Center School clock leads Preservation Committee approvals
A clock, an iron fence, a bike path and a senior housing study have been recommended for Community Preservation Act funds and placement on spring's Town Meeting warrant.
The state’s Community Preservation Act allows towns to adopt a real estate tax surcharge of up to three percent to fund open space, historic preservation, community housing and public recreation. The state matches no less than five percent and no more than 100 percent of the funds raised from the surcharge.
The Community Preservation Committee recommends to Town Meeting how the funds should be used. The committee had $500,000 available.
The Center School clock restoration project was recommended for $51,500, which reaches the $70,000 with a little left over for additional maintenance. Resident Ray Andrews, who has fundraising efforts, said $20,000 had been raised privately. Those funds have been used as a down payment for the restoration, which started Dec. 1
Cushing Cemetary's wrought iron fence abutting Acushnet and Mendell Roads was recommended for $25,000. Highway Surveyor Barry Denham said in October that painting and sandblasting would be required. Denham, who is a member of the Cushing Cemetery Commission, also said the Cemetery Commission has been trying to raise funds to maintain the land for over a year with little success.
The Mattapoisett Bike Path Committee was recommended for $37,000 to complete engineering and legal work on the bike path easement through the YMCA and Reservation Golf Course area. The easement was approved at fall's special Town Meeting, and is part of the path's "Phase 1B," which would connect the path at Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street.
A study determining the need and possible locations for additional affordable senior housing was recommended for $25,000. Town Administrator Mike Gagne and the Affordable Housing Trust applied for the funds.
A request for $300,000 from the Coalition for Buzzards Bay to purchase land in the Greater Brandt Island, Naskatucket bay area was not approved for Town Meeting's warrant.
