CPC projects for FY2010 funds

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) had a public hearing on Tuesday on proposed projects for their FY 2010 funds. The chair, Mr. Baker-Smith, opened the meeting by noting that the state match this year will be 29%. CPC funds come from a 1-1/2% surcharge on our property tax which is then matched by state funds at between 5 and 100%.
The Historical Commission was first and is asking for $45K to continue with Phase 2 of an inventory of historical buildings. Phase 1 completed with CPC funds last year inventoried all homes built prior to 1841. Phase 2 would include homes built from 1841 to 1889. The inventory will be put on the town website. The CPC noted that they must take the funds for this out of their administrative budget and probably can't fund the entire request.
Next the Waterways commission proposed $97K for grading, fencing, and lighting of 1.1 acres at the Rogers Street landing. The site is contaminated from prior use...



..and must be capped according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Thes funds would be used to accomplish that and provide parking for cars, trucks and boat trailers using the launch. One interesting note is that the proposed lighting would be solar powered LED lights.
The Dartmouth Housing Authority (DHA) is requesting $350K to purchase and begin work to convert the former State Police Barracks on State Road into 7 units of veterans congregate housing. The conversion was estimated to cost $855K over the $350K in CPC funds. The DHA would raise the additional funds from private donors and grants to fund the conversion.
The final project request was from the Apponagansett Friends for $162.4K for restoration at the Apponagansett Meeting House on Russells Mills Road. The funds would be used to reinstall a post supporting the balcony, replace shutters, renovate fences and stone walls, install handicap ramps and a handicapped accessible composting toilet.
The recommendations on these projects from the CPC will go to the Finance Committee for review and then become a Town Meeting article for approval by that body.
Total CPC receipts for this year will be about $632K. The proposed projects would use up all those funds with nothing left for repayment of outstanding notes from prior years. Therefore some of this year's project requests must be reduced or declined, or the CPC must borrow to fund them. Borrowing will further reduce the ability to fund projects in future years. Last year for the first time since it's inception, the CPC accepted obligations in excess of the funds available to retire all debt within one year.