Conference for CPA Committees

Saturday, January 8, 2005

8:30AM – 3:00 PM
Massachusetts Audubon'sJoppa Flats Wildlife Sanctuary 

1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA

On January 8, 2005, the statewide Community Preservation Coalition and the Essex County Community Foundation hosted a conference for Community Preservation Committees on the North Shore (from Nahant to Newburyport). The conference provided municipal governments with tools and strategies for implementing the Community Preservation Act with a specific focus on affordable housing development.

Opening Session: Introductory Remarks and CPC Discussion

After a continental breakfast, the speaking program will began with introductory remarks by Dorrie Pizzella, Executive Director of the Community Preservation Coalition. She gave an update on CPA implementation statewide, spoke about the CPA's success in the recent elections, and discussed coming threats to the CPA Trust Fund.

Download Introductory Presentation

Download Handout #1 - list of CPA communities

Download Handout #2 - Status of CPA expenditures

Following the introductory program, there was an open discussion in which members of each of the Community Preservation Committees shared their respective experiences in implementing the Act. This session included significant time for questions and answers and sharing of ideas and best practices.

Morning Panel: Housing Discussion

Karen Sunnarborg, a housing consultant, discussed affordable housing production plans and how a town can work incrementally to increase its affordable housing stock while at the same time adding new units towards its goal of having 10% of it's housing stock classified as affordable.

She was followed by Stuart Saginor, from the Boxford CPC, who discussed the mechanics of setting up a housing trust and how they created one in Boxford.

Download Karen's presentation

Download Stuart's presentation

Afternoon Panel: The CPA and Affordable Housing

Following lunch (provided), there was another discussion on housing development. Gene Clerkin from the Mass. Housing Investment Corp., and formerly of the Bedford CPC discussed their condo/duplex conversion program and mixed use housing development.

Download Gene's handout #1 - Overview

Download Gene's handout #2 - Operating proforma

Download Gene's handout #2 - Development proforma