1.17.2023 Community Preservation Committee

Fall River Government TV Jan 18, 2023 YouTube Report Issue

The Fall River Community Preservation Committee met on January 17, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting began with a roll call and the unanimous approval of minutes from October 17, 2022. The Chair, John, announced his recent appointment to a state-level steering committee for a three-year term, where he will assist new cities and towns with CPA implementation and work on funding legislation. A significant portion of the meeting focused on two park projects. Nancy Smith, Director of Parks, requested an additional $53,000 for the Maple Park light project, which had an original grant of $499,000. The project faced cost increases and high initial bids, leading to a rebid where the scope was adjusted, and lights were purchased directly through a co-op for $294,440. Concerns were raised by committee members Alexander Silva and Rick Mancini regarding the architect's due diligence and the increase in scope. The committee unanimously voted to request detailed bid documents, scope changes, and advertisement records before making a funding decision. Another item concerned a $45,000 grant for a North Park study upgrade, approved in 2018. It was revealed that the Parks Department never received or utilized the study, which had been transferred to the Historical Commission in 2019. Citing a two-year term limit for grants that had expired in 2018 without extension, the committee voted 5-1 to withdraw the grant. The meeting concluded with the scheduling of future funding hearings for February 13th, February 27th, March 13th, and March 20th, and a discussion about having Mike Dion, CDA Director, review the Academica housing project for affordable housing compliance.

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