Press Release: 6/5/2026

Community Preservation Committee Announces FY27 Plan Public Meeting and Comment Period

 



NEW BEDFORD – The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, June 15 to gather input that will help update the Community Preservation Plan for Fiscal Year 2027. The meeting will take place at the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., in the third-floor meeting room.



The Community Preservation Plan identifies and establishes the City’s priorities in each of the CPA categories – Open Space/Recreation, Historic Resources, and Community Housing – through an open and transparent process involving public input. The annual Plan guides the allocation of funds by the CPC to projects that improve and benefit the City.



The draft FY27 Community Plan will be available for review at: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/planning/community-preservation/ before June 15. Written comments will be accepted through Tuesday, June 30 via email to CPA@newbedford-ma.gov or by mail to CPC – Department of City Planning, 133 William St., Room 303, New Bedford, MA 02740.



CPC MEETING DETAILS




  • Monday, June 15, 6 p.m.

  • New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant St.

  • Third-floor meeting room



Translation services in both Spanish and Portuguese for the meeting are available by request only. Please contact the Community Preservation Act Manager at least 48 hours prior to the meeting if you require these services.



Upon completion of the FY27 Community Preservation Plan update and approval by the Community Preservation Committee, the FY27 application cycle will begin with the FY27 Application Technical Workshop scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. The CPC highly recommends that all interested in applying for CPA funding attend the September workshop.



For more information about CPA in New Bedford, visit the City’s website at: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/planning/community-preservation/. Questions about the public meeting or the Community Preservation Plan can be directed to the Community Preservation Act Manager at 508.979.1488 or CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov.



Background on the Community Preservation Act 



New Bedford voters adopted the Community Preservation Act (CPA) through a ballot question in November 2014. The statewide-enabling legislation allows communities to create dedicated funding for projects that support open space, outdoor recreational facilities, historic preservation, and affordable housing activities in the city.



Oversight of this process rests with the Community Preservation Committee, the body established by the City to oversee the CPA program in New Bedford.



CPA funding is derived through two sources: a 1.5% surcharge on local property taxes and a state match on local revenue. For the FY26 application cycle, the CPC recommended, and City Council approved, $2.2 million in CPA funds to 20 projects.



Since FY18, the Committee has recommended, and the City Council has approved, 166 grants totaling over $16.9 million in CPA funding for projects that have preserved historic resources and open space, created community housing opportunities, and both improved and created recreational facilities throughout the city. In addition, these grants have enabled organizations to leverage an additional $12.9 million in funding from other sources, such as state and federal funds, and private foundations.