 Williamstown Preservation Panel Pulls Surcharge Hike ProposalThe Community Preservation Committee on Tuesday voted to backtrack on a plan to ask town meeting to increase the town's Community Preservation Act surcharge on local property tax bills. Williamstown CPC Sends Eight of 10 Applicants to Town MeetingThe Community Preservation Committee on Wednesday voted to send eight of the 10 grant applications the town received for fiscal year 2027 to May's annual town meeting. Williamstown Community Preservation Panel Weighs Hike in Tax SurchargeThe Community Preservation Committee is considering whether to ask town meeting to increase the property tax surcharge that property owners currently pay under the provisions of the Community Preservation Act.  Williamstown Community Preservation Committee Hears from Final ApplicantsThe Community Preservation Committee last Wednesday heard from the final four applicants for fiscal year 2027 grants and clarified how much funding will be available in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. Williamstown Community Preservation Act Applicants Make Cases to CommitteeThe Community Preservation Committee on Tuesday heard from six applicants seeking CPA funds from May's annual town meeting, including one grant seeker that was not included in the applications posted on the town's website prior to the meeting.  Williamstown CPC Again Sees More Requests than Funds AvailableThe Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday to begin considering grant applications for the fiscal year 2027 funding cycle.  William Russell Allen House Study Near CompleteA feasibility study on the William Russell Allen House is expected by the end of the month. Williamstown Community Preservation Talks Hard Deadline, Potential Surcharge HikeIn assessing need, the key question will be whether the project could be undertaken without CPA funding, if none was available. Pittsfield CPA Public Hearing Set for Nov. 3The process open thru Nov. 15, 2025 Lenox Community Preservation Committee Seeking ProposalsCommunity Preservation Committee Seeking Proposals for FY27  Pittsfield Native Opens Accounting BusinessKevin Garcia recently started his own accounting firm and is accepting new clients.  Rehabilitation Efforts Reignited for Historical Pittsfield PropertyEfforts to save the historic William Russell Allen House have reignited with the support of Community Preservation Act funds. Williamstown Select Board Weighs in on FY26 Budget, CPA GrantsThe board decided to put off a decision on its recommendation for an article related to the sewer department, and the panel split on whether to support a series of appropriations of Community Preservation Act funds. Willamstown Community Preservation Committee Ups Recommended Funding LevelsNon-profits seeking Community Preservation Act funds in fiscal year 2026 will receive a little bit more than expected if town meeting agrees with the recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee. Williamstown Community Preservation Committee Funds Proposals at Half the Levels SoughtThe committee started its consideration of fiscal year 2026 requests with applications totaling about $294,000.  Williamstown CPA Requests Come in Well Above Available FundsThe Community Preservation Committee faces nearly $300,000 in funding requests for fiscal year 2026. Pittsfield CPA Project Eligibility Application Process OpenThe Committee also welcomes public participation to understand community priorities as it begins a new year of soliciting potential projects for funding. High Turnout as Williamstown Passes Local Tax ExemptionThat question to create a tax exemption to the Community Preservatoin Act passed by a margin of 2,177-977. Williamstown Nov. 5 Ballot Includes CPA Tax ExemptionQuestion 6 on the Nov. 5 ballot would finalize an exemption to the Community Preservation Act property tax surcharge for homeowners who meet either low-income or, for seniors, moderate-income standards. Clarksburg Ballot Initiative Could Mean Funds for Housing, Historic PreservationTown officials also have supported adoption of the act as a way to leverage funding from the state to address community needs the town can't afford.  Leftover CPA Funds Restoring More Pittsfield PlaquesThe idea is to restore two Park Square plaques with the remaining funds: The Old Town Hall marker and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Clarksburg OKs $5.1M Budget; Moves CPA Adoption ForwardThe annual town meeting sped through the questions on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. Pittsfield Council Sees $808K in Community Preservation FundsThe City Council last week saw 11 Community Preservation Act funding allocations totaling $808,547. Clarksburg Holds Information Session CPA Warrant ArticleAn informational meeting on the Community Preservation Act will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 p.m. at the Clarksburg Elementary School.  Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 RequestsThe projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle. |
