Worcester CPC accepts $5.13 million FY27 CPA appropriation and sets $6.94 million fall spending limit

The Worcester City Community Preservation Committee voted at its April meeting to accept the City’s FY27 Community Preservation appropriation of $5,133,433 and to set a spending limit of $6,938,301.60 for the next funding cycle.

Chair William Eddy framed the initial vote as a recognition of the sum available to the committee rather than a decision on how the money will be spent, saying the motion was “to accept the budget of the 5.133433” and clarifying that the vote accepts the allocation, not specific project expenditures.

Paul Morano, assistant chief development officer, told members the FY27 estimate is composed of a local surcharge ($4,463,855) and a state match/trust distribution contributing to projected revenue of $5,133,433. He also flagged an unexpended reserve of $3,539,444 from prior years, producing $8,672,877 in total potential funds for the upcoming fall round.

Committee members debated how much to hold in reserve versus awarding to projects. Proposals ranged from roughly 10% to 20% of total available funds. Supporters of a larger reserve cited uncertainty in state and federal revenues; others urged the committee not to leave large sums idle when worthy projects are pending. After discussion, a member moved to set the next-cycle spending cap at $6,938,301.60; the motion was seconded and approved.

The chair and staff said the committee will still decide spending priorities and project awards in later votes. The committee also tentatively scheduled the required public hearing on the Community Preservation Plan for Tuesday, May 26, and instructed staff to post the plan for public notice consistent with statutory advertising requirements.

What happens next: the committee will take project‑level votes in future meetings and hold the public hearing in late May before finalizing awards.