We can learn a lot by looking at what other towns with more experience have done with CPA.
Marion will hold a Special Town Meeting on Oct 21. Three of the articles on the warrant will seek approval for CPA projects. The projects have been approved by the local CPC and now need town meeting approval. The first article is a somewhat complex land deal that will reduce a 40B project and preserve open space:
Article S1 asks for $198,841 from the fiscal year 2012 Community Preservation Fund, $48,600 in Open Space Acquisition Commission reserves, and $52,559 from Community Housing Reserves. Representatives of Sippican Lands Trust are expected to explain the somewhat complicated land deal at the special Town Meeting.
The next article is a historic project:
Article S2 also seeks town Community Preservation Act money, but for historic preservation.
The Sippican Woman Club seeks $40,615 to replace windows at Handy’s Tavern on Front Street, which serves as the club’s clubhouse. The CPC voted to appropriate $9,404 from the Fiscal Year 2012 unreserved fund, and $31,211 from Historic Preservation reserves.
Dawson said there is no issue with using CPC money to fund private projects, as long as it meets criteria. He noted that advocates for the Marion Art Center requested and received CPC money to help restore the former church’s belfry.
“As long as the project has historical significance, and Handy’s Tavern does have a historical significance, it’s a candidate,” Dawson said.
The last CPA-related article would hire a project manager as part of a larger public works project.