A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the approval of the Long Lake dock project’s second phase, which involves replacing a section of the dock used by lifeguards for rescues. Alicia Day from Park and Rec provided details about the project, which had already secured capital funding and was now considered for CPC funding. The committee voted to approve the project’s eligibility and funding request.

The Webster land appraisal sparked a conversation among the committee members about funding sources and the possibility of involving the Litton Conservation Trust in a potential subdivision of the land. The committee explored various sources of money, including short-term notes, grants, and donations.

Affordable housing was another focal point of the meeting, with discussions revolving around the Affordable Housing Trust’s five-year action plan and the proposed agreement for the appropriation of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to the trust. The Affordable Housing Trust outlined strategies for securing funding for housing projects and emphasized the need for a formal agreement with the CPC regarding annual funding. Members requested to review the action plan and the example agreement provided before making any decisions.

The committee also recommended that the Town Council review the proposed agreement to ensure it meets the necessary standards of thoroughness and appropriateness. Debates arose over the allocation of excess funds, the eligibility of the rental program for CPC funds, and the management of the trust’s account balance. The timeframe for spending the funds and the process for allocating them to affordable housing projects were discussed, with some members emphasizing the importance of town meeting approval before moving funds.

Further, the committee addressed the return of remaining funds from completed projects, including the Regional Housing Services, the Cooper Wellington Cooper project, and the Cloverdale Boardwalk, to the appropriate reserves.

The meeting also tackled the allocation of available Blended funds, totaling $287,134, which were distributed among housing, the host community agreement, and the Long Lake docks. An amendment to the minutes of a previous meeting was debated to accurately record financial details concerning the tennis court project.

The committee discussed the need for finding grant writers and understanding the application process for funding through the Community Preservation Act.

Concluding the meeting, the committee decided to schedule a follow-up meeting on May 6 to address the complexities of the Webster land project.