How should Middleboro spend its Community Preservation Fund?

MIDDLEBORO — The Community Preservation Committee is inviting residents to share their priorities for how to use the town’s Community Preservation Act fund at a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, in the Select Board room at Town Hall.

Each year, the community preservation fund receives about $500,000 from local property taxes and state matching contributions. These funds may be used for projects in four categories: open space, recreation, historic preservation, and community housing.

Recent projects supported by community preservation dollars include the acquisition of Picone Farm on Plymouth Street, preserved through agricultural and conservation restrictions and now featuring public walking trails; development of a park at 48 Wareham St. on the site of the former Department of Public Works; lacrosse fields at West Side Park; and playing fields on Wood Street.

Community preservation awards have been used alongside grants from federal, state, and private sources, as well as contributions from other municipal budgets, private donations, donated materials and volunteer labor.

The committee is currently updating its five-year Community Preservation Plan, which is available on the committee’s page on the town website. The plan outlines how preservation money is administered and how it has been allocated in recent years.

The committee is seeking input from residents on the following:

Do you agree with the priorities in the current plan?

Which projects have you most appreciated and believe contribute to community preservation?

What types of projects would you like to see in the future?

Proposals must demonstrate a public benefit and must be submitted by an applicant or project manager. The deadline for the Step One application to begin the annual funding process is Sept. 15.

To share your priorities or submit an application, email CPCChair@middleboroughma.gov.