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Florence Civic Recommendation Cover Letter City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 September 03, 2008 Mayor Clare Higgins City of Northampton 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Re: Community Preservation Committee Recommendation to Fund the Florence Civic and Business Association Historic Preservation Project Dear Honorable Mayor Higgins, On May 1, 2008, the deadline for the second round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding requests in the City of Northampton, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) began reviewing the ten project proposals submitted for CPA funding. The Community Preservation Committee and the Community Preservation Planner reviewed each of the ten proposals for technical correctness prior to the CPC meeting on May 21, 2008. At the May 21, 2008 meeting, the CPC compiled a list of questions and additional information necessary for further project review. At this meeting the CPC also set up a site visit for each of the proposed projects. On May 31, 2008 the CPC met with each of the ten applicants to discuss their project proposals, and on June 11, 2008 the CPC held a formal public discussion on the project proposals. The purpose of the public discussion was to let members of the CPC hear the views of the public on any of the applications prior to their final review. On June 18, 2008, the CPC held its summary evaluative discussions of the applications; during this five-hour meeting the CPC voted on all ten funding requests. At the June 18, 2008 meeting, the Community Preservation Committee voted 9-0 to fund $40,000 to the Florence Civic and Business Association Historic Preservation Project. The requested funding is for historic preservation of the museum and collection. Due to the unique nature of the Florence Civic and Business Association’s CPA funding request (preservation of a historic collection) the CPC delayed forwarding the funding recommendation and spent a considerable amount of time during the months of July and August discussing historic preservation and the role of preservation guarantees for CPA funded projects. The Committee adopted a set of Preservation Guarantee Guidelines at th the August 20 CPC meeting and drafted a Preservation Guarantee for the Florence Civic and Business Association. The following are conditions/contingencies that the Community Preservation Committee is requiring as part of its recommendation for the Florence Civic and Business Association Historic Preservation Project: ?? Prior to receipt of funding, the Florence Civic and Business Association accepts the Preservation Guarantee drafted by the City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee. ?? Procedures for monitoring and reporting shall be worked out among the Committee, Mayor and the grantee. We hope that you will find this overview useful during this critical stage in the funding process. The Community Preservation Committee has worked diligently to ensure that both the Committee and the process have been comprehensive, transparent and inclusive; we welcome your input and expertise on this project recommendation. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Jack Hornor Chair, City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee