Community Preservation Committee adopts 2026 plan and finalizes application instructions

The Springfield Community Preservation Committee voted to adopt its 2026 Community Preservation Plan and approved the 2026 application and instructions after discussion and edits.

Members focused discussion on the draft plan’s off‑cycle request language. Chair Bob McCarroll noted that "the CPC does not have an emergency fund" and that any off‑cycle approval results in revenue being drawn against the next fiscal year’s allocation. Committee members debated wording (members favored replacing "credited against" with "deducted from" to make the fiscal effect clearer) and sought to better define "market opportunity" as a real‑time opportunity such as land that unexpectedly becomes available for conservation purchase.

The committee also clarified application logistics: the application will be online, deadlines were confirmed for Feb. 25, staff will hold an applicant workshop on Jan. 6, and applicants must submit nine paper copies of the application and all attachments unless otherwise agreed with staff. The committee voted to adopt the plan and to approve the application and instructions; staff will publish the draft plan and application materials and proceed with outreach.