CPA Projects Database

Affordable housing consulting assistance

Rental assistance funds paid to Action Inc out of Gloucester to manage and provide assistance to Manchester residents who needed financial relief.

To complete the final sprinkler upgrades and repairs to the McKinley School Building.

Staffed by a part-time interim housing specialist and an affordable housing consultant, the HAO administrates, manages, and develops the Trust’s ongoing projects. Housing assistance and referral guidance is available to the public at the office, through outreach materials, and via community workshops and public meetings. The HAO also engages lottery agents and legal counsel as needed to support land acquisition efforts, pre-development assessments, and other Trust initiatives. Using CPA funds, the Trust has developed and managed a Housing Rehabilitation Program (CRE-HAB) which employs non-CPA funds to grant affordable homeowners monies needed for repairs and rehab their homes. During FY22, rehab grants were committed to work on two homes where affordable housing restrictions were put in place. The HAO staff has assisted the Trust in oversight of the purchase of land, the preparation and evaluation of a proposal for the construction of an affordable duplex on the site, and the ongoing construction of the two new homes in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. The staff also prepared and submitted Trust proposals to town officials for various options for an affordable housing component to the town’s redevelopment plan for the former Westport High School campus.

Partnered with Berkshire Housing Development Corp to distribute emergency rental/mortgage assistance to eligible Williamstown residents who have suffered financial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant supported the replacement of the bow window in unit 1 of this 1892 house.

Improvements to various city parks.

Historic survey and inventory documentation of the Massachusetts portion of the New Haven-Northampton (Hampshire-Hampden) Canal. Regional collaboration between Easthampton, Southwick, Russell, Southampton, Westfield, and Northampton.

Hydroraking/clean up of two lakes/ponds in city.

Renovation of the town-owned recreation resource Centerville Recreation Playground by replacing existing outdated playground equipment with ADA-compliant equipment, playground surfaces, and pathway from parking area; and landscaping.

Restorations and system upgrades to First Parish church, including restoration of tower and steeple, universal accessibility, and fire and life safety improvements. The church building was designed by Isaiah Rogers in 1833.

Multi-municipality archaeological inventory and survey of the historic canal in order to place it on the National Register of Historic Places (funding the Westfield portion only)

The Chelsea Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board collects, organizes, and allocates funding for the purposes of furthering affordable housing. More specifically, the Board utilizes this money to advise and assist in the creation of new affordable housing, as well as the preservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of existing affordable housing The AHTF currently runs programming to rehabilitate the existing housing stock, support home repairs for low-income seniors, and convert existing market rate units into affordable housing. To better assess their next steps in expanding affordable housing in Chelsea, the Board requests funding to complete pre-development planning. Predevelopment costs may include market research, environmental investigations, appraisals, landscape architect & engineering costs; all of which are essential for better understanding the challenges and benefits of a parcel through the lens of affordable development.

Atwood Park is a 0.6 acre neighborhood park in the heart of Newburyport’s South End. The park has seen many renovations over the past decade including new fencing, a new garden and lawn area in the former dilapidated asphalt tennis court, new benches, and removal of hazard trees and replacement with new ornamental trees. Much of the renovation work, including pruning of tree limbs and removal of an elevated central berm, was undergone in order to improve visibility into the interior of the park from the street. This next phase of the Atwood Park improvements requires lighting to improve the safety and visibility of the open space. The applicant is proposing installing 4 post lights along the interior walkways, where existing trees and sight lines are creating the most darkness. These lights are a more contemporary spin on a traditional and historical silhouette, while being high‐quality and vandal‐proof. The LED lights can be dimmed to reduce glare toward neighbors and are dark‐sky compliant.

The proposed project includes the creation and installation of two interpretive signs (each 24 inches wide by 18-inches tall) in the Garrison Gardens section of Newburyport’s Atwood Park, directly across from the 18th century house at 3-5 School Street, the birthplace of William Lloyd Garrison. The Newburyport Historical Commission has submitted a support letter for the project.

Removal, repair, cleaning and re‐painting with a four part paint system to all interior and exterior surfaces, and re‐installation of the Bartlet Mall swan fountain. The Bartlet Mall is a contributing property to the National Register District and is, itself, listed in the National Register. The Newburyport Historical Commission has submitted a support letter for the project.

Market Landing Park is Newburyport’s flagship park in a prominent location. This project will expand existing park space, upgrade “interim” park space (grass lawns), and reconfigure existing parking areas to accommodate park expansion. In addition, this project will incorporate a much needed connection between Clipper City Rail Trail phases I & II, across the central waterfront

Transfer of CPA funds to Conservation Trust Fund to be spent by Conservation Commission on Open Space purposes consisten with CPA (for quick action on purchases without the need for legislative action).

For the construction anbd installation of a handrail and lighting on the stairway up to the dam in Millbrook Meadow Park.

Grant to the First Congregational Church of Rockport, a nonprofit corporation, for the restoration, rehailitation and preservation of the non-religious windows, and lead abatement inn the historic "Old Sloop" church.

An electrical upgrade, for safety purposes, of the historic American Legion Bandstand at Back Beach.

Cover cost overruns of construction of new children's park.

Renovate picnic grove including new tables, pavilion, and accessible path

Install new spray structure