Community Preservation Committee

Meetings

  • 5 pm
  • As posted pursuant to state law. Meetings usually occur once a month on a Thursday, except during the summer months.
  • First Floor Hearing Room, Town Office Building

Members

  • Jeff Kardel, Playground and Recreation Commission Representative
  • Gary Simons, Planning Board Representative
  • Robert Camara, Conservation Commission Representative
  • Gary Simons, Planning Board Representative
  • Matthew Adspen, Housing Authority Representative
  • Timothy Turner, Member at Large

Overview

The Community Preservation Committee is established in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44B, sections 3-7.

The Community Preservation Committee studies the needs, possibilities, and resources of the town regarding community preservation. The committee consults with various agencies, organizations, and/or individuals, particularly those represented on the committee, in conducting such studies. The committee makes recommendations to town meetings for the acquisition, creation, and preservation of open space; for the acquisition and preservation of historic resources; for the acquisition, creation, and preservation of land for recreational use; for the creation, preservation, and support of community housing; and for rehabilitation or restoration of such open space, historic resources, land for recreational use and community housing that is acquired or created as provided in this section. With respect to community housing, the committee recommends, whenever possible, the reuse of existing buildings or the construction of new buildings on previously developed sites.

The committee consists of 7 members. The members include an appointed designee from each of the following: the Conservation Commission; the Historical Commission; the Planning Board; the Playground and Recreation Commission; the Somerset Housing Authority; and the Board of Parks Commissioners. There is also 1 member-at-large from the community.

The committee makes recommendations to town meetings for funding community preservation acquisitions, initiatives, and administration. The committee may propose appropriations or reservations from fund financing sources for specific projects or categories of projects, or for other purposes that are consistent with community preservation but for which sufficient revenues are not then available in the Community Preservation Fund.

As part of its study, the committee holds at least one public information hearing each year on the needs, possibilities, and resources of the town regarding community preservation possibilities and resources of the town.

Contact us

  • Phone: 508-646-2804 (Chairman's phone)
  • Address
    Somerset Community Preservation Committee
    140 Wood Street
    Somerset, MA 02726