Community Preservation Committee backs request to advance $200,000 for Forward at The Rock Phase 2

The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously on Jan. 27 to support a request asking the Select Board to allow a $200,000 advance to Forward at The Rock to cover short‑term site work and contractor payments while state, county and other funds are finalized.

The request stems from a cash‑flow gap project leaders said could last two to four months because some federal ARPA money requires the grantee to pay contractors and then submit requisitions for reimbursement. "We have commitments for $2,000,000. This is a $5,000,000 project," Kathy Oman said, describing Phase 2 as eight one‑bedroom apartments for people with autism and related developmental disabilities. David, the project’s financial lead, told the committee the team has met most state conditions and expects the final contracting and subdivision work to be completed shortly.

Why it matters: Forward at The Rock Phase 2 aims to house residents from the Cape Cod area and project leaders said the state and 15 Cape Cod towns have offered funding commitments. Project leaders said a short advance would allow initial site work to begin and prevent delays while larger funders and the state complete closing requirements.

Project details and funding: Project presenters described a roughly $5 million budget for Phase 2, with about $2 million in state commitment, roughly $363,000 from county ACPA funds and additional funding from multiple CPCs and private fundraising. David said the owner has arranged to work with Cape Associates — the contractor from Phase 1 — and that the remaining state condition is a technical subdivision to separate phase 1 and phase 2 lenders' collateral.

Discussion and vote: Committee members questioned whether funds for the entire project were in hand and whether advancing money before a fully executed general‑contractor contract would represent a substantive change. Select Board Chair (speaking to the committee) suggested a simple signed sheet indicating Cape Associates will perform the work, with full contract language to follow. The committee then agreed to request "a minor amendment to the contract that allows advancing this $200,000 prior to the execution of the contract with the contractor, recognizing that that contract will be executed in a timely fashion," and moved and seconded the motion. The committee voted unanimously to support sending that request to the Select Board for action.

Next steps: Presenters were asked to email a PDF summary (including the requested language) for inclusion in the Select Board packet; committee members said the item will be placed on the Select Board agenda. Project leaders said they are continuing to pursue remaining closing steps and expect to break ground later in 2025 or early 2026 depending on the closing timeline.

The meeting adjourned after a series of administrative updates and scheduling notes.