09/16/2025 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE Minutes (2)

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,�yrxrasr�.a Town of Mashpee Community Preservation Commission " 16 Great Neck Road North ° Mashpee, MA 02649 • Ashumet Pond: Conditions in the pond remain poor due to phosphorus-related algae blooms. The project to treat the pond is moving forward, aided by the first installment of funding from Joint Base Cape Cod. • The Parsonage: Restoration planning has advanced. Ellen Sharpe, Tribal representative that is coordinating the funding, let Ms. Barbee know that the tribe has secured a specialized architect and contractor with expertise in historic restoration. The project has been delayed due to the challenge of finding qualified professionals,but the restoration work is expected to begin soon. Public Comment on Annual Public Hearing Jerry (no last name given), a member of the Affordable Housing Committee who had recently joined, voiced concerns about Mashpee's ongoing shortage of affordable housing. He expressed frustration over the community's limited progress over the past 10 to 20 years. He urged the CPC to prioritize funding for affordable housing, actively seek out proposals, and explore other funding sources to supplement CPC resources. CPC's Role and Potential Affordable Housing Programs The committee responded by clarifying that while the CPC does not initiate projects itself, it funds proposals submitted by others. They outlined several affordable housing strategies that CPC funds can legally support, such as rental assistance programs, subsidies for new housing production, and buy- down initiatives. Buy-downs can take different forms: non-profits may purchase homes with CPC support and rent them affordably, or funds may help individual homebuyers by subsidizing the cost of market-rate properties. Additionally, down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers is another potential avenue. The committee emphasized that these opportunities exist but require outside organizations and community partners to submit proposals and administer the programs. The Role of the Affordable Housing Trust and Housing Authority The discussion continued with suggestions for how the Affordable Housing Trust could play a greater role. Committee members encouraged collaboration with the Trust, chaired by Mike Sparks, noting that its last request for CPC funding was for $500,000. Once awarded, Trust funds can be used without waiting for additional town meeting approval, allowing for more timely action—something that appeals to developers. The housing authority was also identified as a potential partner, given its history of creating and managing projects like Breezy Acres and Asher's Path. Committee members suggested that the housing authority could purchase market-rate homes with CPC assistance, then rent them affordably to residents on their waitlists. 5