Newton Community Preservation Program

10/19/2020

The agenda deadline for the CPC's upcoming meeting on November 10 is this Friday, October 23, at 4:00p.m. Please contact Lara Kritzer at [email protected] for more information.

10/16/2020

Two New Proposals submitted by Historic Newton for CPA funding:

Jackson Homestead Fence Replacement - Historic Newton has submitted a pre-proposal for CPA Historic Resource funding to replace approximately 200-210 feet of badly damaged and decaying cedar picket fencing along the Jackson Road property line including two 4' x 4' walk gates and one 12' double gate for vehicles. The CPA funds would cover the cost of removal and disposal of old materials as well as the installation of a new fence. Full Proposal submitted on October 9 for November 10 Public Hearing. For more information, go to: http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/cpa/projects/museum.asp

Durant-Kenrick Gutter and Window Repairs - Historic Newton has submitted a pre-proposal for CPA Historic Resource funding to replace the failed copper-lined gutter system on the east façade of the 1732 Durant-Kenrick House with a new wood or historically appropriate fiberglass gutter, repair the damage to the exterior façade caused by water infiltration, and restore the six wood windows on the façade which are also water damaged. For more information, go to:
http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/cpa/projects/durant.asp

Historic Newton (www.historicnewton.org) is a public-private partnership between a City department (the Jackson Homestead/ Newton History Museum) and a private nonprofit organization (the Newton Historical Society).

08/28/2020

Two New Proposals submitted for CPA Funding

Public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 15, for two new proposals received over the last month. Additional information on the proposals and the meeting agenda is available at http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/cpa/default.asp

Commonwealth Avenue Carriageway Redesign, between Lyons Field and the Charles River Bridge (Auburndale) Request for $390,000 in Recreation funds to create the final design for the new bike and pedestrian pathway and green space. Full Proposal submitted August 10, 2020.

Grace Episcopal Tower Restoration (Newton Corner) Request for $1,433,000 in Historic Resource funds for the restoration of the ca. 1872 conical stone tower, steeple and belfry. Full Proposal submitted August 14, 2020.

06/11/2020

CPC Next meeting is Tuesday, July 14, 2020. This will be a virtual Zoom meeting, with additional details on accessing the meeting to be posted with the agenda two weeks before the meeting.
The deadline for new applications and agenda items for this meeting is Friday, June 26, 2020.

Recent Actions: At their meeting on June 9, the CPC reviewed the Final Report for the Newton Homebuyer Assistance Program and received a brief presentation on the program and its findings from Liz Valenta of ECR consulting. The CPC also discussed the future of the program with Planning and Development Dept. staff and voted to approve a shift in the use of the funding from creation of new homebuyer units to the preservation of Newton's existing homebuyer units, pending a review of the procedural process for changing the scope of the program. The CPC received an update on the Pigeon Hill Trail project from the Riverside Greenway Working Group and re-elected Mark Armstrong and Dan Brody to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, for the next year.

04/29/2020

The CPC is holding a joint Public Hearing with the Planning and Development Board on May 4, 2020 beginning at 7:00 PM to review the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Relief Program Proposal. For this meeting's full Agenda and pre-meeting packet, go to www.newtonma.gov/cpa.

This is a virtual meeting. No in-person meeting will take place at City Hall.

To view and participate in this virtual meeting on your phone, download the “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app in any app store or at www.zoom.us. At the above date and time, click on “Join a Meeting” and enter the following Meeting ID: 990 6711 6520

To view and participate in this virtual meeting on your computer, at the above date and time, go to www.zoom.us, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following Meeting ID: 990 6711 6520

You can also access the meeting online at: https://zoom.us/j/99067116520

One tap mobile:
+16465588656,,99067116520 # US (New York)

COVID-19 EMERGENCY HOUSING RELIEF PROGRAM

The CPC has received a proposal requesting $2,000,000 in CPA funding for the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Relief Program. Recognizing that many Newton households are now facing the loss of income or employment, the City has partnered with the Metro West Housing Collaborative (MWCD) to create a COVID-19 Emergency Housing Relief Program to assist Newton households which have been negatively impacted by the ongoing pandemic. The intent of the program is to provide some assistance and stability for Newton’s at-risk households by providing short term assistance (up to three months) to households who are below 100% AMI (Area Median Income).

The program proposes to pay 70% of a household’s monthly rent or mortgage payment, with a maximum amount of assistance per household per month of $2,500 ($7,500 max. for 3 months of assistance) and is anticipated to assist at least 300 households. While the program is primarily focused on rental assistance, it may also provide mortgage assistance to households who own existing affordable deed-restricted units.

The City has worked closely with MWCD to develop this program based on best standards provided by the Community Preservation Coalition and Massachusetts Housing Partnership. The MWCD will administer the day to day running of the program, including developing the application process, verifying eligibility, and releasing monthly payments directly to landlords or mortgage servicing agencies.

A copy of the Proposal and supporting Project Information is available on the CPC's website at www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/cpa/projects/covid_19_emergency_housing_relief_program.asp

04/01/2020

The Community Preservation Committee will hold its first virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 beginning at 7:00 PM. No in-person meeting will take place at City Hall.

To view and participate in this virtual meeting on your phone, download the “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app in any app store or at www.zoom.us. At the above date and time, click on “Join a Meeting” and enter the following Meeting ID: 842 942 8454.

To view and participate in this virtual meeting on your computer, at the above date and time, go to www.zoom.us
, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following Meeting ID: 842 942 8454.

You can also access the meeting online at: https://zoom.us/j/8429428454

One tap mobile
+16465588656,,8429428454 # US (New York).

Recent Actions:

On March 23, the CPC's recommendation to fund the Newton Housing Authority's proposal for the acquisition of the CAN-DO housing portfolio was approved by theFinance Committee. The proposal is scheduled to go before the City Council for approval at their April 6 meeting.

03/12/2020

The Community Preservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. The deadline for submitting new pre-proposal applications and other agenda items is Friday, March 27.

Recent Actions:

On March 2, The City Council approved the CPC's recommendation to amend the bonding amount for the acquisition of Webster Woods.

On March 10, the CPC's recommendation to fund the Newton Housing Authority's proposal for the acquisition of the CAN-DO housing portfolio was approved by the Land Use Committee. The proposal is scheduled for review with the Finance Committee on March 23.

03/06/2020

New Time and Location for next CPC meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The CPC meeting has been moved to Room 205 in Newton City Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. The revised agenda and pre-meeting packet are available at www.newtonma.gov/cpa. All items on this agenda are committee business, including a discussion of program planning and outreach. No proposal or project decisions are scheduled at this meeting.

The next pre-meeting deadline for pre-proposals and other agenda discussion items is Friday, March 27, for the April 14 meeting.

For assistance, contact Lara Kritzer at [email protected] or by phone at 617.796.1144.

02/24/2020

NEXT CPC MEETINGS: Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The CPC will hold its next regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street, Newtonville. The full agenda and pre-meeting packet are available at www.newtonma.gov/cpa. All items on this agenda are committee business, including a discussion of program planning and outreach. No proposal or project decisions are scheduled at this meeting.

The next pre-meeting deadline for pre-proposals and other agenda discussion items is Friday, March 27, for the April 14 meeting.

For assistance, contact Lara Kritzer at [email protected] or by phone at 617.796.1144.

01/31/2020

February 11th Public Hearing on Housing Authority Acceptance of CAN-DO Affordable Housing

On Tuesday, 11 February 2020 at 7 pm in the Newton Senior Center (345 Walnut Street, Newtonville) the Community Preservation Committee and Planning & Development Board will hold a joint public hearing on the Newton Housing Authority's funding requests ($1,105,000 CPA, $1,200,000 CDBG) for accepting the portfolio of affordable rental housing developed throughout Newton by CAN-DO (Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton Development Organization).
-- The full proposal and supporting documents are available from the CPC website at www.newtonma.gov/cpa.
-- For assistance or with questions, contact Eamon Bencivengo at 617.796.1145 or [email protected].

01/17/2020

THANK YOU from OUTGOING PROGRAM STAFF

24 January 2020 is my last day as Newton's full-time Community Preservation Program Manager. I would like to thank everyone who has participated in and supported the program over my 12 years in this position,
-- including dozens of City staff members in Planning & Development, Public Buildings, Parks & Recreation, the Mayor's Office, the Comptroller's Office, and Assessing
-- and the hundreds of citizens and dozens of community nonprofits who have supported the CPA in Newton, submitted or commented on the funding guidelines and specific proposals, and watched over CPA projects both in progress and after their completion!

Watch this page for an upcoming announcement of the new program manager!

Best wishes to all,
Alice Ingerson