PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Community Preservation Committee expects a $420,000 budget for fiscal 2018.
The Community Preservation Act was accepted by voters last November and city officials have been establishing the process since then. The act calls for a surcharge on property tax bills of 1 percent, with the first $100,000 value being exempted. That money goes into a fund, which is controlled by a locally created Community Preservation Committee, to use on affordable housing, parks and open space, historic preservation.
Residents will see that surcharge in the final two quarterly bills this fiscal year, with the four annual bills being split into just two. Next year, the surcharge will be spread out over the entire year.
On Tuesday, the City Council's Finance Subcommittee approved the estimated $420,000 budget, though the timing of the income and application process means it is unlikely that much, if any, money gets dispersed before July.
"This is already a conservative amount based on fiscal '17 assessed values. We also rounded that number down," City Planner CJ Hoss said, later adding that when it comes to expenses, "In May, June, as the council is going through the budget process for FY19, you'll get something more definitive with collections and proposed projects."
Councilors pressed Hoss and Community Preservation Committee Chairman James Conant on how community groups and others apply to receiving funding for projects. While the process is open for any group to apply for funding, even the application has not been designed yet. Hoss plans to make it well known when the committee will begin accepting them.
"Civic groups will have to step up and actually apply for projects," Hoss said.
The committee has already held one outreach session as it plans out its guiding principles for using the funds. Hoss said he plans to release a survey in the coming weeks and then hold more community meetings.
The funding can be used in a fairly broad set of ways, money can be saved up over years or can be spent at once. But a minimum of 10 percent is required to go into each of the categories. The group is looking for input on how the committee should prioritize the spending.
From there, an application and eventual review process will lead to the determination of which projects receiving money, and how much. That recommendation goes to the City Council for final approval.
"We don't foresee us doing large scale projects per se, but partner with projects," Conant said.
The state matches the city's contribution to those funds, but that won't happen until November 2018. The state's match has been coming from an annual allocation from a trust fund. As more and more cities and towns adopt the act, the money gets spread thinner. Just last summer those advocating for the act were expecting a 30 percent match but now the match is looking to be closer to 12 percent.
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Dalton Town Hall Lift Solutions in Development
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Solutions are being sought for the lift in Town Hall that has been out of service since December because of safety concerns.
Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch told the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee meeting on Tuesday night that Hill Engineering has been contracted to come up with a potential option.
The lift is in the police station and the only other lift for the town hall is in the library, which is not accessible after library hours.
Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful.
Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town.
The first option Hill has proposed is to install a vertical lift in a storage closet to the left of the police entrance, which would go up into the town account's office.
A member of the committee expressed concern that the current office location may not be suitable as it could hinder access to the police station during construction.
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more