Article 26. Community Preservation Appropriation Recommendations

ARTICLE 26. To determine whether the Town will appropriate or reserve from the Concord Community Preservation Fund annual revenues, prior year fund balance, and reserves in the amounts recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for committee administrative expenses, community preservation projects and other expenses in Fiscal Year 2027; and further to rescind prior appropriations in the sum of $482,978 from the Community Preservation Fund, appropriated at the 2020 and 2021 Annual Town Meetings, and appropriate that amount to the Open Space Reserve Fund, with each item to be considered a separate appropriation, in accordance with Chapter 44B of the Mass. Gen. Laws, to be expended under the direction of the Town Manager as follows:

Article Explanation

The Town of Concord anticipates a total CPA revenue of $2,491,944 in fiscal year 2027. Additionally, the prior year’s Budgeted Reserve of $1,536,187 is available, as are $250,000 in existing Open Space Reserve Funds and $103,928 in existing Historic Preservation Reserve Funds. The estimated total available for appropriation at 2026 Annual Town Meeting is therefore $4,382,058, plus $482,978 in proposed rescinded funds.

This article authorizes the appropriation of funds from the Community Preservation Fund for the completion of specific projects, the Concord Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Conservation Fund, administrative expenses and reserves as listed in the above chart and allowed under the Community Preservation Act.  These appropriations will expend a total of $4,675,053 (with $824,500 for Community Housing, $1,050,000 for Open Space, $2,455,378 for Recreation, $295,175 for Historic Preservation, and $50,000 for Administration).

This article further proposes to rescind and reappropriate a total of $482,978 in Community Preservation Funds originally appropriated for Warner’s Pond Dredging and Access Improvements projects. At the April 27, 2020 Annual Town Meeting, Article 44 (G) appropriated $500,000 from which $3,022 was spent and $264,000 remains appropriated for Warner’s Pond Boat Launch Improvements, leaving a balance of $232,978 unused and available to be rescinded. At the June 13, 2021 Annual Town Meeting, Article 34 (M) appropriated $250,000 which remains unused and available to be rescinded. As both appropriations were made under the Open Space restriction, these funds will be rescinded to the Open Space Reserve and reappropriated to the Conservation Fund.

$58,753 will remain in Historic Preservation Reserve Funds, and $131,231 will be placed in CPA Budgeted Reserves. Town Meeting may reduce or reject but may not increase the appropriation from the Community Preservation Fund for any item proposed by the Committee. 

Article Motion

Ms. Isenberg moves that the Town vote to appropriate or reserve from the Concord Community Preservation Fund annual revenues, prior year fund balance, and reserves $4,806,284 in the amounts recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for committee administrative expenses, community preservation projects and other expenses in Fiscal Year 2027; and further to rescind prior appropriations in the sum of $482,978 from the Community Preservation Fund, appropriated at the 2020 and 2021 Annual Town Meetings, and appropriate that amount to the Open Space Reserve Fund, with each item to be considered a separate appropriation, in accordance with Chapter 44B of the Mass. Gen. Laws, to be expended under the direction of the Town Manager as printed in the Warrant.