Around Town

See the Community Preservation Project Application Presentations for 2023

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The Community Preservation Committee will hear applications for six projects seeking from groups funding from the fund created by the passage of the Community Preservation Act. This year, will be the second year that funding had been awarded for Community Preservation projects. Last year, two were funded: the preservation of two historic paintings in City Hall, and the renovation of Irving Park. A third did not receive funds. Funds can go to projects in three areas: historic preservation, community housing, and outdoor recreation.

Government

State Giving Watertown Nearly $1 Million for Community Preservation

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown’s Community Preservation Committee is pleased to announce that the Commonwealth has released $203,645 more to Watertown’s Community Preservation Fund, bringing the total annual state match to $956,905 for our City. These resources are a supplemental distribution from $20 million in state surplus funds for Community Preservation Act (CPA) communities in fiscal year 2022. State matching funds come from fees assessed on certain real estate transactions through the registration of deeds. For the past fiscal year, the state match equaled 38.5 percent of the CPA funds raised locally. Mark Kraczkiewicz, current chair of the CPC, said, “These matching state funds of nearly a million dollars confirm the wisdom of Watertown voters when they adopted the CPC.

Around Town

Historic Paintings Removed from City Hall to be Restored Using Community Preservation Funds

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Charlie BreitroseEmployees from Maquette Fine Arts Services prepare one of the historic paintings in City Hall’s lobby to be removed from the wall for restoration. Stephen Munroe of Maquette, center, speaks with art preservationist Louise Orsini, right. Friday morning a quiet sense of anticipation filled the lobby of Watertown’s City Hall. The marble covered atrium was filled with history lovers and art preservationists waiting to see what secrets are held by a pair of paintings dating back to the early 1930s. The towering paintings have been inset into the walls of Watertown’s Town Hall (since 2021 City Hall) since it opened in 1932.

Affordable Housing

DATE CHANGE: Learn About Applying for Community Preservation Funds at Upcoming Workshops

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The date of one of the Community Preservation Act Application Workshops has been moved from Aug. 9 to Aug. 10. See the information below:

The first two projects to receive Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding were approved in 2022, and those seeking to submit their projects in the next round of funding can get information about the process at an upcoming CPA Application Workshop. CPA funds can be used in four areas: affordable housing, historic preservation, open space, and outdoor recreation.

Affordable Housing

Community Preservation Project Application Process Open for 2023

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The following information came from the the City of Watertown:

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is accepting project applications for the FY 2023 funding round and will host application workshops on Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, 2022. Visit the CPC webpage for more information including: key dates, links to application instructions and application documents, or read How to Apply. Apply for CPA Funding – FY 2023

Key Dates

Application Workshops (morning and evening options): Aug.

Government

First Two Community Preservation Projects Approved; Will Rehabilitate Park, Restore Historic Paintings

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Designs for the improvements to Irving Park. The project was recommended by Community Preservation Committee for approval from the City Council, which did so on June 21. A park in Watertown will get a face lift and paintings in City Hall that are showing their age will be refurbished in the first two projects in Watertown approved to use money from the Community Preservation Act funds. On Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved the two projects recommended by the Community Preservation Committee. Community Preservation Committee Chair Mark Kraczkiewicz thanked the groups that brought forward the projects.

City Council

Council Holding Special Meeting on Creating Historic District, Changing Name of Delta & Community Preservation Projects

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Three items will be covered during a special City Council meeting next week: a petition to create a historic district on Main Street, a petition to change the name of the delta in Watertown Square, and to consider the recommended project from the Community Preservation Committee. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber in Town Hall, 149 Main St. The name of the delta will discussed first, followed by the historic district proposal, and then the CPC projects. People can also participate in the meeting on Zoom.

Government

Help Shape Watertown’s Future by Taking Community Preservation Survey

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Help shape Watertown’s future in the areas of open space, community housing, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation. Learn about the first Watertown Community Preservation Act (CPA) projects to be recommended for funding in the process too. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey to inform the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in updating the Community Preservation Plan. According to CPA law, we must hold a public hearing and prepare an annual update of the Preservation Plan—that means hearing from you. Take the survey –  Community Preservation FY 2021-22 Community Survey

Thanks in advance for your input.