Community Preservation Committee Seeks Public Comment on New Funding Guidelines

Want to weigh in on how projects receive Community Preservation Act funding? Now's your chance.

The Community Preservation Committee is currently seeking public comment on its draft funding guidelines for projects that receive Community Preservation Act money. 

Adopted in Newton in 2001, Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides money for historic projects, affordable housing, recreation and open space. The Newton Community Preservation Committee then decides what projects receive funding, a decision that is ultimately approved by the Newton Board of Aldermen. 

Some past CPA projects in Newton include work on , the , , the Newton Corner Library, , Warren House and many others. See a full list of CPA projects in an interactive map online. 

The newly proposed funding guidelines will affect projects starting in fiscal 2014. 

Public comments on the graft funding guidelines are due by October 19, as the Community Preservation Committee expects to adopt the new guidelines by mid-November. 

There are several opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed guidelines:

• A public hearing on the draft funding guidelines - Wednesday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. at the

• A 10th birthday celebration for the Newton CPA, specifically "Ward 8 and beyond" - Wednesday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. at

• Through a Community Preservation Committee online survey, which must be completed by Tuesday, Oct. 9

• Written comments can be sent to Alice Ingerson via email to aingerson@newtonma.gov or postal mail to Alice Ingerson, Community Preservation Program Manager, City of Newton Dept. of Planning & Development, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton Centre 02459. Comments must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 19.