WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Committee initiated a review of its priorities in preserving open space Thursday. The discussion focused on ensuring public access to land protected with Community Preservation Act funding.
The CPA allows residents to add a surtax on property in the city to generate funding to acquire open space, create affordable housing and preserve historic buildings.
Open space preservation is usually accomplished by purchasing development rights to a section of land with a conservation restriction, which has to be reviewed and approved by the state. Or the land can be purchased through a direct sale, then placed under a conservation restriction while a possession of the city.
Committee Chairman Joe Muto opened the discussion of the 2014 priorities with an issue raised several times during earlier agenda items: public access for active and passive recreation on land under conservation restriction.
Committee member Vince Olinski suggested that the highest priority should be given to acquiring the rights to land bordering other land that might later be added.
“I think we ought to be looking at land that can be further expanded, connected open space instead of spot zoning,” Olinski said. “I think we ought to be asking what are the priorities of other city departments so we can be more proactive and help clarify where the CPA dollars are spent in the future.”
Member Phil McEwan also raised the issue of fiscal accountability and reporting by groups seeking or awarded CPA funding. McEwan noted that frequently the committee is reviewing the cost of construction and renovation projects based on one bid or appraisal.
McEwan said that the level of fiscal detail required by the committee should increase proportionally with the amount being sought by a applicant.
“We should have bidding requirements as part of the application process,” McEwan said. “If it’s for a couple of thousand dollars, best practices. But if it’s for $50,000, maybe we should require the applicant to get two bids and if it’s for $200,000, have them submit four bids for the work.”
There was also discussion on following the progress of projects and accounting for the CPA funds as they are expended so that if the work is accomplished under the original estimate, the remaining funds come back to the committee, in a timely manner, so they can be used for other projects.
The board, which meets quarterly, will continue those discussions at its April 10 meeting. Muto also opened the meeting schedule for discussion, suggesting if it would be better to meet every other month instead of the current schedule of meeting every third months.
The CPC, with the exception of two mayoral appointees, is comprised of members of the Historical Commission, Housing Authority, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission, all of which have one or two meetings a month in addition to the quarterly CPC session.
The members decided not to change their meeting schedule. If an application had to be addressed within a short timeline, Muto could call a special meeting.
