[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6324175,"mediaKeyId","2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080","parentId",2339397,"title","CPC hears updates on rural cemetery tower, historical society closeout and library/townhouse preservation issues","audioSeconds",259,"startMs",2785000,"endMs",3044000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080&start=2785&end=3044","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080/thumbnail_2785000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324175/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/CPC-hears-updates-on-rural-cemetery-tower-historical-society-closeout-and-librarytownhouse-preservation-issues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324175-ef04b1e5ebf768cd16d9815ea92982b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790328&Signature=fIPZ3qSkFcp3nDi1e0Bi1nHRQ4~RO2CSjWxSjYZxIF0L6qMSYeL~chXGbCrXBpc9dvNzJAUlirpzXe9uRXyiAL4ZGbLdv5eiJ8Q0MvhmUeTrij1yzFmMJj1FEFH3AaqU8OlIC~mfj~Y~LQV9qXysjuhPn3-3g23xWh3USLPHjV8JIBGf9s2foZHjfLm01NwMxODht7Ru-2Je~0xQDkPyfVraSMNkElcqBdhdnH1HcdvUBkTMbIDk2R5cGrenq6A8nT7HrP06vdLyETRySpDZA-28eVWAosO1Gn0ZxGU5aXVHr-FHuLm7XXrUXytfILZLrGEpiIDuCuuXesncvO7hKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Community Preservation Committee received brief status updates on several active projects and closeouts on Feb. 13, including the Rural Cemetery water tower, a project closeout with the Southborough Historical Society, and preservation restrictions and bonding issues related to the library and the townhouse project.

Ben Smith said the Rural Cemetery water tower estimate was delayed after a scheduled site visit cancelled; staff will follow up and place the item on the next meeting agenda. The committee asked Grant Farrington to contact the preservationist or contractor (Kevin) who had been expected to provide an estimate and to report back at the late-February meeting.

On project closeout, CPC staff said they had sent a closeout letter to the Southborough Historical Society and received a response from executive director Michael Weishan. Staff reported they identified at least one invoice within the scope of the original warrant and recommended partial payment to the town accountant while awaiting a bank statement to complete the records. The committee said it wants work that was within the scope of the enabling article to be paid and any remaining funds returned to the Community Preservation Trust.

Committee members also reported progress on the library and townhouse preservation restriction negotiations. Ben Smith said proponents are negotiating endowment and preservation-restriction terms with Preservation Worcester and that the amounts sought by the preservation group were lower than some members expected; he urged discretion while negotiations continue so as not to disrupt ongoing talks.

Brett Peters raised procedural concerns about rebonding: the town treasurer has asked whether bond funds set aside for the library project should be reissued before the preservation restriction and final PR (preservation restriction) is executed. Committee members asked staff to coordinate with the treasurer and project proponents to confirm whether rebonding is necessary and to verify whether funds encumbered for library signage and other small outstanding items can be returned to the CPA account.

These items are administrative and the committee did not take funding votes at this meeting; members asked staff to pursue updated estimates and documentation so the projects can be addressed at the next scheduled meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Community Preservation Committee 2/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","Committee received progress reports: the Rural Cemetery water tower needs an estimate, Southborough Historical Society is working with CPC on project closeout and paperwork, and the library/townhouse preservation restrictions and bonds are under negotiation with Preservation Worcester and the town treasurer.","taxTitle","Town of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",56453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324179,"CPC votes to send applicants a letter saying South Union and Flag School preservation applications are incomplete",107,2795000,2902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080&start=2795&end=2902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","/articles/6324179/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/CPC-votes-to-send-applicants-a-letter-saying-South-Union-and-Flag-School-preservation-applications-are-incomplete","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324179-1627b4d0139846ccb90f49310988d57a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790328&Signature=ST0MiLikjTmDi4Oj4JY-yZF7jBzFHVcLbXsZyOS8tO-rcjsN43bR3gPOrqxPj02dqaOtRSjcq5W3Uo5pxN6gHOi67OBmg83MYzsJN-P1a~IisXpudcCAGKv9Sc-w-pp7f5V9aH8V3flrz9YdUDs4lDIqnGcwq5oLsUFcBw-0YUrWcd5XQz2UgRNpTAcjPutNIjWjC0Ow6cqt9XwmDIsOdUiAQCiIs9DTevGiKtWnid7wkof3EUsEhoqj15fj-DSU7lElpXyNzHEvAnAckJQVYJsYm8lsGgfDOtQFt7EZnnfPG~~42MgTXycix6A3Q3fdsDhjUP7jbp7vgg1etqQ58Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Preservation Committee voted Feb. 13 to draft a letter to the proponents of two historic-preservation applications — for the Historic South Union School and the Assort Flag School — stating the applications were incomplete and inviting resubmission with required documentation.

The action follows the committee’s finding at its previous meeting that both applications “did not demonstrate site control” and lacked other required elements. Instead of conducting a substantive vote on the projects themselves, the committee chose to document the deficiencies and ask for completed applications.

A motion to draft the letter was moved and seconded; the committee then held a roll-call vote. Lisa Braccio voted yes; Ellen Mariah voted yes; Grant Farrington said he would abstain “for the reason stated at the beginning of the process;” Kristen LaValle voted yes; Brett Peters voted yes; and Ben Smith voted yes. The motion carried with five votes in favor and one abstention.

Committee members also identified next steps for other preservation items, instructing staff to contact the proponents for Engine 25 and the Town Common historic railing to request updated applications and cost estimates so those projects can meet the town meeting timeline.

What the vote means: The committee did not award funds or reject the projects on their merits; it instead documented that the current applications lack required details and asked proponents to return with completed materials.","The Community Preservation Committee voted to draft and send a letter to applicants for Historic South Union School and Assort Flag School preservation projects, saying their CPC applications were deficient and inviting complete resubmissions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324184,"Southborough CPC pauses vote on transferring CPA housing funds to new Affordable Housing Trust",2756,9000,2765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080&start=9&end=2765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339397-95a312b27e2fbf80b3a5bdd966467080/thumbnail_9000.jpg","/articles/6324184/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Southborough-CPC-pauses-vote-on-transferring-CPA-housing-funds-to-new-Affordable-Housing-Trust","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324184-4918d7fd870e65f6f997d9d208d8ffbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790328&Signature=k91bB2-eUHoEpOS0KOutKpoqHcPi9cis4pKJHNRPEAh6IIDPzlft3Ftlbv7LNaw~fuxPoiCLnqVS8Xbrh-O06KENq38jNYZYq3YqAEG98OT2WFy8Ir~xdvciaJBke1E3uxU6m4P67vSO0ojHJ8K7FAViZPcUkLmtwggYQPYy-Ympiyt1mqw7L4Wu9lGBqojgVwscQjFzIN~ld6p2qewACa0fPv4LurAMalslBv~ssqGD2qTJdH7fPSHhq1XiqnLfbg3KgmSacI9mOy05gLxeZIia6VyeZcVAhJSSYI8x6Q4X2n~VmsKFiwSRd6VpV5Z9XgaPrJdxgdzfi3ZJIUoySw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) discussed on Feb. 13 a request from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee to receive a transfer of the town’s CPA community housing funds but did not vote to approve the transfer, saying they need clearer goals, legal safeguards and updated application materials.

The discussion matters because the CPC would transfer roughly half a million dollars in community housing funds to the trust’s control; members said they want protections such as a sunset clause and a clearer plan for how the money would be used before placing the transfer on a warrant for town meeting.

Ben Smith, Community Preservation Committee member, opened the meeting by listing the affordable housing trust fund application as one of the session’s “most critical items.” Ellen Mariah, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee representative on the CPC, said the trust has met several times and is working to narrow strategic goals: “we spent some time … to put together some still pretty broad goals, and are continuing to think about how we want to define a strategy,” she said.

Several CPC members said they want more detail from the trust before approving a transfer. Grant Farrington asked for “a better sense of what, you know, they’re actually going to use the money for,” noting the committee should explain whether funds would be used for acquisition, rental subsidies, management, or other authorized activities. Brett Peters and Kristen LaValle also asked that the trust narrow its focus and said shorter sunset periods — one to three years was suggested by different members — would be acceptable.

Lisa Braccio, a CPC member who consulted with town counsel, reported that town counsel is “weary of grant agreements” and does not believe a formal grant agreement between two town entities is prudent. She said counsel suggested either placing conditions in a warrant article or drafting “rules for release of the money” and a policy of expectations. Braccio said counsel offered to meet with CPC to help craft the appropriate language.

Freddie (staff member) urged the CPC to finalize required warrant language and the supporting application materials quickly because town meeting deadlines are near. Freddie said the current application request is for “about $500,000,” and recommended the CPC require an updated application from the trust if the committee expects to endorse a transfer.

CPC members outlined several procedural options: (1) require the Affordable Housing Trust to submit a revised application that lists strategy and specific uses to be referenced verbatim in the warrant article; (2) include a sunset clause and extension criteria in the warrant article itself; or (3) condition a transfer vote on the execution of an expectations policy or other written document agreed by both parties before the warrant is finalized. Several members preferred conditioning any transfer on execution of written expectations prior to town meeting.

The committee set follow-up steps instead of voting: members agreed to continue conversation with the trust and to invite town counsel to a CPC meeting. Ellen noted the trust will meet again the morning of the 27th (9 a.m., Zoom) and CPC members proposed meeting the evening of either the 26th or the 27th (6:30 p.m.) to continue the matter and, if appropriate, finalize warrant language before the select board’s article-review meetings on the 4th and 11th.

The CPC did not take formal action on the transfer at this meeting. Members said they will require a revised application from the trust that includes the committee’s mission/strategy and other expectations before voting on a transfer.

What's next: CPC members will seek a meeting with town counsel to clarify what enforceable conditions can be included; they will request a revised application from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee and plan follow-up CPC meetings in late February to finalize warrant language prior to select board review.","The Community Preservation Committee discussed a request to transfer Community Preservation Act (CPA) community housing funds to the town's newly reconstituted Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee, but members declined to finalize a vote pending clearer goals, legal language and a possible sunset clause.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CPC hears updates on rural cemetery tower, historical society closeout and library/townhouse preservation issues

CPC votes to send applicants a letter saying South Union and Flag School preservation applications are incomplete

Southborough CPC pauses vote on transferring CPA housing funds to new Affordable Housing Trust