The Town of Norwood Community Preservation Committee voted Feb. 5 to recommend funding for seven projects that the committee will forward to town meeting, approving motions that identify local funding sources for each recommendation.

The committee approved recommendations that include a $300,000 local contribution toward a Washington Heights roof replacement; $24,000 for a National Register nomination for Highland Cemetery and Saint Gabriel Chapel; a $14,000 award to a shared housing services organization; a $10,000 transfer to the conservation land fund; a $200,000 feasibility study (split between open space and unrestricted funds); a $25,000 Elliott Field study; and an item listed in the agenda as a $75,000 Bosch-Grama project (the motion recorded on the transcript, however, allocates $175,000 — the committee approved the motion as offered). All motions on the agenda were approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds in Norwood pay for historic preservation, community housing, and open-space projects that otherwise might not fit in the operating budget. The committee’s recommendations shape what voters will see at town meeting and influence how much local taxpayer money is set aside for those categories.

Fund balances and FY26 forecast
Joe Sheehan, Community Preservation Committee member, opened the discussion with an overview of the CPC fund balances and preliminary FY26 revenue estimates. “Right now we've got $2,300,000 as we head into FY '26,” Sheehan said, noting that final year‑end adjustments could raise the balance closer to $2.4 million.

Sheehan and staff member Kristen also described the FY26 estimated surcharge revenue of about $909,000 from local collections and an expected state match of roughly $90,000 based on historical activity; the committee noted the budget schedules exclude the 5% administration set‑aside (about $50,000), which affects line‑item math.

Project approvals and key funding choices
- Highland Cemetery and Saint Gabriel Chapel (historic preservation): The committee recommended $24,000 to continue the National Register nomination work and directed that the local historic reserve be used first, with the remainder taken from unrestricted funds. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Shared housing services organization: Committee members recommended $14,000 and specified the money come from the community housing reserve. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Washington Heights roof replacement: After discussing matching scenarios with HILAP (a co‑funding partner discussed in the meeting), the committee voted to recommend a $300,000 local contribution. Committee members said the local funds would come from a split of $100,000 from the housing reserve and $200,000 from unrestricted CPC funds. Committee members discussed that the local contribution would be spent up front and that co‑funders’ matching and reimbursement mechanics should be clarified during grant negotiation.

- Transfer to the conservation land fund: The committee approved a $10,000 transfer from the open‑space and recreation reserve; members noted the town’s operating budget discussion may affect whether the conservation commission receives a corresponding operating appropriation, but the CPC vote is independent.

- Feasibility study (listed as "dialed upon feasibility study" in the agenda): The committee recommended $200,000 total, with $100,000 from open space and $100,000 from unrestricted funds. The project presenter (Carly) had described public‑access and site considerations; the committee noted accessibility and signage.

- Elliott Field study: The committee recommended $25,000 and moved the appropriation from unrestricted CPC funds.

- Bosch‑Grama project: The agenda listed a $75,000 request. During discussion a motion was made on the floor for $175,000 from unrestricted funds; the committee voted to approve the motion as offered. The transcript therefore records a mismatch between the application amount listed on the agenda ($75,000) and the amount in the motion that passed ($175,000). Committee members did not resolve that discrepancy in the meeting; staff noted they will confirm final numbers and follow up before town meeting.

Votes at a glance
(Each item below was approved by recorded voice vote and will be forwarded as the committee's recommendation to town meeting.)
- Highland Cemetery & Saint Gabriel Chapel — local recommendation: $24,000; funding source: historic reserve first, remainder unrestricted; outcome: approved.
- Shared housing services organization — $14,000; funding source: community housing reserve; outcome: approved.
- Washington Heights roof replacement — $300,000 (committee motion); funding source: $100,000 housing reserve, $200,000 unrestricted; outcome: approved.
- Transfer to conservation land fund — $10,000; funding source: open space and recreation reserve; outcome: approved.
- Feasibility study (agenda label: "dialed upon feasibility study") — $200,000; funding split: $100,000 open space / $100,000 unrestricted; outcome: approved.
- Elliott Field study — $25,000; funding source: unrestricted; outcome: approved.
- Bosch‑Grama project — agenda request $75,000; the motion on the floor allocated $175,000 from unrestricted funds and passed; committee will verify final requested amount and adjust materials before town meeting.

Discussion highlights and clarifications
Committee members pressed staff to document how co‑funding matches will operate for the Washington Heights project, with members asking whether the CPC local contribution would be spent before or concurrently with co‑funders’ reimbursements. John Hall, Community Preservation Committee member, said he wanted the motion language to clarify that the CPC local contribution would be spent first and that any co‑funder match would be tracked in grant documents; other members said they preferred to vote on the known local commitment now and resolve matching mechanics during grant negotiation.

Amanda Grobe, Community Preservation Committee member, urged timely action on the Washington Heights project: “One of the things I was thinking about with this project is the longer that you wait, the more expensive it's gonna get,” she said, arguing that construction‑cost volatility supported a larger local contribution now.

Committee member Patty Griffin‑Star raised process questions about the conservation land fund transfer, and staff explained that the CPC vote is a recommendation to town meeting and cannot be made explicitly contingent on the town’s operating‑budget action.

Next steps and meeting schedule
Staff will post project applications and prepare one‑page project information sheets and town‑meeting slides. The CPC will revisit outstanding clarifications (HILAP match mechanics and the Bosch‑Grama amount) before town meeting. The committee scheduled an update for Feb. 26 at Norwood Town Hall (5:30 p.m.), and a joint meeting with the Finance Committee is planned for March 6 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

Ending
Committee members concluded the meeting after completing votes on each of the seven recommended projects; staff will circulate final wording and financial breakdowns for the town‑meeting packet and return with confirmations of co‑funding terms before the May town meeting.