New Bedford Community Preservation Committee Holding Public Hearing June 11 at Downtown Library

Written Comments Will Be Accepted Through July 5

NEW BEDFORD – The Community Preservation Committee is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. to gather input from the public that will help update the Community Preservation Plan for the new fiscal year. The hearing will take place at the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., in the 3rd floor meeting room.

The Community Preservation Plan identifies and establishes the City’s priorities in each of the CPA categories – Open Space/Recreation, Historic Resources, and Community Housing – through an open and transparent process involving public input. The annual plan guides the allocation of funds by the CPC to projects that improve and benefit the community.

The draft Community Plan will be available for review beginning June 11 at http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/planning/community-preservation/. Written comments will be accepted through Friday, July 5, via email to CPA@newbedford-ma.gov or by mail to CPC – Department of City Planning, 133 William St., Room 303, New Bedford, MA 02740.

Upon completion of the new fiscal year Community Preservation Plan update and approval by the Community Preservation Committee, the FY25 application cycle will begin with the Application Technical Workshop scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5. The CPC highly recommends all interested in applying for CPA funding attend the September workshop.

CPC PUBLIC HEARING DETAILS:

Tuesday, June 11, 6 p.m.

New Bedford Free Public Library

3rd floor meeting room

613 Pleasant St.

New Bedford

Translation services in both Spanish and Portuguese for the meeting are available by request only. Please contact the Community Preservation Act Manager at least 48 hours prior to the meeting if you require these services.

For more information about CPA in New Bedford, visit the City’s website at http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/planning/community-preservation/. Questions about the public meeting or the Community Preservation Plan can be directed to the Community Preservation Act Manager at 508-979-1488 or CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov.

About the Community Preservation Act

New Bedford voters adopted the Community Preservation Act through a ballot question in November 2014. The statewide enabling legislation allows communities to create dedicated funding for projects that support open space, outdoor recreational facilities, historic preservation, and affordable housing activities in the city.

Oversight of this process rests with the Community Preservation Committee, the body established by the City to oversee the CPA program in New Bedford.

CPA funding is derived through two sources: a 1.5% surcharge on local property taxes and a state match on local revenue. For the FY24 application cycle, the CPC recommended, and City Council approved, $2.2 million in CPA funds to 21 projects.

Since FY18, the committee has recommended, and the City Council has approved, 122 grants totaling more than $12.5 million in CPA funding for projects that have preserved historic resources and open space, created community housing opportunities, and both improved and created recreational facilities throughout the city. In addition, these grants have enabled organizations to leverage an additional $12.3 million in funding from other sources, such as state and federal funds, and private foundations.