Every city that accepts the Community Preservation Act must enact an ordinance establishing a Community Preservation Committee. The role of this Ad-Hoc Subcommittee is to make recommendations to the City Council for the drafting of this ordinance. It is the intent of the Subcommittee to gather community input from Medford residents to best inform the recommendations.

This document serves to present the items that Medford has discretion over, and which items we do not have discretion over, in creating this ordinance, along with the recommendations by the City Council subcommittee.

Public comments will be accepted for consideration through July 18 and can be submitted to CPCCOMMENTS@MEDFORD.ORG.

Questions or concerns can be sent to CPA City Council Subcommittee members at cpacomments@medford.org.

Members of the subcommittee are:

• Councilor Adam Knight - Chairman

• Councilor John Falco

• Councilor George Scarpelli

• Alicia Hunt, Director of Energy & Environment

• Roberta Cameron, resident

• Joan Cyr, resident

• Mark Rumley - adviser to the subcommittee

What is the role of the CPC?

“The CPC is responsible for evaluating the community preservation needs of the city and making recommendations to the community’s legislative body as part of the annual budget process. Its role mirrors that of a capital planning committee in developing a multi-year capital improvement plan for a community and presenting an annual capital budget to its legislative body.”

In clear terms, the CPC will create a community preservation prioritization plan, and review proposals for work related to the plan and recommend specific proposals for funding.

What comprises a CPC?

Per state law the ordinance must address, at minimum the following:

1. Composition of Committee

2. Method of Committee Member Selection

3. Terms of Service

Composition of Committee

Membership: (Maximum 9 total, Minimum 5 total)

Non-Discretionary Committee Positions:

The state law requires at a minimum 5 Committee Positions, 1 member from each noted below:

• Conservation Commission

• Historical Commission

• Planning Board (Community Development Board in Medford)

• Park Board

• Housing Authority

Discretionary Committee Positions:

Up to 4 Additional Committee Positions

Recommended by committee: 9 total members

Selection Process

4 Additional Committee Positions Elected

4 Additional Committee Positions Appointed

• Mayoral Appointment, without Council approval

• Mayoral Appointment, with Council approval

• Council Appointment

• Mayoral Appointment (3), Council Appointment (1)

• Mayoral Appointment (2), Council Appointment (2)

• Mayoral Appointment (1), Council Appointment (3)

Recommended by committee: appointed by the mayor with council approval

Terms of Service

Duration-1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years

RECOMMENDED BY COMMITTEE: 3 YEAR TERMS

Staggered Terms/Unstaggered Terms

Recommended by committee: Staggered terms

Selection

Each member of the committee who represents one of the 5 required boards and commissions will be selected by their respective board or commission.

Selection of Additional Members

Require/Not Require Application Process for those interested in being appointed to the

additional committee positions.

Recommended by committee: Require application process

Require/Not Require Posting of Open Committee Positions/Applicants

Recommended by committee: Posting requirement

Recommended by committee the following language:

“For the 4 members of the general public, there shall be a public announcement of the open positions, with at least a 3 week period for submittal of an application to the Appointing Authority.

Eligibility

Residency Required/Not Required

Recommended by committee: Residency required

Exclude/Include City Employees and those holding an Elected or Appointed position within City

Government

Recommended by committee: exclude city employees, elected and appointed

Require Qualifications/Not Require Qualification

Recommended by committee: Require minimum qualifications

Recommended by committee the following language:

“Preference should be given to citizens who have expertise or have demonstrated interest in open space, recreation, historic preservation, affordable housing, capital planning, municipal finance, or fiscal accounting practices. To the extent possible the members of the Committee shall be selected so the entire City is fairly represented geographically.”

Filling of Vacancies

Require/Do Not Require deadlines for the filling of vacant Committee Positions

Recommended by committee: require deadlines

Recommended by committee the following language:

“Vacancies shall be advertised and posted as soon as reasonably possible and filled within 45 days of said advertisement and posting.”

Removal

Enable/Do not enable removal mechanism

Recommended by committee: enable removal mechanism

Recommended by committee the following language:

“The Chair may recommend for removal to the appointing authority any member who, without good cause, has unexcused absences in excess of 25% of the meetings.”

Powers and Duties of the CPC

Required by state law:

• Perform Periodic Needs Study with Annual Review

• Consult with existing Municipal Boards performing like duties

• Hold 1 Public Hearing

• Publish Annual Recommendations

• Publish Annual Budget

• Maintain Records

Discretionary:

Allow/Not Allow Resubmittal of Rejected Proposal

Recommended by committee: Allow resubmittal

Recommended by committee the following language:

“As the City Council has the right to reject or reduce a project proposed for funding by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), the CPC has the right to adjust the scope and terms of any rejected or reduced project and re-submit it to the City Council within 90 days of the initial refusal.”

Require/Do Not Require more than 1 Public Hearing

Recommended by committee: Do not require more than 1 public hearing

Recommended by committee the following language:

“Additional Public Hearings may be called at the discretion of the Chair.”