[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6100239,"mediaKeyId","2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db","parentId",2813706,"title","Community Preservation Commission approves Sept. 18 minutes; schedules site visits and public-comment date","audioSeconds",34,"startMs",151000,"endMs",185000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db&start=151&end=185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db/thumbnail_151000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100239/Massachusetts/Community-Preservation-Commission-approves-Sept-18-minutes-schedules-site-visits-and-public-comment-date","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100239-ef43fb5330f8a46554c87bd47e1c4359/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=nc3ubKsvKeY-63RLWHTGXYxsYwTsxntFEifK8xcQuVIB0r96DgYClEGyzWMFZ8lE8T2eQDD0~ejGJa4GLstXUGxb4MMekQWlC4hwWMwy91l-hqan4f5WBOBS6oB-mxHMwyI~5Mio8l3A1CBqPgKREg2FEYDvMgP5gSbKtE0UIypgphWG50EOYtHlXtdt~s3nUbBwzY7YwkDFY-H6XnnSz66puNmGV-OFeny7ku-uFCcgSG540~IfpvMHPEbsBr1IJ7dA-C2ou1npk8fY2g6rZu-AFAOh7K0qvp3EoNVhAB7Ld4jpxeyHnsNt6UfAXonw3KolZk~~wMwnUifjfyK77A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Community Preservation Commission unanimously approved the minutes of Sept. 18 on a motion by Chad and a second from Kevin. Sarah conducted a roll-call vote: Chris Tate, Chris Hellman, Devin, Kevin, Brian and Jeff each voted \"yes.\" The chair said the vote was unanimous.

Commission staff summarized the funding context for the round: applicants requested $1,528,000 while the commission has $1,155,000 available; staff said some CPC funds are reserved and not available for reallocation (about $267,000 in the open-space reserve and about $140,000 in the historic-preserve reserve, leaving roughly $750,000 undesignated). The chair noted bonding could cover larger projects in limited circumstances and said the playground was the only project clearly eligible for bonding as presented.

The commission confirmed two site visits scheduled for March 11: 09:30 at the Clap House (Betty Allen DAR chapter) and 11:00 at Historic Northampton. Members were asked to RSVP and the chair said staff would check attendance at the meeting’s end. The commission also noted April 2 is the scheduled meeting for public comment and that deliberations will begin two weeks later.

No other formal votes were taken on project funding at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton Community Preservation Committee | March 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission unanimously approved minutes from Sept. 18, confirmed site visits for March 11 (Clap House, Historic Northampton) and reminded applicants that April 2 is the public-comment meeting; commissioners reviewed current request and available CPA reserves.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100244,"Leeds teachers and principal ask CPC to fund an inclusive preschool/kindergarten playground — estimate about $639,000",1478,3377000,4855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db&start=3377&end=4855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db/thumbnail_3377000.jpg","/articles/6100244/Massachusetts/Leeds-teachers-and-principal-ask-CPC-to-fund-an-inclusive-preschoolkindergarten-playground-estimate-about-639000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100244-e5da7e1f130a9be50eb1e741bb77bd3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=jAAqOTIJLvtUFBTPPqcAG7RYLtZIOyilHWJNJqxV9-m8inXCfCVVOQaqO6PH3AWGQL5~0-NyubiziLMgOPX1V-t9S7drH2wNqhn1MGn1i-DCqpog55tfxkWpHM2pRLAJCIXBxPOTg77AcAnfSuJbzBD4kgmfebbT2GffqiWRtLQ3VE8Td1FRSVUJWi-C8A0HmIkhe9yFooJ3Ie2MivbQwi~dtGcn6i9nLDLeWFLTuNbetcfWEfDTMBY-1AEwBq37xhSfRQdmCD6xPP7FA1tHhOMibG7ABTbsHgqES1Vc61LbmGbKZX4zAdi8OfWDgdbeSoxsKFPuUuB~xAhiDgYhSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Terry, a teacher at Leeds Elementary School, presented a proposal for an inclusive “adventure” playground for the school’s preschool and kindergarten students and asked the commission to consider Community Preservation funding toward construction and design.

Terry described a larger inclusive structure with accessible swings, a communication board, sensory elements and a soft-impact surface intended to be usable year-round. She told commissioners the current playground is about 20 years old, uses loose mulch that becomes muddy in spring and lacks equipment that accommodates children with differing mobility, sensory and social-emotional needs. \"Every child deserves a safe place to play and grow,\" Terry said.

Budget and schedule: Terry said the application’s cost estimate came in after an initial quote and that the total as submitted is roughly $639,000 (presenter acknowledged she received part of the cost information late and that the figure may be refined). The applicant included a design fee based on a consultant who worked on a previous local project (Rhine Road) and noted an estimated 12-week construction timeframe.

Procurement and equity questions: Commissioners pressed the applicants on price and procurement. Commissioner Kevin observed the cost is comparable to a single-family home price in the state and asked whether multiple bids were sought; applicants said the quoted firm was recommended by the school district maintenance supervisor (Tony) and that the formal procurement process (including solicitation of multiple bids) would occur if the school department moved forward after any CPC award. Sarah (staff) confirmed that the school department would need to complete full procurement before executing a contract.

Commissioners also asked how the playground fits into any district-wide plan for future playground replacements; the applicants said the Leeds request targets the preschool/ kindergarten area specifically and that other school playgrounds will likely come forward over time. Commission members noted the Leeds proposal represents more than half of the round’s available CPC funds and discussed fiscal tradeoffs and bonding options.

No appropriation was approved at this meeting; commissioners encouraged the applicants to publicize the April 2 public-comment session and noted the commission will deliberate after that meeting.","Leeds School staff proposed an inclusive, universally designed playground for preschool and kindergarten children and asked the commission to consider funding; the application cites an estimated total cost in the low $600,000s and a roughly 12-week construction timeline.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100249,"Daughters of the American Revolution chapter seeks funds to make historic Clap House accessible",1878,1486000,3364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db&start=1486&end=3364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db/thumbnail_1486000.jpg","/articles/6100249/Massachusetts/Daughters-of-the-American-Revolution-chapter-seeks-funds-to-make-historic-Clap-House-accessible","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100249-5586cf4f3d6b961d0f071c2f29864b84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=LPD2gpRrLKq01nMw5jlMPj6ERKnOlV1ijC78mIItla-tz2PFx~ZX12E5NP2NoYLpKwrHGuDuM212mDgnMtBjK3q33w~86v6UYGv~FcRXEZ-4RWalCyFbo03ugVvwx1bMrn9rKY2qzfoa-Qe3uaOBSk~4ryEZnNmpb8GVHFfGgV1PJO0CJuBKs7d6MEnRYTu~Ios-lXd6nieppfIz9l0h25Q2~9VhNEWt4ABO7TrWP3YU-WJi26NMoT~UU8p8-jFRsvaPePIWJ3Hf9g7rNi4W4X6V8IvBTpQy4jBIRa66JqrGjlSzMIjpdNXpSCv-FWQ4~0XWnhL5jXt9fQMFBZbvyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Denise, regent of the Betty Allen chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, outlined a plan to make the chapter’s historic Clap House accessible and asked the commission for support to cover design and construction work to achieve ADA-compliant access.

Denise said the project is voluntary—\"we're not required to do this\"—but that the chapter decided accessibility was necessary after learning a recent guest could not access the house. She described a proposed accessible path from Monroe Street, a small single-room addition to house an ADA-compliant lavatory and interior door and threshold modifications; the addition would attach to a non-historic enclosed porch segment, she said.

Why it matters: The Clap House (Betty Allen chapter) is listed in the Commonwealth historic inventory and the National Register of Historic Places. The chapter said it consulted an architect (Jeff Penn), building and plumbing inspectors, Historic Northampton and a historic restoration expert (John Otis) about feasibility and preserving historic elements while making accessibility modifications.

Scope and community use: Denise and Jeff Penn described the work as focused on previously modified portions of the building and on preserving original trim where possible. Denise said the house hosts regular public programming—monthly book club meetings, veteran events, student essay awards and other community events—and that Historic Northampton will not refer visitors to the facility until it becomes accessible.

Design specifics Denise gave in the meeting included a Monroe Street path with low-impact lighting, a small ~7–7.5-foot-deep lavatory addition on a slab with a 4-foot crawl space, a mop sink and interior hardware adjustments; the chapter notes neighbors have been consulted and expressed support. Architect Jeff Penn emphasized that the alterations focus on non-original or previously reconstructed elements so original features can be retained.

No appropriation was enacted at this session; commissioners scheduled an April 2 public-comment hearing and a site visit to the Clap House at 09:30 on March 11. The commission discussed curb cut and disabled parking options; Denise said the site already has a curb cut for a tenant and that the chapter will request a designated disabled parking space from the city.","The Betty Allen chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution requested Community Preservation Commission support to fund alterations—an accessible path, a small lavatory addition and interior door modifications—to make the Clap House accessible while preserving historic fabric.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100253,"Northampton staff seek $70,000 for Phase 2 of Mainsfield flood-resilience planning",807,652000,1459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db&start=652&end=1459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813706-adae301a89659b22ae8cd5a35f02d3db/thumbnail_652000.jpg","/articles/6100253/Massachusetts/Northampton-staff-seek-70000-for-Phase-2-of-Mainsfield-flood-resilience-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100253-cb9d6c55f48f15a7026b3d3953faf7b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=AclrvMdsoE0~-RT4sORPo0-pEDqyC3dAcZaVb8wA0K97kb8MQQl3IT~CCBlpbw9jMixZAxqs6u-AlKf9wP~PyixScA397QHT-NiUNkoHSHwqbdsRzAK~xlWORDnJREhQSCXP0cGSHX-4z-wwn8dv4o5LvnInhC~pihN7wJtU3b0wZlcOeY6uavPWc77qfBaGKy6Mo4b1LC-vZWHfbF7qaTBDoJjl4qD8T3FSo6nKLjVfbobZnA9SQ5qJ0bJOSbhgXsI0-4mNx8KoNa0rNy0ErRt3ZcqQwF19s8e1KsisxNwqHZCVduws08Jg8cmo9a7iHVDytFhbtUmCoK6o4MTEOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anne Marie, a City of Northampton parks department staff member, presented Phase 2 of the Mainsfield Park Flood Resilience Plan and asked the Community Preservation Commission to consider $70,000 to fund community engagement and conceptual design work.

The project aims to build on Phase 1 river and hydraulic modeling by conducting multi-day visioning workshops with residents, stakeholders and city staff; producing alternative conceptual designs, 3-D illustrations and cost estimates; and preparing materials the city can use to pursue future state and federal grants. \"Phase 2 is the next part of it,\" Anne Marie said, describing the engagement and deliverables.

Why it matters: Mainsfield Park sits along the river and sustained damage in the 2023 floods; the park includes the city's only lighted softball field, volleyball courts and a pavilion and hosts many community events. Commissioners and the presenter discussed schedule and scope: Phase 1 (hydrologic and hydraulic modeling) will begin after contracting this spring and is expected to complete modeling by about June 2025. Phase 2 would follow, with intensive weekend workshops so residents can participate.

Supporting details: Anne Marie said Phase 1 covered surveys and modeling of existing river conditions. The Phase 2 scope described to the commission included site tours, visioning focus groups, alternatives development and preparation of a working document with conceptual designs and cost estimates. She cited examples of other riverfront conceptual plans and emphasized that the Phase 2 deliverables would help the city apply for grants to fund construction.

Commission questions focused on decisionmaking, schedule and cost escalation. Commissioner Kevin asked who would make final decisions after the workshops; Anne Marie said the parks department, the Park and Recreation Commission (an advisory board), the mayor and, for funding decisions, City Council would be involved. Commissioners also asked about the $10,000 increase from an earlier estimate; Anne Marie said the consultant's estimate rose since the earlier round (noting some duplicated management tasks after splitting the work into two phases and general cost increases).

No formal funding decision or vote on the $70,000 request was taken by the commission at this meeting. Anne Marie encouraged community participation in the project's public-comment and engagement schedule and noted Phase 2 work and costs are intended to position the city for external grant funding.

Looking ahead: Anne Marie asked the commission to publicize the April 2 public comment session and said the modeling work from Phase 1 would be used to shape the Phase 2 community workshops and conceptual designs.","City staff presented a Phase 2 plan for Mainsfield Park to develop community-driven conceptual designs and cost estimates for flood-resilience measures; the requested amount is $70,000 and is intended to inform future grant applications and construction phases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community Preservation Commission approves Sept. 18 minutes; schedules site visits and public-comment date

Leeds teachers and principal ask CPC to fund an inclusive preschool/kindergarten playground — estimate about $639,000

Daughters of the American Revolution chapter seeks funds to make historic Clap House accessible

Northampton staff seek $70,000 for Phase 2 of Mainsfield flood-resilience planning