The Northampton Preservation Committee unanimously voted Nov. 19 to raise its small-grants threshold from a $3,000 CPC ask and $6,000 total project cap to a $5,000 CPC ask and $10,000 project total, a change members said merely restores purchasing power lost to inflation.

Devin proposed the change, and committee members discussed the inflationary rationale. "Three thousand in 2008 is worth about 4,500 now," a member noted during discussion as one justification for the upward adjustment. Sarah (CPC staff) confirmed the procedural change would be implemented for the next application round and that staff would schedule a periodic review of the cap.

The motion passed unanimously on roll call. Staff said the change will be reflected in application materials and that the committee should revisit the cap at least every two years.