Great Barrington Community Preservation Committee Meeting – September 2, 2026

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) convened on September 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM to conduct a public hearing on the Community Preservation Plan (CPP), discuss proposed amendments, review project selection criteria, and set the upcoming grant cycle schedule. All eight members were present.

Public Hearing on Community Preservation Plan

• Committee chair opened the public hearing for the entire Community Preservation Plan. No members of the public offered testimony either in person or online. The hearing was later closed by unanimous vote.

Discussion Items

• Proposal to Add Funding Source Information: Member Phil proposed adding a paragraph and a chart to the plan’s introduction to clarify the state match portion of CPA funds. He cited the Williamstown CPA plan as a model. The paragraph would explain how the state match has declined from 100% in early years to as low as 15% in recent years, and that opting for the full 3% levy increases the match. He also suggested including a five-year table showing local surtax revenues vs. state match amounts. The committee conceptually agreed, with members noting the information would help the public understand the program’s finances. Chair directed staff to draft the language and bring it back for a final vote.
• Review of Project Selection Criteria (Pages 4–7): The committee reviewed the eight project selection considerations and the three project area priorities (open space/recreation, historic preservation, affordable housing). Key points:
  • Town project preference: Discussion centered on whether to strengthen wording from “will be viewed favorably” to “highest priority” for town-owned projects. Some members worried that stronger language might discourage strong private applications. The committee decided to keep existing wording but noted that during the step-one review they could clearly communicate when town projects are likely to consume available funds. Chair stated that the committee’s qualitative judgment would remain the final determinant.
  • Affordable Housing Priorities: The committee affirmed that funding the Affordable Housing Trust remains a key action, and that rental assistance administered through Construct (nonprofit) aligns with the plan’s goals.
  • Open Space and Recreation Priorities: Member Jeremy proposed adding a priority to “support projects that acquire, create or preserve land for public drinking water sources,” citing the town’s need for a second water source. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to insert that language into the open space priorities on page 10.
• Potential New Projects/Concepts: Jeremy raised several ideas for future CPA funding—outdoor recreation destination, climbing resources, agricultural processing facilities, handicap-accessible trail equipment, and bike racks at trailheads. Committee members noted that some concepts (e.g., land acquisition for water sources, agricultural land preservation) are clearly eligible under CPA guidelines, while others (e.g., purchasing equipment) generally are not. They agreed that applicants must do their own homework and that adding too much detail to the plan would make it unwieldy.
• Bike Trail Discussion: Members discussed the need for an off-road bike trail from Sheffield to Williamstown, noting private landowners have stymied progress. The committee expressed support for such projects but acknowledged that land acquisition remains a challenge.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing Closed: Motion passed unanimously to close the public hearing for the Community Preservation Plan.
• Priority Amendment Adopted: Motion to add “support projects that acquire, create or preserve land for public drinking water sources” to the open space priorities passed unanimously (all eight members voted in favor).
• Planning Schedule Set:
  • October 13, 2026 (5:15 PM): Project update reports (including status of previously funded projects)
  • November 6, 2026: Step one applications due; November 10, 2026 (5:15 PM): Step one review meeting
  • December 11, 2026: Step two applications due; December 15, 2026 (5:15 PM): First step two review meeting
  • January 5, 6, and 7, 2027 (5:15 PM): Additional step two review meetings (with January 7 as tentative wrap-up/vote date)
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion to adjourn carried unanimously.