[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6233259,"mediaKeyId","3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b","parentId",3423879,"title","Community Preservation Committee begins FY27 plan revisions, prioritizes shovel-ready housing and open-space projects","audioSeconds",3284,"startMs",3655000,"endMs",6939000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b&start=3655&end=6939","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b/thumbnail_3655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233259/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Community-Preservation-Committee-begins-FY27-plan-revisions-prioritizes-shovel-ready-housing-and-open-space-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233259-addf2e55cd1a2268daebd2399e37fa11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448572&Signature=Fr9yE8F1WzGc7ud9lZvFkA5xZdGTZ2dv8QaXovEgsdpDzFyQI84rfJ5HcU75EN5Ugkz3kbF6PYmxV42JW2b4TIi82jodRHKfIYCCsgHTcSp5dND9d5YtQhAtP2hyhdAkUXAicpKiKwb4yXhCMMhIjDdeXE88KWzHKXFtSH5aCQBOFKv9uMZs49Oxp3FOMRBeFFeWlZ3XxzmAT1zDLc0CEWxKGCVXQ9s0MPimAFPULjuqdSm6VPAQQFkTrEHE3-56kH0oXMyUoetJ9oMGbVLGEAD4l9i7TvBoqPs60gJ68mPUElSntcsfGGJQADyh616WfhM1N~W9JViV~~FDVkWB2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River City, MA","date","2025-05-20T22:59:20Z","article","Committee members spent the meeting reviewing an updated draft of the Fall River Community Preservation Plan for fiscal year 2027, agreed to collect edits and rewrites, and signaled priorities for the coming funding round.

Members asked staff to add a clear schedule for the FY27 application cycle, and to include a short, prominent section describing what the committee will consider “shovel-ready” — applications with completed design documents, demonstrated matching funds or committed partners, and evidence of prior investment. Several members said the plan should continue to welcome small neighborhood projects while also highlighting the committee’s intent to prioritize larger housing and open-space projects that can leverage additional public or private funds.

The planning discussion covered format and clarity: members requested a larger, more readable font, an update of the city population figure to the most recent U.S. Census number used by city grants, and replacement or updating of maps and historical funding tables. Members also recommended a dedicated section titled “CPC funding process and timeline” that would summarize key dates and submission deadlines for applicants.

Committee staff set an internal deadline for written edits: members were asked to return marked-up copies by June 6 so staff could produce a revised draft for public presentation next month. The committee expects to hold public outreach on the plan and will publish links to the open-space survey and plan documents on the city website; staff noted the city’s PDFs should use clickable links to improve online access.

No formal funding decisions were made during the plan review. Members emphasized two repeated priorities to be reflected in the FY27 plan: (1) support shovel-ready housing projects that can use CPC funds as part of a larger financing package, and (2) continue to support open-space and recreation projects identified in the city’s 10-year Open Space and Recreation Plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5.19.2025 Community Preservation Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members reviewed a draft FY27 Community Preservation Plan and set a June 6 deadline for edits. The group signaled preferences for shovel-ready projects, stronger evidence of matching funds, and a clearer public timeline in the plan.","taxTitle","Fall River City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",4215,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233264,"Owners of Freedom Street fire station win six-month extension to submit invoices",0,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b&start=6360&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b/thumbnail_6360000.jpg","/articles/6233264/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Owners-of-Freedom-Street-fire-station-win-six-month-extension-to-submit-invoices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233264-7b76b49ec3a871f2c538cd8702f54a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448572&Signature=e-02yQ9GqZkPpHiL0wwP7hrHv5u9wBJv2rZt7JHJJjnDWzTlEhhXMEced~ur4PWrgCJbgVMLe4VZ79SXrlWL59Ef~mwjZezf13H2~gcKtMfxo~79Gkt-S-avwOFB1gLdkWvaExksH6Gx8QMxS3Ic-JDtACTDwjgwcGYuEXkyXMO8HkHy96kyZh822~l04XtlLGzKVrHPM9t9K8r4J7HkZ0j7OWjYwRzycagBel17kAQhluFhlnVMgB1C8715zcyC47rMsgXiOLw7-D~M~MUJEcPzyTtbAQGCyHrnLTj06WwqO9DmU~sb2rechSaVK81CcyOB7czrHfF5T2Xr1YS4gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Preservation Committee on Monday granted a six-month extension to owners of the Freedom Street Fire Station so remaining invoices can be submitted and the project closed out.

Sir Charles, who identified himself as the owner/applicant of the Freedom Street property, told the committee he and his wife, Gloria, have been restoring the brick fire station they acquired from the city in 1989. He said masonry work on the west elevation was recently completed. “This station is a brick … It was built in 1884,” Sir Charles said, describing the building’s history and the ongoing restoration.

Sandy, CPC staff, told the committee the physical work on the masonry was completed and that the outstanding administrative step was submission of invoices by the applicant. “The project’s done. They have all the invoices. They just haven’t submitted them for due to personal reasons,” Sandy said. Committee records noted a small remaining line item of “$18.05” on the CPC sheet and an earlier architect line item of $92.50; staff advised the remaining paperwork must be submitted to release final funds.

The committee moved to grant a six-month extension to allow the owners to provide the outstanding invoices and signoff. Members acknowledged the applicants had spent personal funds and that the project had exceeded the original award amount; staff said no CPC funds would be recouped because the owners had outlaid more than the grant balance.

With the extension approved by voice vote, staff asked a committee member to inspect the completed masonry and deliver the invoices so the CPC office can process final payment.","Owners of the historic Freedom Street Fire Station received a six-month extension to submit outstanding invoices to the Community Preservation Committee. Committee staff confirmed the masonry work is complete but invoices remain to be provided for final payment.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233269,"Committee extends Mount Hope Greenway funding while rail-and-trail questions persist",2298,1432000,3730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b&start=1432&end=3730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","/articles/6233269/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Committee-extends-Mount-Hope-Greenway-funding-while-rail-and-trail-questions-persist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233269-b2a21d2fcb3d038a55d36417a5d83608/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448572&Signature=QLSvo9T5~n2eBcoOHcWRd8G34n-lQrMM9DrjKUVNSIsjRxqhtQbJgjqRGrlQmd7BxxY-wKBjZp1NKgOYEzILeOTX-7y0iWJgVTGwy2DfFPEx8vS7wAfe~KS3H8iepCv3F~U73KUO5CLKhXz~hiQjHRGJEWDMlCE3f2zXCDGCBcgmT9k-JWrJeZtP~NkOzWxAxYn16BOk6Kw-7FEA-aeVyHW5iKYz34oNfyZk7rPIsrCKQx3h0nGDhTZfufT8~FSip1M7OgbjjCZV5jHgN3rPVgjV~Y792NCH1brLSL9XdZC5I6-WNowMTlLtkklcoxcon0DIJyYqthuJ43SDNivKEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Preservation Committee on Monday approved an extension that keeps work alive on the Mount Hope Greenway project while the city and regional partners continue to study conflicts between an active rail component and a public trail alignment.

Dan Aguilar, director of engineering and planning for the City of Fall River, told the committee the project — first funded in 2018 — has been complicated by renewed interest from nearby businesses and Rhode Island partners in reactivating the rail line for industrial uses. Aguilar said the original CPC disbursement was $60,000 in 2018 and that the award was part of a bonded five-year program; he said the fund structure historically provided roughly $300,000 across five years for the project but that available balances and remaining funds were complex.

“The sewer treatment plant wants to be able to revitalize that rail and be able to take sludge … to the state pier and ship it off,” Aguilar said, describing stakeholders who want the rail operational. He said Gold Medal Bakery has expanded nearby and that Rhode Island has expressed interest in extending a rail-and-trail connection toward Newport and Tiverton.

Committee members discussed tradeoffs between a traditional rail-trail conversion and preserving capacity for freight or industrial rail. Members urged the city to require funding commitments from parties that want the rail reactivated before using CPC funds for rail engineering work. One committee member said the CPC funds should be used to prepare bicycle- and pedestrian-focused designs that become more competitive for state grants once construction-ready.

Aguilar said prior study work exists and that the city has used CPC funds as match on other trail projects to secure MassTrails and similar grants. The next step, he said, is to further define alignments where trail and rail must coexist and to identify where the path may need to be routed to streets because the railroad right-of-way is narrow.

The committee voted to approve an extension of the Mount Hope Greenway funding by voice vote. Members stressed that the extension does not obligate the CPC to pay for rail reactivation; one member said he would not authorize CPC spending on rail-design work unless proponents committed additional funding.

Staff will consolidate existing reports and maps, identify corridor locations with potential conflicts, and work with Rhode Island partners and local businesses to clarify funding commitments before the committee considers construction-phase funding.","The committee granted an extension so the city can continue work on the Mount Hope Greenway design; discussion centered on whether the corridor should remain a trail, be reactivated as rail for industrial users, or serve both functions, and committee members urged external partners to contribute funding for rail components.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233274,"Fall River planners win 2-year extension to finish Kennedy Park Overlook designs",1360,70000,1430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b&start=70&end=1430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423879-a220f6247e9431f2a26987d2f400a43b/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6233274/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-planners-win-2-year-extension-to-finish-Kennedy-Park-Overlook-designs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233274-f37f1833fec8004df80d5612e13edfb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448572&Signature=WiHRQlvu7-KtJK1~lx5zPoO7Bey8hLOyFPw42i95a8rtGFcrEe5iCvKHdAG6h62W~LDVD3uvpQYRgpkCO0iUaGJYPW7dmhxMWrdDgrxfg2LeXsFEiDYj2MbYwTRFp0xn13A88yaVvqKW2V1I3xf4DRKB~ih6CFQCauZTnj1BkXHyhD8dTRSp6KNJtEi4CtMxah9RUp7aiolf5ODVocMpWZ1PECR-F3DjeO3-5CxGckkQ0V1l1tGE6ysSUkHf85NWgaY69eYPCeuaPWhxb9LU0q7CLVJhvaeifGqF8ZXwfmZd5VGmwDPmWe~CHpQFJhnslsNQ9JRpk-72hiDqugaDlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Preservation Committee on Monday granted a two-year extension to the City of Fall River so planners can finish design and permitting work for the Kennedy Park Overlook project.

The extension allows the city planning department to continue working with consultant Brown, Richardson & Rowe to complete schematic design and permitting; construction funding was not available. The project originally received funding in 2017 and an additional $35,000 in February 2022, and committee members were told approximately $106,694.29 remained in the grant balance.

Dan Aguilar, director of engineering and planning for the City of Fall River, described the project history and current status. “We would probably be able to get to full design. We would not be able to construct anything on-site with the funding that is remaining, which, from what my understanding, is about a hundred and $6,000,” Aguilar told the committee. He said the consultant completed schematic drawings and a survey and provided a construction estimate that the group said was roughly $2,000,000 for a full build.

Committee members pressed for a phased approach and for designers to plan for long-term maintenance. One member noted that building elaborate structures without an operations plan can leave the city unable to maintain them. The planning department and members of the Open Space and Recreation Committee recommended the design emphasize sustainability and “shovel-ready” phasing so smaller components (benches, walkways, parking) could be built first while larger features such as a pavilion are deferred until matching funds are available.

Aguilar said the pavilion element was included in the preliminary drawings but can be removed from the immediate scope so the team can complete site plans and permitting. He said the city intends to seek other funding for construction once design documents make the site “construction-ready,” citing past success using CPC funds as matching dollars to secure MassTrails and other grants.

The committee moved to grant a two-year extension and approved it by voice vote. No construction funds were approved as part of the extension; the action extends the time window for completing design and permitting with existing CPC funds.

Members recommended staff route the finished design to the Historical Commission for early review if the pavilion or architectural features are pursued, and urged planners to include utility pads or conduit in the design to avoid later disruptions if the pavilion is built in a later phase.

If completed, the schematic and permitting work will be the basis for future grant applications and for phasing construction so the city can seek additional outside funds and matches before building permanent structures.","The Community Preservation Committee granted a two-year extension so city planners can finish schematic design and permitting for the Kennedy Park Overlook project, while committee members urged phasing and additional outside funding for construction and maintenance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community Preservation Committee begins FY27 plan revisions, prioritizes shovel-ready housing and open-space projects

Owners of Freedom Street fire station win six-month extension to submit invoices

Committee extends Mount Hope Greenway funding while rail-and-trail questions persist

Fall River planners win 2-year extension to finish Kennedy Park Overlook designs