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Committee reviews five eligibility applications, schedules public‑hearing planning and small‑grants proposal
Summary
The committee updated members on a completed CPA survey (Spanish translation technical hold), reviewed five current eligibility applications (historic and recreation categories), and discussed a proposed $15,000 small‑grants allocation; formal votes included tabling agenda items to September.
The Holyoke City Community Preservation Committee discussed its Community Preservation Plan (CPP) survey, five current eligibility applications, and a proposed small‑grants allocation during its meeting. The committee did not award project funding at this meeting but recorded motions to table agenda items and postpone finance subcommittee matters to September.
Chair Jay reported the CPP survey has been completed but is awaiting a technical fix to make the Spanish translation accessible; technical support was engaged and the committee expects the issue to be resolved in the next few days. The CPP subcommittee will meet to set a final date for a public hearing; Jay said the committee hopes to complete the public‑engagement phase by December.
The committee listed five eligibility applications currently on file: St. Paul’s Church (requesting $290,000 on a $290,000 total budget for three stained‑glass windows; eligibility may be limited by state law and the city solicitor’s opinion), the Department of Conservation and Sustainability for Scott’s Tower (requesting $175,000 toward a $700,000 rehab that would repair the tower, make the first level accessible and repoint masonry; committee members said the applicant hopes to leverage state grant funds), Stary Hurst (requesting $65,000 to restore and open a butler’s pantry to the public at a historic house museum), the Holyoke Merry‑go‑round (requesting $30,000 to rehab four carved horses), and Holyoke Health Center (application submitted for work at 275 High Street; the application form included limited detail and the requested CPA amount was not specified).
Jay said the committee had five eligibility applications on file at the time of the meeting and expected more applications to arrive before the deadline, noting that many applicants submit near the deadline. Committee members discussed eligibility questions for St. Paul’s Church due to state law constraints; Jay said the city solicitor had offered an opinion that could affect eligibility. Members agreed the committee can determine eligibility first and then consider whether to fund projects.
On smaller funding, Jay said the committee’s small‑grants proposal, submitted to the city council as part of the committee budget package, would allocate $15,000 for projects whose total budgets are below $6,000 and for which the committee contribution would not exceed $3,000. Jay described the program as aimed at making small improvements—flower gardens, plaques, monuments—more accessible to city departments and individuals.
The committee recorded several procedural votes: tabling agenda item 2 (GlowTech and Jones Point Park) until the September meeting due to the absence of John Moquin, tabling Naomi’s regular admin update until September at Naomi’s request, and postponing the finance subcommittee update until September. Each of those motions passed by roll call vote, 6-0. Jay said he will circulate application forms and updates as new eligibility submissions arrive.
In old business, Jay reported that the Library Commons and Rights Block projects are under construction; he said he toured the Rights Block and that temporary CPA signage is on display at both projects. He noted the Rights Block project team hopes the lieutenant governor may attend a spring ribbon cutting.
