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Holyoke CPA reviews scoring criteria, to open English and Spanish public survey ahead of March 4 funding vote
Summary
The Holyoke CPA Committee reviewed its scoring grid and timetable for FY26, confirmed the public survey will be distributed in English and Spanish, and reminded applicants of contract and signage requirements; the committee plans to vote on funding recommendations March 4.
The Holyoke City Community Preservation Act Committee on Tuesday reviewed the scoring criteria it will use to rank FY26 project applications and outlined a public feedback process that will feed into the committee’s March funding vote.
Naomi (staff) said a public survey will be distributed in both English and Spanish by Google Forms and posted on the city website. The committee encouraged members and applicants to share the link widely; public support is one scoring criterion and staff said public input will be available to members before the committee’s vote.
Committee members walked through the scoring grid, which uses four-point ratings across categories including public support; Helene said the committee typically aggregates member scores to create a ranked list and then funds projects in order of the highest-rated items. The chair confirmed there will be an opportunity for the public to weigh in before committee members cast final votes.
Budget context: the chair said the committee must withhold funds to cover an affordable-housing requirement carried over from the prior cycle. The transcript records that the committee planned $68,000 for affordable housing in the prior cycle but received only one $50,000 application, leaving an $18,000 shortfall that must be addressed before final allocations.
Other business: Chair reported a positive community meeting for the Jones Point project, saying the project will move forward with a few small changes to address neighborhood feedback. No other new business was taken, and the committee adjourned after scheduling the March 4 meeting to decide funding recommendations.
Why it matters: public input and transparent scoring can change funding priorities; the survey timing and the committee’s holdback for affordable housing affect how many projects ultimately receive support.
What’s next: staff will send survey links in the coming days and distribute scoring materials to committee members; the committee expects to vote on funding recommendations at its March 4 meeting.
