More than $4.5 million is available for affordable housing, open space, outdoor recreation and historic preservation projects in Somerville through the Community Preservation Act (CPA), and Somerville residents, organizations and businesses are invited to submit their project proposals to see if they are eligible for funding. Details on what CPA funds can be used for are laid out in the Community Preservation Plan available at http://www.somervillema.gov/cpa.

Those interested must fill out and submit a one-page eligibility form by Friday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m. available online at http://www.somervillema.gov/cpa/apply. Completed eligibility forms should be submitted to emonea@somervillema.gov. The Community Preservation Committee will review each form and determine whether the proposed project is eligible for CPA funds.

If you are interested in applying but unsure if your proposal is eligible, City CPA Manager Emily Monea will hold open office hours at City Hall each week on Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 26. She can also be reached at 617-625-6600 ext. 2118 or emonea@somervillema.gov with any questions or for assistance in completing the eligibility form.

The Committee will notify applicants by mid-October whether their proposal is eligible for CPA funding and can enter the full application process. Applicants are encouraged to submit their eligibility determination forms early. Those who submit by Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. will likely have their proposal reviewed at the committee’s Sept. 3 meeting, giving them additional time to complete their full funding application if they are deemed eligible.

Applicants whose proposals are deemed eligible must submit a full application by Dec. 1. The Committee will evaluate the applications based on priorities in the Community Preservation Plan, gather public feedback and ultimately present its funding recommendations to Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone for submittal to the Board of Aldermen. The Board of Aldermen will then vote on the Committee’s recommended projects.

In November 2012, Somerville voters overwhelmingly approved a 1.5% CPA surcharge on net property taxes. The City collected $1.3 million in CPA revenue this past fiscal year and appropriated an additional $1.3 million in free cash to the City’s CPA Fund, meaning the City will receive between $650,000 and $1.25 million in matching funds from the state, depending on final state CPA funding. An additional $1.3 million in surcharge revenue is projected in fiscal 2015, resulting in between $4.5 million and $5.1 million being available in the CPA Fund for projects.

In November 2013, an unprecedented open and transparent process yielded four appointees for the public positions on the Community Preservation Committee, submitted by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and approved by the Board of Aldermen. The Committee members are public members Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, Ezra Glenn, Courtney Koslow and Uma Murugan; and ex officio members Michael A. Capuano of the Planning Board, chairman; Dick Bauer of the Historic Preservation Commission, vice chairman; Tanya Cafarella of the Somerville Housing Authority; Michael Fager of the Conservation Commission; and City Parks and Open Space Director Arn Franzen.

For more information on the CPA, signup for the CPA Email Newsletter by visiting the City’s website at www.somervillema.gov/CPA and clicking “Sign Up Now for CPA News.” Please contact Emily Monea at 617-625-6600 x2118 or emonea@somervillema.gov with comments or questions.

— City of Somerville