Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Information

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is charged with accepting proposals from the community. This includes official Town boards, agencies, and recognized community groups, special groups and individuals. An official Town board, commission or agency is usually named to work with the community groups and/or individuals if the project receives final approval. The CPC reviews proposals and those accepted by the Committee move to final approval at either the Annual Town Meeting or a Special Town Meeting.

10% of Community Preservation Act funds are ear-marked for each of three categories: Open Space/Recreation, Historic Resources and Community Housing. Up to 5% may be used for the Committee’s expenses. The remainder is Undesignated Funds and may be used in the three categories or for obtaining recreational lands. Recreation includes the development of lands, fields, parks, etc.

Open Space: this includes land to protect existing and future well fields, aquifers and recharge areas, watershed lands, fields, forest land, fresh water marshes and other wetlands, river, stream, lake and pond frontage, beaches land to protect scenic vistas, land for wildlife and nature preserves.

Recreational Land: this includes land for active or passive recreation use such as parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, community gardens, hiking trails, and non-commercial youth and adult sports.

Historical resources: include buildings, structures and/or real property listed or eligible for listing on the state register of historic places or has been determined by the local Historical Commission to be significant in the history, archaeology, architecture or culture of the municipality. It may include historical materials which are important to the Town.

Community Housing: housing for individuals or families whose annual income is less than 100% of the area wide median income, including housing for citizens above the age of 60. The area wide median income is determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Allocation of Local Funds
10% must be reserved for Historical Resource Preservation
10% must be reserved for Community Housing
10% must be reserved for Open Space
Up to 5% may be used for expenses incurred by the CPC
The remaining 65% may be allocated as the CPC recommends within the four areas

Community Preservation funds not used one year remain with the Committee and can be used in any category as long as the required 10% is reserved for the required areas.

Criteria to be considered when approving or rejecting proposals:

1. are eligible for CPA funding according to the requirements described in the CPA legislation and/or described or are similar to projects described in subsequent materials from the state
2. are consistent with the interests of the Town of Southampton as defined by (Master Plan, Open Space, Land Use, etc.)
3. would preserve the character of the Town of Southampton
4. save resources that otherwise would be threatened (open space issues as well as historical).
5. would serve more than one CPA purpose
6. would leverage additional public or private funds
7. preserve or better utilize currently owned town assets
8. allow cooperation with other town boards, departments or groups

Call for Community Preservation Projects

Download the Proposal Form here

Meetings

Please check the MyTownGovernment website for meeting announcements.

Contacting the Community Preservation Committee

Email: cpc@townofsouthampton.org
Phone: (413) 529-0106 Town Administrator
(413) 527-8392 Town Clerk Office
Fax: (413) 529-1006 fax

Mailing Address:
Town Hall
210 College Highway
Southampton, MA 01073

Members of the Community Preservation Committee