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Date: 10/12/2021
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Community Preservation Committee (SCPC) hosted their annual public input meeting on Oct. 5.
Administrator of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Karen Lee jump-started the conversation by explaining the purpose behind their annual meeting. Lee explained that she and the SCPC utilize a local dedicated fund to contribute to community-inspired projects, including the preservation of historical sites, the development of outdoor recreational facilities and to create community housing. CPA projects have been approved by the SCPC since 2018, with 51 projects receiving funding, according to Lee.
For next year’s CPA budget, Lee said that $2,166,450 will be available for approved projects. The annual public input meeting kicks off the CPA’s 2022 yearly plans, with the SCPC utilizing the input toward the development of their final project recommendations in Fall 2022.
The first public suggestion came from Ellen Moorhouse. She shared her past experiences working with city officials on community cleanup projects for Lake Massasoit, which is currently in a disheveled and drained state due to the city’s ongoing repairs of the lake’s dam. The project’s initial success inspired her to initiate a long-term project that would work toward treating the water in the lake.
Moorhouse revealed Parks Director Patrick Sullivan’s plans for the lake to be pesticide-free once it’s refilled. To help enact this idea, she proposed a long-term plan for the city to honor Sullivan’s goal, including the implementation of proper signage, further mitigation of trash removal and plans to test and treat the water routinely. “Ultimately, what are we doing to treat that water,” asked Moorhouse. She envisions the lake being used for recreational use if restored to a pesticide-free state.
Another public suggestion came from Jasper McCoy, who works as a project manager for the non-profit affordable housing company Home City Development. He discussed the need for CPA funding to go toward housing projects, explaining that the pandemic exasperated many with rent and mortgage payments. “Home ownership, along with rental assistance and projects that push forward affordable housing, should be a focus,” said McCoy, who reiterated that Springfield is known as “The City of Homes.”
Attendees also stressed the importance of the SCPC being mindful about projects they support. Carpenter Union representative Lisa Clauson and state Rep. Orlando Ramos warned the committee of commonplace wage theft in the construction industry, suggesting that the committee devise a wage theft prevention plan similar to the policies passed by City Council. “Many of you may or may not know that the construction industry is notorious for wage theft,” said Ramos.
City Councilor At Large Justin Hurst joined the public meeting to share his suggestions. Hurst praised the SCPC for their efforts in developing projects and providing a public forum, but issued concerns that not enough CPA projects are originating from community ideas. “I saw a lot of projects that were originating from department heads…it seems to me the ideas should come from a coordinated effort from the community,” said Hurst. The council member also explained the importance of enforcing policies for developers to hire a percentage of Springfield residents, veterans, women and minorities for construction jobs.
Public comments to the SCPC will be open until Oct. 31, while the SCPC will be accepting applications for CPA projects until April 2022. Readers can learn more about SCPC updates at their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldCommunityPreservationCommittee.