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Community Preservation

LWVN Comments on CPC Applications

This past fall, LWVN commented on several applications before the Community Preservation Commission (CPC).  Below are excerpts from our letters.

Golda Meir House, $3.25 million

In general, we feel this project has lots of positive aspects.  Specifically, the new units fill a large need in the community, have permanent deed restrictions on the affordable units; is aiming for LEED silver construction, will partner with Hearth, Inc., and leverages CPC funding to access other funding, limiting CPC funding to about 11% of the project cost.

Our main concerns are the support of the neighboring community and the question of seniors who should suddenly find themselves in financial difficulty.

 

Newton Conservators, $30,000

Our recommendation is to approve this application to cover the additional costs related to conservation restrictions for properties purchased with CPA funding.  We also recommend that this additional cost be added in to any future application to purchase conservation land.

 

Allen House, $600,000

Regarding the current application, this is part of a multi-stage project that goes back to 2015. Our readers found that the organization has successfully managed its earlier construction projects and are inclined to recommend this project.  However, one reader raised the question about whether or not the proposed theatre space would generate enough income needed to finish the renovations, and wondered if a needs assessment has been done.  The idea was raised of possibly generating more income from providing rental space to non-profits and small businesses than from theatre space.

LWVN support two CPC applications: Webster Woods and the Golda Meir House expansion

In the last two months, LWVN supported two applications before the Community Preservation Commission (CPC):  one for $100,000 to fund an appraisal of Webster Woods as well as a contract with outside legal counsel to help strategize the proposed purchase, and one for $3.25 million to fund an extension of the Golda Meir House that will add 69 units of much-needed senior housing.

To read LWVN’s letter to the Newton CPC, click on the links below.

Help Wanted: Join LWVN’s CPC Committee

LWVN has weighed in on EVERY application that has gone before Newton’s Community Preservation Commission since it began.  We want to continue this important tradition, bringing an important voice to the decision on how to best use funds that citizens agreed should go to the CPC priorities of affordable housing, historic preservation, open space and recreation. LWVN focuses on whether or not each application fits appropriately into these priorities, benefits the entire community, and uses CPC funding as leverage for other resources (financial or otherwise).

Several long-time committee members have now moved on to elected office and so we hope to add some LWVN members who care about these issues.  The committee only works on applications before the CPC (not pre-applications), so there might be 4 or 5 a year at most.  The work involves reading CPC applications and filling out the LWVN form that helps provide a structure to evaluate the proposal. We as a committee then review the results from all the readers and make a recommendation (with comments) to the LWVN Board for their approval.  The Board then send a letter with the approved comments and recommendation to the Newton Community Preservation Commission.

You can choose which applications to work on depending on the topic and if the time is right for you.  Please consider joining the committee! If you are interested or have questions, please contact us at info@lwvnewton.org.

 

Help Wanted! Volunteer needed to lead LWVN’s CPC Committee

LWVN has a tradition of commenting on every application that is submitted to the City of Newton’s Community Preservation Commission (CPC).  We have a core group of volunteers who review and evaluate the applications, but we need someone to organize the reviews and be the liaison with the LWVN Board.  The committee is only active when there is an application to review, and most of this can be done by email.

If you are interested, please contact us at info@lwvnewton.org.  Thank you!

Help LWVN evaluate the Webster Woods CPC application

LWVN evaluates and comments on every CPC (Community Preservation Committee) application.  The City of Newton CPC will be meeting to discuss the application for Webster Woods on September 13th and we want to have our comments ready!  If you are interested in the project and can review the application impartially, please let us know at info@lwvnewton.org.

The application can be found online here:  Webster Woods CPC Application