Below is a summarized version of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
🏛️ Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee Meeting Summary
📅 Date: December 15, 2025
🕖 Duration: 2hr42min
📍 Location: Reading, Massachusetts
👥 Committee Members Present: Joseph Carnahan (Chair), Sarah Brukilacchio, Martha Moore, Sanford Matathia, Margaret Donnelly Moran
(Absent: Carlo Bacci; Kate Kaminer joined later)
🔹Call to Order & Public Comment
🕒 7:30 PM
- Meeting called to order; quorum confirmed.
- Public comment: Appreciation expressed for committee’s outreach and visibility at Town Meeting.
🔹CPA Project Spotlight
🕒 7:04–9:14
- Watertown Project: CPA funds approved for a five-bedroom home for developmentally disabled adults in partnership with Beaverbrook.
- Westford Recreation Upgrade: $400K CPA allocation for tennis court renovation, new basketball courts, and four pickleball courts.
- Discussion clarified CPA eligibility for outdoor recreation renovations.
🔹Outreach Updates
🕒 9:14–14:47
- Library Trustees Presentation: Completed; positive engagement, questions on CPA committee composition.
- Recreation Committee: Outreach postponed to January due to scheduling conflicts.
- Select Board: Initial feedback received; mixed views on timing and fiscal impact.
- Next Steps: Target Select Board presentation in late January or early February; confirm agenda slot soon.
🔹Timeline & Warrant Deadlines
🕒 14:47–17:10
- Warrant closes March 10, 2026; committee aims to finalize report by end of January.
- Discussion on timing relative to potential override and fiscal challenges.
🔹Report Review & Edits
🕒 17:10–2:08:31
- Key Edits Discussed:
- Correct language on commercial exemption (committee voted to exempt all commercial properties).
- Clarify state match terminology: Use “partial matching funds” consistently.
- Add rationale for exemptions (supporting low/moderate-income households and local businesses).
- Include acknowledgment of fiscal challenges in Executive Summary.
- Improve clarity on override section: Frame CPA as offering flexibility—either fund more projects or reduce taxpayer burden.
- Reorganize charts:
- Move tax impact table under CPA exemptions section.
- Create concise table for annual revenue and state match.
- Add language introducing sample warrant article and motion in appendix.
- Visuals:
- Add photos of Laurel Hill Cemetery improvements, Bare Meadow accessible platform, and community gardens.
- Seek aerial photo for cover; Andrew McNichol to assist.
- Action Items:
- Members to send edits and photos to Margaret (copy Jackie).
- Margaret to reformat tables and incorporate edits for January review.
🔹Procedural Clarifications
- Confirmed: Any board or committee can place an article on the warrant; Select Board cannot block it.
- Citizens’ petition requires 5% of registered voters (~1,050 signatures) for ballot question.
🔹Next Meetings Scheduled
📅 January 12 & 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
📅 January 20 & 26, 2026 at 7:30 PM
- Focus:
- Jan 12 & 13: Complete detailed review of report pages.
- Jan 20: Finalize report; begin presentation draft.
- Jan 26: Finalize presentation for Select Board.
✅ Key Outcomes
- Report Structure Finalized: Executive Summary edits, exemption rationale, override framing, and appendix additions.
- Visual & Data Updates: Photos and charts identified for inclusion.
- Timeline Set: Four January meetings scheduled to complete report and presentation.
- Procedural Clarity: Confirmed warrant and petition rules for CPA adoption.
