By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff Writer
August 06, 2008 05:35 am ROCKPORT — Money from the Community Preservation Act could purchase watershed land, repair Rockport Art Association buildings, pay for design work at the Community House, and assist residents who need help paying their rent or mortgage. The Community Preservation Committee, led by Chairwoman Mary Francis, is recommending Town Meeting on Sept. 8 approve the dispersal of $531,002 for four projects. The most expensive project is a request for $300,000 to buy parcels of land within the watersheds that supply the town's drinking water. According to Watershed Protection Committee Chairman Eric Hutchins, the committee has identified seven parcels it hopes to purchase. A trail and two parcels are small tracts on Rowe Avenue close to the border of the water supply area while another four parcels abut the Cape Pond Watershed. In June, Hutchins informed members of the Preservation Committee that the Watershed Committee planned to apply for a state Department of Environmental Protection matching grant as well. If approved by voters, the $300,000 for the Watershed Committee would be split between Rockport's land bank and conservation trust; $270,000 would go into the land bank to acquire or to protect land, while the remaining $30,000 would be placed in the conservation trust to cover costs, such as surveys, appraisals and legal documents. The Preservation Committee unanimously supported the proposal. Since voting to accept the Community Preservation Act surcharge six years ago, Town Meeting has never failed to approve a project recommended and funded by the Preservation Committee. This year marks the first time Rockport will not receive a 100 percent matching grant from the state when money is distributed this fall. According to Francis, the state has not said what Rockport will receive this year in matching money, but the state has indicated the town could at least expect a 67 percent match. Francis said because Rockport taxes itself at the maximum level of 3 percent, the town will be eligible for additional state funding in a second round of disbursement. Francis expects Rockport to receive an additional 3 percent, for a total 70 percent return. According to a draft copy of the Community Preservation Committee's annual report obtained by the Times, the Rockport Art Association has requested money to help preserve its Old Tavern and Maddocks buildings. The association requested $126,452 to help pay for preservation work including masonry, restoration and replacement of windows, dormers, doors and outside cladding. The work is the second phase of a three-phase, multi-year project to restore the entire complex. The first phase is complete and Association Director Carol Linsky expects to be able to complete the rest of the projects within budget and on time. The Preservation Committee unanimously supported the proposal, but requested that the Art Association appear at Town Meeting to step up and frame support for the project as being "good for the Rockport streetscape". After initially hearing a request from Jack Campbell, of the Building Study Committee, for more than $1.5 million to upgrade the Community House, the Preservation Committee ultimately voted in the majority to support a $29,550 appropriation to complete the ongoing design and planning work by the architectural firm McGinley-Kaslow. The money will enable the town to pay the firm to complete design plans and bid documents, which will include an understanding of the final costs needed to restore and preserve the entire building for various user groups in the town. Francis said the reason at least a couple members of the nine-member Preservation Committee voted against supporting the Community House proposal was because they didn't believe nearly one-third of the $29,550 should go toward a user group study. Public Works Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert Burbank said yesterday the $29,550 is critical in that it would allow the restoration to continue on track. A proposal from Action Inc. for $75,000 was unanimously approved by the committee. The money would allow the Tenant-Based Rental/Mortgage Assistance program to continue in Rockport. The program assists approximately 10 to 12 residents who experience difficulty retaining their housing and getting back on their feet after a temporary setback by providing them with rental or mortgage subsidies and supportive services for a period of up to one year. Each project will appear as an article on the fall Town Meeting warrant; proposals that are approved at Town Meeting gain immediate access to community preservation money. The Preservation Committee will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. in the police station's community room. The committee has invited members of the Finance Committee to attend as well as new Public Works Director Joseph Parisi. Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com. c_
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