West Tisbury CPC discusses proposals totaling $1 million
By Nelson Sigelman
Published: June 23, 2011
The West Tisbury Community Preservation Committee (CPC) plans a multi-pronged effort to provide voters with information about a slate of proposals they plan to present at the annual town meeting on April 8.
The committee is inviting the public to its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 pm in the Howes House on Wednesday, March 26, to review and discuss the proposals and ask questions. It also plans to send a brochure to every taxpayer and distribute them at town meeting.
"We want to get out as much information as possible," co-chairman Caroline Flanders told The Times.
The Community Preservation Act enables Massachusetts communities to levy a surcharge on property tax bills. Each dollar raised by the surtax is matched by the state. The funds may be used for affordable housing, open space, and historic preservation. At least 10 percent of the money raised must go to each of the three areas.
In 2005 West Tisbury voted to assess a three-percent surcharge under the CPA. West Tisbury residents may initiate proposals that must be recommended by the CPC and approved at town meeting.
The town has a total of $1,256,652 in CPA funds currently available for eligible projects. The CPC has recommended eight projects for a total cost of $1,005,000.
According to a press release, in January the approvals followed a review process that included a series of public meetings.
The Town Hall renovation project will receive $100,000 per year for five years from CPA funds toward debt service on a bond issue for this project.
Mill Pond was last dredged in 1969. The CPC approved $50,000 toward the rehabilitation of Mill Pond, including design work and permitting required for dredging operations.
A roadside path is recommended in the densely populated areas along Old County Road. The proposed path will go from State Road to Hopps Farm Road along the west side. The CPC is proposing to use $80,000 in previously approved CPA funds and apply another $80,000 toward construction of the Old County Road path.
In April 2007, voters approved the use of three town-owned lots on Bailey Park Road for the development of three single-family affordable houses. The CPC would provide the town affordable housing committee with $45,000 for predevelopment costs.
The Island Housing Trust (IHT) wants to construct eight single-family affordable homes on land acquired in collaboration with the Land Bank at 200 State Road, the former Bennett property. The CPC proposes to provide $400,000 for this project.
The CPC recommends allocating $50,000 to the Island Affordable Housing Fund revolving loan fund.
Another $250,000 would be used for the construction of three new affordable rental units at Sepiessa Point Apartments, managed by the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority.
Further efforts to provide affordable housing include the allocation of $30,000 to subsidize affordable housing rentals by eligible West Tisbury applicants.
For more information on the CPA and the application process, visit the CPC website, westtisbury-ma.gov/CPC
