By Carol Britton Meyer

The Community Preservation Committee is considering six applications for the next round of Community Preservation Act funding, primarily for projects that the town would otherwise not be able to afford.

Requests this year include a partial payment toward the proposed next $1.5-million phase of the Village Fire Station project; $70,000 for supplementary funding for the Hampton Circle Playground, with a possible additional $29,000 request to install porous material that would make the play area, which is located in a flood zone, more flood-resistant; $55,000 for L Street playground and tennis courts repairs; $30,000 for an approximate 30-by-30-foot L Street playground shade structure, in large part to provide shade for summer campers; $70,000 for the restoration of the Paragon Carousel windows; and $28,000 for a waterfront access consultant.

Such a consultant, with the goal of helping to improve waterfront access and possibly overall public space access at the suggestion of CPC member Nathan Peyton, would study access points around town, provide an existing conditions analysis and recommendations for any new access points, and offer recommendations for rehabilitation of existing access. The consultant would take into consideration ADA compliance, environmental issues, building-code requirements, maintenance, and the approximate cost of each project.

The proponent of all but one of the current applications is Community Development and Planning Director Chris Dilorio on behalf of the town. The proponent for the carousel project is the Friends of the Paragon Carousel.

CPA funding comes from a 1.5% property-tax surcharge approved by town meeting in 2016 and may be used only for open space, affordable housing, historic preservation, and recreation projects. The state provides a partial match for these funds.

The current available CPA funding is $642,487, including $485,341 from FY22 CPA surcharge revenue and $148,359 as the FY22 state match.

The CPC makes its recommendations prior to each year's town meeting. The final decision rests with voters after recommendations from the select board and advisory board.