Community Preservation Committee previews FY26 funding, urges applications for $1.9 million pool

Rachel Running, chair of Malden’s Community Preservation Committee, and committee manager Daniel Cough presented an overview of the Community Preservation Committee’s role and the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding available to Malden during the council meeting on March 11.

The presentation explained that CPA funding in Malden comes from a 1% property-surcharge, state matching payments and a potential—but rarely used—transfer from the city operating account. "We're lucky to be able to collaborate with Mayor Christiansen and his office," Running said, noting the committee is volunteer-led and charged with recommending projects that meet state CPA criteria.

Cough walked the council through the committee’s finances and process. He said the CPA has raised about $8.5 million to date and that historically roughly 69% of CPC funds in Malden have gone to open space and recreation, 17% to affordable housing and 14% to historic preservation. For FY26 the committee estimates approximately $1 million in new surcharge revenue and—after rollovers and required set-asides—about $1.9 million will be available for new project awards, Cough said.

The CPC laid out the FY26 timeline: a pre-application period beginning at the CPC info session on April 16 and running through June; full applications due the second week in September; public hearings and CPC deliberations through the fall; and awards typically announced in winter with grant agreements executed in spring. Cough said off-cycle applications may be accepted at the chair’s discretion.

Running and Cough emphasized eligibility and priorities: projects must be an allowable CPA use, align with the CPC plan and city planning documents, and show leveraging funding from other sources when possible. The CPC favors applications that incorporate sustainable design, protect natural resources, reuse existing buildings, expand tree cover and permeable surfaces, and demonstrate neighborhood support. Running also noted the committee’s statutory composition (9 seats, including four statutory members) and encouraged applications from residents in currently underrepresented wards.

The presentation closed with contact and participation information and an invitation to take the CPC survey on the city website. Cough provided an email contact for questions and said CPC holds public meetings the third Wednesday of each month.

Ending: The committee encouraged prospective applicants and neighborhood groups to use the April pre-application window to confirm project eligibility and to attend applicant workshops and the public hearing process later in the year.