
Administration $30,000.00
Personal Services (payroll + legal) $14,676.28
Telephone/Communications $65.01
remaining admin budget is reallocated to
undesignated reserve fund in subsequent
Other Charges/Expenditures $100.00 fiscal year
$14,841.29 $15,158.71
FY 18 Approved Projects
Open Space/Recreation
Planning Projects $150,000.00 $87,608.90 $62,391.10
Conservation Restriction - PRHS $20,000.00 $0.00 $20,000.00
Devoll & Tilden Playgrounds $410,300.00 $2,520.00 $407,780.00
Little League Restroom Facility $173,500.00 $0.00 $173,500.00
Historic Resources
Rolling Mill Copper Roof $148,975.00 $0.00 $148,975.00
Library Entrance $35,000.00 $35,000.00 $0.00
Pequitside Farm Architectural Study $28,000.00 $0.00 $28,000.00
Community Housing
Rubin Court Senior Housing $80,000.00 $0.00 $80,000.00
remaining project funds remain in each
project budget across fiscal years until work
is completed and/or project is closed per a
vote of the //t/.
Total Committed Project Expenses $895,775.00 $125,128.90 $770,646.10
Total Actual FY 18 expenses $139,970.19
Additional financial information can be found on the Community Preservation Committee website.Source page 5
A Guide for CPA at Town Meeting In addition to voting on projects recommended by the Committee, there are several other CPA motions put forth at Town Meeting. The first motion is for administrative expenses, which by law shall not exceed 5 per cent of the estimated revenues for the Community Preservation Fund for the upcoming fiscal year. The second CPA motion voters will see is a breakdown of monies being transferred between CPA accounts. Under the State’s CPA legislation, in each fiscal year and upon the recommendation of the Committee, the legislative body shall spend, or set aside for later spending, not less than 10 per cent of the annual revenues in the Community Preservation Fund for open space, not less than 10 per cent of the annual revenues for historic resources and not less than 10 per cent of the annual revenues for community housing. This motion ensures that some monies are allocated to each category, whether or not a project in that category is recommended for funding in that year. In 2018, voters agreed to allocate $60,000 to each CPA subaccount, which represents 10% of expected revenues for fiscal year 2019. Ongoing Initiatives In 2018, the Committee will continue to build relationships with the community and community leaders to solicit project ideas that will benefit the Town. Additionally, the Committee will work with project sponsors to steward those projects through completion. Some projects will be completed quickly and others will be more long term in nature. In all cases, the projects selected and put forward will support the Community Preservation Plan and the edicts of the Community Preservation Act. The Canton Community Preservation Plan is available on our website. We encourage anyone with project ideas to apply using the forms also available on our webpage, or to reach out directly to a member of the Committee. The Committee wishes to thank past and current project sponsors, Canton citizens, Town officials, the law firm of Deutsch/Williams, the Massachusetts Community Preservation Coalition and each of its Committee members for their continued dedication to CPA. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Gorman Chairman