CPA Projects Database

To update and restore the Jonathan Belcher House

To hire a consultant to prepare a master streetscape concept plan for Historic Crawford Square Business District (CSBD). The plan resulted in a $1.36 million grant to the city from the state Public Works Economic Development Program for the actual work in historic Crawford Square. The historic rehab will bring back the Elm trees which died years ago along with other infrastructure work.

To preserve the historic structure of one of the Town's remaining poor houses, which is used by various non-profit organizations, as well as veterans, youth, and seniors

To update renovation plans to meet current building codes.

To extend the Norroway Pond bike path

Additional funds for the restoration of Belcher House

Additional funds for creation of basketball courts

To cover the cost of the architectural designs for the renovations to the historic Stetson Hall.

To update and recodify the Town Zoning Bylaws. Also, to place them on the Town’s website.

To hire a community preservation planner to facilitate addressing community housing needs in Randolph, in concert with the standards of the Community Preservation Fund.

The project proposes to purchase Royal Stetson House, a National Historic Register eligible house, stabilize the structure from further deterioration, restore the historic building fabric, upgrade physical facilities, and prepare the National Register nomination. Restoration of the building is to be done with a combination of Federal and State preservation grants, and a preservation lease program. Restored house is to be either sold with preservation restriction, or continue to be leased in a maintenance or preservation lease program, with provisions for periodic historical tours of this historic house.

The Powers Farm proposed land purchase is an active farm that abuts Norroway Pond (town property) to the west which is an 8.21 acre site. The Powers Farm would provide a vital connection and link between the town’s pond and the proposed community park off of North Main Street. Powers Farm is a combination of fields, forest and wetland. The property has natural and scenic qualities and its highest value is the view looking east to west where wonderful sunsets can be seen with unspoiled views of the woodland that abuts the town pond. The Powers land purchase would expand the amount of contiguous open space already protected. The town pond sits on an 8.21 acre site which is linked to 24 acres across Grove Street to the south. After all the properties are assembled the town will have 41 acres of contiguous protected open space. The Powers Farm land purchase in conjunction with the 2.7 acre site adjacent to Powers Farm is an exciting land protection opportunity that when all said and done could protect 71 contiguous acres of open space.

Powers Farm is a unique farm because the property is used for hay, raising farm animals (goats and cows) that use the fields to graze. Mr. Powers sell’s goats, beef and eggs, he will retain the farmhouse, barns and some fields in order to continue his farming operation. A portion of the fields will be fenced into corrals to prevent people from disturbing the animals while they are grazing but at the same time allow people to observe the farm animals.

This project meets all six goals of the Open Space & Recreation Plan. Specifically, it will protect existing open space lands and acquire new lands that safeguard Randolph’s natural resources and provide active and passive recreational opportunities. It will also expand the amount of contiguous open space. The project will provide necessary links between the town pond and a town park and provide public access to conservation and recreational facilities for all citizens.

The Town of Randolph applied for a Public Works Economic Development (PWED) grant for street and sidewalk improvements for North Main Street - Warren Street to West Street. The new sidewalk, roadway treatments, resetting granite curbing, improvements to pedestrian walkways and crossings, street trees, benches, trash receptacles, planters, decorative lighting and granite pavers, landscape enhancements, and signage will truly transform the downtown. The Community Preservation Committee’s approval of the $200,000 is to go toward street trees and historic lighting. The $200,000 local match would be used to leverage an additional $999,222 in a state grant for street and sidewalk improvements. The implementation of the streetscape improvements will enhance the quality and commercial success of the downtown. These improvements are part of an overall improvement program for the downtown that will be an integral part of the success of the downtown.

To create a “Master Plan” to best determine how to update and restore the Jonathan Belcher House in accordance with the regulations of the National Historic Register; to bring the building into accordance with current building and fire codes, and to meet ADA requirements. In addition, the project will address the maintenance and self-supporting nature of this outstanding house that is on the National Historic Register.

Responsible for assisting with the implementation and leveraging of the Town's Community Preservation program while working in collaboration with the CPC, Planning Board, ZBA and Board of Selectmen. The position is responsible for preparing funding recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee to Town Meeting; working with grant recipients to monitor the implementation of CPA-funded projects; assisting the CPC with media activities and community outreach; assisting with the preparation of the CPC's Annual Report and annual update of the Community Preservation Plan; and other general tasks to assist the CPC with implementation of the CPA Program.

The CPC Planner is responsible for assisting with the implementation and leveraging of the Town's Community Preservation program while working in collaboration with the CPC, Planning Board, ZBA, Housing Authority and Town Council. The position is responsible for preparing funding recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee to Town Council; working with grant recipients to monitor the implementation of CPA-funded projects; assisting the CPC with media activities and community outreach; assisting with the preparation of the CPC's Annual Report and annual update of the Community Preservation Plan; and other general tasks to assist the CPC with implementation of the CPA Program.

Essential Elements
Works with the Community Preservation Committee in its capacity to review and approve CPC recommendations, including writing CPC recommendation memos, docketing items, providing support materials, and Town Council meetings as they pertain to CPC recommendations.

To help the CPC in its endeavor to acquire and preserve open space, community housing, and historic preservation. Furthermore, to assist in smart growth housing initiatives that will lead to meeting the Town's 40B requirements.

Works with the Town Counsel to ensure timely execution of funding agreements and other legal documents pertaining to CPA funded projects such as open space, historic preservation, and housing deed restrictions.

In 2009, the CPC and the Town funded the purchase of the Powers Farm for conservation and passive recreational purposes only and for the undisturbed enjoyment of open space by all residents. The property is a combination of fields, forest and wetland that have natural and scenic qualities. The purchase provides a vital connection and link between the Town’s pond and the proposed community park off of North Main Street. The Town Manager and Town Planner created a plan for Powers Farm, using information from the UMASS study. The Phase One funding will begin the creation of a community park area. The first phase will consist of creating parking, restroom facilities, picnic pavilions, barbecue areas, walking trail and benches around the pond, a small swing set area and open lawn areas for toss, frisbee, kite flying and soccer. The preserved land will be a great open space for the residents to get together and enjoy outdoor activities. To make the first payment on the borrowing approved at Town Meeting to purchase Powers Farm ($800,000), the Rent Property ($425,000) and the Daly Property ($175,000). This will be the first of ten payments to payoff the bond.

Committee’s Comments:
Whereas the Committee has made a commitment to pay the bond in a ten year period, instead of choosing a twenty year bond, the CPC will save approximately $225,000 in interest charges. The first year payment will be $126,500. In addition, the total amount of the borrowing is $500,000 less the total appropriated amount per the state grant awarded for the purchase of Powers Farm.

The Daly property is a 2.5 acre land purchase that will create a pocket park for the South Main, Maple Street and South Street neighborhoods. The property is a woodland with tall, mature trees that would be a nice place for adults and children to observe birds and wildlife and “have the opportunity to play in the woods.” This purchase would protect in perpetuity a natural woodland. Whereas this request will provide a pocket park to a neighborhood that at one point thought twenty eight 40B condos would be built. This truly is a nice opportunity to provide a woodland area for a well-established neighborhood. The negotiations took over a year and started out at $750,000. The final purchase price of $200,000 will end the threat of a 40B project and have the land placed in a passive recreation land trust and will remain so in perpetuity. To make the first payment on the borrowing approved at Town Meeting to purchase Powers Farm ($800,000), the Rent Property ($425,000) and the Daly Property ($175,000). This will be the first of ten payments to payoff the bond. Whereas the Committee has made a commitment to pay the bond in a ten year period, instead of choosing a twenty year bond, the CPC will save approximately $225,000 in interest charges. The first year payment will be $126,500. In addition, the total amount of the borrowing is $500,000 less the total appropriated amount per the state grant awarded for the purchase of Powers Farm.

The Town will significantly enhance the amount of open green space on Memorial Parkway. Currently the stretch of roadway is all asphalt in a high-travelled location known for accidents. The general goal is to continue to improve the quality of life in Town through aesthetic enhancements while improving safety. Concurrently, the project allows for significant pedestrian safety improvements, right in front of the High School. The Town has acquired $2.4 million to make other improvements throughout the square in the form of successive PWED grants, this request augments our efforts to improve downtown Randolph. The design plan includes grass, trees, bushes and flowers. This project will transform the Memorial Parkway area and hopefully bring a greater appreciation for what open space can bring to the design elements to roadway projects. Concurrently, the open space enhances pedestrian safety in front of the high school, affords opportunity for sustainable use (solar lamps, etc.) and educational offerings at the high school level (native plant species, water conservation, composting, sustainable urban gardening, etc.).

The scope of the project is to remove the cannons and the statue off-site. The Soldier will be raised and inspected to see what, if any, repairs need to be made. These would be limited to filling any holes to prevent water from entering the Soldier, repairing the bayonet, and ensuring that the holes to re-secure the Soldier to the base are strong enough. The Soldier will not be “cleaned,” the patina of the bonze will be allowed to remain. The base of the Soldier will be inspected and the footings will be evaluated, repaired or replaced if required. The Granite will be re-pointed. The cannons will be cleaned up, but any natural patina will remain. The concrete bases and footings will be removed and discarded. New footings will be poured and new Granite mounts will be installed. The cannon balls will be cleaned up and any re-soldering that is required will be done. New footings will be poured. The trees bushes and grass on site will be removed and new plants and sod will be put in their place once the footings and mounts are in place. The area between the monument area and the stairs to Stetson Hall will be reworked to allow the installation of a memorial walk way, that any resident, company or family or group can participate in. The Granite base for the Soldier will have new anchor bolts put in, (existing ones are rotted through) and the Soldier, cannons, and cannon balls will be remounted in front of Historic Stetson Hall.

Phase Two should begin next summer/fall, and could include a community garden, extension of the walking path, permitting and remediation of Norroway Pond, among other potential uses. This funding will be utilized to secure design and development services to proceed with Phase II. The first phase of the development of Powers Farm will begin this summer, it is important that planning and design of Phase Two begin shortly, so that it can be designed and placed for bid by next fall.

The Town Clerk would like to start the process of digitally scanning & microfilm the vital records and historic documents for generations to come and to assist those seeking historical records or genealogy research. In addition, he will begin the process of rebinding and preserving many books that have sustained damage based on age, general wear and tear and mold. Many of these records could be placed online. Additionally, research time will be significantly reduced with a comprehensive data base of the records.

The house is now in desperate need of repairs to avoid irreparable loss to the building’s historic materials, characteristic details and original architectural details. The phase one work to be done will include repairs and preservation treatments to prolong the life of the wood, siding, trim, windows, doors, roofs and foundation of the exterior of the main house, North and South wings, the woodshed and carriage house.

The funding would develop a preservation plan that could be incorporated into the Town's Master Plan for future reference. It will complete the cataloging of Randolph's Historic properties, serve as a guide to prioritizing state and federal grant programs and provide a framework for potential ordinance amendments to adequately portect the Town's historic resources.